Emile Etheridge – Head Teacher
Hello there! My name is Emile, and I am the Headteacher of Hambrook School. I lived and worked all over the world and was an English Teacher for many, many years. I love to travel, go flyfishing, go camping, cook over fire, listen to live music, read different books and tell entertaining stories like ghost stories. I have four children of my own who all think they know more than me. I like to help people as well as celebrate the differences we all have. If you are a bit cheeky and clever, we will get along really well.
Abigail Dearling – Deputy Head Teacher
Hi, I’m Abi and I’m the Deputy Headteacher at Hambrook. Before Hambrook, I ran a Special Support Centre at a big, mainstream school and I was a Science Teacher before then. When I’m not at school I love spending time with my animals. I’ve got two big horses, Diego and Lola, a tiny little Shetland pony called Basil and a feral cat, Lulu. I’m hoping to get a dog soon! When I’m not busy with the animals, I like going to the beach and spending time with my family, especially my niece Amiya. She’s not even two yet and is really funny! I’ll see you soon! Abi
Florence Robinson – Assistant Head Teacher
Hello – my name is Florence and I am the SENDCo and Assistant Headteacher at Hambrook. I am really lucky as I get to work with everyone across the whole school. At home, I live with my two children and my husband. We love being outdoors and digging in the mud at our allotment, where we like to grow pumpkins. To help me de-stress, I like to run around my village, read books or watch movies. I am also a huge Seagulls fan and love watching Brighton play!
Georgia Pleece – Educational Visits Coordinator
Hi, my name is Georgia. Some students call me Ginger. I am the Educational Visits person, which means we go out of school and do learning- having fun basically! Whatever it is, I am the person to ask if you want to do activities out of school, things like going outside, making chocolate, climbing, horse riding and exploring new towns or places. Looking forward to meeting you and finding out things you would enjoy doing offsite!
Ainhoa Gama Luna – SEN Primary Teacher
Hi! My name is Ainhoa, and I am super excited to be your teacher next year and do a lot of fun things together! This year, we’re going to do so many exciting and fun activities in our classroom. We’ll be exploring many subjects, playing interactive games, and doing a lot of creative projects. Whether it’s art, science experiments, cooking, or storytelling, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. We’ll also be celebrating our achievements together. A little bit about me: I love languages and travelling, especially to Spain to visit my family. In my free time, I love spending time outside and going to musicals, some of my favourites are Frozen and Matilda. What do you like to do in your free time? I am looking forward to discovering all the things that make you unique and special!
Ben Aizenberg – English Teacher
Hi! My name is Ben, and I am an English Teacher at Hambrook. I love English because it is all about playing with the most powerful things in our entire world – words! When I was a student, I used to find all my lessons incredibly boring, which is why I always try to make the lessons I teach my students as fun as possible! Outside of school I have a wide range of passions and interests, from playing the guitar, banjo, piano and drums to surfing in stormy winter seas and playing football. I’m looking forward to meeting you 😊
Ben Smith – SEN Primary Teacher
Hello! I’m Ben and I am one of the Primary Teachers at Hambrook. I’ve worked with children for most of my life and I love working with children of all ages and abilities. I’ve worked as a nursery teacher in a children’s home for children with ASD and behavioural issues and more recently I trained as a Primary school teacher! At home, I love playing board games and being outside with my daughter and my wife. I also love to crochet and I like to make strange and wonderful figures and characters! I’m looking forward to finding out about all the fun things we can do together.
Emily Bourne – SEN Teacher
Hello, I’m Emily and I am one of the Primary Teachers here at Hambrook. I love to make your learning fun and hands on with lots of creativity. I really enjoy doing arts and crafts, sports and doing cool science experiments! In my spare time I enjoy using my creative skills to make fancy dress costumes from cardboard. My favourite costume has been the Gingy from Shrek. Who is your favourite film character? I also enjoy socialising with friends and watching football, especially Aston Villa and the Lionesses. I look forward to meeting you!
Joanne Navas-Curbishley – Science Teacher
Hi, I’m Joanne but also known as Jo or Joey. I am the new Science Teacher at Hambrook School. I enjoy all types of Science but like experiments the most. I have been teaching for many years now and even used to teach in Thailand. I also taught scuba diving for 3 years. I enjoy most sports but I am most passionate about women’s football and try to get to a game whenever I can. I have a dog called Matilda who is a rescue from Greece. She is quite lazy but enjoys rolling on the grass or sand. I am looking forward to meeting you all and cannot wait to discover Science with you.
Julie Bonner – English Teacher
Hi, my name is Julie and I am one of the English Teachers at Hambrook. I love reading as it helps me to understand the world from lots of different points of view, and I love finding books that students enjoy reading. When I’m not in school I like to go to live music gigs. I also love walking my two dogs, Molly and Stanley.
Kerrie Beresford – SEN Teacher
Hello! I am Kerrie and I am a teacher at Hambrook School. I love teaching and I feel passionate about making learning fun! I have been teaching for 23 years and during this time, I have led art, science, maths and swimming. I am very excited to be teaching you this year. I like spending time with my family and walking my dog, Hank. I also love to visit exhibitions and attend The Brighton Fringe Festival. Wild swimming is my biggest hobby – it makes me very, very happy! I look forward to you joining my class.
Leticia Moraga – SEN Primary Teacher
Hello! My name is Leticia, but most of the kids call me Leti as it’s easier and shorter. I’m excited to continue being a part of the Hambrook family for the upcoming school year. I have a background in primary education and hold a master’s degree in early attention and Special Educational Needs, with a focus on neuroeducation. Before joining Hambrook, I had the pleasure of working at another SEN school in London. When I’m not in the classroom, I love spending time with my family and our adorable cats. I also enjoy travelling to Spain frequently to visit my family and friends. As an energetic teacher, I bring a lot of enthusiasm to our class activities. I love singing (even though some kids might say I’m not the best at it!), especially using Makaton, and I also enjoy dancing, arts, and cooking. I look forward to us learning and having fun together!
Lindsey Simpson – SEN Teacher
Hello there! I’m Lindsey and I’m really looking forward to spending time with you. I have lots of interests, but I especially like dogs and football. Watching sport seems to take up a lot of my time but I go to the gym when I can. I love listening to music and audio books (as I prefer this to reading). Running our school craft club is great fun. Each week we make something new, or students can carry on with a longer-term project. In my lessons you will develop all round skills that will help you in life now and when you leave school. What you learn will also help you get the best out of other school subjects. What do you want to get better at? Is there something that you can teach me? I’m so excited about sharing ideas with you, to have fun and to learn.
Lucy Tucker – Food Technology Teacher
Hello, my name is Lucy and I am the food technology teacher at Hambrook School. I really love teaching children how to cook, bake, make ice-cream, experiment with flavours, safely use the equipment, understand nutrition and generally have a really fun time. When I am not cooking, I love to read, exercise and watch TV with my cat Betty on my lap.
Matthew Elliott – SEN Primary Teacher
Hello- I’m Matt. I’m new to Hambrook too and really loving it here. I love being outside playing and learning, and I hope that you enjoy my fun, active and creative teaching. I ride bikes a lot and ride to work every day- with a bit of luck we will be able to visit the BMX track for lessons in the future! See you soon. Matt
Megan Edwards – SEN Teacher
Hi, my name’s Megan and I’ll be one of your class teachers at Hambrook. I teach the ASDAN lessons, which I love because it means I can find out what you like and what your interests are and create learning journeys especially for you. Before coming to Hambrook, I worked in the SEN department of a Secondary school supporting students with speech language and communication needs. This job was all about finding out what my students found difficult and finding ways to help them. When I’m not working, I spend all the time I can with my family and animals; I have two teenage boys who keep me very busy and a dog and four ferrets who help me relax. Every day after school I take my dog for a long walk on the cliffs. Looking at all of the beautiful scenery helps me clear my head after my day at school. After my walk I get my crazy ferrets out to play; watching them get up to all their mischief always makes me laugh, it’s like going to the circus every day. I’m really looking forward meeting you.
Nina Makuch – SEN Teacher
Hi, I’m Nina. I absolutely love teaching, and I am excited to spend this year learning and growing with you. In our class, we will dive into many exciting activities that will help us explore the world around us. I believe that learning should be a fun and enjoyable experience, so we will be doing lots of creative projects and hands-on activities. From art and science experiments to storytelling and games, there will always be something exciting happening in and outside of our classroom. We will use our imaginations and think outside the box. Whether it’s through drawing, building, games, singing songs or dancing, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to express yourself. At home I love to go on long walks with my dog Poppy, as well as spend time with my four sons and Grandson Noah, who always keeps me on my toes with Spiderman, Buzz Lightyear and Woody! I love to bake too; chocolate brownies are my favourite. What do you love to do? I am looking forward to getting to know you and working together to make this a fantastic year. See you soon!
Sarah Gill – Maths Teacher
Hi! My name is Sarah, and I am the secondary Maths teacher at Hambrook. Before working here, I worked at an SEMH school for 24 years. I really enjoy teaching maths, but please don’t ask me to spell anything (my spelling is atrocious). I am known for always being cold. When I’m not at work I enjoy spending time with my teenage daughters and my two dogs, Bubbles and Bailey. I also enjoy going to the gym.
Amy Elston – Teaching Assistant
Hello! My name is Amy, and I am one of the Teaching Assistants in Hambrook School and I am currently doing my Emotional Literacy Support Assistant training. I am passionate about, and enjoy focusing on, the emotional wellbeing of the students in a way that is the most fun and suitable for them. You will most likely see me between the classrooms, trying to make sure your day is as good as possible, or trying to find my water bottle which I always lose! I look forward to meeting you!
Ashleigh Maynard – Teaching Assistant
Hi I am Ashleigh! I am one of the Teaching Assistants at Hambrook. I really enjoy working with all the students and getting to know them and supporting them. When I am not at school, I like to spend time with friends, family and my pets (I have two cheeky cats and a dog). I have worked as a Teaching Assistant for nearly three years now, I have experience in mainstream, SEN and SEMH. I look forward to meeting you!
Danny Kington – Teaching Assistant
Hello there. My name is Danny. I work as a Teaching Assistant at the school leading on Careers and art projects. I also work as an independent art teacher (www.dannykingtonart.com) nearby and as well as looking after a young family I do a bit of voluntary work. I love Art, Drama and History. Hambrook is a great place to be – I hope that together we can really enjoy working towards your dreams and aspirations for the future.
Denize Moss – Teaching Assistant
Hello, my name is Denize, and I am a Teaching Assistant at Hambrook. I’m very excited to meet you! When I’m not at school I absolutely love watching movies, especially Disney, and I enjoy going out for walks on the weekends. I’m looking forward to a fantastic year ahead and can’t wait to get to know you.
Donna Spinner – Teaching Assistant
Hi I am Donna, I am a Teaching Assistant here at Hambrook. I am a very approachable person and easy to talk to. I really enjoy being at Hambrook and will always help where I am needed. I love art and crafting, I have two kids at home so we love to make things. I also love Disney so you will always see me with something to do with Disney on me. I really enjoy music and singing (I’m not very good at it though) and generally being a bit silly and making people laugh as I think laughing is a great thing to be doing in life.
Elaine Carver – Teaching Assistant
Hi, I’m Elaine and I am a Teaching Assistant at Hambrook. I have been mainly supporting in Secondary Maths, but I may pop up in any class to support you in your learning. I have only been a member of staff at Hambrook for a few months and look forward to meeting you. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and Minnie our dog. I love learning homeopathy and anything alternative health, and I get up super early to go to the gym before work. My dream would be to retire to South Korea!
Ieuan Garrish – Teaching Assistant
Hi, my name is Ieuan. It sounds like lion and means John in English (much easier). I am a Teaching Assistant here at Hambrook School who loves art, football, rugby and anything to do with old movies! Also, please tell me your best dad jokes if you have any. I can’t wait to see you soon.
Karina Bowles – Teaching Assistant
Hi, my name is Karina, and I am relatively new here so I will enjoy learning along with you guys. I currently support between secondary and primary so I look forward to seeing you all in the new term.
Maddie Hoyles-Smith – Teaching Assistant
Hi, I’m Maddie and I’m a Teaching Assistant at Hambrook School. I thrive on interacting with students and making them feel comfortable and happy! I’m very excited to meet you and start your journey with you. I love long walks, especially with my two furry friends. I also love watching films and chilling out on the sofa, so please give me film recommendations! I look forward to you joining our class.
Steph Mitchell – Teaching Assistant
Hello, my name is Steph, and I am a Teaching Assistant at Hambrook. I have always wanted to be a Teaching Assistant and have only become one recently, and I am enjoying the experience and learning as I go. I have three children of my own and love to be busy and having fun. Can’t wait to meet you!
Trudie Llufrio – Teaching Assistant
Hi! My name is Trudie and I’m a Teaching Assistant here at Hambrook. I’m a mum of two young children and we have give Guinea pigs – they keep us busy 😊! I really enjoy shopping and baking and spending time with my friends and family.
Laura Croghan – Occupational Therapist
Hello, I am Laura and have also recently joined Hambrook School as an Occupational Therapist. I look forward to meeting you and hearing about all the activities that you enjoy doing. I love to spend time on the beach and in the sea, listening to music and going to gigs, watching films and remembering quotes. My daughter and I enjoy spending time together cooking and baking cakes.
Rebecca Williams – Speech & Language Therapist / Lead Clinician
Hi, I’m Becki, I am the Speech and Language Therapist at our school. I love getting to know our students and learning about their ideas, opinions and how they like to share them with us. I am looking forward to learning more about you. I have a pet dog and enjoy trying to teach her tricks and I also like cycling down big hills.