Background: I have been teaching for over 20 years. I started my teaching career in Hampshire and moved to London in 1996 when I accepted a post as Manager of the Infant Department. I became the Head Teacher at Joseph Hood in 2004. Before that I was a Head Teacher in Westminster. I consider myself to be very fortunate as I love my job!

Other special skills/qualifications/talents: I studied at Southampton University and have a B.Ed in English.

Hobbies & Interests outside school: I love spending time with my husband and little boy and can often be found at weekends in Richmond Park or down on the South coast where I have family.

Favourite children’s book: The Hungry Caterpillar.

Favourite subject when you were at school: English - I loved reading and still do! 

Background: Bachelor of Education (hons) in Primary Education with Art and mathematics specialism.
 
Other special skills/qualifications/talents: Duke of Edinburgh Award, watercolour painting
 
Hobbies & Interests outside school: Theatre, Dining out with friends, Zumba and reading with my own children.
 
Favourite children’s book: ‘Heart in a Bottle’ by Oliver Jeffers (in fact any book by Oliver Jeffers!)
 
Favourite subjects when you were at school: French, Chemistry and Art.

Other Special Skills / Qualifications: I have been an Advanced Skills English Teacher for Merton for the past five years.
 
Hobbies and Interests outside school: I have a very beautiful little boy who keeps me busy. Our favourite thing to do is go on holiday to Cornwall and play all day on the beach.
 
Favourite Children's Book: As a child my favourite book was ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ by Maurice Sendak. I loved the illustrations and now like to share this with my little boy now.

Background:  I first started working in schools as a teaching assistant at a primary school down in Brighton. I moved to London to study teaching at the University of Roehampton and have lived here ever since. However, I do still enjoy going back to the coast during the holidays.

Other special skills/qualifications/talents: BA hons in primary teaching specialising in the teaching of Computing from Roehampton University. 

Hobbies & Interests outside school: I used to enjoy playing rugby when I was younger however, it has become more of a spectator sport for me these days. I used to swim competitively and still enjoy going swimming in the sea when I get the chance. I also love spending time with friends and family.

Favourite children’s book: All of ‘The Edge Chronicles' books by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell.

Favourite subject when you were at school: Sport and Science

Background: ​I first studied English literature and creative writing at the University of Winchester. Winchester is now one of my favourite places in the world! After my three years there, I then did a PGCE at the University of Brighton.

Other special skills/qualifications/talents: ​I am a qualified cheer coach which means I can teach people how to stunt, tumble, jump and dance for competitive cheerleading teams.

Hobbies & interests outside school: I love to cook and try new recipes. I also love to go out to eat and try new things!

Favourite Children’s Book: We’re Going On a Bear Hunt

Favourite subject when you were at school: History

Background: PGCE with Goldsmiths University of London.I started teaching primary school in the UK in 2007. Previously, I was a secondary school teacher in Brazil where taught Portuguese Language and Literature to pupils in KS3 and KS4.
 
Other special skills/qualifications/talents: I speak Portuguese and have a good understanding of Spanish. I have completed a Master of Arts in Education (Applied Linguistics) with The Open University.
 
Hobbies & Interests outside school:
· Photography -I really love photography. I enjoy looking at things from different perspectives and capturing special moments.
· Reading.
· Observing and appreciating nature.
· Travelling
 
Favourite children’s book: Running Wild by Michael Morpurgo
 
Favourite subject when you were at school: Art, PE and Literacy

Background: PGCE from the University of Brighton with QTS
 
Other special skills/qualifications/talents: Dance degree
 
Hobbies & Interests outside school: Travelling, hiking, mountaineering and skiing
 
Favourite children’s book: The Famous Five
 
Favourite subject when you were at school: Art and English

Background: I studied at the University of Chichester, on their BA Hons Primary Education with Mathematics Education course. I am also a former pupil of Joseph Hood!

Hobbies: I love being active, whether it's at the gym, going for a walk or socialising with my friends. Although I do like a bit of PlayStation time too!

Favourite children's book: I really enjoyed the Geronimo Stilton book series when I was younger, as they were always a fun read.

Favourite subject when I was at school: It was always a draw between Maths and Drama with PE close behind. 

Background: I grew up in Jersey in the Channel Islands before moving to Winchester to study a BA hons in Sports Studies.  I then stayed on at The University of Winchester to complete a PGCE in Primary Teaching. 

Hobbies & Interests: At university, I was captain of the Ultimate Frisbee team.  I enjoy going to the gym regularly and playing 5-a-side football. I love to cook and socialise with my friends when I can too. 

Favourite Children’s Book:  The Harry Potter series. 

Favourite Subject when I was at school: PE

Background:  I have always grown up in Raynes Park, so I know the area very well. I went to both primary and secondary school here and went to St Mary's University in Twickenham.​

Hobbies & Interests outside school: When I am not at school I love trying lots of new sports, watching films and taking my dog for a walk. 

Favourite children’s book: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming 

Favourite subject when you were at school: When I was at school my favourite subjects were Maths and P.E.

Background: BA Honours in Primary Education (with Early Childhood specialism) from Roehampton University.
 
Other special skills/qualifications/talents: Some Makaton, a little bit of French.
 
Hobbies & Interests outside school: Musicals, being outside, reading, yoga.
 
Favourite children’s book: The Princess and the Pea or Matilda by Roald Dahl.
 
Favourite subject when you were at school: English and Art.

Background: I first worked in a school for children with additional needs as a teaching assistant. After a year I started studying Education at UCL, alongside being a TA. I then went on to do a PGCE at London Southbank University which leads to now where I am currently doing my NQT year at Joseph Hood in Reception.

Hobbies & Interests outside school: I love spending time with my dog, Mike! I also enjoy cooking and baking.
 
Favourite children’s book: As a child my favourite children’s book was Matilda, I’m still a huge Roald Dahl Fan! My favourite story to read to my class is The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas.

Favourite subject when you were at school: At school I enjoyed science, in particular biology and learning all about the human body. 

Background: I was born in Epsom but grew up in a village near Peterborough. After finishing school and my A Levels, I attended York St John University graduating with a BA in Primary Teaching, specialising in Early Years. I have had lots of experience working in Nurseries and summer holidays children's clubs. 

Other Special Skills/qualifications/talents: I can play the Flute which I enjoy from time to time as I love listening to lots of different genres of music. I regularly bake, especially lemon drizzle cake, banana bread and brownies.

Hobbies & Interests outside school: I love reading all sorts of books from children's books to crime thriller novels! I enjoy arts and crafts including cross stitch and card making. I love travelling and recently have come back from a trip to South Africa.

Favourite children’s book: 'Norman, the slug with the silly shell' by Sue Hendra & Paul Linnet

Favourite subject when you were at school:​ My favourite subjects were Drama, R.E and English Literature.​

Background: I have moved from Bristol to Wimbledon to take up the position at Joseph Hood.  I studied at the University of Gloucestershire and then moved to Colorado, USA for a year to become an Au Pair. 

Hobbies & Interests:During my Photography degree I found that I fell in love with photographing Elvis Presley Tribute Acts! I love travelling to new places and also have a dog!

Favourite Children’s Book: On the Way Home by Jill Murphy and It was You, Blue Kangaroo! by Emma Chichester Clark.

Favourite Subject when I was at school: Literacy, as I love writing.

Background: I was born and brought up in Poland. I came to the United Kingdom at the beginning of my teaching career to visit London. I loved it here so much I decided to stay for good. For the last 20 years, south west of London has been my home. 

Other special skills/qualifications/talents: I have always been interested in travelling and tourism and as a young adult I completed the course for tour guides. I am an experienced guide for kayak survival trips. I can teach you how to put up a tent, cook on a bonfire and how to paddle your kayak or canoe.

Hobbies and interests outside the school: My favourite sports are swimming, kayaking and cycling.  In my spare time, I enjoy gardening and cooking using herbs and vegetables from my own vegetable garden.

Favourite Children’s Book: Jasper’s Beanstalk

Favourite subject when you were at school: Maths

Background: I worked in a Marketing Agency for a few years after university and came to teaching later via a PGCE at Goldsmiths. Since working in Education I've taught mostly in KS2 as both a class teacher and a language teacher. 

Other special skills/qualifications/talents:  I'm half French and I have a degree in French and Spanish. During my gap year and while at university I was fortunate to spend time living, studying and working in both France and Spain. 

Hobbies & interests outside school: I love being outdoors and going for walks with friends and family. I have 4 young children and we try to get out as much as possible together for walks, picnics and bike rides.  I also really enjoy gardening, especially growing my own fruit and vegetables. I'm at the early stages of learning the art and joy of growing your own. 

Favourite Children’s Book: When I was very young I loved The Magic Faraway tree and when I was a little older I recall really enjoying Mrs Frisby and the rats of Nimh.  As my mother is French, she read French stories to me, I have fond memories of  Le Petit Nicolas books.   

Favourite subject when you were at school: Probably English, French, Spanish, History, Biology, Art and PE. 

Background: I graduated in 2008 from Roehampton University with a BA Honours in Primary Education

Hobbies & Interests outside school: I enjoy socialising with friends, travelling and attending the gym regularly.

Favourite children’s book: Burglar Bill

Favourite subject when you were at school: English