Portals
Year 4 had an amazing school trip to the Natural History Museum. When we arrived, we went to the ‘Emergency! Earthquakes and volcanoes’ workshop. The scientists had gone missing so Year 4 heroically stepped in to save Volcano Town from certain doom. However, we also wrecked part of it to see how a seismometer works. Destruction in the name of science! We also experienced an earthquake, rode an escalator through the centre of the Earth, learned even more about the different types of volcanoes and actively learned using as many of the interactive displays as possible. ![]()
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Staff
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Tim Cannell
Mr Cannell has a wealth of experience of working in education. For the past 30 years he has worked in the independent sector holding a variety of senior roles including 14 years as Head. This included a few years as Head at PGP before being promoted to Principal. He has been a school Governor, Chair of the Cathedral Choir Schools Association and sits on 3 educational trusts including the IAPS itrust. He has recently become an Independent Schools Inspector.
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Neil Christey
Mr Neil has been in charge of school administration at PGP for eight years, during which he has qualified as HR manager and is an associate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. He studied Musical Theatre at Arts Educational school in London and spent many happy years working on stages across the world – in his spare time he still performs and sings in choirs. Neil has a degree in HR and is also trained to teach mindfulness to children from Reception to Year 6. He is dedicated to implementing mindfulness across the school and teaches regularly in the classroom. Outside of school Mr Neil runs a complementary medical practice, The Gong Room, which offers services in sound healing, mindfulness and coaching for adults and children. He loves running the school office and being able to offer his wide set of skills to the school community.
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Celine Lemerle
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Marcus Waring
Mr Marcus trained as a journalist at the London College of Printing in 1999 and worked as a journalist and editor in travel for 15 years, with roles ranging from freelancing for national newspapers, magazines and websites to being the managing editor for a lifestyle management company. He has covered a variety of stories, from extreme snowmobiling in Russia and surfing in Australia to hotel reviews and city guides. He joined PGP in 2015 after project-managing a new website and prospectus. He oversees the website, the social media channels, the book bag email, advertising, the end-of-term newsletter and anything else which needs to be proofed, punctuated or printed, along with liaising with our local nurseries, educational consultancies, relocation agents and the media. Away from school, he likes travel, photography, tennis, mountain biking and films.
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Dulcie Searle
Miss Dulcie comes to PGP from the United States of America. She was born and raised by her British parents in Minnesota and moved back to their home town of London after graduating from High School. As part of the transition back to Europe Miss Dulcie had spent time in Ireland, where she gained hands-on experience as a teaching assistant at a local primary school and a playschool/crèche. On returning to London, she worked for Yellowbird Education as a handwriting tutor and it was during that time that she found her role at PGP. She joined the school in September 2021. Her hobbies include playing basketball, going to the theatre, yoga, and Irish dancing, which she started at the age of six. Her passion for dancing was such that she attended and trained with Riverdance at their Riverdance training camps in Boston and Dublin.
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Phoebe James
Miss Phoebe has been with us at PGP since 2019. She is a key member of our team, having taught at the top end of the school preparing children for 11+. She is now focusing on how we can support and extend each child’s personal development. Miss Phoebe spent two years living in Argentina and Sydney where she discovered her passion for teaching. Having completed her PGCE in the countryside, she moved to London and has worked predominately in the state sector before joining PGP. Miss Phoebe loves escaping to her family farm when possible, where she enjoys anything outdoorsy and keeping fit.
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Ryan McAvoy
Mr Ryan studied for his PGCE at Canterbury Christ Church University. Before arriving at PGP Ryan worked for five years at a girls’ school in Notting Hill. He has taught a number of year groups during his six years at PGP including Year 3, Year 5 and Year 6. He is taking his Year 5 class through to Year 6 and is looking forward to finishing the 11+ process with them. Mr Ryan enjoys many sports but some of his favourites are running, cycling, horse riding and tennis. He is a member of a competitive London water polo team and he is looking forward to competing against other London teams and going to international meets.
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Beth Dinsmore
Miss Beth studied Primary Education at Durham University for three years and has been teaching in London prep schools for seven years. She now teaches in Year 1 with Miss Aneta. She is a keen hockey player and plays every weekend for a local club. As a keen sportswoman, she enjoys teaching Year 5 and Year 6 PE with Mr Tom. Miss Beth is also Maths Coordinator and enjoys sharing this subject with all year groups through maths-themed days and helping to embed problem solving into the curriculum. She has been at PGP since 2020 and during the summer holidays enjoys traveling, sailing and reading novels.
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Samantha Porter
Following her passion for science and anything equestrian, Miss Samantha studied BSc Equine Science at Nottingham Trent University accompanied by her horse, Shalamar, who also lived on campus for three years. Whilst there, she developed a strong interest in pathology and discovered a previously unknown genetic variant in a prevalent equestrian disease. After gaining invaluable experience working for key players in the pharmaceutical industry, Miss Samantha completed her postgraduate at St Mary’s University and pursued her metier as a teacher. Since starting at PGP in 2018, Miss Samantha has led the STEAM curriculum, headed up KS1 and is now a Year 4 teacher and Head of Teaching and Learning. When not at work, Miss Samantha enjoys road cycling, golf and horse riding whenever the opportunity arises.
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Helen Smith-Leroy
Miss Helen hails from the beautiful east coast of the Republic of Ireland. She received her PGCE through the University of Sunderland while living in Luxembourg – she has been working in London for the last seven years. She now teaches Year 3. Helen’s strengths and passion also belong to her love of music, for which she has a Bachelor of Music. Previously a successful professional operatic soprano, she now leads the music department as Music Coordinator. In this role she helps support the peripatetic teachers, she has introduced music theory and history into each music lesson and she leads all of the choirs. The school is enriched with music culture and awareness of the art form. Helen has been at PGP since 2018 and during her holidays she loves to spend time with her husband and two children and travelling abroad.
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Lucy Hughes
Miss Lucy studied Educational Studies at York University for three years. After completing a PGCE at the University of Cambridge, she has spent the last eight years teaching in a range of schools in London and further afield in Thailand. She joined Parsons Green Prep in 2020 and is currently based in Year 2 with Miss Dava. She is head of the Eco Committee and is passionate about sustainability and informing future generations about how to care for the environment. Miss Lucy enjoys exploring new cultures and spends her summers travelling, with plenty of time dedicated to scuba diving. She is our creative learning subject leader, where she instils her interest in other cultures in the pupils through geography and history lessons.
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Elinor Charman
Miss Ellie studied French and Art History at Sussex University for four years, one of which was spent teaching English in Paris. She has a background in the arts, organising prestigious international exhibitions. She has worked at PGP for four years, two as Head of Admissions/PA, one as a Teaching Assistant in Year 1 and as a trainee teacher under Miss Samantha’s mentorship in Year 2 and now as the Year 1 Teacher. She gained ‘Outstanding’ for her postgraduate course with Buckingham University, with two essay distinctions. Ellie is also a yoga teacher and trained children’s yoga instructor. She ran our popular Kids’ Yoga Club. She is a keen cyclist and runner, completing the London Marathon in 2019. Miss Ellie has been responsible for holding whole school events such as the Amazing Amazon challenge and the Get Kids Going bake sale. She also enjoys sharing her passion for languages and culture across the school. Her hobbies include travelling, writing poetry, music and dancing.
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Lee Bradshaw
Mr Lee studied as an actor at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and enjoyed an exciting TV and film career before deciding to change his direction in life to become a teacher. He received his PGCE in Primary Education at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. Before his move to PGP, he was a teacher in Richmond and was an Early Years Team Moderator for the Richmond and Kingston boroughs. He has been at the forefront of the Early Years transformation at PGP and is excited to provide children with endless opportunities to discover and learn. When not at work Lee enjoys keeping active by swimming, going to the gym and finding the sunniest places around Europe to relax.
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Alison Sugden
Miss Alison has been at PGP for nearly ten years and teaches art to Years 2 to 6. She studied textile design at Manchester Polytechnic and worked for various furnishing fabric companies in their design studios. After having children, she changed careers and started teaching art in primary schools. When not working at PGP, Miss Alison has her own business making curtains, blinds, cushions and other furnishings for the home. In her spare time, she loves going to different cities, walking her dog and visiting galleries and museums.
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Aoife O’Sullivan
Miss Aoife obtained a degree and a Masters in Music Performance from the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama in Dublin before continuing her training at the National Opera Studio in London. She taught music for a short time before she joined the Glyndebourne chorus in 2009. Since then she has enjoyed playing roles such as Gretel/Hansel and Gretel with Northern Ireland Opera and Carrie Pipperidge/Carousel for Opera North. A regular at English National Opera, she once played a Martian in a children’s opera version of Oliver Jeffers’ The Way Back Home. She has toured extensively in recital with Irish classical music – even as far as Carnegie Hall, New York. She has recently returned to the classroom in her finest role to date: PGP’s music teacher.
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Marina Hobden
Miss Marina was born in Brazil and moved to London in 2004. She did her teacher training and later her national qualification of Special Education Needs and Disability (National Award for SEN Coordination) with Middlesex University. She has been teaching in London schools for just over ten years. Miss Marina has been our SENDCo since 2019. She works everywhere in the school to help all children to fulfil their potential. She enjoys teaching science and RE in Year 1 as well as teaching her booster groups. During the holidays Miss Marina enjoys sewing, making things and cooking.
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Tom Simpkins
Mr Tom studied Sport and Exercises Science at Hull University and has a wide range of teaching experience, having taught across several independent schools for the last six years, from Reception to Year 13. He is a keen sportsman and is a current member of the Wimbledon Club and Richmond Park Golf Club. Mr Tom has been the Head of PE and Sport since he joined in September 2019. He is committed to delivering a diverse curriculum, where the children are exposed to a lot of different sports at a young age. During the holidays, he enjoys travelling and trying to lower his golf handicap.
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Chloe Gerhard
Miss Chloe studied Physical and Sports Education at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. While at university, Miss Chloe volunteered for a pastoral role helping the new students settle into university life, which fed into her teaching passion. She has always been interested in different sports, participating in school swimming galas, athletics, football and ballet at the Royal Opera House. During her time studying at university, Miss Chloe also worked at England Sports Group (ESG), delivering multi-sports after-school clubs for various schools. Miss Chloe has been the PE teaching assistant, helping Mr Tom since she joined in March 2020. Miss Chloe’s passion for PE is to make sports inclusive, diverse and enjoyable, thereby giving all children the opportunity to participate. During the holidays she enjoys swimming, visiting galleries and being creative with crafts.
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Claude Lalande
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Imene Senhadji
Miss Imene was born in Algiers to an Algerian father and a Hungarian mother. French and Hungarian are her mother tongues and she completed all her years at school and university in the French language. She obtained a master’s degree in French Language and Literature at the University of Szeged in Hungary. Thanks to the Erasmus Programme she spent a year in Liège in Belgium, where she broadened her skills in teaching French as a Foreign Language (FLE). After finishing her teacher training, specialising in French language, Miss Imene worked in various international schools. Before coming to London, she worked as a French teacher in a Hungarian-French bilingual school and in a Flemish-French school. During the past ten years she has worked in education within primary but also secondary schools in the UK, teaching children of all ages. In her free time, Miss Imene likes to travel, discover new places, and learn about different cultures.
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Melissa Bagwell
Miss Melissa has a degree in English and History and a PGCE from The Froebel Institute (University of London). She has worked at the school as a part-time teacher for many years and has taught all the different year groups in a variety of subjects and has taught multiple siblings from a number of families. Miss Melissa enjoys working across KS1 and KS2. The longest serving member of staff at PGP, she is married with two grown-up children. They were privately educated, mainly in London. She lives in Fulham, close by the school, and often bumps into present and former pupils. She enjoys reading, walking, the theatre and cinema and visiting the many museums in London. At the end of the academic year, she enjoys long summers in her and her husband’s house in Provence.
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Aneta Laskowska
After graduating Miss Aneta worked in a few primary and secondary schools in Poland as an English teacher, examiner and exam invigilator. She also worked in The Language School teaching English to children and adults. In 2007 she relocated to England and worked as a Teaching Assistant and Cover Supervisor in a few London schools. In 2009 Miss Aneta started working at PGP as a Teaching Assistant in Reception and after two years she moved to Year 1. During all these years at PGP she has worked with some inspiring and dedicated teachers and has made lots of friends. In her free time she enjoys reading, travelling and playing various sports.
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Baigalmaa Davaajav
Miss Dava graduated from the Medical University of Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia. Upon completion of her degree, she worked as a GP. She then pursued education and teaching when she started working at a Montessori school in London. Away from school, she holds a passion for learning about other cultures from reading and watching documentaries as well as travelling as much as possible. She also enjoys going to the theatre and spending time with family and friends.
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Nora Flavin
Miss Nora grew up in the southwest of Ireland and studied Science at University College Cork and a postgraduate degree in Molecular Biology at University College Dublin. After working for many years in scientific research in Dublin and London, she joined PGP in 2011. She is a teaching assistant and supports the pupils and teachers in Key Stage 2. She has a special interest in science and has supported the science coordinator over the years. In her spare time she enjoys photography, gardening and reading.
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Gemma Cane
Miss Gemma studied a Cache Diploma in Childcare and Education at Richmond College. Once qualified, she worked in private nurseries with the one and two-year-olds and two and three-year-olds before coming to PGP. She has been at PGP since 2011 and what memorable years they have been. During the holidays Miss Gemma enjoys spending quality time with her daughter, exploring and travelling new countries and cities and attending music concerts and festivals – music is a huge passion of hers. In 2019 she took part in the London Landmarks half-marathon, having had no previous running experience. This gave her a huge sense of achievement and a moment of sheer pride on the finish line.
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Suzie Cane
Miss Suzie studied a Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for teaching and learning in schools through the UK Open College and she is now studying for a Level 4 certificate for higher level teaching assistants. Miss Suzie supports Mr Lee in the Reception class, alongside Miss Florrie. PGP is the first school she has had the pleasure of working at and she has been here since 2016. During the summer holidays she likes finding new places to travel and explore with her son and particularly enjoys venturing down to Cornwall.
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