Meet the EYFS and Pre-Prep team

Laura Saunders, Pre-Reception Teacher

I joined the fantastic St David’s Prep in September 2021. As soon as I entered the school, I was overwhelmed by the family feel and friendly atmosphere. I completed my teacher training in 2013 at Canterbury Christchurch University. Since then I have worked in a range of year groups including Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.

I am delighted to be working back in Pre-Reception which is the age of children that I thoroughly enjoy.

Abbie Smith, Teaching Assistant

I first joined St David’s in January 2022 as a teaching assistant in Reception and overseeing the running of Rainbow Club in the holidays. Having done nearly two years in Reception, I am currently working with our youngest children in Pre-Reception.  

I have worked in childcare since 2016. I began by completing work experience in my primary school and loved it so much that I stayed on as a volunteer! I completed my Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) and became Room Leader, in a local nursery. I then took a 9-month career break to go travelling around Australia and Bali, something I absolutely loved! During that time, I worked as an au pair and did 88 days farming, where I packed apples and pears – all great experience! 

Back to my passion and happy place – the Early Years classroom. I love being able to make the children feel safe and putting a smile on their face

Jessica Tickle, EYFS Teaching Assistant

Lauren Weaver, EYFS Lead, Reception Teacher and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Scarlett Clark, EYFS Teaching Assistant

I first joined St David’s in September 2016 in a small role helping out at lunchtime.

Helen Burden, EYFS Teacher

After a career change and completing my PGCE in 2014, I have been teaching in Early Years. I am passionate about engaging children early in their school life and teaching them the skills they need to build a life-long love of learning. I feel honoured to be able to teach at St David’s and to be part of the children’s formative years helping to support them to realise their full potential.

I have two girls and in my spare time enjoy travelling, eating out and I’ve just started learning to horse ride!

Keziah Bones, EYFS Teaching Assistant

I joined St David’s in January 2022, initially part-time in a supporting role in Sunset Club. Since then, a real joy and love for working with children has been growing within me. My role has seen me go from supporting in Sunset Club, to leading the club and taking on the lunch hall supervisor role. When offered the opportunity of becoming a full-time Teaching Assistant, I jumped at the chance!  I am now waiting to start a Teaching Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship. I’m excited to see myself grow in this role and I am so grateful for the support and care I have received at St David’s. I look forward to settling into my new role supporting the Reception team. 

Susan Hills, Year 1 Teacher and School Eco Champion

All I ever wanted to do was teach and after completing a Primary Education Degree at Greenwich, I began teaching in a school in Bexleyheath. I then moved around the country with my husband’s job, so have taught in places from Ross on Wye to Frinton on Sea. I have been back in this, my home area, for eight years and before joining St David’s was teaching at a local outstanding state school.
During my spare time I love to spend time with my two girls and husband, we enjoy watching films and going for walks. I also love the arts, play the piano and guitar and have studied at Art college. I am passionate about seeing children develop in a holistic way so that they can reach their full potential.
When I came to visit St David’s, the amazing welcome, happy vibe and feeling of family was overwhelming. I’m thrilled and very proud to be part of the team and look forward to all the teaching to come!

Andrea Gati, Teaching Assistant

Ellie McInerney, Year 1 Class Teacher and English Co-ordinator (currently on maternity leave)

I thoroughly enjoy being in a school environment surrounded by the consistent positive energy and love of learning from staff and children.   

I have a particular passion for teaching English and am delighted therefore to be leading this subject across the whole school. I love reading and I understand the huge importance excellent teaching of reading has on children’s confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing. I aim to ensure the strong tradition of teaching English at St David’s continues as well as introducing some fresh ideas to develop the pupils’ love of the subject. 

I have a son who has just started nursery and when I do get any spare time I enjoy running and playing netball, spending time with friends and family and visits to concerts and the theatre.  

Florence Clark, Year 1 Teacher

I first arrived at St David’s Prep in 2021 after leaving a career in nursing. I immediately fell in love with the community and the environment and knew I had found my dream job. When I was asked to officially join the team in September 2021 as a teaching apprentice, I couldn’t have felt luckier. I learnt so much during my time of study and working alongside experienced teachers in the school and was delighted to be awarded my PGCE with QTS qualification.

My aim as a teacher is to create a positive environment in which to nurture happy, curious learners who believe in their own ability to succeed. Each day at St David’s I am inspired by the incredible team mentality that drives the school and I can honestly say I feel excited to come in every morning. 

Karen Jackson, Teaching Assistant

Karen is an experienced and dedicated early years teaching professional who reverted to her childhood passion for working with children following a period in the fashion industry.  Having obtained a degree in fashion product development, she took a change in career path and began working in London as a pre-school teaching in 2001.  After having two children of her own she spent ten years working in a pre-school in Orpington where her role included support work for children with additional needs.  Karen has been associated with St David’s since 2007 as both her son and daughter attended the school.

She says ‘working with young children is always interesting and challenging.  It is work I am passionate about and I am delighted to be part of the wonderful teaching team at St David’s Prep.

Amber O’Sullivan, Year 2 Teacher, Deputy Head (Pastoral) Designated Safeguarding Lead, SENCo and Head of KS1

After doing her degree in Primary Education and working in a school for two years, Amber was ready for a change. She spent seven months on a round-the-world trip, giving her a wealth of knowledge and experience to bring back into the classroom. On her return, she began working at St David’s.

She says: I feel extremely grateful to be able to work at St David’s and cannot wait for the years ahead of me.

Simon Hunter, Year 2 Teacher

Simon Hunter joined St David’s a year after leaving school in 2009. He joined us as a student and has progressed throughout his years here in a number of different roles. Mr Hunter is now a co-teacher in Year 2. He has enjoyed passing on his knowledge of sport to all the pupils from Reception to Year 6. He has taught to Science to most year groups  He has just completed his ‘Primary Education’ Open University degree.

He says: The family atmosphere and happy faces attracted me to the school. I have always enjoyed watching the children progress all the way through the school and I like to think I have helped in their progression. I feel very lucky to be a part of such a caring and happy school!

William Mayes, Teaching Assistant

I first joined St David’s as a pupil in 2000 where I experienced, first-hand, the loving and caring atmosphere that the school offers, as well as the opportunities that the school provides in the future. I returned in February 2018 as a member of the games team and I was overjoyed that the atmosphere I loved, is even more prevalent.

From 2019, I have supported teaching staff in the classroom, after witnessing the compassion and enthusiasm of the teachers it has led me to undertake an Open University course in Education Studies where I am looking forward to taking my career further.

Bev Haffenden, Year 2 Teacher

I started out in teaching, several years (and more) ago. I started in a Prep School as a Teaching Assistant and moved on to qualifying as a Teacher. During that time,  I came to look round at St David’s and decided that it was where I wanted to work in the future. Fast forward 10 years and here I am – working in my dream school.

I have experience teaching in Year 1, Year 2 and Year 5 but my heart lies in Year 2 and having completed my first term, I remember why. The team within in Year 2 are fantastic but that can be said about the whole of St David’s Staff – It is an amazing place to work, where the staff are valued and the children given the best opportunities in their learning.

Louise Gubb, Teaching Assistant

I joined St David’s in November 2022, starting as a Teaching Assistant in Pre Reception and since September 2023 working as a Teaching Assistant in Year 2.  I have always had a passion for working with children and previously worked as a childminder but wanted to transition into a school setting. I was so pleased when I was offered the opportunity to work at St David’s.  I have learnt so much from the amazing teachers and staff, they are so supportive and kind and I can honestly say I love my job! I am looking forward to starting a Teaching Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship in January and continuing to support the fantastic teaching staff and children at St David’s.