The Common Room

Mr Peter Donaldson (Deputy Headmaster) gained a B.Sc (Joint Hons) Degree in Geography and Physical Education from St Andrew’s University and a PGCE from Homerton College, University of Cambridge. He has spent his entire teaching career in the preparatory sector and joined us from a local preparatory school where he had been Deputy Head for five years. Appointed September 2006.

Mrs Pippa Probert (Director of Studies) was appointed Head of English at Amesbury in September 2004 and promoted to her current position in 2006. She completed her B.A. (Hons) in Media Arts at the University of Plymouth, PGCE at Southampton University, and Masters Degree in Modern English Literature at University of London (Birbeck College). She was formerly Head of English at Putney Park School. Appointed September 2004.

Mrs Lesley Gibb (Head of Pre-Prep) was appointed in September 1999. She had previous experience teaching at Ditcham Park School, St Helen’s School for Girls, Northwood and The Portsmouth Grammar School and joined Amesbury from Barfield School, where she was Head of the Pre-Preparatory Department. She completed her Scottish Diploma in Primary Education from Craigie College in 1975.

Mrs Diana Anscombe (Year 2 Form Teacher) joined Amesbury in September 1997 prior to which she had taught at various schools in the state sector, most recently at Camelsdale School. She gained her Certificate of Education from Freobel College in 1978.

Ms Emily Barkway (English, Performing Arts, Middle School Tutor) completed her B.A. (Ed) Hons Music from Exeter University in 2000. Prior to joining Amesbury in September 2002 she taught at Madley County Primary School.

Mr Martin Bartlett (Director of Sport) was educated at King Edward VI Grammar School, Stratford upon Avon, and in 1996 graduated from Hull University with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology. Upon leaving, he went to the ‘City’, and then to Danes Hill Leatherhead where he gained Graduate Teacher Status. An England Schoolboy International in Football and Rugby. Appointed September 2007.

Mrs Jenny Bray (Head of Art & Design, Upper School Tutor) Cert Ed. Taught at St. Bartholemew’s Middle School then joined Amesbury in 1987 to teach English and History. Appointed to her current post of Head of Art & Design in September 1990.

Mrs Elsa Coglan (Reception Class Form Teacher) was appointed in April 2001. She gained a B.Sc. (Hons) from Thames Valley University in 1992 and a PGCE from The University of the West of England in 1993 specialising in Reception-Year 1 teaching. She taught in the state sector for nine years before coming to Amesbury.

Mrs Jackie Coverdale (Year 3 Form Teacher, Maths) was awarded a B.A. (2:1) with Qualified Teacher Status from Warwick University. Prior to Joining Amesbury she taught at Haslemere Heights and Mayfield School. She was appointed in September 1999.

Ms Marie-Helene de Almeida (Head of Modern Languages Upper School & Middle School Tutor) was awarded a 1st Class Honours Degree in French and Spanish from Royal Holloway, University of London and a PGCE from St Mary’s College, Strawberry Hill. Prior to joining Amesbury Ms de Almeida taught at Oaklands RC School and 6th Form College and joined us from Crofton School in Hampshire, a large 11-16 comprehensive, where she was 2nd in Department. Appointed September 2006

Mr Mike Dullforce (Systems Support and Development) joined Amesbury in September 2001 from industry, having previously worked at Charterhouse for five years as an Information Technology Technician/Teacher. He has an HNC (Hons) in Computer Automation and Networking and a BTEC National Diploma in Computer and Electronic Engineering. In addition to which he is MSCE qualified.

Mrs Lauren Dover (Head of Physical Education, Girls & Middle School Tutor) completed her B.A. (Hons) Degree in Physical Education and Mathematics with qualified teacher status from University of Brighton (Chelsea School of Physical Education) in 1998, and was appointed in September 2005 having previously taught at Hove Park School and Sir Frederic Osborn School.

Mrs Jane Garfield (Head of Modern Languages Lower School & Middle School Tutor) has a Joint Honours Degree (2:1) from Exeter University and a PGCE from Canterbury Christ Church College (specialising in the middle years 7-14). On graduation she taught in Japan and France, and joined Amesbury from King Alfred’s Community College (11-18) Wantage where she taught French for five years and had a specific responsibility for the schools Gifted and Talented programme. Appointed September 2006

Mr Alistair Gibb (Head of Mathematics & Upper School Tutor) was awarded a B.Soc.Sc. in Mathematics from Birmingham University. He taught at Glebe House Preparatory School before coming to Amesbury in September 1987.

Mr Martin Gibb (Head of Geography & E-Learning - Middle School Tutor) completed his B.Ed. (Hons) at (Westminster College) Oxford University in 1999. He taught at Wimbledon Chase Primary School and was appointed to his current post in September 2002.

Mrs Nicky Gritten (Science and Maths) has an M.A. in Physics from Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University and a PGCE from Chelsea College (the former teacher training college of University College London). Before joining Amesbury in September 2004 she taught extensively in the state sector.

Mr John Hamilton (Third Master, Head of History, Religious Studies and Upper School Tutor) earned his Master’s Degree in History from Edinburgh University. Prior to his appointment to Amesbury in September 1983, he taught at Mostyn House School.

Mrs Maggie Hamilton (Keffold Dyslexic Centre and Pastoral Care) has a Montessori Diploma and earned her RSA Diploma through the Helen Arkell Dyslexic Centre. Appointed in September 1994.

Ms Chloe Harrison (Reception Class Form Teacher) was appointed in September 2001 having gained a B.Ed (Hons) in Primary Education Design and Technology from the University of Exeter. She joined us having started her teaching career at St John’s Preparatory School, London.

Mrs Flicka Johnston (Keffold Dyslexic Centre) was awarded her RSA and Cert. Sp. LD through the Helen Arkell Dyslexic Centre. She was appointed in September 1995.

Mr Jon Johnston (Learning Support Co-ordinator) was awarded a B.A. (Hons) in Fine Arts from The West Surrey College of Art & Design and earned his AMBDA through the Helen Arkell Dyslexic Centre. He was appointed in September 1994.

Dr Caroline Keddie (Maths) gained a B.Sc (Hons) 2:1 in Mathematics from Loughborough University, and a PGCE from Kings College London. She worked in the City, later went on to gain a 1st in Psychology with the Open University, and then a doctorate (focussing on the role of ICT in Maths) from Sussex University. She has previously worked at Muntham House School, St Andrew’s Woking. Appointed September 2006

Mrs Mary-Lou Knox (Year 4 Form Teacher) joined Amesbury in 1991. Prior to which she taught extensively in the state primary sector. She was awarded a Certificate of Education from The Roehampton Institute in 1974.

Mr Jonathan Lawrence (Head of Science – Upper School Form Tutor) was appointed head of department in January 2006. He has a B.Sc. (Hons) in Geology from Southampton University, a PGCE from University of Bath, and an M.Sc. from University College London. He started his teaching career at Northwood Preparatory School where he taught for five years before moving to Colet Court, (St Paul’s Preparatory School) where he taught for three years.

Mrs Rhona Livsey (Year 1 Form Teacher) joined Amesbury in September 2005 having previously taught at Elmtree School, Chesham for four years. She has a degree from St Andrew’s University M.A. (Hons) in Economics and Social History and gained qualified teacher Status (QTS) in 1993.

Mrs Charlotte Lush (Head of Performing Arts) was awarded her B.A. (Hons) and Diploma of Teaching at Canterbury University, New Zealand. Prior to coming to Amesbury in September 2002, she taught at Gordonstoun and was Director of Music at Sherborne Preparatory School.

Mr Michael Lush (Year 4 Teacher & leads the Upper School Programme) gained a B.A. Hons (History and Politics) from The Australian National University. He has previously taught at Gordonstoun, Sherborne Prep and was for the last four years a Year 4 teacher at another local preparatory school. Appointed September 2006

Mrs Tanya Rathmell (Year 3 Form Teacher, Science) was awarded a B.Ed (Hons) at Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove Campus. She first taught in the state sector in Brisbane before moving to Manchester in 1998 where she taught Year 3 at Bridgewater School in Worsley before moving to Surrey and joining Amesbury in September 1999 to teach Maths and Science to Years 4–7.

Mr Oliver Selway (Head of English) was educated at Stowe and gained a First Class Degree in English Literature from Dundee University. He began his teaching career in South Africa at Cowan House Preparatory School, and on his return to the UK in 1999, joined the English Department of Lockers Park, Hertfordshire where he taught for seven years. He was appointed September 2007.

Mrs Elaine Starling (Nursery Teacher) joined Amesbury in 1998 having previously worked as an Early Years specialist for six years at Shottermill Infant School, Haslemere.

Mrs Annie Wallis (Year 1 Form Teacher) was appointed in January 2002. Prior to joining Amesbury she had taught at Pennthorpe Preparatory School, Churcher’s College Junior School and most recently Longacre School, Guildford. She gained a B.Ed (Hons) from The University of Exeter in 1980.