The Staff

All teaching staff in the main school are graduates with a teaching qualification. We do not employ unqualified staff. Highly-qualified graduates also visit to teach their specialist subjects: music, ICT, mathematics, science, French and Latin.

Early Years staff, who work alongside teachers or in Phoenix House, are also highly qualified: all have an NNEB qualification (or equivalent), or a higher qualification. We also train our own Nursery Nurses: a number of trainees are working towards levels II and III NVQ in Childcare alongside our qualified staff.

All our members of staff have been carefully selected both for their qualifications and for their commitment to the provision of outstanding care and education.

In-service training is ongoing as part of professional development for all staff. The school operates a full in-service training programme for all non-teaching and teaching staff.

As required by the DfES, all have been screened and police-checked.

The Management Structure

The Headmistress/Director has overall responsibility for the running of the school and nursery. The management team of Deputy Headteacher, Heads of Department and Curriculum Co-ordinators assist the Headmistress.

We also have a governing body which helps the Headmistress with the decisions regarding the running and policy making of the school. Parents of children at Phoenix House can become a parent representative on the governing body. The term of office is two years.

A financial and legal team of the highest calibre provides professional services and advice; it is important that your investment in the very best for your child is secure.

There are class teachers for each class from Pre-Preparatory (2-3 years) upwards. The Nursery and Pre-Prep departments have a Housemother, whose special responsibility it is to care for each child and oversee their social development. She plays an invaluable role in areas such as etiquette, feeding needs and health and hygiene standards, as well as comforting your child if required. She also has the responsibility for the meticulous running of the houses.

The school chaplain is the Reverend Pollard of St Matthew’s Church, Rastrick.

An informal organisation known as ‘The Friends’ has been set up for parents, family and friends who wish to socialise, fundraise and be involved with the school.

Outings and Extra Curricular Activities

As part of our curriculum the staff may take your child out for a walk, or to visit the park or the library. Trips are also made in the school minibus: some of them are to the wider locality and others may be planned visits to places of interest. You will always be informed and asked permission for these outings, which will often need to be paid for.

Extra curricular activities include team sports, drama, French, dance, performing arts, musical instruments, choir, ballet, gymnastics, dance and movement, speech and drama, ballroom and disco dancing, rugby, football, netball and modelling. There is a full list of activities offered and their corresponding prices in the ‘Fees’ section of this website.