Mr P Ewan
B.Ed (Hons) - Keele, Cert Ed

Prep School Head
Head of Mathematics
Form 6 Teacher

Biography

Mr. Ewan  joined the team at Heathcote School in 2005 bringing with him a great deal of valuable experience, he was appointed as Head of Maths and Key Stage 2 manager He qualified with Certificate in Education 1972 at Alsager College of Education in Maths and Rural Science and a BA (Hons) in Maths and Systems Research followed.

Mr. Ewan has taught in secondary Schools in England and Wales to A'level and later moved back to Primary Education in Pitsea, Basildon. In 1994 he took up a post as one of three teachers given the task of starting a Preparatory School at New Hall School.

Mr. Ewan runs the after school cricket and Uni-hoc clubs at Heathcote and leads the bi-annual trip for Years 5 and 6 to France.

Main interests are canoeing and cycling.

Mrs C Dines
Cert.Ed - Saffron Walden

Head of Art

Head of Display

Biography

Miss H Petersen
B.A. - Open University

Head of Pre Prep

Kindergarten Teacher

Biography

Working in the Foundation Stage and building children's initial constructs provides great rewards to me as Kg's class teacher. Life is full of fun and challenges and the children enjoy their learning environment and place within the school.
Teaching provides many opportunities and insights into children's lives and it is wonderful to be involved in their development.
I have been working at Heathcote for seven years and have had the pleasure of working with many of the children at this welcoming school.
Most of my spare time is spent with my horses and dogs. Horses are my main passion and I have been riding since I was four. I also like to travel, preferably to warmer climates to experience different cultures.

Mrs L Barber
BA (Hons)

Form 3 Teacher

Biography

I graduated from the London College of Music in 1983 and then completed my PGCE.  I have since taught all ages and supported Special Educational Needs for children from Kindergarten to Year 13.  Having taught at Heathcote initially as a music teacher I was delighted to accept the position of Year 3 Pastoral Teacher in September 2009 and am currently both Music and History Co-ordinator and SENCO for Key Stage 2. 

Most of my spare time is spent encouraging the musical and sporting aspirations of my children and pursuing my own interests, both as a musician and as a student of Krav Maga (Israeli martial arts).

Mrs C Windley
B Ed (Hons) - Sheffield

Form 1 Teacher
Pre-Prep SENCO

Biography

Mrs. Windley grew up in Danbury, completed her teacher training on the borders of the Peak District and then attained a B’Ed Honours degree at Sheffield University.

She now co-ordinates special needs in the Pre Prep and was at one time a member of North West Essex’s Special Needs team.

She is the proud mum of two, lived in Sydney, Australia for three years and is also an old school chum of Mrs.Dines.

Interests- Travel, Animals(particularly dogs and horses) Arts and Crafts

Mrs R Collins,
BSc Radiograph

ASA Swimming / Diving Coach

Level 1 PGA coach

ICT Suite Manager
Swimming Teacher

Biography

I joined Heathcote as a parent in1978 when my 3 sons came to the school and I began working as a Teaching assistant in 1987 in Forms KG, 1 and 111. With a background involved with sport all my life I am a qualified ASA diving and swimming teacher and have taught swimming at Heathcote for many years. I have also been involved with all aspects of sport from Netball to Football and ran an athletics and cricket club with my husband on Saturdays at the school for 8 years and a Netball club after school. and I am now a PGA Level 1 coach. With a BSc in Radiography which included dealing with complicated machinery, my love of computers followed on and I have been IT manager for the last 7 years.

INTERESTS  - Family, gardening and all sport especially golf – as well as playing I am cadet organiser at Three Rivers Golf Club which involves all aspects including Child Protection and Health and Safety.

Mrs D Rae,

NVQ Level 3

Teaching Assistant

Biography

I spent fifteen years as an officer in the Metropolitan Police Service, working mainly in the East End of London, dealing with every aspect of crime including a three posting on the Child Protection Team. Whilst waiting for promotion to Detective Sergeant, I was involved in an accident, which resulted in early retirement.

In January 2003 I took up the role of teaching assistant at Heathcote School. In order to become a more effective assistant I studied for my NVQ 2 Early Years and Education and then the NVQ 3 Teaching Assistant. I am currently attending a course for Developing Advanced Skills in Supporting Students at KS1 & 2

Hobbies: I enjoy reading and as can be seen from above academic studies. My husband and I also support and encourage our two children in their extra curriculum activities.

Mrs M. Hessing,

Teaching Assistant

Biography

Mrs D Howles
Nursery Teacher

Biography

I started working at Heathcote School eleven years ago and spent my first few years working in the Kindergarten class            I then moved on to be the numeracy assistant in the upper school and taught P.E. for a year. 

For the last few years I have been at the central hub of the school – the office, as school secretary. I am now looking forward to taking over the running of the Nursery for 2 - 3 year olds.

I am a qualified netball coach and when I moved to Althorne I set up a ladies netball team competing in the Chelmsford and District League.

My husband and I also manage and train the Mayland Village Tigers U11 football team. This year we got through to the semi-final in the league cup.

I play the piano and we recently bought a drum kit – so my house is nice and noisy! I love jazz-street dance, badminton and circuit training.

Mrs N Solsberg
Bursar / Office Manager

Email: n.solsberg@heathcoteschool.co.uk

Biography

My association with Heathcote began in 1996 when my eldest daughter Jessica started in Pre-school, Remy joined shortly after and was Head Girl in 2006.

I joined the team in July 2005 initially to help out in the office with general office duties. I have since completed the Certificate of School Business Management and been promoted to School Bursar with responsibility for all Financial,Personnel , and administration matters. I have recently taken over the post of Office Manager.

Prior to this, I left school at 16 and worked in the Foreign Exchange dealing room of an International Bank in London, leaving to start a family. I then worked for a large fruit importing company and helped my husband run his company based in South Africa.

I enjoy travelling, DIY, skiing, walking my dogs and spending time "socializing" with my friends and family.

Mr J Barnard
Maintenance

Biography

I am a retired oil tank driver and have been working at Heathcote School for 2 years. I am responsible for the general maintenance and upkeep of the school gardens.