Staff

Mrs Maudsley joined Windrush Valley School in 2013 as a class teacher and has since progressed through several leadership roles, including Assistant Head and Deputy Head. She holds a BEd (Hons) degree from the University of Gloucestershire and has more than 20 years’ experience within the independent education sector, working in a range of outstanding schools. Mrs Maudsley created and implemented the school’s distinctive WINDRUSH360 and WAVES360 programmes, reflecting her commitment to providing a broad range of opportunities and supporting the academic, personal and holistic development of every child.

Alongside her commitment to raising academic standards and achievement, Mrs Maudsley is passionate about pastoral care, pupil wellbeing and curriculum enrichment. She believes that a well-rounded education should extend beyond the classroom, providing children with meaningful opportunities through community engagement, outdoor learning, practical life skills and varied co-curricular experiences. As a keen traveler, she enjoys exploring a range of countries and experiencing new cultures and cuisines. In her spare time, Mrs Maudsley enjoys walking her dogs in the Cotswold countryside.

Key qualifications

BEd (Hons), Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mental Health Lead.

Mrs Mitchell holds a BA (Hons) in Primary Education from Canterbury Christ Church University. She began her teaching career in an outstanding primary school before spending seven years at an independent school for girls. She has taught across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 and is also an Early Years Lead. After relocating to the Cotswolds with her family, she taught at a local preparatory school before joining Windrush Valley Prep School & Nursery in 2021. During her time at the school, she has led both KS1 and EYFS, and now Assistant Head, bringing extensive experience and a deep commitment to high quality Early Years and primary education.

Outside the classroom, Mrs Mitchell is a keen netball player and enjoys teaching the sport to children throughout the school. She also loves travelling and exploring new places with her family and is an enthusiastic reader.

Key qualifications

BA (Hons) in Primary Education (QTS) – Canterbury Christ Church University, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, EYFS Lead, Designated Allergy Lead

Mrs Sandiford has been teaching for 33 years and has taught every age group from Reception to Year 6. She started her teaching career at an independent prep school in Bath and followed this by teaching at a local prep school in Moreton in Marsh.

Mrs Sandiford has a particular interest in teaching English and creative writing. She enjoys every aspect of school life, from teaching PE to geography and maths. She enjoys singing and can often be heard sharing her repertoire around the school!

Key qualifications

BA Hons, PGCE.

Mrs Riseley joined Windrush Valley Prep School & Nursery in 2023. After working in KS2 in West Sussex for 3 years, she spent 18 years teaching in private English schools in Kuwait in the Middle East across KS2, KS1 and EYFS, leading both Literacy, Humanities and Art & DT across the primary school. Returning to the UK, she worked with special educational needs children before undertaking specialist SEN courses and returning to the classroom. Varied interests fill her life; family is a core value, as well as walking her two dogs around the Cotswold countryside. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, embroidery, travel, writing stories and occasional historical re-enactments.

Although Mrs Riseley has experience as a specialist music teacher, she prefers classroom teaching. She has a particular interest in supporting children with speech and language development – this is particularly important when teaching phonics in EYFS to ensure children have the best start in their reading and writing journey. Her breadth of experience across the key stages gives her valuable experience in offering a range of learning styles to best support progression. In the classroom, her aim to ensure every child is valued and develops their sense of self which enables them to explore, learn from their mistakes and grow into a confident and enthusiastic learner. She is trained to support children with social, emotional and mental health.

Key qualifications

BEd (Hons) Primary Education & Music (King Alfred’s College, Winchester/ Southampton University), QTS, PCert SEMH (Oxford Brookes).

Pauline Carter has been teaching music and the piano since 1983 in schools and in her studio since 1983 both in Ireland and the UK. She believes that music is life-changing and enhances school life for all her pupils.

Key qualifications

BA (Hons) in Music and Classics; An Associateship in Music from the London College of Music, Certificate in Teaching of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Fellow of the Independent Society of Musicians.

Mr Hone has been at Windrush Valley Prep School & Nursery since 2016 and before that taught at an Ofsted Outstanding school in the area. He is committed to bringing out the best in all children and enjoys working with children of all ages. Mr Hone brings a wide variety of experience from his pre-teaching days where he travelled the world leading small groups on adventure trips.

Outside of school, Mr Hone enjoys the outdoors, especially hiking and camping. He also plays the guitar and listening to classic jazz.

Key qualifications

BA Hons. History and Music, PGCE Primary.

Mrs Lovell-Meade is a dedicated and enthusiastic educator with a passion for helping children develop confidence, creativity, and a love of learning. With extensive experience working across primary education, Mrs Lovell-Meade specialises in music, bringing energy and expertise to every lesson she teaches.
As a skilled musician, Mrs Lovell-Meade teaches brass and recorder, leads school ensembles, and supports pupils in developing their performance skills through school bands and festival groups. She is committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to experience the joy of making music, regardless of their starting point.
Alongside her music teaching, Mrs Lovell-Meade also team teaches Year 3 and has a strong interest in curriculum development and creating engaging learning experiences that inspire pupils to achieve their best. She values positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues and believes that encouragement, high expectations, and a nurturing approach are key to helping every child succeed.

Key qualifications

BSc (Hons), Dip ELS, PGCE, QTS.

Mr Welch has been a Teaching Assistant and sports coach for 10 years. He is passionate about putting physical and mental wellbeing at the heart of lessons. He always aims to give children the best possible experience in the classroom and on the sports field.

Mr Welch enjoys playing football and swimming and delivers a wide range of extra-curricular clubs to children from Reception through to Year 6.

Key qualifications

BA Honours Early Childhood Degree. Level 4 Sports Coach in Education Swimming Teacher.

Mrs Nowell joined Windrush Valley Prep School & Nursery in 2018 and has over 25 years’ experience teaching across Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. She holds a BEd in Primary Education (specialist subject geography) from Oxford Brookes University. She has a passion for teaching science and art and promotes an active and enquiry-based approach to learning. She has a strong interest in nature and the countryside and helped to establish the school’s Eco Council. Mrs Nowell runs a wide variety of clubs from netball to eco club to arts and crafts.

Outside of school, Mrs Nowell loves nature, animals and the countryside and grew up owning and riding ponies. She also enjoys attending traditional events such as ploughing matches, steam and vintage fayres as well as gardening and baking.

Key qualifications

BEd Primary Education Hons (Oxford Brookes), QTS.

Mrs Lockyer joined Windrush Valley Prep School & Nursery in 2010 and leads the Pre-Prep department. She holds a BA with honours in Primary Teacher Education from Oxford Brookes university and has over 15 years experience in primary teaching. She runs the school’s popular eco council and is passionate about teaching and learning through nature and the outdoors.

Mrs Lockyer runs after-school clubs from ‘No Bake’ cooking to craft across the years. Outside of school, she has a love of horses and being outdoors in nature.

Key qualifications

BA with Hons Primary Teacher Education (Oxford Brookes), L3 Forest School lead

Mrs Brainin has been teaching primarily French at Windrush since 2010 eventually adding Latin to the language program several years later. This year she will be extending the languages offered as she introduces Spanish to Year 6.

Outside of school, Mrs Brainin loves travel, every aspect of it and never miss the chance to go anywhere. Language goes hand in hand with travel. The ability to communicate facilitates meeting new people and the broadening of one’s views, it can literally shape how we think. The study of any language is not only an intellectual challenge but also as an opportunity to embrace a wider world.

Key qualifications

BA (Hons) in Child Psychology McGill University ECE (Early Childhood Certification-Hons) George Brown College.

Mrs Christie has been teaching since 2001, she is a qualified teacher with many years’ experience working with children. She has chosen to work as a Teaching Assistant, where she can focus on supporting children directly, building positive relationships and helping them develop confidence and a love of learning.

Mrs Christie enjoys music and believes that children learn through songs and rhymes. She has introduced music lessons for the children in the Nursery to encourage them to move and sing to music using puppets and musical instruments. This helps them develop their confidence, language, listening and memory skills.

Key qualifications

4 year Baccalaureus Primae Educationis (B.Prim.Ed) in Primary Education

Mrs Handy joined Windrush Valley in Sept 2024. She has over 35 years childcare experience including private Nannying in the UK and Canada, Day Nurseries, educational support to teenagers with SEMH needs and as a Matron in a girls’ boarding house. She has been a Teaching Assistant supporting children in all Key stages for over 20 years in schools in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire.

Mrs Handy leads some of the wrap around care sessions from 4.30-6pm. She delivers a range of engaging and exciting activities for Nursery through to Year 6.

Key qualifications
CACHE level 2 Teaching Assistant qualification from Evesham College 2005.

Mrs Barron joined Windrush Valley Prep School & Nursery in July 2019. She holds a Diploma in School Business Management and a Degree in Business Studies and has over 12 years’ experience in managing non-curriculum aspects of primary schools. She manages the school’s finances and is responsible for health and safety and premises management. Mrs Barron is passionate about strengthening the school by improving systems, finances, safety and operational integrity within a community -focused environment.

Key qualifications

Level 4 Diploma in School Business Management, BA Business Studies