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 the Head of Governance and Business Development. He has been a school Governor, Chair of the Cathedral Choir Schools Association and sits on three educational trusts, including the IAPS itrust. He is a Reporting Inspector for the Independent Schools Inspector.
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.
Dr Edmonds has twelve years of experience as a head, most recently at The Hampshire School Chelsea and previously St Cedd’s School. Her knowledge of first-class educational practice from around the world derives from senior leadership roles in international schools in Spain, Tokyo, Singapore and Thailand. She has the benefit of wider educational engagement with membership of the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Educational Advisory Forum, as a Reporting Inspector for ISI and when time permits conducts reviews of governance for AGBIS. Dr Edmonds is a member of the Independent Association of Schools (ISA) and Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS). She gained her undergraduate teaching degree at the University of London Institute of Education and graduated from the University of Bath with an MEd in Educational Management and a Doctor of Education (EdD).
Miss Beth studied Primary Education at Durham University for three years and has extensive experience of the 11+ curriculum and the London prep school context. Miss Beth is the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). She is a keen hockey player and plays every weekend for a local club. As a keen sportswoman, she supports the teaching of PE in Years 5 – 6 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 travelling, sailing and reading novels.
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.
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 and is Head of Teaching and Learning. When not at work she enjoys road cycling, golf and horse riding.
Miss Ferne joined PGP in September 2021 as Head of Admissions after a career in property. Originally starting out as an estate agent, she then worked as a legal secretary for many years before obtaining her Legal Executive qualifications in her early thirties, specialising in conveyancing and affordable housing development. Outside of work Miss Ferne enjoys helping her daughter with her horse Alfie, who she competes in showjumping competitions. She has owned and ridden horses all her life and enjoys exercising Alfie regularly. Miss Ferne also has a teenage son who plays basketball. She enjoys board games and puzzles and has a keen opponent in her son.
Miss Melinda is a parent of three children currently studying in the independent sector. Her daughter recently transitioned to boarding school and her sons attend Eton College. She has previously worked in operations finance, corporate events and is a Goodwill Ambassador for the Voices of the Future Generations Children’s Book Project. Miss Melinda is originally from Australia, where she attended Griffith University and attained a BA degree in commerce and a double major in economics. She enjoys being outdoors on the weekends, the West End and is part of the Team Margot Rowing team, which has rowed from Ireland to Wales across the Celtic Sea.
Miss Martha originally grew up on the edge of the Dales in Yorkshire before she moved to Scotland to read Geography at the University of Edinburgh. After graduating she decided to become a teacher and completed her PGCE at the University of Cambridge. Since then Miss Martha has taught in schools in London and has specialised in teaching the older year groups at Prep. She was thrilled to begin at Parsons Green Prep at the beginning of the academic year in 2022 as a Class Teacher, the Humanities Curriculum Coordinator and Head of the Eco-committee. When not at work she enjoys playing tennis, going for walks or runs along the river and being part of her local church.
Miss Julia is the Year 6 class teacher and is covering Miss Martha’s maternity leave. She gained a BA in Sociology at the University of Leeds, holds a Diploma in Law, PGCE and is studying for an MSc in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Miss Julia was Head of PSHE during her eight years as a Years 3-6 class teacher at Knightsbridge School, London, and previously a member of the Boarding House staff at St George’s School for Girls, Edinburgh. She is very familiar with the independent sector, having been a pupil at Wycombe Abbey School, and has extensive knowledge of preparing pupils for 11+ entrance examinations. Miss Julia was previously teaching Psychology and Sociology at Immanuel College and is very happy to join PGP and return to a prep school context.
Miss Kaela joined PGP in April 2023 and provides a smooth transition as the class teacher of Year 3 into Year 4. Miss Kaela gained her Bachelor of Teaching Degree (BA), Postgraduate Certificate and her Postgraduate Diploma in Education qualifications in New Zealand. She has taught Nursery to Year 6, including at Notting Hill, Redcliffe Gardens and Ealing Junior School, Prince’s Gardens Prep and the Yellowbird holiday programme. She gained extensive leadership and management experience in schools in New Zealand. Miss Kaela enjoys sports including golf, tennis and running.
Miss Lydia was educated at Kingston Grammar School and read Philosophy for her BA at the University of Nottingham. Her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) was gained at the University of Buckingham. Miss Lydia’s previous role was as a class teacher at Eaton House the Manor and she has experience of teaching all subjects across the primary age range. Miss Lydia is passionate about volunteer work with charities in the UK including UNICEF, Mencap and the British Red Cross, and overseas, mainly in Africa. She enjoys running half-marathons, cooking and reading. Miss Lydia is also a member of a local touch rugby team.
Mr Matt was educated at Shrewsbury School and was awarded a BA in Anthropology and Archaeology before completing his Postgraduate Certificate in Education, teaching qualification, in Primary Education, both read at the University of Manchester. Mr Matt is an avid sportsman with coaching qualifications in football and sports leadership. He was previously the Year 2 teacher and Deputy Head of Sport at Redcliffe Gardens. He also worked at Adswood School, Prestfelde Preparatory School, was the Junior Coach at Didsbury Cricket Club and is a keen cricketer.
Mr James was educated at St Cecilia’s, Wandsworth, and was awarded the grade of first-class Honours BA (Hons) in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), from St Mary’s Twickenham. Mr James has taught the breadth of primary subjects across all year groups with his teaching career spanning Falcons Prep and The Rowans School. Mr James has a passion for sport, founded Games James Limited, was Assistant Head of Sport at Merlin school and previously Head Coach for ActiveKidz. He is a keen musician (including the clarinet) and has led school productions. He enjoys chess and has also led chess clubs.
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 the English Curriculum Coordinator. 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.
Miss Hannah gained her BA degree in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) at the University of Roehampton. In her previous role she was the Nursery Lead and Teacher at Holy Trinity Primary School, Richmond. Prior to this, Miss Hannah was the Reception Teacher at Ark Oval Primary Academy and the Early Years Manager for Ultimate Activity Camps. Miss Hannah holds a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) qualification and has experience of working with families across the globe, including as a volunteer for Project Gambia. She enjoys all aspects of the performing arts, going to the theatre and has achieved the highest grades in dance with main stage performances.
Miss Melanie joins PGP with a wealth of experience, having moved from a two-form entry school in Balham, where she has been Assistant Head and SENDCo for the last five years. Miss Melanie came to teaching in 2015, undertaking her PGCE with French at the prestigious Institute of Education in Central London. Prior to teaching, she has had a wide and varied career. She started in the airline industry working for Air France at Heathrow Airport, before moving into marketing, where she was an Account Director for various companies ranging from the automotive industry to Mars Chocolate. In her spare time, Miss Melanie loves to travel but when at home she partakes in ballet, walking and reading.
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.
Miss Alison has been at PGP for nearly ten years and teaches art to Years 1 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.
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.
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 London schools. Miss Aneta started working at PGP in 2009. She is the Head of Teaching Assistants with experience of supporting the teaching and pastoral care of children in Reception through to Year 3. In her free time she enjoys reading, travelling and playing various sports.
Mr Tom studied Sport and Exercises Science at Hull University and has a wide range of teaching experience, having taught in independent schools with ages spanning 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 an array of different sports at a young age. During the holidays, he enjoys travelling and trying to lower his golf handicap.
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 has supported pupils and teachers in Years 3-6. Her special interest is science and she has supported the management of this over the years. In her spare time she enjoys photography, gardening and reading.
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.
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 joining PGP in 2011. During the holidays Miss Gemma enjoys spending quality time with her daughter, exploring and travelling new countries 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.
Miss Suzie gained her Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for teaching and learning in schools through the UK Open College and progressed to Level 4, the certificate for higher level teaching assistants. Miss Suzie supports Mr Lee in the Reception class. During the summer holidays she likes finding new places to travel with her son. She particularly enjoys visiting Cornwall.
Miss Ellie-Mae joined the Early Years team in January 2024. She was an Early Years Assistant and sports assistant at Redcliffe School for eight years and was previously a Teaching Assistant at The Hampshire School Chelsea. Ellie-Mae gained her Level 3 Early Years Practitioner Diploma from City & Guilds and holds a Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care. She enjoys sport, including fencing, tag rugby and football.
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