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Meet The Teachers

Mr Matthew Bryan

Matthew Bryan
Position:
Headmaster

I started my career as a senior school Classicist, teaching Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation up to IB and A level at Hampton School and King’s, Wimbledon. I then discovered how amazing it is to work in Prep Schools and went out to Summer Fields, a boys’ boarding school in Oxford. From there I went to be Deputy Head (Academic) at Saint Ronan’s in Kent. I’ve been fortunate to experience everything from the ages of 2-19; single-sex and co-ed; day, boarding and ‘flexi’, traditional and progressive.

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Mr Ben Moir

Ben Moir
Position:
Deputy Head

Before joining Longacre in September 2016, I was Director of Sport and Senior Teacher (Operations) at Rokeby School, a position I held for nearly seven years.  Rokeby is a 13+ boys school in Kingston upon Thames.  Prior to this I was Head of Sport at Lanesborough for six and a half years.

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Mrs Nicki Mould

Nikki Mould
Position:
Head of Pre-Prep

Before joining Longacre I taught Reception and Year 1 and was the childcare and curriculum adviser for a chain of 30 nurseries.

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Mr David Harry

Position:
Deputy Head (Academics)

After leaving school I studied history at Aberystwyth University and guitar at the Academy of Contemporary Music with dreams of recording an album and touring the world! After it quickly became apparent that I would be lucky to tour the Surrey Hills, I started coaching football at various schools across the county with Planet Soccer. In this capacity, I visited Longacre on many occasions and was delighted when I joined full-time in 2012.

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Mrs Tara Pandey

Tara Pandey
Position:
Assistant Head (Wellbeing) / Head of Art & Design Technology

I worked for many years in Advertising and PR in London before completing an Art Degree at the London College of Printing as a mature student. After this I ran my own photography business before the birth of my son in 2005 who joined Longacre in Kindergarten.

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Miss Chloe du Pon

Chloe Du Pon
Position:
Director of Music

I’m a classically trained, professional singer and many years ago (!) I started teaching singing at a couple of schools in-between gigs and session work, and Longacre was one of them! It was Longacre that inspired me to study a PGCE, to become a qualified teacher and where I gained the desire for children to experience the joy of music; the positivity, creativity and sense of achievement it imparts.

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Mrs Claire Papastefanou

Mrs Claire
Position:
Head of Science

I was born and raised in South Africa. My love for nature and wildlife led me to study a BSC degree specialising in zoology and microbiology. During this time, I discovered I had a passion for teaching and so I went on to complete my PGCE. I have since worked in both junior and senior independent schools in South Africa, where I was the Academic Head of Natural Sciences and Head of Year.

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Ms Naomi Watts

Position:
Head of English / Head of Forms V & VI

Having parents and grandparents as teachers, I grew up determined never to become a teacher. After graduating, I started my career working for a hospice as People, Learning and Development Manager. Here, my passion for lifelong learning and holistic care began. Inevitably, the teacher-bug caught up with me, so I left my role to dip my toe in the waters of Education. I completed my PGCE and QTS in 2015 and I have never looked back. Since qualifying, I have taught English, Maths, History and Games across Year 4 to 8.

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Mrs Sheila Manson

Sheila Manson
Position:
Head of Drama / Form V Tutor

Since leaving school, a very long time ago, I have completed Part 1 of the MCSP exam, been a doctor’s receptionist, a lab technician in an independent secondary school, trained as a hearing therapist, worked for a local authority installing emergency alarms, been an area organiser for a cancer charity and managed a resource/ rehab centre for adults with an acquired disability!

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Mrs Jenny Fagg

Position:
Head of Modern Foreign Languages

Born and brought up in France to a French mother and an English father, I studied English at the University of Bordeaux then the University of Versailles while, at the same time, teaching English to adults and teenagers. During my studies, I took a gap year to work as a French teaching assistant in two secondary schools in Reading.

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Mrs Susanne Gibson

Position:
Head of Pupil Progress/Prep Teacher

I can hardly remember life before Longacre as I started here in 2004 and can’t seem to keep away! I grew up in Northern Ireland where I completed a degree in Applied Languages. I moved to England for teacher training and a PGCE and decided to stay.

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Mr Mark Poeti

Mr Mark Poeti
Position:
Head of Computing

Following the completion of my degree in Geographical Information Systems and PGCE, I have held a wide range of teaching and leadership roles in both independent and state school settings.

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Mrs Jo Trinder

Position:
Form III Tutor

Before Longacre I worked at a prep school in Reigate. I was Head of French there for two years and taught children French from Reception to Year 6. Before that I was a Year 3 teacher, teaching all the core subjects and Humanities.

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Miss Charlotte Thorpe

Position:
Head of Forest School/Form III Tutor

After a trip around the world with my sister in 2014, I realised I wanted to work with children and be outside. I began volunteering with the Surrey Wildlife Trust and fell in love with Forest School. I trained with the Trust to become a Forest School Leader and I have helped with Forest School sessions all over the county.

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Mrs Nicola Fincken

Mrs Nicola Fincken
Position:
Form III Teaching Assistant

Originally from Jersey, I was educated in England and went on to study Childcare at The London Montessori Centre and gained my Montessori International Diploma (NVQ level 4).  I then proceeded to work with Nursery aged children (aged 2-6 ) for most of my career and ran a nursery school in London before moving to Surrey to raise my family.

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Mrs Fiona Durkin-Saul

Position:
Head of Forms III & IV / Form III Tutor

Whilst studying for my A Levels, I volunteered in a local primary school and tutored my friends’ younger siblings to help prepare them for their Maths GCSEs. These experiences confirmed that teaching was the career for me! I graduated from Roehampton University in 2011 and took up my first teaching position within Year 3.

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Mrs Nicky Hamer

Position:
Form II Teacher

I have been a Primary School teacher for all my working life, apart from a brief foray into retail management when I first left school and worked for the John Lewis Partnership. I have had experience across the whole primary range, in both the maintained and independent sector.

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Mrs Imogen Bates

Position:
Form II Teacher

Before joining Longacre, I was a Year 2 teacher at Danes Hill school for five years. Prior to that I worked in Years 5 and 6 at a school near Woking.

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Mrs Beckie Reddish

Lady with brown curly hair
Position:
Form II Teacher (Maternity Cover)

After completing my Primary Education degree at the University of Roehampton I began my career in a state school in Surrey teaching Reception. Since then I have worked across both the state and independent sectors teaching across the Early Years and Key Stage 1. Before joining Longacre, I worked at Newton Prep in Battersea teaching the Nursery class.

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Mrs Leigh Couchman

Position:
Form II Teaching Assistant

Originally from South Africa, I studied Graphic Design and enjoyed a successful advertising career. Becoming a mother changes your sense of purpose, which led me on an entrepreneurial path, in which time I established my freelance design consultancy, setup an extramural art and craft club at my daughter’s school and launched a socially driven “pop-up” art class, where I taught adults to paint.

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Mrs Beth Davies

Position:
Form I Teacher

After leaving university, I quickly realised that I wanted to pursue a career in education. I became a teaching assistant at a local primary school and completed my PCGE whilst working at the same school the following year. I then moved up to London and worked at a school in Chelsea as a Year 2 teacher for 3 years.

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Mrs Christine Hamilton

Position:
Form I Teaching Assistant

Originally from Wales, I studied for a combined honours degree in English and History followed by ten years working in London, initially in investment management and following a belated gap year travelling, I spent eight years working as a Business Analyst for Reuters.

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Mrs Daniela Casey

Position:
Form I Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Prior to working in education, I had a seven year career working for Network Rail. I was based in London in the IT department, working as a software analyst. Albeit, I chose a very different career than my actual desire, which was to teach and work with children. I finally decided to make  a career change and in 2011 I started as a Teaching Assistant here at Longacre, working with the exceptional Caroline Palmer, whom our fantastic Palmer Hall is named after.

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Mrs Jane Chapman

Position:
Form I HL Teaching Assistant

I have a BA (Hons) Business Studies degree and prior to starting a family, I had a successful career as a Marketing Manager in the automotive industry working for premium brands including McLaren, Porsche and BMW.  Then in 2002, I decided to put my career on hold to focus on raising my children.  

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Mrs Olivia Kent

Olivia Kent
Position:
Pre-Prep Teaching Assistant / Games Assistant

Since the day my teacher allowed me to take the register at the age of six, I have wanted to be a teacher. After having my eldest daughter two weeks after graduating with my PGCE, I then went on to have my youngest daughter and have been a full time Mum for five years. I am now thrilled to get back in the classroom and be part of everyday learning life.

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Miss Andrea Beasley

Position:
Reception Teacher

I joined Longacre in September 2008 and before this was studying to achieve my Level 3 Childcare Diploma. During this time, I experienced working with a variety of different age groups from Nursery to Form I. It was during my course that I discovered my passion for Early Years teaching.

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Mrs Sarah Morris

Position:
Reception Teacher/Early Years Coordinator

Prior to joining Longacre School in September 2018 I worked at a local Primary School where I taught YrR, Yr1 and Yr2 over six years. In this time, I led PE and managed the Key Stage One team. Before qualifying as a teacher in 2012, I managed two private day nurseries and a Sure Start Children’s Centre.  Whilst working in these roles I studied part-time to achieve my degree and also had my two children.

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Mrs Melanie Lee

Position:
Reception Teaching Assistant

After I achieved my NNEB, I have been lucky to have worked in a variety of places with young children. I started as a Nanny and then became a nursery leader and then a child minder, while I brought up my own children. In 2007 I became a Reception Teaching Assistant.

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Miss Sara Cedola

Position:
Reception Teaching Assistant

Following my studies in fashion photography at university, I decided to spend some time nurturing my creative side and came across a wonderful photographer who gave me the opportunity to gain some valuable experience working alongside her. Finding myself with some free time, I happily accepted the chance to work voluntarily at a primary school and discovered my love of working with children.

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Miss Jemma Winterton

Position:
Kindergarten Leader

From a very early age I have always wanted to work in the Early Years. I have been working with and teaching children for over 20 years! Each day is different but I find the Early Years especially rewarding. Being part of the crucial early stages and laying down foundations in order for them to grow into individuals is something special.

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Miss Lauren O’Sullivan

Lauren O'Sullivan
Position:
Early Years Teaching Assistant

I spent many years working at a school in London, firstly as a teaching assistant while completely my degree and PGCE, before continuing at the school as a Year 2 class teacher. Early in 2020, I had my first child and until now have spent time with him and enjoying life after lockdown.

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Miss Rachel Vickery

Rachel Vickery
Position:
Early Years Teaching Assistant

I went to university to become a social worker and after a year of my degree decided I would rather become a teacher. I then moved to Cyprus for two years where I taught at a British School until the birth of my daughter at the start of 2020.

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Mrs Sheila O’Brien

Lady wearing a floral top
Position:
Nursery Leader

After attaining my NNEB I became a private nanny for many years before becoming a Nursery Manager of a day nursery. I joined the Longacre family as a parent when my three children started in Nursery through to Form VI. I was offered a job in Early Years when my youngest started in Reception and have worked in both Kindergarten and Nursery for the past 10 years.

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Mrs Becky Chambers

Position:
Early Years Teaching Assistant

I worked as an Administrator at the University of Surrey for eight years until I left in 2003 to have my first daughter. I then retrained as an Early Years Practitioner in 2008 and worked at a nursery in Cranleigh until I started my job at Longacre in 2014.

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Miss Charlotte Philps

Position:
Early Years Teaching Assistant

Before joining Longacre I began my journey of working with children in a local infant school. There I spent a year with Year One and moved up with them to Year Two; it was fantastic to take this step of the journey together. After taking a very special year out to have my daughter, I worked in the Pre-school and in the last two years helped to establish the new nursery.

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Mr Simon Floyer

Position:
Head of PE

As a PE and Games teacher I think it is safe to assume that a passion for sport is evident. From a very young age my focus has always been on developing as a team sportsman and pursuing any opportunity to make my interests, my work. I studied Sports Science for 3 years at Brunel University and then worked as a personal trainer before realising my passion to work with children and help to develop their passion for sport.

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Mrs Joey Hall-Palmer

Position:
Games & PE Teacher/Outdoor Teamwork & Leadership Teacher

I have been lucky enough to have taught at schools in the UK, Australia and the USA. I lived and taught in Sydney for 8 years which was amazing as I was able to indulge my love of the outdoors and all sports in fantastic weather.  

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Miss Chloe Holcombe

Position:
Classroom and Sports Assistant

Before joining Longacre, I was a teaching assistant in a local SEN school. I worked closely with a pupil on a one-to-one basis for two years and enjoyed the opportunity to take on this challenging role.

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Mr Philip Elwood

Student
Position:
Placement Student

I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and design. During my time studying Design & engineering at Brunel University I got involved with the canoe club there that started my love for water sports. Following on from university I went to work for a design studio in London for a few years before deciding a  career change to something not at a desk was required!

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Mrs Lisa Edwards

Position:
Head of Learning Support

Prior to joining Longacre I taught in both primary and secondary schools in the state sector. In my most recent role, as well as being SENCo I was also Progress Leader for year 7, one of the Deputy Safeguarding Leads and I taught English to years 7 and 8.

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Mrs Jacqui Davies

Claire Collins
Position:
Learning Support Teacher

I started my teaching career in London and moved to Guildford where I have enjoyed  teaching in many Surrey schools, both in the state and independent sector.

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Mrs Tracey Madgwick

Position:
Learning Support Assistant

I started my career in banking, working closely with the public and taking on many roles before becoming a full-time mum in 1995.

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Mrs Claire Collins

Position:
Learning Support Teacher

After graduating with a degree in the History of the Fine and Decorative Arts, I initially worked in a London art gallery.  Although the job was interesting I felt that there was something missing so took a leap of faith and headed to Roehampton to complete a PGCE. 

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Mr Rob Bartlett

Position:
Librarian

This is a case of life before and life after Longacre. In my time away I have been working at Gatwick Airport assisting passengers with reduced mobility. I have helped the blind, deaf, autistic, the elderly, people with Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as former soldiers who have had limbs blown off. It has been a very humbling experience and one that I will continue to do in my spare time.

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Mrs Lorraine Green

Position:
Early Years Practitioner

Before Longacre – I worked in the Travel Industry for over 20 years, arranging business travel for large corporates. I then spent time at home with my two daughters before working at a local infant school and joining Longacre Pre-prep...

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Miss Ellie Quin

Position:
Form I Teacher / Head of RE

Life before Longacre Following my degree in RPE (Religion, Philosophy & Ethics), I knew I wanted to pursue my love of working with little ones. I gained Early Years experience in a rural forest school nursery outside Henley-on-Thames for a...

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Miss Kirsten Randtoul

Position:
Early Years Practitioner

Life before Longacre After finishing college I started a career in the Travel and Tourism industry, I thoroughly enjoyed designing holiday packages for families and always ensuring they experienced the holiday of their dreams! I worked closely in planning exciting...

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Miss Freya Thorton

Position:
Form tutor of IIIF

Life before Longacre: I have grown up surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Surrey and was lucky enough to complete my A Levels at Hurtwood House School in the Surrey Hills and so have always loved the area! During my...

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APRIL OPEN MORNING

Experience life at Longacre as we open our doors on Saturday 20th April for a family Adventure Day.

Tackle the Climbing Wall, get creative with our LEGO STEM kits, discover Forest School, or head to Nursery and discover how we lay the foundations for learning at our Stay and Play session.

To RSVP, please visit our Open Day page here.

 

RSVP Now