RIVER HOUSE ACADEMY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Secondary Science Teacher
Akhilesh Kumar is a compassionate, student-minded secondary-school educator, with 3 years of experience in teaching mathematics and science to teenagers from Year 7 to Year 11 (Ages 12 to 18). He worked with Teach for India, a non-profit organization, to offer the less privileged a chance to educate themselves. He also brings six plus years of both social entrepreneurial and corporate management experience.
He believes in a multi-dimensional classroom setting where students can explore, experiment, discover, and learn in a variety of ways. His vision of the learning space is to offer a wide variety of academic inputs, which involve visual, auditory, and experiential methods. Acting as a facilitator rather than in the traditional sense as a knowledge provider, he allows students to discover their own voice, their own interests, and their own point of view so that they can take ownership of their lives with awareness and with confidence.
Job Titles:
- Secondary English Language and English Literature Teacher
Ananda (Andy) holds a Master's degree in English, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Education and has been teaching English language and literature, both as first and second language, for over 12 years across various curriculums including IGCSE.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Head Teacher, Secondary Mathematics Teacher )
Prior to her journey in the education sector, Divya worked as a Chartered Accountant with leading Indian and multinational banks in India. She discovered her love for working with children when she volunteered at educational institutions during her weekends off from her corporate job. It was in 2015 that Divya found her calling and transitioned into the education sector on a full-time basis.
Having joined River House in 2018, Divya has since completed her Master of Education in Advanced Teaching, further enriching her pedagogical knowledge and skills.
Divya firmly believes in cultivating strong relationships with her students. Through open discussions, active listening, and creating a supportive atmosphere, Divya ensures that her students feel heard, understood, and valued. Throughout the years, this approach has allowed her to foster deep connections with her students.
Divya loves Maths, cooking and technology - a rather strange combination - which she brings into the school community. She incorporates technology into her Maths teaching which leverages student learning and equips them with digital literacy skills. When she is not teaching Maths, she conducts cooking / baking classes with students in the school which allows students to dive into culinary arts and also gain an important life skill.
Job Titles:
- Founder and Headteacher
- Head Teacher, Secondary Mathematics Teacher )
Ellie Cottrell is the founder and Headteacher of River House Academy.
Ellie taught for 11 years in Norwich, England where she worked with students with a wide range of skills and abilities. She enjoyed finding innovative ways of engaging learners so that they reached their full potential: academically, creatively and socially.
Having two children of her own, Ellie is clear that a rounded education must offer a balance between academic achievement and creative expression.
Resha is from a local family and has worked with our children for many years.
She is an integral part of the smooth running of the school, looking after our kitchen, administration of our day-to-day affairs as well as helping us to maintain strong relationships with the local community, neighbours and businesses.
Resha's smile is available for rent