What do you do at Cokethorpe and when did you join?
I joined in September 2025 as the Year 2 Class Teacher
What is your background?
Well, I’ve been teaching for quite a while – long enough that my very first pupils are now in their thirties! I started out at The Dragon School Pre-Prep, where I wore lots of different hats over the years, including Head of Year and Assistant Head in charge of curriculum. I spent fourteen happy years there before my family and I relocated to Copenhagen.
Teaching in an international school in Denmark was an amazing experience. The school had students from over 70 different nationalities, and many arrived with very little English, so every day was a new challenge and a huge learning curve. As a family, we loved Denmark – the freedom of cycling everywhere and being so close to the sea was just wonderful.
We returned to the UK in 2016, and I joined Oxford High Prep, teaching Year 3 and becoming Head of House. Their house colour was blue, so I was thrilled I could join Lockwood House here – blue feels like home! In fact, I was in the blue house when I was at school, so it would feel very wrong to be in any other colour now.
What has your experience of Cokethorpe been since joining?
Cokethorpe already felt familiar before I joined because my son Jonty (Upper Sixth, Queen Anne) started in Third Form when we returned from Denmark, and then my daughter Immy (Fifth Form, Queen Anne) joined two years later. As a parent, I always found the School to be such a welcoming place – everyone was friendly and happy to help. The staff always spoke so highly of it and often said what a great place it was to work.
Now, one term in as a member of staff, I can honestly say they were right. Everyone has been so welcoming, friendly, and helpful. I feel like I’ve been here much longer (in a good way) and already feel like a valued part of the team. The grounds are absolutely stunning – how many schools can say you might spot deer, hares, or even peacocks out of the window? And I can’t not mention the Catering Department. Anyone who knows me knows I love food, and the lunches here are incredible. I have to stop myself from messaging my old colleagues just to show off!
How would you describe the approach to learning and teaching here?
I’d say it’s all about creating a nurturing, exploratory environment where learning feels like an adventure. The pupils are right at the heart of everything we do, and the teachers are constantly dreaming up exciting ways to deliver the curriculum and spark curiosity. There’s a real buzz in the classrooms – you can see pupils leaning in, asking questions, and wanting to know more.
What really stands out is the balance between academic challenge and pastoral care. That combination gives pupils the confidence to take risks, embrace challenges, and see mistakes as stepping stones rather than setbacks. It’s such a positive culture – because when children feel happy and supported, they truly thrive. And honestly, happy children learn!
What do you like to do outside of work?
I’m an active person and happiest outdoors, whether it’s a long walk, a game of rugby, or a cold-water swim (the colder the better!). Rugby is a huge part of my life now; if I’m not playing or watching, I’m volunteering at Gosford All Blacks RFC as the U16 girls’ team manager. It’s such a brilliant community, and I love that lots of Cokethorpe pupils play there too (new members are always welcome!) One of my rugby highlights was being a flag bearer at the England v France Six Nations game last year. Walking out onto the pitch at Twickenham and meeting some of the England team afterwards was absolutely incredible.
In the summer, you’ll often find me at Eynsham Cricket Club, helping organise events and keeping the clubhouse running smoothly on youth training nights. Again, there are plenty of familiar Cokethorpe faces there, which makes it even more fun.
When I’m busy with rugby or cricket, I like to slow things down with some creative hobbies – baking (yes, food again!), gardening, and crochet are my go-to ways to relax. Who knows, maybe I’ll start a Prep School crochet club one day.
