Our Staff Team

Anna Kyrgeridou

Orchard Pathway

Subject area: Food Technology

Education and Background: I have a BSc in Sports Science and Physical Education focusing on Special Physical Education and therapeutic programs. Thereafter, I went on to achieve a MSc in Physical Activity and Quality of Life, specialising in physical activity programs for patients with cardiovascular diseases at The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

I have also completed the ‘Special Education and Training’ course and the ‘Teachers as Mentors, Counsellors and Responsible Apprenticeship in the School Unit’ course at The University of the Aegean, Greece. 

In addition to these courses, I am a qualified tutor of the Braille system used by some visually impaired people. I obtained this at the International School for the Blind, Greece.

Teaching Philosophy: I joined Marlborough, initially as an agency teacher and then became a permanent teacher at the end of 2022. 

I believe that within a classroom and across the whole school, shared learning experiences can be made on a daily basis – every moment is a learning opportunity!

I believe understanding the progress of my students is imperative to them making progress in school and outside of school.  I am an advocate for being open to all methods of learning in the hope of producing the best education possible for all my students.

Interests: Cultural education, using music to teach grammar, the use of sports to teach communication, grammar and mathematics, student wellbeing, cooking, preparation for adulthood, arts and crafts.
 

Toni Hooton

Orchard Pathway

Subject area: RE

Education background: I joined Marlborough School as a teaching assistant in 2014 with the aim to learn about and understand autism. Within 2 years I qualified as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) and began taking a lead within the classroom. In 2019 I began training to gain QTLS.

Teaching philosophy: I believe that every child should have a voice no matter what their ability and that adults around them should encourage this. Children should also be given opportunities to explore the world around them however possible in a way that suit their needs.

Special interests: Understanding Autism, Positive Behavioural support (PBS), Zones of Regulation and communication.

Patricia Smith-Ojoko and Maryam Ghadache

Orchard Pathway

Maryam Ghadache

Subject Area: Science

Education Background: I have achieved First class degree in BSc (Hons) in Business Information Technology and completed my MA Postgraduate Certificate of Education at King's College London. I joined Marlborough School in 2019. Prior to this, I have worked in mainstream schools and Sixth Form College.

Teaching Philosophy: My teaching philosophy is that students learn the best when they are in a positive learning environment, where they feel welcomed, comfortable and safe with each other. The possibilities are endless when you have the tools you need to learn.

Special Interests: Dyslexia, Signing, Autism, ADHD and Sensory Learning.

Gemma Jones and Patricia Smith-Ojoko

Orchard Pathway

Gemma Jones

Subject Area: Humanities

Education and Background:  I joined Marlborough as a Teaching Assistant in 2015 before becoming a High Level Teaching Assistant and an Unqualified Teacher and now am a Teacher. I applied to join Marlborough as a TA after being in the same role in a range of mainstream primary schools and private day nurseries, it was while I was in those roles that I discovered my passion and pride in seeing those who needed additional support succeeding in tasks they believed themselves unable to achieve. During my time at Marlborough, I have achieved a BA (Hons) in Childhood Studies with Special Educational Needs as my specialism and have also gone on to achieve my PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status. I am also a MOVE Senior Practitioner.

Teaching philosophy: I believe that learning should be accessible for everyone no matter what. I feel that any adaptations that are relevant to the students as individuals is what will help them achieve their full potential and strive to build this into our daily routines in class. I also believe that having a playful approach to teaching and learning will encourage students to engage with new and unfamiliar experiences.

Special interest: Multi-sensory learning, Supporting communication for those with more complex needs, Supporting students with complex medical needs and PMLD, MOVE, Intensive Interaction, Sign Language and Supporting adults and students to learn through play.

Phoenix Gibbs

Orchard Pathway

Subject area: Science

Education background: I have a BSc in Psychology and a MSc in Mental Health. I joined Marlborough as a teaching assistant in 2015 and began working as a teacher after completing my PGCE in 2019. I have completed an NPQ in Leading Behaviour and Culture and have trained as a Team Teach trainer as well as as sensory needs coordinator. 

Teaching philosophy: I believe that promoting student happiness and wellbeing leads to the best personal and educational outcomes for students. I use an inquiry approach in my teaching that enables me to provide individualised support for students that places them in the best position to achieve.  I know that developing great relationships with students and their parents/carers enables me to provide the best quality education and develop student wellbeing. 

Special interests: Sensory support, Attention Autism, Positive Behavioural support (PBS), Zones of Regulation, SEMH

Cheryl Hollands

Meadow Pathway

Subject area: Art & Enterprise

Education background: I have a degree in Surface Design from the University of the Arts London, and use my creative background in my role as Art and Enterprise subject lead. I joined Marlborough as a midday meals supervisor shortly after finishing my degree in 2010. The following year I took a teaching assistant post, and around two years later was employed as a HLTA. I worked for several years as the Food Technology lead before moving over to Post 16 as a class teacher. I began my teacher training in late 2020, and am currently in the last stages of qualifying. I've recently enjoyed moving into the Meadow pathway to expand my knowledge and expertise in PMLD teaching.

Teaching philosophy: I believe that the role of the teacher is to capture the imagination, create irresistible opportunities to explore, foster a love of learning and endlessly champion their students.

Special interests: Autism, Preparing for adulthood, Immersive environments, Imaginative play, Arts & crafts, Gardening & Horticulture, Cooking, Ecology and Environmentalism.

Lillith Campbell

Meadow Pathway

Subject area: Cross-curricular SEND

Education background: I obtained a BA in Health and Social from London Metropolitan University in 2019 and a PGCE Primary SEND: Special Schools from the University of East London in 2023.  I have worked in Education for several years and have gained vast amounts of experience working in a variation of Special Schools as a learning support assistant and a higher level teaching assistant. I have recently joined Marlborough School as an Early Career Teacher and look forward to developing my teaching practice and delivering creative lessons.  

Teaching philosophy: The role of the teacher is to understand how their students learn and deliver an immersive learning experience that meets the students personalized needs. As a teacher, I believe learning should be fun and exciting therefore, it is my responsibility to create an inspiring learning environment where students feel safe to express themselves and can engage with their learning. I seek to create an environment which supports students to believe in themselves, gain independence and progress their skills. 

Special interests: makaton, sensory stories and creative play 

Lynne Walker

Legacy Pathway

Subject area: English                                             

Education background: I received a BA in Film studies and English from London Southbank University 2013. I went on to further studies and received a MA in Modern and Contemporary literature from Birkbeck the following year. Once I finished my Masters, I worked as a TA at a special school, and then went on to complete a PGCE in Secondary English from Goldsmiths in 2017. I taught English in a mainstream comprehensive secondary school for 3 years before I made the decision to return to SEN and started at Marlborough 2020.

Teaching philosophy: I believe the foundations to good learning is built on strong and positive relationships with students and parents. Building from those relationships, nurturing high engagement in their own learning as well building their independence in whatever task they are attempting.

Special interests: Literature, film and media and social stories.

Kessa Beddington

Legacy Pathway

Subject Area: PSHE/RSE

Education and Background: I earned a BA in English Literature and a B.Ed in Inclusive Education in 2019, and moved from Canada to join Marlborough in September of that year and I have taught in both Orchard and Legacy pathways over the past 5 years. I worked as a support worker and interventionist for children with SEN in Canada for many years before channelling my passion for the field into a teaching career. In February of 2023 I completed an NPQ in Leading Teaching. 

Teaching Philosophy: As a teacher, I believe that it is my responsibility to create an environment in my classroom where all students feel respected, valued, and cared for. An environment in which they feel confident to explore, make mistakes, and learn and one that ensures an education that meets their individual needs. Student independence is at the centre of my teaching philosophy and I believe in providing students with as much support as they need to thrive, while allowing space for independent exploration and growth wherever possible. 

Special Interests: Lego Therapy, Emotional Regulation and Wellbeing, Heuristic Play, Social Stories, Attention Autism and RSE.

Ellis Hopkins-Bain

Legacy Pathway

Subject Area:  PE                                                    

Education and Background: My passion for sports and physical activity growing up led me into working with young people in a sports coaching capacity. After completing a BSc in Sports Coaching and Development in 2020, my passion for supporting young people to express and develop themselves drove me to completing my PGCE in Physical Education in 2021. I have recently joined Marlborough as an Early Career Teacher and look forward to developing my skills further whilst working at Marlborough.

Teacher Philosophy: I believe that happiness is the greatest motivator and that students must enjoy their learning in order to feel confident to express and challenge themselves. Building positive relationships with my students is paramount, as I believe that students need to feel supported to encourage them to be independent and explore. I try to incorporate movement and physical activity as much as possible as I have a firm belief that social, mental and physical development occurs through physical activity.

Admin Team

Heather and Sam

HR & Admin 

Finance & Admin 

Premises Team

Lee and Danny