For more information about Sidcot School and enquiries from the media please contact the Press Office at pressoffice@sidcot.org.uk or 01934 845248.
Pictured above – staff leavers (from left to right): Clare Storey, Zoe Joslin, Richard Gower, Sue Taylor, Delia Jefferies, Miriam Gosling, Laura Nesbitt, Alison Bell, Russell Spooner, Amanda Brown, Francesca Meager.
Heather Barnes – Teacher of PE
Is Director of Sport at Wychwood School, Oxford. Relocating to be nearer to home in Wick St Lawrence. Previously taught PE at Merchants Academy, Bristol. First sport is football and played in the Southern Premier League for Keynsham Town and Cardiff City. Has played tennis and hockey at County level.
Patricio Bell – Teacher of EAL (1:1)
Working as a Houseparent at Appleford School with wife, Philippa Bell. Has taught at The Misbourne School and Ellesmere College as a Teacher of MFL. Activities and interests include sport, theatre and listening to music.
Philippa Bell – Director of Drama
Currently an English and Drama Teacher and Houseparent at Appleford School, Wiltshire. Has worked professionally in TV, film, stage and touring theatre. Married to Patricio Bell
Sam Cooper – KS2 Teacher
Left university in 2009 having gained a degree in History and Education Studies and worked as a Recruitment Consultant and Debt Specialist. Currently completing NQT at Marpool Primary School in Exmouth. A keen sportsman and is competitive in Olympic weightlifting and crossfit.
Andrew Cox – Teacher of Mathematics
Currently Teacher of Mathematics at Winterbourne International Academy. Worked in Spain as a Teacher of English as a Foreign Language. Enjoys sport and plays and coaches Ultimate Frisbee. Is a Level 1 Coach and has run sessions for beginners through to GB standard athletics.
Grant Davies – Teacher of Geography
Has been involved in Geography education for over 20 years. Runs ‘Pumpkin Interactive’ a producer of geography video clips, DVDs and interactive materials for use in schools. Currently completing PGCE at Bristol University. Keen cyclist and sailor.
Lynn Dunbar – Learning Support Teacher
Has worked as an SEN Teacher at Ashton Park Primary School for the last seven years and is involved in Ten Tors and the School’s orienteering, climbing and abseiling challenges. Interests include jogging, gardening, photography and dog training.
Christian Hughes – Deputy Head (Academic)
Currently Deputy Headteacher at The Kings of Wessex Academy. Previously worked as a Science Teacher, Head of Biology and Assistant Head of Science at the Academy. Keeps fit and until recently completed in triathlons and half marathons. Keen cyclist on and off road. Has trained and practiced as a beekeeper and will be involved in beekeeping at Sidcot.
Sejal Patel – Teacher of Chemistry
Currently on maternity leave from Cheltenham Ladies’ College. Active member of local WI group. Interested in current world issues, gardening, self-development and spirituality.
Thomas Weidner – Teacher of German and French
Worked at Millfield School as a MFL Teacher since 2013. Is a Tenor for Bristol Bach Choir, a keen pianist and has a keen interest in all kinds of sports.
Byron Zeliotis – Teacher of EAL
Currently working as a supply teacher in Bristol teaching Maths, EAL and Music. Interests include Tai Chi Chuan and playing the guitar, chess.
Fabia Carney (Music): Attended Rugby School and completed a degree in Music at Manchester University in 2016. Has since been working for Blackdog Ballroom and Liars Group.
Catherine Ly (Junior School): A dual US/UK citizen currently living in Charlottesville, Virginia completing degrees in History and Elementary Education. Activities and interests include community service and history.
Charlotte Manser (Art): Just completed degree in Ceramics at Cardiff Met University. Was a student blogger and ambassador for the University. Worked at Marlborough College’s summer school last year supervising children aged 3 – 6 years old and in 2014 worked as a ceramic specialist at a summer camp in Connecticut, USA.
Hannah Oxberry (Sports): Studying Sport Psychology and Coaching Science at Bournemouth University. Volunteers at the Bournemouth Rugby Club.
Hannah Farnie – Assistant Head KS1 and Transition
Melissa Brown – Assistant Head KS2 and Transition
Nicola Williams – Teacher of KS1
James Adams – Teacher of Business / Business Studies
Stefania Cauli – Assistant IB Coordinator
Alfie Cunningham – Head of North House
Matthew Curtis-Dyke – Assistant Head (Coordination)
Veronika Germain – Assistant Head (Pastoral)
Graham Hartley – IB Coordinator
Victoria Lough – Head of South House
David McDonagh – Head of Business Studies
Donna Ralph – Head of Third Form
TBA – Deputy Head of Maths
TBA – Deputy Head of Science
We are very grateful to the contributions made from the following staff during their career at Sidcot. They leave with our thanks and very best wishes for the future.
Alison Bell – Head of German at Redmaids’ High School in Bristol
Amanda Brown – New York for 2 years for husband’s secondment. Can work after 3 months of being resident.
Christine Gladwin – Retiring after 32 years’ service. Will be travelling, gardening and carrying out more research on family history and the school archives
Miriam Gosling – Leadership Consultancy – Pelumbra Ltd, working with Unicef on Youth Leadership Decision Making
Richard Gower – Oasis Academy John Williams (OAJW)
Delia Jefferies – Retiring after 20 years’ service teaching EAL and working in boarding
Russell Spooner – Retiring after 19 years of dedicated service to Sidcot
Clare Storey – Downside School, where husband is also Housemaster – Learning Support Department.
Sue Taylor – Retiring (hanging up her trainers and retiring from teaching, NOT life! Bit of gardening, allotmenting, fishing, cycling, walking, painting, cooking and of course seeing her husband – really important!)
Jemima Beauchamp
Zoe Joslin
Laura Nesbitt