Our Leadership and Teaching Staff

Our team of staff offer a variety of experience, skills and interests, providing a rich and stimulating experience for pupils. Here are more details on their specialisms, careers to date and personal interests.

You can read more about our nursery team here.

Helene Robinson

Headmistress - Leadership Team

Mrs Robinson heads up the Leadership Team and has broad experience of teaching in many subjects and areas. She began her career at Our Lady’s over 25 years ago, joining the School as a teacher in the Nursery to specialise in early years education. After a time as PE and then ICT Teacher, she became Headmistress in 2006. She now finds herself directing a flourishing School and Nursery. She is passionate about ensuring Our Lady’s offers the opportunity for every child to thrive.

Angela O’Reilly

Deputy Headmistress - Leadership Team

Angela first taught in secondary schools in Ireland, teaching R.E and English before moving to the U.K. She has taught for a number of years both as a part-time and supply teacher in Wokingham schools. Angela joined Our Lady’s Leadership Team as a full time Prep IV Teacher in 2004 and was appointed to Deputy Headship in 2006. A graduate of Mater Dei Institute of Education in Dublin, Angela has a B.A. in Theology with English. She has Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for England and Wales.

Simon Cassell

Director of Studies and Infant II Teacher - Leadership Team

Simon has been working in education for over 10 years, having taught in both the state and private sector. He graduated in law from Sussex University and later studied for a PGCE in Primary Education at Oxford Brookes. He holds QTS status. Simon joined us in September 2016 from a large pre-prep school in London, where he most recently taught in Year 3. After 9 years of teaching in London, Simon relocated to Berkshire with his wife and two children and joined Our Lady's. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys a range of different sporting activities, including football and running, as well as photography and travel.

Lynne Rothwell

Reception Teacher - Teaching Staff

Lynne has over 20 years experience working in both state and independent schools, teaching all age groups from Nursery to A level. She orginally graduated with a secondary PGCE in music and games, then continued her studies with a MA in Primary Education. From 1998, Lynne has focused on mainly the Early Years and Pre-Prep. She is also an Early Years inspector for ISI and has worked with other schools to improve their settings. Moving from a large independent school in Maidenhead, where she was Head of Pre-Prep and Early Years, she has joined Our Lady's to return to her passion of teaching a class. Outside the classroom, she plays violin and piano, and enjoys a range of exercise including walking her dog.

Hannah Callaghan

Prep II Teacher - Teaching Staff

Hannah joined Our Lady’s Preparatory School in September 2014. She teaches Infant I and is Coordinator for Religious Education and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE). A keen musician, Hannah has achieved Grade 8 in recorder and clarinet, and Grade 4 in piano. Hannah shares her love for music with the children running a successful after-school recorder club. Hannah studied Primary Education with Music at University of Roehampton and also holds QTS status.

Samantha daSilva

Infant I Teacher - Teaching Staff

Samantha has been teaching for over 10 years. She graduated from the University of Surrey with an MA in Theatre. Later she studied in London and gained a PGDip in the Therapeutic and Educational application of the Arts. Samantha then gained her PGCE in Primary Education at Winchester and has QTS status. Samantha joined us in September 2017 and is taking on the role of Science Coordinator at Our Lady's. Outside of the classroom, Samantha enjoys singing, dancing, diving and travelling.

Elaine Charlton

Prep IV Teacher and Head of Key Stage 2 - Teaching Staff

Elaine taught for six years at a Catholic junior school in Slough before joining Our Lady’s in September 2015. In her career to date, Elaine has trained student teachers, mentored newly qualified teachers and is currently Subject Co-ordinator in Art, History and English. Elaine trained at Roehampton University, achieving QTS in Primary Teaching (KS1 and 2) and specialising in English.

Joanna Arnold

Prep I Teacher - Teaching Staff

Having taught for 20 years at independent schools in Berkshire, Hampshire and Wiltshire, Joanna joined us from Claires Court Junior Girls School in Maidenhead in September 2016. Joanna enjoys sharing her love for interesting facts with the pupils but her favourite subjects are Maths and History. She holds a Bachelors in Education from Oxford University and a QTS qualification.

Sarah Robey

Prep III Teacher

Sarah taught for 3 years at a state school in Hawley before joining us in September 2017. Beforehand, she studied Primary Education at the University of Winchester where she achieved QTS and specialised in Modern Foreign Languages. She is currently coordinator for History and Geography. Sarah has been passionate about writing from a young age. She has won awards for her writing and had some pieces published. Sarah encourages a similar love for writing in children, her favourite subject to teach is Maths.