Chard Prep School

Staff

I previously worked at the school as Deputy Headteacher and Head of Maths between 2018 and 2023. I have been a teacher for 21 years and a senior leader for the past 15, working across a variety of different locations and year groups.
I have, at various stages in my career, taught every subject to every year group from Reception to year 8, although my love for all things Maths finally led me to seek out a specialist role.
I am a passionate teacher dedicated to creating a fun and engaging learning environment. From a young age, I knew that teaching was what I wanted to do. I love making English and Maths come alive for my students through practical, hands-on lessons that spark curiosity and make learning enjoyable.
Outside the classroom, you'll often find me with a book in hand, as reading is one of my favourite pastimes. I also cherish spending quality time with my family who I am very close with. We love to spend a Sunday together cooking a roast and walks through my village or along the beach, where I can unwind and soak in to the weekend.
I enjoy visiting my partner in Oxford, where we love to explore the city taking part in escape rooms, going to the cinema, and having meals out in new restaurants. We also like to explore new places and enjoy short weekend breaks away in the UK.
Teaching brings me so much joy, and I'm excited to share my love for learning with every student I meet!
I have 2 passions in life: teaching and my own 5 beautiful children. My 3 girls and 2 boys certainly keep me on my toes, but also mean that I always have my mum hat on. I care about the well-being of all children, ensuring that they receive the nurture and education that I would expect for my own.
With such a busy life, it is hard to have time for much else! When I do have a rare spare moment, I love to spend it crocheting or curled up on the sofa eating ice cream and watching something with my partner.
Secretly, I would love to be on the stage and belt out some showtunes. My favourites are "On my own" from Les Misérables and "For good" from Wicked. I used to sing these to lull my babies to sleep and they will remain the only audience!
Instead, you can find me in the Pre-Prep part of the school trying to sprinkle some magic. Whether it be measuring biscuit structures in Maths, retelling The Enormous Turnip with finger puppets or placing a cake in front of a child and telling them not to eat it, to demonstrate the power of temptation; I believe that an engaged and happy child is one who will succeed.
After several years working as an archaeologist, I changed direction and 25 years ago retrained as a teacher. Although I specialised in Key Stage 2/3 English, much of my career has been spent in small, rural primary schools. I love teaching and making learning as accessible and enjoyable as possible, especially Maths which can be daunting but is actually incredibly good fun! At home, I live in a Devon village with a tortoise, 3 teenagers and my husband, who is an archaeologist on Dartmoor. I am an enthusiastic but terrible gardener, an avid reader and still a fan of all things historical.
Science is awesome. I am a passionate science educator and believe we learn best through experiences and hands-on activities coupled with understanding the 'why' behind our observations. My science laboratory is a fun and inspiring space where no question is out of bounds. My aim, at Chard Prep School, is to inspire a life love of science for all of my students.
Outside of the laboratory I can be found with my family, horses and dog enjoying all that nature has to offer.
As a PE teacher, creating a sense of excitement about sport is something that I am really passionate about. I believe that taking part in, and learning about, sport is crucial for young people as it builds a foundation for a future healthy lifestyle and a positive attitude to wider life and teamwork.
Chard Prep School is a very caring, supportive and friendly environment, with high expectations of achievement and excellence from students and staff; this is an ethos which I completely agree with and strive for in my teaching.
I can successfully employ different teaching styles and assessment strategies, tailored to pupils’ differing and relate to a wide age and ability range, learning needs and circumstances.
Committed to continuous improvement and innovation, I am proactive in my professional development, enabling me to understand the principles of teaching.
I have a passion and enthusiasm for all sports, I set high standards for myself and all pupils and always aim to understand the needs of everybody.
I grew up in Somerset before spending 5 years studying bassoon as a scholar at the Royal College of Music. I have over 18 years of experience teaching music and play a range of instruments, from the ukulele to the saxophone. I enjoy teaching music using the Kodály method, through songs and games that help children learn in an engaging way and grow in confidence and musicality. I have 3 young children and enjoy beach days and board games with the family. I’m also a keen sewer and make many of my own clothes!
Coming soon

Peripatetic Staff

Piano, Singing – Mrs Murphy

Piano, Clarinet & Saxophone – Mrs T Ellis-Trott

Piano, Singing & Ukulele – Mr A Pearson

Administration

Office Manager – Mrs J Shaw

Bursar – Mrs Anita Hall-Roberts

Marketing & Admissions – Mrs J Shaw

Head Chef, Grounds and Maintenance - Mr S Pielesz

Board of Governors

Kerry first attended Chard School in 1983 and has a strong personal connection to the school, with both her daughters also attending.
An award-winning business owner and experienced business mentor, Kerry brings leadership, commercial expertise and a genuine passion for education, supporting the school’s continued success and future development.
Abby is Vice Chair of Governors at Chard Prep School and also leads the school's archives, helping to preserve and celebrate its rich history and heritage.
As a parent at Chard Prep, Abby has a strong personal connection to the school and is passionate about its nurturing environment and close-knit community. She values the school's unique character, family atmosphere and the opportunities it provides for every child to thrive.
Abby is proud to support the school in both her roles, helping to ensure that Chard Prep continues to flourish while maintaining the values and traditions that make it such a special place.
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Stewart was a boarding pupil at Chard Prep School from 1958 to 1962 and remembers his schooldays with great affection. He went on to have a successful career in the Metropolitan Police in London finishing as a Detective Superintendent investigating serious crimes. He then had a short career as a financial advisor and after retiring in 2001 he took up his passion, rock and roll music, and has been entertaining people ever since.
As well as being a Governor at Chard Prep School, he also serves as Chair of the Old Cerdics’ Association.
Laura became a governor in 2026 and is enjoying the privilege of that role. She has found a very warm welcome at the school, both from the staff and the pupils, who are a joy to be with and seem to thoroughly enjoy their education and the opportunities that the school affords.

She is a local solicitor and attends the Church of the Good Shepherd, where she is PCC Secretary. The Church is proud to host various services for Chard Prep.

Laura enjoys many hobbies and pastimes to include gardening, visiting the theatre, opera and ballet and anything Jane Austen. She is also a pastoral visitor.
Hew is a former teacher with thirty years' experience in both the state and independent sectors, including twenty years at Chard Prep and eight years at a prep school in Surrey. He is married with three children, all of whom attended Chard Prep from Symes through to Upper Cerdic. He now runs his own business.
Jon had seven of his young formative years on the island of Mauritius, attending the Royal Naval School there (not quite a Prep school but the ethos was there), and then followed his father into a rewarding career in the MoD developing and dealing with critical systems above ground, below ground, on the ocean and underwater. Finally leaving the MoD as H&S advisor to the UKHO Taunton.
Subsequently Facilities Manager & maintenance at Chard Prep for four years, from the start of Covid, before leaving in 2025 to look after and reform maintenance/H&S at an adult supported living farming establishment.
He has maintained some ties to the school since leaving, and has kept the leaving card made by the pupils for him when he left (he didn't realise he made such an impact working in the background !) in a prominent place at home .
A member of his village history group, being a contributor to book publication. He has always had an interest in family history, which is ongoing. Enjoying many other interests including classic car ownership, engineering work, building restoration work, photography, computer aided design – morphing into 3D printing and laser etching!
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