Chard Prep School

Staff

I previously worked at the school as Deputy Headteacher and Head of Maths between 2018 and 2023. I have been a teacher for 21 years and a senior leader for the past 15, working across a variety of different locations and year groups.
I have, at various stages in my career, taught every subject to every year group from Reception to year 8, although my love for all things Maths finally led me to seek out a specialist role.
Coming soon
I have 2 passions in life: teaching and my own 5 beautiful children. My 3 girls and 2 boys certainly keep me on my toes, but also mean that I always have my mum hat on. I care about the well-being of all children, ensuring that they receive the nurture and education that I would expect for my own.
With such a busy life, it is hard to have time for much else! When I do have a rare spare moment, I love to spend it crocheting or curled up on the sofa eating ice cream and watching something with my partner.
Secretly, I would love to be on the stage and belt out some showtunes. My favourites are "On my own" from Les Misérables and "For good" from Wicked. I used to sing these to lull my babies to sleep and they will remain the only audience!
Instead, you can find me in the Pre-Prep part of the school trying to sprinkle some magic. Whether it be measuring biscuit structures in Maths, retelling The Enormous Turnip with finger puppets or placing a cake in front of a child and telling them not to eat it, to demonstrate the power of temptation; I believe that an engaged and happy child is one who will succeed.
I am a passionate teacher dedicated to creating a fun and engaging learning environment. From a young age, I knew that teaching was what I wanted to do. I love making English and Maths come alive for my students through practical, hands-on lessons that spark curiosity and make learning enjoyable.
Outside the classroom, you'll often find me with a book in hand, as reading is one of my favourite pastimes. I also cherish spending quality time with my family who I am very close with. We love to spend a Sunday together cooking a roast and walks through my village or along the beach, where I can unwind and soak in to the weekend.
I enjoy visiting my partner in Oxford, where we love to explore the city taking part in escape rooms, going to the cinema, and having meals out in new restaurants. We also like to explore new places and enjoy short weekend breaks away in the UK.
Teaching brings me so much joy, and I'm excited to share my love for learning with every student I meet!
My interests include Russian and American pedagogy and semiotics , 20th century small arms and ballistics, modern philosophy. History and language. Religion especially Gnostic groups and historical links to freemasonry.
I have two dogs and two gerbils.
Science is awesome. I am a passionate science educator and believe we learn best through experiences and hands-on activities coupled with understanding the 'why' behind our observations. My science laboratory is a fun and inspiring space where no question is out of bounds. My aim, at Chard Prep School, is to inspire a life love of science for all of my students.
Outside of the laboratory I can be found with my family, horses and dog enjoying all that nature has to offer.
My main background lies with Fine Art where I achieved an A* at both GCSE (Chilton Cantelo School) & A Level (Sexey’s School), as well as a Foundation Degree in Fine Art (Somerset College).
I also, have a Teaching & Learning Foundation Degree for EYFS - 11 years (SCIL).
I have currently worked at Chard Prep School for 8 years and I love working here!
Hobbies: Cooking & Baking for my family.
Camping - I was a Scout for 10 years and attended a World Scout Jamboree.
As a PE teacher, creating a sense of excitement about sport is something that I am really passionate about. I believe that taking part in, and learning about, sport is crucial for young people as it builds a foundation for a future healthy lifestyle and a positive attitude to wider life and teamwork.
Chard Prep School is a very caring, supportive and friendly environment, with high expectations of achievement and excellence from students and staff; this is an ethos which I completely agree with and strive for in my teaching.
I can successfully employ different teaching styles and assessment strategies, tailored to pupils’ differing and relate to a wide age and ability range, learning needs and circumstances.
Committed to continuous improvement and innovation, I am proactive in my professional development, enabling me to understand the principles of teaching.
I have a passion and enthusiasm for all sports, I set high standards for myself and all pupils and always aim to understand the needs of everybody.
Music has been an important part of my life for as long as I remember, first playing the piano with the family lodger, a composer, and then putting up my hand in primary school when the class was asked who wanted to play the violin. I attended a specialist music school in London and went on to study music at university. Youth Orchestra and musical summer camps meant that music was a social activity and my love of music instilled in me a desire to share it through performance and teaching. I spent 20 years living in Southern Spain where I established 3 community music schools in different villages in rural Andalucia. My teaching philosophy is to nurture the natural human response to music – much influenced by my training in Dalcroze Eurythmics, an educational model which treats the body as the first instrument. I am also a qualified music therapist and love using music to help make positive changes to people’s lives.
I have 2 children, 3 cats, 1 dog and 2 guinea pigs. I qualified in 2010 and have worked mainly in the independent sector. I enjoy pilates, being outdoors, the seaside and spending time with my family. You will rarely see me not in a dress and love earrings.
My passion for writing developed over the years of my childhood; I would always be fascinated with storytelling and have memories of my sister and I role-playing scenes from our favourite books. During my school years, I would get lost in the world of Jacqueline Wilson and would always look forward to World Book days. At college, I studied English Language and Journalism which then created the stepping stones towards my degree of Public Relations and communications. It has been a real pleasure to witness the children of Chard Prep school mirror this passion and enthusiasm for writing. Other passions of mine include crafting, going for family beach walks and eating anything Italian!

Peripatetic Staff

Guitar – Mr J Goodman

Piano, Violin & Ukulele, Recorder, Clarinet & Singing – Mrs P Orr-Ewing BA (Hons)

Piano, Clarinet & Saxophone – Mrs T Ellis-Trott

Piano, Singing & Ukulele – Mr A Pearson

Drums – Mr A Lane

Administration

School Administrator – Mrs J Shaw

Bursar – Mrs Anita Hall-Roberts

Marketing & Admissions – Mrs J Shaw

Board of Governors

James is a management consultant, focused on change and leadership. He grew up in the area, moved away for some years having joined the Army, then returned in 2016 with his wife Davina. They have two children at Chard Prep School. James read History at Exeter, later undertaking a Master’s at Oxford Brookes in International Development in anticipation of some overseas work. Outside of these activities his passion is sailing.
Gemma is a senior commercial lawyer for a FTSE 100 financial services company. She predominantly works in the technology sector, focusing on strategic and business-critical initiatives. Her role as a member of the company’s leadership team has provided her with a wealth of management and leadership experience.
Gemma has two daughters at Chard Prep School. Having grown up in the area, she and her family made the decision to move back in 2020, providing her children with the enriching experience of being raised in the countryside.
Mike is a senior marketing specialist at a global digital quality engineering company, with 20 years’ experience in tech and financial services marketing, communications and PR. Mike has two daughters at Chard Prep School.
Alexa has 15 years’ experience as a ceramics specialist in the commercial art world. She now runs her own arts consultancy business. She became a Governor in 2024, after her daughter joined Chard Prep School in 2023. She has a particular interest in the arts offering at the school.
Phil is the Managing Director of local construction company HM Construction. Since setting up the business in 2008, Phil’s knowledge, passion and drive have helped to create a respected local business. Phil is proud to have two children at Chard Prep School.
Stewart was a boarding pupil at Chard Prep School from 1958 to 1962 and remembers his schooldays with great affection. He went on to have a successful career in the Metropolitan Police in London finishing as a Detective Superintendent investigating serous crimes. He then had a short career as a financial advisor and after retiring in 2001 he took up his passion, rock and roll music, and has been entertaining people ever since. He recently became a Governor at Chard Prep School as he is Chairman Elect of the Old Cerdics’ Association, which he will take over in June 2024 upon the retirement of the present Chair.
Tom has lived in the Chard area for over 40 years and joined the board of Governors in 2019. He is a retired solicitor who had a career initially with a firm in Chard and then subsequently with the Land Registry in Weymouth. Tom has family who have attended Chard Prep School.
Mike and his family moved to the local area in 2023 and he joined the Governing body in 2024. He is the Headmaster of a primary school in West Dorset. Mike read Classics and Archaeology at the Universities of Cambridge and Nottingham, and prior to life as a teacher, worked as a lawyer in the City.
Dave is a CEO of a management and technical consultancy, operating primarily in the defence and security sectors and has lived in Somerset for nearly thirty years. Having been educated in engineering, Dave has a strong interest in all things STEM and is a staunch advocate of developing diverse technical skills in the next generation of school leavers. Outside of work, Dave's passions are family, football and music. The order of importance for these three things depending entirely on sporting results.
Dave is married to Mel and has three children, three cats and a Dachmand named Frank.
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