Our skilled and experienced teaching and support team are integral to the success of Ashbridge School.

All our teachers are dedicated to providing children with the opportunity to reach their full potential and form excellent relationships with all the children in their care at our Private School in Preston. Together with the support of the Senior Leadership Team they ensure an Ashbridge education is the best education your child can receive.

Karen Mehta

Karen Mehta

Headteacher
Mr Arthur Wood

Mr Arthur Wood

Deputy Headteacher
Miss Hannah Seaton

Miss Hannah Seaton

Reception Teacher
Miss Caroline Bird

Miss Caroline Bird

Year 1 Teacher & SEN Co-ordinator
Miss Grace Hawthornthwaite

Miss Grace Hawthornthwaite

Year 2 Teacher
Mrs Adele Palmer

Mrs Adele Palmer

Year 3 Teacher
Mrs Nicola Livesey

Mrs Nicola Livesey

Year 4 Teacher
Mrs Deborah Allen

Mrs Deborah Allen

Year 5 Teacher
Mr John Boden

Mr John Boden

Year 6 Teacher
Miss Vanessa Roskell

Miss Vanessa Roskell

Reception Class Teaching Assistant
Miss Vicky Fyles

Miss Vicky Fyles

Year 2 Teaching Assistant
Mr Lloyd Paton

Mr Lloyd Paton

PE and Sports Coach
Mrs Karen Ward

Mrs Karen Ward

Music Teacher
Mrs Sian Hartley

Mrs Sian Hartley

Teaching Assistant and Reading Champion
Andrea Pratt

Andrea Pratt

Front of House Manager

Karen Mehta

Headteacher

Qualifications: B.Ed (Hons) NPQH

Career overview: I have been teaching for many years now and have been a Headteacher since 2006 both overseas in Brunei and, since 2014, here at Ashbridge School.

Professional interests: As a scientist I have always loved practical work, investigating and trying to solve problems and test predictions. As a teacher I particularly love teaching Maths and recently have gained new knowledge and experience of computing and other aspects of ICT.

Personal interests: I love walking and travel and, combining the two, I walked along a glacier, past the Everest Base Camp a few years ago which was an amazing experience. I like to scuba dive too, but only in tropical waters!  A keen reader and movie watcher, I enjoy both fiction and nonfiction books and any movie that involves space travel or history.

Mr Arthur Wood

Deputy Headteacher

Qualifications: BA. (QTS) Hons. Religious Studies & History (University of Warwick)

Career overview:I began teaching in 1992. Since then I have taught in a variety of schools and have provided curriculum leadership in Religious Education, ICT, Maths/ Numeracy, Literacy / English, History, Geography, Equal Opportunities, Outdoor Education and Forest School. I have worked at Ashbridge since January 2004.

Professional interests: I am an Outdoor Education (Qualified OCN Forest School Practitioner (Level 3)) and Lowland Leader (Mountain Training Association) so thoroughly enjoy learning outside the classroom. I am also interested in History and Geography, Mindfulness and Behaviour, Creativity in Teaching and Models of Leadership.

Personal interests: Outside of work I enjoy hillwalking, reading, history and playing guitar. I am married with two teenage children.

Miss Hannah Seaton

Reception Teacher

Qualifications:  2:1 BA(HONS) Primary Education with English.  Outstanding Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS)

Career overview: After graduating Edge Hill University in 2015 I started working at Ashbridge as a Teaching Assistant in Year 2. I thoroughly enjoyed working with an experienced teacher and getting to know the Ashbridge way of learning! I became Reception Class Teacher in January 2017 and completed some further professional development at Edge Hill University and gaining an outstanding judgement for the Early Years Teacher Status.

Professional interests: I am most interested in music and how to incorporate it into all areas of the curriculum. Music can help to develop the skills, attitudes and attributes that can support learning in other national curriculum subjects.

Personal interests: I enjoy exploring new places and going on long walks with my dog, Woody. I am also a keen musician achieving Grade 7 in piano and singing.

Miss Caroline Bird

Year 1 Teacher & SEN Co-ordinator

Qualifications: BA(Hons) Theology & Religious Studies with QTS (First Class) at the University College of Ripon and York St John

Career overview: I have been teaching for over 20 years. In 2008 I was awarded an MA in Education (Merit) from Edge Hill and have worked with this university as an Associate Tutor, delivering training sessions to mentor teachers and teaching both RE and Art to students.

Professional interests: Qualifying to become a Level 3 Forest School Practitioner has given me a whole host of thinking, ideas, experiences and skills to immerse and inspire the children in our environment.

Personal interests: My personal interests include a love of Art which extends to all aspects of design and techniques and involves visiting galleries or exhibitions. I like to be active and enjoy travelling to new places, but am equally happy to be tending the garden or attending my book club.

Miss Grace Hawthornthwaite

Year 2 Teacher

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Contemporary Theatre and Performance (Manchester Metropolitan University); PGCE (with QTS) General Primary – ages 4 to 11 (University of Cumbria/Preston Teaching Schools Alliance)Career overview: After leaving university, I became a theatre director for Preston Youth Theatre. I was responsible for writing, designing and directing full-scale productions with a cast of children aged 8 to 18. Ashbridge is the first school that I have taught in since achieving my PGCE in 2019.Professional interests: I thoroughly enjoy the Creative Arts and love to explore different elements of the Arts within various lessons at Ashbridge. Using different mediums to create artwork, taking advantage of the materials in our glorious woods in Science and developing drama expertise and understanding in English lessons.Personal interests: When I am not teaching, I like to spend time hiking, enjoying the British countryside and doing a spot of photography. I love to travel and try to go somewhere new as often as I can.

Mrs Adele Palmer

Year 3 Teacher

Qualifications: Qualified Teacher  Status, 1st Class Degree in Supporting Families and Communities, Early Years Teacher Status,  BTEC Diploma in Childcare.Career overview: I have worked at Ashbridge since 2013 and began my career here as a Teaching Assistant. I then went on to complete my QTS status through Cumbria University whilst training within the Infant and Junior departments at Ashbridge. Following the completion of my course I wasappointed as a Class Teacher and completed my NQT year in 2016.Professional interests:  All areas of the curriculum interest me and I enjoy the variety of teaching experiences Ashbridge and the Primary curriculum offer.  I do enjoy teaching Drama and Dance as this is a field I have a personal interest in, but also as Science co-ordinator I do have a keen interest in Science and the hands on approach that this accommodates, alongside extra-curricular events such as the Science fair programmes that we enrol on.Personal interests: I have two small children who both attend Ashbridge and are thriving. Out of school I help to train a small dance troupe as well as being part of this troupe and dancing myself, my daughter also attends this dance troupe with me. I attend singing lessons regularly and enjoy taking part in small concerts. With my family we enjoy going out and about within the community and providing experiences for us all.

Mrs Nicola Livesey

Year 4 Teacher

Qualifications: Ba Hons Primary Teaching with QTSCareer overview: I have worked at Ashbridge since 2004.  During that time I have taught in Pre-School, Year 2, Year 3 and now in Year 4.  I have also held the role of nursery SENCOProfessional interests: I love teaching all subjects but my main passion is Maths.  One of the reasons I came into teaching was to instil a belief in children that they can do Maths and try to erase the negative stigma that can become attached with it.Personal interests:  I have been married to Matt since 2012 and we have 2 children, Zac and Belle, who both attend Ashbridge School.  As a family we enjoy spending time outdoors and I love listening to music and going to concerts.

Mrs Deborah Allen

Year 5 Teacher

Qualifications: BA (Joint Hons) English Literature and German (2:1), MA English Studies, PGCE (Primary)Career overview: I qualified as a teacher in 2006 and taught at a variety of state and independent Schools in the North West, plus I spent two years teaching abroad in Austria and Switzerland. I started working at Ashbridge in 2012. I initially taught Year 4 then moved into Year 5 where I enjoy the variety of the job from teaching a class to playing in the school brass band!Professional interests: I have a love for Modern Foreign Languages and really enjoying working in Upper Juniors and seeing the children progress and get ready for Senior Schools.Personal interests: I travel extensively with my husband and my favourite holiday destination so far is Iceland. I have a real passion for Austria and Switzerland. I also enjoy Music, especially brass and love spending time with my guinea pigs Henry and Tico.

Mr John Boden

Year 6 Teacher

Qualifications: BA (Hons) in Primary Education with QTSCareer overview: I have worked at Ashbridge School since September 2019 as the Year 6 teacher. Previously I spent 3 years working in Year 5 and 6 at an international school in Mallorca where I also ran the Duke of Edinburgh programme and taught secondary sport. I have also worked in two other primary schools in the UK.Professional interests: I am particularly interested in Humanities and integrated outdoor learning. The forest school and outdoor learning provision at Ashbridge is an innovative scheme which I look forward to working with more. I also enjoy the teaching of maths in practical and interesting ways to engage students and develop problem solving skills and enjoy coaching and teaching sports especially Rugby and Swimming.Personal interests: I am an avid rugby player and have played rugby for the last 18 years. Most recently I competed in the Balearic League in Mallorca. I have a great passion for Liverpool Football club and enjoy watching and supporting the team. I married my wife Emma in 2015. She is also a teacher and we both enjoy travelling and exploring in our holidays. I also fancy myself as a mini Jamie Oliver and enjoy cooking and exploring new foods!

Miss Vanessa Roskell

Reception Class Teaching Assistant

Qualifications: Level 4 Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) Career progression: I started training at Ashbridge in 2008 and have worked in school here ever since. In that time I have worked through NCFE Level 2 and 3 for teaching assistants and have recently completed my HLTA. I work alongside Miss Seaton in Reception class supporting her teaching and providing a wide range of activities, support and extension for the children. Professional interests: I have a strong focus on teaching the foundations of reading and writing, through phonics development.  I believe in providing a caring and nurturing environment based around the EYFS for children in Reception class as this helps them to learn and develop in this crucial year.  I also enjoy working with children higher up the school who may need additional support in reading and writing. Personal interests: Both my children attended Ashbridge from 18 months of age and continued their education here until Year 6.  My daughter Lauryn studies Psychology at UCLAN and son Thomas attends Hutton Grammar School. I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends and love reading and walking.

Miss Vicky Fyles

Year 2 Teaching Assistant

Qualifications: NNEB (diploma in Nursery Nursing)Career overview:  I joined the Ashbridge team back in 2004. I came and joined the team of Nursery Practitioners before becoming Room Leader and have had varied roles within the team at Lindle Lane over the years. I am currently a Teaching Assistant within the infant department and I also work in Before and After school care, and during the school holidays I join the children for Holiday Care.Professional interests:  I really enjoy working with the school aged children and seeing how much they have blossomed knowing I am part of supporting their important school journey onwards to secondary school and beyond.Personal interests: When I am not at school I enjoy spending time with my friends and family especially my nephew. We enjoy walks in the countryside and going for bike rides together.

Mr Lloyd Paton

PE and Sports Coach

Qualifications: BA Honours Degree in Sports Development, A Level One, Fundamentals Of Movement.Career Overview: Since graduating I have built my experience of teaching and coaching in lots of different settings from nurseries through to colleges. I have worked as a TA and a full time coach at AFC Fylde Football Club, delivering across a plethora of different sports. In that time I have enjoyed management and lead roles for two Football Development Centres, EYFS, Recruitment and Partnership as well as Youth Club Lead. I joined Ashbridge January 2020 as their full time P.E and Sports Coach.Professional Interests: Early Years and foundation learning is something that I relish where given the opportunity,  as I love to help mould and inspire children as young as three into any sports and activities. Football and athletics both in the education and outside of the school setting is something I have always been involved with, participating and coaching, both as a profession and a volunteer. I enjoy learning new things and I still look to improve and progress as a student of the sporting industry at every opportunity.Personal Interests:  I am the volunteer manager of a junior football club based in Preston and also volunteer at a youth club in Savick and Larches. Working with young aspiring participants and athletes is how I enjoy my evenings, and weekend mornings. One evening a week I currently work at a local spa hotel and every week I play for a local football team,  who I have been for six seasons. I like to spend time outside as often as possible; and enjoy visiting the Lake District amongst other areas.  I enjoy climbing, hiking and just generally being active. I support Newcastle United due to my Father being from the North East, and enjoy going up to see family and football when I can.

Mrs Karen Ward

Music Teacher

Qualifications: LTCL

Career overview: I have been a freelance music teacher for over 30 years working in various settings including primary schools, nurseries and music schools. I have worked at Ashbridge since 2018.

Professional interests: I have a strong interest in teaching though songs. I am a piano teacher and have been teaching and managing a piano school in Cheshire for over 20 years.

Personal interests: I enjoy gardening, obviously anything to do with music and I enjoy being part of a local quiz team.

Mrs Sian Hartley

Teaching Assistant and Reading Champion

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Law and Politics and Postgraduate Legal Practice Course  (Qualified Solicitor)Career overview: I am a qualified solicitor and practiced law for approximately twenty years. During my time as a solicitor I also provided legal commentary and expert opinion for legal journals, and the BBC World Service. In 2018 my son commenced Reception at Ashbridge School. Being so impressed with the school and their ethos, I decided on a career change and to follow my passion for reading. I joined Ashbridge in October 2018 as their Reading Champion and am now taking on extra hours as a Teaching Assistant in Infants.Professional interests: My role at Ashbridge allows me to support the children in class and promote and support reading for pleasure. I arrange reading events, author visits, book fairs, book clubs as well as initiatives within the Infant and Junior Libraries. My objective is to allow children to explore different genres, to create reading opportunities and above all to hopefully encourage and nurture a lifelong love of reading.Personal interests: Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our son Ollie who attends Ashbridge and our dog Crumble. I also read lots of books, including books for the Ashbridge Junior Book Club!

Andrea Pratt

Front of House Manager

Qualifications:  NVQ 3Career overview:  I have been at Ashbridge for 16 years.  I started as a Nursery Practitioner, before moving to Deputy Nursery Manager, Nursery Manager and now work as Front of House Manager working within School and Nursery.Professional interests:  I have a strong interest in the transition between 2-3’s to pre-school  and the progression through to Reception class and focus on promoting  the  school  throughout  nursery and beyond.  I have a lot of professional and personal pride in Ashbridge and its development.Personal interests: I have two daughters; my eldest is Head of Nursery at Ashbridge on Ribble and my youngest is currently living in Canada.  I have been married for 39 years and I love travelling, reading and ancestry.

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