Nursery Staff
Our Staff
Sarah Bartholomew
My name is Sarah Bartholomew and I am the Head of Nursery and Pre-Prep at St Edmund’s School.
I am an experienced practitioner, educator, and leader having taught both in the UK and overseas in Auckland, New Zealand for nearly 25 years. I have successfully led a Junior School in East Auckland (Juniors in NZ are the same age as our Pre-Prep). Prior to that, I worked in an Independent Boys’ School in Auckland for 15 years, working in both the Early Years and Primary sector.
I have relocated to Kent, with my husband Steven and 11-year-old Maltese dog ‘Frodo’! I am looking forward to being closer to family in the UK and exploring Europe.
Ms Cassy Bareham
My name is Cassy Bareham, the Nursery Manager for the Woodland Nursery.
I have always been passionate about childcare. The foundations of a child’s education begin in a nursery setting, this is a big responsibility and not one that I take on lightly. You are leaving us with your precious babies and it’s an honour to be trusted to help them grow.
When my youngest child started school, I took up a position in a local nursery where I stayed for many years. I trained for my level 3 in childcare studying in post. After a few years as an Early Years practitioner, I took on extra responsibility and was promoted to Senco. Whilst in post I completed intense face to face and online training in speech, SEND and portage gaining invaluable experience which helps me with my new role.
I joined the Woodlands Nursery team in September 2024, gaining a promotion to my current role of manager in November 2024. I am a naturally nurturing individual who is very passionate about children learning through play. Play is where it all begins and it is important to guide the children into making the right choices to learn, create, express and construct.
We have been working hard to establish the children’s independence, in preparation for them transitioning up to school. I am excited to make my mark on the nursery creating a nurturing, fun, happy environment where, as a team we can get the children off to the best start possible.
Ms Georgina Moxon
Georgina has a degree in Early Childhood Studies and Psychology and gained her Qualified Teacher Status through a postgraduate qualification. She has been teaching for 20 years and has worked in a range of schools with children aged 3 to 11 years old.
She has always been passionate about supporting children with additional needs and was fortunate enough to get a position at a school working as the Deputy Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCO). During her time in that role, she undertook a postgraduate qualification in SEN Coordination and qualified as a SENDCO four years ago.
She joined the St Edmunds staff team as Pre-Prep SENDCO in September 2023 and has thoroughly enjoyed her time here, working with our wonderful children and supporting those that need some additional support.
Georgina is currently working as Pre-Prep SENDCO four days a week and as our Nursery Manager, alongside Cassy, one day a week.
Georgina is the Early Years Co-Ordinator and brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise. She is also one of the DSLs in the Pre-Prep.
"You can see the children thrive in an environment which is full of so many opportunities and experiences and that are accessible within the school grounds".
Miss Lauren Reynolds
Hi I’m Miss Reynolds, I am the Butterflies Nursery Room Leader.
I have been working in childcare since I was 17 so almost 12 years’ experience with dealing with all different capabilities of children. I worked my way from a Nursery Practitioner to Room Leader doing many different training courses along the way.
I have been responsible for working with outside agencies for example Speech and Language and S.E.N, promoting each child’s learning in a positive way, keeping up to date with policies and procedures, understanding how important care plans are and for children to receive high quality care to watch them grow.
At this age it is important to follow children’s interest through their play as they are learning in many ways.
I am extremely excited to be setting up the Butterfly Class as it’s a new challenge for me, I bring all my experience and knowledge but also love sharing different ideas with colleagues in making this work and seeing each child grow individually.
Miss Alice Coleshill
Miss Alice Coleshill is ther Early Years Practitioner for Ladybirds. She has a Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator).
Alice has a passion for the creative arts and the subjects’ importance in early development; she studied for 7 years within various creative subjects and in 2019 graduated with an MA.
Mrs Amabel Reid
Having trained as a Montessori Teacher in 1992, I worked in many different schools in London as Teacher, Room Leader or Deputy Head. I also worked as a Teaching Assistant in a boy’s Pre-Prep school and in a school for children with special needs.
I have gained much experience in working with young children over the years. I enjoy watching them grow in confidence, learn new skills and become happy, well-rounded young people.
"I have had the pleasure of working with Nursery, Reception and Key Stage 1 over the past 3 years and being able to watch and support children with their learning and development".
Miss Iryna Ivanova
I joined The Woodlands Nursery in January 2025 as a Teaching Assistant and am passionate about supporting young children in their early learning journey. I moved to the UK nearly three years ago from Ukraine, where I earned a Bachelor Honours Degree in Education and qualified as a teacher. I am currently awaiting confirmation of my teaching status in the UK.
My strength lies in combining my knowledge and teaching experience from the Ukrainian education system with the skills I developed during my year as a Teaching Assistant at Northbourne Park School. I believe that children should be guided in a way that helps them understand the cause-and-effect relationships of their actions. I encourage them to always ask and explore why we do things a certain way or behave in a particular manner, as this helps them develop critical thinking skills and make the right choices.
I strive to create a warm and engaging environment where children feel confident to explore, learn, and grow through play-based learning.
“Learning at St Edmund’s is interactive, varied and fun, we provide an inspirational learning environment that takes place in the classroom as well as the grounds of St Edmunds".