Come and meet the staff at our school!

Mary Evans - HILT (Harlow Inspirational Learning Trust) CEO and  Executive Head 

After over 28 years as a Harlow Head Teacher-21 years at The Henry Moore-School-choosing its name and seeing it develop from a field to the school it is now, and previously 7 years at Jerounds Infant School and in addition to more than 40 years in teaching I am now semi-retired and working part-time as CEO and Executive Head at the Harlow Inspirational Learning Trust.

As Executive Head I work closely with the Head Teachers and staff at both Henry Moore and Milwards schools, setting the ethos and leading the teaching and learning.

It is very exciting and a privilege to be part of supporting children to be the best they can be, and to discover the things that they enjoy and are good at.

Delivering a high quality, fun, broad and balanced curriculum has always been a particularly important non-negotiable for me in leading schools. Children must be exposed to many exciting learning experiences in order to have little seeds sown in their minds and to create ambition and high expectations of themselves.

Music and sport are very strong in our two schools, with children having many different opportunities in these areas.

As CEO I work closely with governors and the Finance team ensuring that HILT’s finances run well and are compliant with all DfE requirements.

Commitment to Harlow

Having been born in Harlow and taking advantage of the many opportunities I had as a child, I am very committed to offering today’s children as many of the same opportunities as possible.

Music was very strong in Harlow when I was young-producing many professional musicians, and I have been very pleased to be able to share my interest, knowledge, and skills with the children.

Both HILT schools have choirs that sing at various events, and musical instrumental tuition on offer to the children.

I am very proud that both HILT schools are members of the Harlow Education Consortium, where Harlow Head Teachers and staff meet regularly to work together in different ways to the benefit of all Harlow children.

Sarah Cowley - Headteacher

I was born in Devon and enjoyed a fantastic childhood in the West Country. As a child I especially enjoyed playing ‘teachers’ with my sisters, so I think teaching was always a career I was destined to enter!

After completing a degree in Psychology at Loughborough University, I moved to Essex to do my PCGE. I began my career in education over 25 years ago, where I worked for a number of years in Hertfordshire. Then, in 2006, I joined The Henry Moore Primary School. I love working at this school and it is great to be part of such a fantastic team! I feel I am very fortunate to have been a part of so many children’s educational journeys and am passionate about nurturing the ‘whole child’ and supporting them to reach their potential.

When not working, I enjoy spending precious time with my family and friends. I also enjoy sport (mainly watching now!), dance and love trips to the theatre.

Lissy Nixon - HILT Lead Practitioner for SEND (SENCo). 

I qualified as a teacher after studying at both Leeds University and then Cambridge University. Since then I have been lucky enough to teach across the year groups before specialising in SEN.  

I have the fantastic job of working across both our schools in HILT, leading the provision for SEND. This means I get to work with different children every day which I love! I feel very lucky to work with such fantastic teams of staff  and am constantly learning. 

Outside of work, I’m kept very busy with my family. We love being outdoors; paddle boarding and riding our bikes but also enjoy watching films together on rainy days! 

Ross Tyrrell - Year 6 Teacher

Matthew Cook - Head of Year 5 & 6 and Year 5 Teacher

My first choice of career was to be a superhero, protecting the south coast of Eastbourne from villainous pigeons. When I was told by my parents that this was no way to make a living, I considered another more stable career, that of filmmaking.

I originally studied Film and TV production at Westminster University, and whilst I enjoyed my course the realities of working on a film set were not to my tastes. However it was through my passion for filmmaking and animation that I ignited the fire I had inside me for teaching, as I made short animation films with children from the primary school I went to in Polegate.

After completing my PGCE at Canterbury Christ Church University, I was lucky enough to get my first teaching job here at The Henry Moore Primary School. As soon as I started working here, I knew this was where I was meant to be and what I was meant to do. Now after a decade of teaching here, I still enjoy every day at Henry Moore.

Outside of school, I love going to the cinema and everything to do with Film and TV. I also enjoy reading comic books, playing guitar and spending time with my wonderful family, especially with my little daughter.

Helen Rees - Head of Year 3 & 4 and Year 3 Teacher

I trained to be a teacher at Canterbury Christ Church University but in 2003 I returned to my hometown of Harlow to begin my career. Teaching is a rewarding job and I love watching young people grow and discovering the world around them. Working at The Henry Moore School has allowed me to work in different year groups and with many children. Outside of school I enjoy performing on stage, both as a dancer and as part of local amateur dramatics societies. I enjoy ballet classes, love getting out in my garden when the weather allows and cooking for my family. Travel is also something that my husband and I look forward to, both in the UK and abroad. 

Yvette Elysee - Head of Year 1 and Year 2 Teacher

I completed my teacher training at the Johannesburg College of Education and began my teaching career in a lovely school in South Africa.  I came to England in 2002 and loved it so much that the two years that I planned to stay………well have become far more!

I have been teaching since 1998 and have taught in Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3.  Teaching younger children has brought many rewards to my life. I have taught at Henry Moore School since 2008 and have made many good friends along the way and hope I have added my own touch to the children I have taught. ‘It is a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together.’

My two children are now young adults and have both started their own career journeys, I have recently become a ‘dog mum’ which has been quite challenging at times but very rewarding too!

Holly King - Year 2 Teacher

I was born in Harlow, raised in Loughton and began my journey into becoming a teacher at the University of Bedfordshire. I studied Primary Education for 3 years and after I finished, I was offered an amazing opportunity as a Creche Manager back in Chigwell for a year. After lockdown, I competed my SCITT year in Buckhurst Hill and found my first job teaching job here at Henry Moore.

 I moved back into the Harlow area in with my husband and our newest addition to the family, Dobby the house cat. Anyone who knows me, knows I am a massive Disney and Harry Potter Fan. In my spare time I love to visit zoos, go horse riding and plan my next trip to Disneyland. 

Lucie Lunn - Year 2 Teacher

I was born in Harlow, I actually attended Henry Moore as a child. My journey started at the University of East London where I gained a degree in Forensic Psychology. After working in this position for a while, I decided this wasn't for me and came back to Henry Moore to complete my teacher training. I have loved every minute since. 

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my son and family, being outdoors and going on holiday. 

Emma Williams - Year 1 Teacher

I am new to teaching in Harlow, and I am excited to be joining the team at Henry Moore. My mum is a teacher and I’ve known that I wanted to follow in her footsteps from an early age! I am originally from Scotland but completed my teacher training in Cambridge and loved it so much that I decided to stay down south! Outside of school, I love the outdoors and enjoy spending time going for walks in the countryside.

Jo Watson - Year 6 Teacher

I have worked with children in a variety of settings including day-care nursery, working as a nanny and sessional nurseries since leaving college with an NNEB too many years ago to admit!

Both of my children have attended Henry Moore and have been very successful and happy here, so I decided this would be the perfect location to progress my career into teaching.

I studied locally and got my degree in Early Years Education and was very fortunate to be offered a chance to carry out my teacher training within the school.

Having worked in Early Years all of my pre-teaching career I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed teaching the older children. Every year group has its challenges and rewards which is definitely part of the appeal!

My family and I enjoy long countryside walks, usually involving geocaching! We also like to go Scuba diving together. I am also a fan of all outdoor activities, abseiling is my favourite. I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to go flying, gliding, microlight flying and sky diving. I get a real buzz from these sports and am always looking for the next challenge – my family, however are not so keen!!

Andrea Taylor - Year 5 Teacher

After working in London for many years, I initially began at Henry Moore as a Learning Support Assistant in 2005. Since then, I decided to return to university and complete teacher training. Being a teacher is a rewarding career and the days are never boring. Outside of school, I enjoy a good book and spending time with my family and friends. 

Mike Azzopardi - Year 5 Teacher

I am lucky enough to be teaching in my local school after spending the last 5 years working in Hertfordshire and 10 years before that in London schools. Before discovering my passion for teaching, I had a background in computing as a network engineer in the Thames Valley area. Corporate life was very different back in the day! Since my change of career, I have been fortunate to work with many children from all walks of life. What never surprises me is a child’s desire and hunger to learn. It is my pleasure to have such a duty and even after such a long time, every day is still different! We are truly blessed as teachers!

Away from work my other passion is travel. After visiting almost every country in Europe, I am nearly at my goal of reaching 100 countries worldwide. This was stopped due to the pandemic but I am determined to hit this milestone in the next couple of years! I am also a keen photographer and recently had a travel photo published by Rough Guides on Instagram where I have my own travel blog. I have also been involved in several teaching projects abroad in countries such as Kenya, Palestine and Syria. When I’m not teaching and travelling you will find me reliving the band days from my youth, trying to write the latest guitar anthem using all those fancy chords...

Lindsey Milner - Class Teacher

I completed my B.Ed (Hons) at the University of Hertfordshire and began teaching in 1995. I worked at two other schools in Essex prior to starting at Henry Moore in January 2007. And I have never looked back!  I have experienced teaching all year groups from Year 1 to Year 6 and it has been a privilege to work with dedicated and hard-working colleagues. I got married the year after I joined Henry Moore and have also had two sons. I teach for 3 days a week and feel very fortunate that I am able to balance life with my family and a job that I love.

Out of school, I enjoy keeping fit with circuit training, pilates and cycling. I also enjoy getting lost in a good book, love going on holiday and being out and about with family and friends.

Julie Randall - Year 4 Teacher

Becoming a teacher was the best decision I have ever made. I enjoy each and every day in the classroom and love how every day is different. However, I have not always a teacher…

I graduated from Newcastle University with a degree in Accountancy and started my working life as an Accountant in Dagenham and then Ilford. Although I enjoyed my work, after a while I felt that a career in teaching would be the right move for me.

I qualified as a teacher in 2005 and have been teaching at Henry Moore for the whole of my career. I have taught in both Key Stage 1 & 2, so have a good understanding of how children develop as independent learners.

I like to make learning fun and enjoy the creative approach to education at Henry Moore. I have a special interest in children with additional needs and seeing them achieve their potential.

Out of school, I love animals and horses. I have a rescue cat called Lola.  I also enjoy helping at a local riding school when I can and love going down to the stables to look after the ponies. As well as that I love football and am a passionate Arsenal supporter. I also an avid reader and love creating a culture of enjoying reading within my classroom.  

Megan Cashin - Year 4 Teacher 

My family say that from about the age of three they knew I would become a Teacher. Pretending to be a Teacher was my favourite thing to do! My younger brother and sister were my students... I even had my own register! 

I was born and raised in Harlow and then went on to train to be a Primary School Teacher at the University of Bedfordshire in 2016. Whilst I was at University, I was fortunate enough to gain my teaching experience in 4 different schools across Harlow, including my final placement in Year 6 at Henry Moore! Outside of School, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, walking my dog and going shopping!

Omar Rashid - Year 4 Teacher

I was born and raised in East London and had initially qualified as a Barrister. After a number of years working in the legal field, I had a wonderful opportunity to pursue my true passion which is teaching. I completed my teacher training in 2014 and have not looked back ever since! I was fortunate enough to teach at my old Primary School for the past 9 years and I loved every minute of it! Being able to improve the outcomes for children regardless of their ability, background or circumstances makes this one of the most rewarding jobs in the world! I am excited for the next stage of my teaching journey at Henry Moore Primary School!

Jane Thorpe - Year 3 Teacher 

I was born in Harlow and have lived in this town all my life, having attended Pear Tree Mead Primary and then The Leventhorpe School. I love living in Harlow and feel passionately about teaching the children who live here. I gained my BA.Hons in Early Childhood Professional Studies at Anglia Ruskin and I absolutely love the challenges and rewards teaching offers. I have two grown-up sons, who both attended Henry Moore many moons ago and who have since gained their degrees in their respective fields and are now working. I am a very proud nanny to two little boys, Reuben and Jude and relish every minute I can spend with them! I enjoy growing my own fruit and vegetables and spending time with my wonderful husband and family.

Catherine Craig - Year 3 Teacher

Teaching is something I have dreamed of doing since I was a little girl. After university I did my PGCE in Secondary teaching, and taught in Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford before making the change to primary teaching, which was the best decision I have ever made! 

I am also a qualified swimming teacher, and still manage to somehow fit in some evening swim teaching along with my job at Henry Moore. Outside of school I enjoy going to the theatre, swimming, and holidaying in my favourite place in the world - the South of France.

Cassie Broughton - Class Teacher
I was born in Harlow and was a student here until 2002 when I decided to go and train to become a primary school teacher at Canterbury Christ Church University. After three years of hard work, I went for an interview at Fawbert and Barnards where I was a pupil myself and started teaching there as soon as I finished university. In 2010 I decided I needed a change and applied at Henry Moore. In 2012 I got married and the following year we went on to have a beautiful girl, followed two years later with a beautiful son. After becoming a mum, I was fortunate to continue working part time to allow time with our children. I am a very passionate PE Subject leader and continue to work hard to ensure children are given the best experience and plenty of opportunities in Sport and Extra Curricular activities during their time at Henry Moore.

Jo Silver - Year 3 Teacher

I trained as a teacher at Canterbury Christ Church University after being a Teaching Assistant for 7 years. I have had lots of experience working with children in lots of different settings including teaching in different performing arts schools in both Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. You could say that I am (what they call) ‘A Drama Queen’.  

Outside of teaching, I enjoy quizzing with friends and family on a wide range of subjects. I have also been a line dancer since the age of 8 and I frequently hit the dance floor with my mum and our friends.  

As a new teacher to Henry Moore, I am thoroughly looking forward to working within a fun, friendly and engaging school community! 

Hayley Bird - Reception Teacher

I was born in Harlow but have lived in Sawbridgeworth nearly my whole life. I have been a teacher for many years, and I started my journey as a teacher by working as an LSA at Church Langley Primary school. Later, I was then offered to complete a training course there to become a teacher. After working there for many years, I then moved to Dubai for 3 years to teach in an international school. I moved back from Dubai 4 years ago with my little cat Willow. When I am not in school, I love to travel the world. I also love afternoon teas and often visit different places in London to try them all – Beauty and the beast has been my favourite so far. This is my 4th year at The Henry Moore School but I am so excited to continue my journey into Reception. I have completed many courses in my spare time such as counselling courses and this year I will be completing the NPQ Senco award.

Kim Seaman - Reception Teacher

I was born in Harlow and until my marriage in 2005 have always lived here. I originally studied as a Nursery Nurse and worked in a Day Nursery and then a Special Needs school as a Speech and Language Therapist Assistant. It was whilst here that I returned to University to do a Degree and then onto do a PGCE to become a teacher.
I have previously worked at Little Parndon School and have been at Henry Moore since it opened in 2001. The school has seen many changes since I first started and has grown considerably.
On a personal level I have got married, become a step-mum and then a mum. Despite the school growing the ethos of the school has remained the same and I still enjoy teaching at Henry Moore.

Rachael Janes - Reception Teacher

It's fair to say that teaching was not something I had ever considered until I reached my 20s, and instead I went to University of Gloucestershire and achieved my Bachelor of Arts in Popular Music as a singer/songwriter!

However, throughout my life I have worked with children, volunteered with Girl Guides in a Rainbow unit and finally spent four incredible summers working at with girls aged 6-17 at Girl Scouts camps in Northern and Southern California. So, naturally, many members of my family began to wonder why I wasn't a teacher, because I loved school, loved working with kids and love learning!

I then applied to become a TA in Hertfordshire (my home county) and immediately fell in love with being in the classroom! From there I undertook my PGCE at University of Hertfordshire, and since qualifying have taught Years 1, 2, 3, 4 and now Reception!

My favourite thing in the entire world is my dog Lacey. Outside of spending time with her, I love hiking, exploring new places, travelling, baking, reading, listening to music (especially Taylor Swift) and (of course) singing!