BRIDGEWATER - Key Persons
I joined Bridgewater Primary School in 2013 when it first became a Primary School. I have worked in Years 2, 3 and 4 and I have enjoyed teaching all of these year groups. Prior to joining Bridgewater I worked in a junior school in Luton and before that at an Educational Support Centre in St Albans. In a previous life, I was a police officer for 17 years and I feel very lucky to have been able to commit myself passionately to two worthwhile careers.
I was appointed as Deputy Head in September 2018 and then Headteacher in September 2022. I feel incredibly proud to lead our school where all children, staff, parents and members of the wider school community belong to Team Bridgewater. My fundamental vision for Bridgewater is that every child and adult experiences a positive, enriching environment, where they are safe and happy, they feel valued and trusted and they reach their true potential.
I believe that all children should have access to a broad and balanced curriculum to prepare them for the next stage of their education. We place great emphasis on Forest School, Music, Sport and the Arts at Bridgewater alongside the core academic subjects. I enjoy sharing my passion for Music and Sport with the children and love to watch Team Bridgewater children representing their school at local events.
I have a wall in my office that is dedicated to Team Bridgewater memories and I welcome photographs from our school family to add to my collection.
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- Teacher - Year 6 ( Buzzard )
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- Teacher - Reception ( Firecrest )
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- Teacher - Year 3 ( Kestrel )
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- Teacher - Year 2 ( Swift )
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- Teacher - Year 3 ( Kestrel )
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- Teacher - Reception ( Firecrest )
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- Teacher - Year 4 ( Mallard )
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- Teacher - Year 4 ( Teal )
My journey with Bridgewater school started in 2020 when I became a Year 3 teacher to Kestrel class. I'm now in Owl and am loving being back at school with all of the lovely children (and staff!). Berkhamsted born and bred, I love that I can work within my own community, facilitating the children's learning and helping them be their happiest selves.
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- Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Coordinator ( SENDCO )
I have been teaching in Hertfordshire since 1992 and have taught all ages from Nursery up to Year 6. I stopped being a class teacher when I was lucky enough to be trained as a Reading Recovery Teacher and then qualified as a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. I have worked as a SENDCO in a number of Hertfordshire Schools before I joined Bridgewater School.
I love being part of the Bridgewater family, especially as my own children came here and successfully moved through Ashlyns to either university or the world of work.
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- Teacher - Year 2 ( Swallow )
I'm very excited to join the year 2 team at Bridgewater. I have recently moved to Berkhamsted with my husband and young daughter and we are looking forward to living closer to our extended family and nearer to the countryside. I qualified as a primary school teacher in 1997 and started my teaching career in Hull, where I worked for 4 years. After that I taught in an international school in Kuwait for several years and then spent nearly two years travelling around the world. I have been living and working in London for the past 14 years and during my career I have taught all year groups from year 1 to 6. I am particularly interested in early reading and phonics and supporting children with English as an Additional Language (EAL).
Outside of school I love spending time with my family and travelling and visiting new places. I also enjoy visiting car boot sales and vintage shops, looking for mid-century ceramics and furniture. I also like eating out and I'm very excited to try out all of the lovely restaurants and cafes in Berkhamsted!
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- Teacher - Year 5 ( Partridge )
I've enjoyed the last 12 years teaching and now live in Berkhamsted with my two young children and husband. Whilst I've always known I wanted to be a teacher I've especially loved working here in the heart of my local community.
I began my teaching career in the USA, in my home state of Florida, where I taught year 5 for two years. Before moving to Bridgewater, I worked in West London teaching year 4. Prior to that I spent 4 years in China and Hong Kong teaching year 3 and reception. I have very much enjoyed the experience of travelling and working in different countries, but it's wonderful to call Berkhamsted home.
Outside of school I enjoy many different activities with my family. We have travelled extensively in Asia, Europe and South America, often picking up recipes that I enjoy cooking at home. I like the outdoors and we regularly go camping around the UK and can usually be found hiking around the local area.
I run cross country and spend time at the pool swimming laps or lessons with my children. As an avid reader or fiction and non-fiction I adore story-telling and have always shared this passion with my classes, and now my children in the evenings. I believe that fostering reading at an early age leads to lifelong readers and learning.
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- Teacher - Nursery and Year 6
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- Teacher - Year 1 ( Kingfisher ) & Key Stage 1 Phase Lead
I am delighted to be teaching Year 1 and overseeing Key Stage 1 this year.
Whilst training to be a teacher, I was a football coach which I loved, because I had a passion for sport and quite a competitive nature! In 2016, I began my teaching career at Bridgewater and have since enjoyed teaching Year 3 and Year 6. At Bridgewater, I love how everyone works together and how we collectively celebrate successes across the curriculum and outside of school.
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- Teacher - Nursery ( Am ) & EYFS Phase Lead
We have started our year by learning all about Picasso. We have learnt about where he came from, when he was alive, and his style of art. We then had a go at creating our own self portraits in the style of cubism. We love how colourful, bright and unique they are!
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- Teacher - Year 4 ( Teal )
I started working as a project manager for Citigroup. After a few years I realised it wasn't the right career for me so went back to university to retrain to be a teacher in 2006. I've worked in 3 schools in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire in all years from 2-6.
I started at Bridgewater in 2016 and have taught in Years 2, 3 and 6 here. I have had my 3 children go through Bridgewater School and 1 who still attends. I love working here; I feel lucky to be able to teach lots of lovely children and have made many friends. It's really important to me that children are excited to learn and look forward to coming to school so I try and make my lessons exciting, engaging and fun!
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- Teacher - Year 1 ( Wagtail )
After leaving school I undertook a Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship in a primary school where I worked in Year 1 for two years. After my apprenticeship I continued studying Early Childhood Education at college before doing my PGCE at Bath Spa University. I have recently completed my PGCE and gained my Qualified Teaching Status, with a specialism in Early Years.
I always knew when growing up that I would love to teach. My favourite part of teaching is the reward of watching children develop and succeed. I love being able to look back and see what they have accomplished.
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- Teacher - Reception ( Goldcrest )
I qualified as a teacher in 1993 and since then have worked in three different schools (in Hemel Hempstead, Watford and Garston) - Bridgewater will be my fourth - and have held a number of different roles. I have taught across the primary age range from Year 1 to 6. I have been a phase lead for both upper and lower KS2 and have also been assistant head. I have led a range of curriculum subjects but English has always been my passion! Bridgewater had been known to me for a long time. While I was working at the school in Hemel I ran the netball team and we were always in the same league as Bridgewater. In fact, during one of these matches, I actually tripped over and broke my arm! I also worked with another member of the Bridgewater staff team at this school.
I am fairly local, having grown up and been educated in Hemel Hempstead. I have two cats - Bella and Rory and in my spare time I like to do lots of different things: I love to read and I also enjoy the cinema, the theatre (I love a musical and so far this year I have seen Frozen and Six and am looking forward to seeing Beauty and the Beast soon). I really enjoy cooking and baking and have a whole shelf full of cookery books which I love to look at and get ideas from. I am an avid Liverpool FC supporter and I also love to shop! My main passion and drive though is travel; I have just returned from a month in Australia which was incredible and I'm always planning my next holiday!
I can't wait to get started at Bridgewater and I look forward to the new challenges and experiences that this will provide.
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- Teacher - Year 5 ( Partridge )
I am delighted to be joining the team at Bridgewater school as their Counsellor.
I have worked in primary and secondary education for over 20 years supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. For the last 13 years I have mainly worked in Berkhamsted schools whilst I have also been studying.
As a BACP registered integrative counsellor and coach, I am passionate about supporting children and young people to develop the life skills that enable them to learn and thrive. I enjoy working with pupils, staff and parents to create a safe and supportive environment for every child and young person in our care. I consider it a privilege to be able to support people when they need it most and to watch children and young people grow into all they are capable of becoming.
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- Teacher - Year 5 ( Quail )