Our staff

OUR STAFF

CORE LEADERSHIP TEAM

ALISON SPRAKES HEADTEACHER
From an early age, Alison could be found with a lab coat and goggles trying to create different potions and explosions in her parents' kitchen! This has translated into a love of food and a keen interest in science education. Having worked with children in both New York and China before moving to London, Alison could not be more delighted to have played a role in establishing the Belham Primary School.

SHARON BAXENDALE ASSISTANT HEAD: INCLUSION (SENDCo)
Sharon provides Belham staff, parents and pupils with advice, support and consultancy on all matters that support our vision that 'everyone matters'. Sharon holds the Advanced Diploma in Special Educational Needs and was seconded to the LA to support the transfer of Statements to Education, Health and Care Plans. In her spare time Sharon likes to engage in a bit of carpentry and archaeology.

NANCY WAYMAN ASSISTANT HEAD: CURRICULUM
Nancy is Assistant Head and Head of Music. She teaches class music and whole school singing and is the first point of contact for enquiries regarding our peripatetic scheme. Prior to joining the Belham, Nancy was Head of Literacy, year group leader and a class teacher at Dulwich Hamlet Junior School. Before completing her teacher training Nancy read music and then studied at drama school as a post graduate. She lives locally with her husband and four children.

EMMA CHAN SENDCo
Born in Surrey to Chinese parents, Emma has always been passionate about working with children, from volunteering at The Children's Trust with children with brain injury, to running around the woods at a summer camp in Maryland USA. After studying Biological Sciences and Education at university, Emma worked in schools in London and Spain, in both mainstream and special needs settings. For the 2022 academic year, Emma is teaching Tartan class two days a week alongside her SENDCo role.

TEACHING STAFF

YEAR 6

KATE GORELY CORDUROY CLASS TEACHER & Y4-6 PHASE LEADER
Kate studied Cultural Studies at Birmingham University and then trained in Mental Health at Kings College London. After having her children, she developed art-based projects and created innovative learning spaces in schools and in the wider community. With inclusion, community and creativity at the centre of her vision, and having previously taught at Dulwich Hamlet Junior School, Kate was delighted to join the Belham and to develop Art and Design across the school.

VICKY TEE TWEED CLASS TEACHER
Vicky worked at the Belham in 2018 as a gap year teaching assistant, during her sandwich placement year in the middle of her Classical Civilisation BA. She completed her teacher training at the Belham in 2021. Vicky's primary interests are all things Ancient Greek and Roman. She also enjoys music (playing the flute and singing) and is a keen baker.

YEAR 5

JENNIFER HILL HESSIAN CLASS TEACHER
Jennifer grew up in Nottingham and studied Law at Nottingham Law School. She began her legal career as a paralegal in a busy north London defence firm, at the coal face during the 2011 London riots. Jennifer later qualified as a criminal duty solicitor where she developed a particular interest in youth defence. After 10 years in law, having always had a love for supporting and developing young people, Jennifer decided to pursue a career in teaching. She completed her training at UCL's Institute of Education and joined the Belham in 2021. When she's not exploring the breweries of south London, Jennifer loves to travel and is an avid hiker, recently completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in under 10 hours (but less a functioning knee!) and canoeing in the Wye Valley.

CHRISTINA SAULLO CHIFFON CLASS TEACHER
Christina studied Anthropology at Goldsmiths and had aspired to write her own ethnography from deep in the Amazon rainforest. However, fate took an unexpected turn and at 21 she ended up working in Marketing and Events for a chain of London bars and restaurants. Although her passion for travel, cooking and music were deeply satisfied, she did not feel fulfilled. She then started working for a national charity and helped run a children and young people's support service in Wandsworth. After working in over ten schools in that borough, and then later as a learning mentor, Christina decided to complete her Master's in Primary Education and work in her beloved community of Peckham.

CLIO CHARTRES CHIFFON CLASS TEACHER
Clio studied Chinese at the University of Cambridge before joining a tech start-up. However, having had some wonderful teaching experiences abroad and through local volunteering, she soon found herself drawn back to the classroom. She has spent the last few years working as a senior leader in east London while running a social enterprise that combines two of her greatest passions: food and oracy. Clio is delighted to be teaching Chiffon class two days a week alongside being an Assistant Head.

YEAR 4

NAOMI ROBINSON SILK CLASS TEACHER
Naomi grew up in Kent and studied Geography at Newcastle University where she later completed her PGCE. She has represented England at Curling since the age of 13, giving her the opportunity to compete extensively across Europe. This has helped Naomi to develop qualities of hard work, determination and resilience - qualities she aims to instil in the children she teaches. Naomi also loves music and has completed grades in singing and piano. She believes children should be encouraged to participate in a wide range of sporting and creative activities and so is delighted to be part of all that the Belham has to offer!

KIRSTY DOIG VELVET CLASS TEACHER
Kirsty grew up in Newcastle upon Tyne and moved to London to complete her BA in Drama, Applied Theatre and Education at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. During her degree Kirsty worked with children’s theatre projects and education outreach. A keen interest in special needs provision led to a job as a TA in a special school, and Kirsty continued to teach performing arts whilst studying for a PGCE at UCL's Institute of Education, from which she qualified with specialisms in SEND and music.

YEAR 3

ELLIE HOLLINGSWORTH CASHMERE CLASS TEACHER (AUTUMN)
Ellie grew up in Singapore and the US, and always loved school as a child. This led her to volunteer at her own school’s summer school programme and then later, during her gap year, at schools and orphanages in Tanzania and Cambodia. She studied History of Art at the University of Nottingham before starting a career in Publicity with Hodder & Stoughton Publishers, and later with an independent PR agency. After 4 years in PR, having always had a love of education, Ellie decided to pursue a career in teaching, completing her PGCE with Wandsworth SCITT. She is thrilled to be a part of the Belham team!

JAMES HARTLEY CASHMERE CLASS TEACHER (SPRING/SUMMER)
James grew up in Bristol and studied Graphic Design in Leeds. After 4 years as a professional designer, he realised the office life was not for him and succumbed to the draw to help children succeed. In his 8 years of teaching, James has been fortunate to teach in a variety of creative and diverse schools across east and south London. He is passionate about promoting creativity and open discussion within his classroom and is a keen advocate for P4C (Philosophy for Children). When not educating, he can be found reading about food, cooking food and talking about food with anyone who will listen.

EMMA CHAN TARTAN CLASS TEACHER
Born in Surrey to Chinese parents, Emma has always been passionate about working with children, from volunteering at The Children's Trust with children with brain injury, to running around the woods at a summer camp in Maryland USA. After studying Biological Sciences and Education at university, Emma worked in schools in London and Spain, in both mainstream and special needs settings. As well as teaching Tartan class, Emma shares the role of SENDCo at the Belham.

CHRIS WRIGHT TARTAN CLASS TEACHER
Chris grew up in Sussex and studied his undergraduate degree in Reading. He has always had a fascination with learning and this naturally led him to a career in teaching. He trained in Bermondsey before moving to Wandsworth. After several years, Chris went to work in a British International School in Bangkok before taking time out to start a Master's in Education Leadership. Through his teaching experience and studying Chris has developed a passion for child centred learning, and believes that every child has the potential for success. Outside of school, Chris enjoys challenging himself to learn new skills from Spanish to carpentry. He is very excited to join the Belham team!

YEAR 2

DANAE GARDNER LACE CLASS TEACHER & Y2/3 PHASE LEADER
Danae grew up in Kent and studied English language at the University of Reading. It was here that her love for teaching reading and writing first began. Consequently, she completed her PGCE at Wandsworth SCITT where she enjoyed working in London’s wonderfully diverse schools. Outside teaching Danae's passion is dancing, which she started at a very young age. Her personal highlight is performing at Disneyland Paris! Danae is delighted to be a member of the Belham team.

ARABELLA LOPEZ JUAN POPLIN CLASS TEACHER
Arabella holds a Master's in Teacher Training specialising in PE. She speaks Catalan and Spanish, and moved to England in 2013 because of her interest in British culture. She loves to dance and holds a professional grade in contemporary and classical. She believes that music is a very important part of our lives which everybody should have a chance to enjoy.

YEAR 1

ANGELA HUDSON CALICO CLASS TEACHER

ELIZABETH ARIYIBI DENIM CLASS TEACHER
Liz grew up in south London and has dreamed of teaching since she was a child. After completing her degree in Theology with Philosophy, Liz worked as an ESL teacher in China and Italy and trekked around the world. She moved back to London to complete her teacher training at the Belham in 2021, and is excited to begin her Early Career Teacher years as part of the Belham team. In her spare time Liz can be found travelling and baking and would consider herself as good as Mary Berry!

RECEPTION

LAUREN HOGG FELT CLASS TEACHER & RECEPTION/Y1 PHASE LEADER
Lauren studied in Bath and completed her NQT year at the Belham in 2017. She moved from Torquay to explore Peckham, and loves the creativity and 'glitter' of the curriculum at the Belham.

NAZIFA KHATUN WOOL CLASS TEACHER
Nazifa grew up in east London and always wanted to work with children. She volunteered in primary schools as a teenager before studying Comparative Literature at Queen Mary University and completing her PGCE at the University of Cumbria. Nazifa joined the Belham as a supply teacher during the pandemic and loved the atmosphere and friendliness of the school, so is thrilled to now be a full time member of the team. In her spare time Nazifa can usually be found in the kitchen sifting flour to bake cakes and brownies, or relaxing with a good book or rom-com film.

BUSINESS AND FINANCE TEAM

CLAIRE CONNOR OFFICE MANAGER
For 24 years Claire worked as an admin officer for the Metropolitan Police Service in various specialised units. She has been local to the area all her life and is super excited that she and her two children are now 'Belhamites'. In her late teens Claire enjoyed her time helping a local Brownies group and is now enjoying working with children again.

ELOISE HUNTER HR AND INCLUSION ADMIN ASSISTANT
Eloise grew up in East Dulwich and studied History at the University of Manchester, graduating in 2019. She joined the Belham in 2020 during the peak of the pandemic, initially as a temporary front office assistant. Eloise is now a permanent member of the Belham team and assists the HR and Inclusion leads. Her two big loves are coffee and food!

HARRIET BAILEY ADMIN ASSISTANT

SUPPORT STAFF

NATHAN LEWIS SPORTS COACH

ELIZABETH LINTON SMITH SENIOR INCLUSION ASSISTANT, Y2-3
Elizabeth worked at Dulwich Hamlet Junior School for over 20 years and was delighted to join the team at the Belham. Before working in education she trained and worked as a nurse at St Thomas' Hospital. She has a great interest in play therapy and supporting children both socially and emotionally. In her spare time she enjoys arts and crafts and has a keen interest in Art Deco architecture and mosaics.

SARAH HUTCHISON SENIOR INCLUSION ASSISTANT, Y4-6

PUMFREY SCHOOL DOG
Pumfrey has worked at the Belham as a therapy dog for the last three years. He enjoys popcorn, his snuffle mat, and sleeping on the bed. His dislikes include long walks in the rain, having alone time, and hoovers.

LOTTIE ATKINS EARLY YEARS PRACTITIONER
Lottie previously worked as an early years practitioner in an outstanding local nursery. Here she found her passion, focusing on the development of the young. Lottie has also worked with older children, volunteering in a local youth club. She brings enthusiasm and dedication to her role at the Belham, where she has worked since the school opened in 2015.

MONIKA KUBIAK YEAR 6 TEACHING ASSISTANT
Monika worked as a child psychologist in Poland and as a psychologist assistant in Italy and speaks both languages, alongside English. She joined the London educational environment in 2010 and was one of our first Belham recruits. As well as loving working with Year 6, Monika is a huge fan of Gene Kelly musicals and Umberto Eco novels.

AGNIESZKA ROTUSKA-SEKSAF YEAR 5 TEACHING ASSISTANT & SENIOR MIDDAY SUPERVISOR
Agnieszka moved to England from Poland over 25 years ago. She decided to be a stay at home mum and was a parent volunteer in her children's school for many years. During that time she qualified as a teaching assistant. Agnieszka lives locally in Peckham and is thrilled to be part of the Belham team, to share her skills and experiences to help create a happy and nurturing environment for all the children. She loves a good book, long walks in nature and spending time with her family.

CLAUDINE THOMAS YEAR 5 TEACHING ASSISTANT

JESSICA THOMPSON YEAR 3 TEACHING ASSISTANT
Jess has lived and worked in the Peckham area all her life. She has three children, and took time out from her work as a payroll assistant to be a stay-at-home mum. When her youngest daughter started nursery Jess began working as a midday supervisor at a local school. Finding that she really enjoyed working with children, she then became a teaching assistant. Jess has now worked as a TA for four years.

SCHNEEDA THORPE YEAR 3 TEACHING ASSISTANT & MIDDAY SUPERVISOR
Schneeda lives locally and is a dedicated mother of three and also a grandmother. She is passionate about supporting the young people in her community and has spent time volunteering with vulnerable young women, assisting with their education and personal needs.

ASHLEY MORAN YEAR 2 TEACHING ASSISTANT

ANGEL CASTILLO YEAR 2 TEACHING ASSISTANT & EARLYBIRDS ASSISTANT
Education has always been a part of Angel's life. Originally from The Philippines, she taught aspiring teachers at university level and set up and taught in pioneering schools and English camps for children before moving to the UK. Angel actively volunteered in learning centres soon after arriving in the UK. Being part of a school brings joy to her as she loves to interact with people while helping them to learn.

LUCIANA RIBAUDO YEAR 2 TEACHING ASSISTANT & MIDDAY SUPERVISOR

MARY MELLOR YEAR 1 & YEAR 3 TEACHING ASSISTANT
Mary has worked with children for many years in a variety of roles, including working in a Montessori nursery and managing summer camp programmes. After volunteering at her son's school she felt ready to pursue a full time career in education and trained to become a teaching assistant.

LARA KOLAWOLE YEAR 1 TEACHING ASSISTANT & OWLS COORDINATOR
From an early age Lara has loved caring for children. She trained as a teacher abroad then worked in social and retail sectors in London for many years. Six years ago she decided to channel her passion for working with young children by going back into schools. She is absolutely delighted to be part of the Belham team working with young minds!

SHELLIE LUCAS YEAR 1 TEACHING ASSISTANT, MIDDAY SUPERVISOR & EARLYBIRDS COORDINATOR
Shellie is very much a local girl, having lived around the corner from the Belham since birth. In fact her father was a pupil at the original Old Bellenden School in the 1960s! Shellie was a hairdresser, but since having two children (who are both 'Belhamites') she has devoted her time to raising her family. She is very enthusiastic about being part of the Belham school and creating a nurturing environment for children at the heart of the community.

IWONA MOUSLI RECEPTION TEACHING ASSISTANT
After completing her Foundation Degree in Childhood and Family Studies, Iwona worked in the Bilingual Nursery (French-English) as a deputy manager. After having her own children she devoted herself to being a full-time mum, before joining the Belham in its first year. Iwona loves jazz and plays the accordion in her spare time.

JESS PEILE RECEPTION TEACHING ASSISTANT

ALICJA DRABEK TEACHING ASSISTANT & EARLYBIRDS ASSISTANT

SAVINA ANDERSON OWLS COORDINATOR
Savina has always had a passion to work with young people; she is a trained Learning Mentor and worked in a local primary school for over 14 years supporting pupils socially and emotionally within her role. Savina enjoys volunteering at a local music school and with a local steel pan orchestra at the weekends. In her spare time Savina enjoys sharing her love of cooking and movies with her son and husband.

MURUVET CUVALCI EARLYBIRDS ASSISTANT & MIDDAY SUPERVISOR
Muruvet joined the Belham in 2018. She supports the children at lunchtimes and during our breakfast club sessions.

PAM EDWARDS OWLS ASSISTANT

SHARON KING OWLS ASSISTANT

LORRAINE DIAMOND EARLYBIRDS & OWLS ASSISTANT & MIDDAY SUPERVISOR

SANA SHEAKH MIDDAY SUPERVISOR

LATOYA TUCKER MIDDAY SUPERVISOR

NOORJAHAN BEGUM MIDDAY SUPERVISOR

SHARDAE COOK MIDDAY SUPERVISOR

PREMISES TEAM

SIMON WOOD PREMISES MANAGER
Simon lives locally and is a past pupil of Dulwich Hamlet Junior School. Before joining the Belham he worked at a local DIY store and for a railway training company.

JOSHUA PEARSON PREMISES ASSISTANT
Josh lives in East Dulwich and previously worked as a fitter and driver for a local firm. He joined the Belham team in summer 2022. In his spare time Josh enjoys DIY, painting and going to the gym.

JAIMINI VYAS CLEANING TEAM & MIDDAY SUPERVISOR

EDWIN MENSAH CLEANING TEAM

ANTONI TASHEV CLEANING TEAM

STALINA CLARKE CLEANING TEAM

CATERING TEAM (MANAGED BY HARRISON CATERING SERVICES)

LEO DELGADO CHEF

YOLANDE SY KITCHEN ASSISTANT & OWLS CHEF
Yolande loves working with children of all ages and provides invaluable support in the kitchen, preparing and serving lunches as well as cooking tea for children at Owls. Yolande speaks perfect French due to her Cote D'Ivoire origins. When not working with food, Yolande enjoys tennis and visiting the gym.

TASHAUNA CAMPBELL KITCHEN ASSISTANT & OWLS ASSISTANT