Mr Edwards – Head teacher

I’ve been the Head at Offley since September 2017.  I love the passion of the staff and the enthusiasm of the children.  I feel privileged to work with such a great team with so many amazing children.  Previously, I made fudge, whilst living on a small island in North America, managed a call centre for  British Gas, was a shoe shop manager and managed a sales department for Telecomms company. I lived in The Middle East for 9 years in beautiful Oman, where both my children were born. I’m a huge Villa fan and love spending time watching Villa.  Bandit, my Bordernese dog, follows me everywhere and my weekends usually involve taking him for long walks and being a taxi driver for my girls! 

Mrs Warne – Assistant Head teacher / Year 6 teacher

I have worked at Offley since January 2006.  I initially came to do a day of supply teaching work, and have been here ever since.  I have worked in many different educational settings over the years, but the moment I arrived at Offley I knew I had found a very special place.  In a previous life, I was involved in the world of theatre, and love the way that I am still able to utilise these skills at Offley School with the school choir and end of year productions.  Outside of school, I enjoy being involved with my own children and their sporting activities and enjoy escaping from everyday life by walking the dog. 

Mrs Tonge – SENDco – Year 3/4 teacher

I have been teaching at Offley School for over a decade, teaching all year groups from 1 to 6. It is a fascinating and full-on place to work with a real community feel and supportive and enthusiastic staff. Outside school I love spending time with my family. My children are both in the GCSE / A level phase and this is really fun! Our house is quite a noisy place as everyone enjoys playing and listening to different styles of music - at full volume.

Mrs Grieves – Year 4/5 teacher / PE co-ordinator

I have been working at Offley School since qualifying as a teacher in 2012. In a previous life I worked for BT as an Account Manager but am very happy to have made the change to teaching. I love being part of a small team where we share everything from advice to biscuits! Outside school my main role is chief taxi driver for my three daughters but I do like to escape to the woods with Stanley the Cockapoo or even for a Park Run on a Saturday morning.

Miss Pickard – Year 2 teacher / Science & Art and DT co-ordinator

I’ve been at Offley since September 2013, mostly in Year 2. I love the family atmosphere that we have here and the way that everyone works together as ‘Team Offley’. When I’m not at work I enjoy travelling to new places, baking and reading, but most of the time I am chasing my cat around the flat! My proudest moment was eating 10 cakes in a row at one of the staff’s Macmillan coffee mornings!!

Mrs Ottolangui – Year 3/4 teacher / PSHCE and MFL co-ordinator

After university, I worked as a reference book editor for 16 years.  I then trained as a teacher in the late 1990s.  At weekends, I enjoy walking my dog in the Hertfordshire countryside.  I have two sons, now adults. 

Mrs Skeggs – EYFS lead

I have been teaching for over ten years and taught in a number of Early Years settings before joining Offley in September 2014. Offley is a great school, full of fun, laughter and amazing staff and children. Outside of school I spend most of my time running around after my two young boys and enjoying family trips to the zoo or seaside. If I do get a moment to myself I enjoy Pilates, Zumba and hot baths!

Miss O’Connor – Reception teacher / Computing co-ordinator

From the moment I walked into Offley School I knew I wanted to work here; it is a very special place with such a wonderful school community. I teach mainly in Reception. However I am also lucky enough to combine my love of technology and teaching one day a week when I teach computing across the school. Outside of school (still trying to convince Reception I don't live in the classroom cupboard) I enjoy going to the cinema, reading, baking, and traveling with my family and friends.

Miss Vella Taylor - Year 1 teacher 

I was first introduced to Offley school during my PGCE, when I was lucky enough to work in Year 4/5 with Mrs Grieves as my Mentor. I instantly loved the fun, friendly and supportive feel of the school and was fortunate enough to officially join 'Team Offley' as a Year 1 teacher in 2022. When not at school, I love to read, crochet, paint and take part in the odd aquasize class! 

Mrs Clark –  Music Coach & co-ordinator

After enjoying singing and dancing throughout my early childhood, I caught the live music bug when I joined a local rock band at the age of 17 and have enjoyed a fulfilling career as a musician, still performing regularly in a variety of groups. I met Mrs Warne when she joined my community choir. She persuaded me to come in, one morning per week, to help prepare for Offley's first Young Voices concert back in 2009. I loved it so much that I stayed, and it has been a joy to share my love of music with the children.  Access to music at primary school has such a positive impact in so many areas of development and I'm grateful to work at a school where music is valued so highly.

Mrs Fletcher – Year 3/4 Teaching assistant

I previously worked in the finance sector for 20 years but took a career break for my ever expanding family. Whilst off, I was in search of a more meaningful career and became a founder member of The Hitchin Foodbank.  I joined "Team Offley" 2 years later in 2015.

Mrs Dent – KS2 - Higher Level Teaching assistant

I've been at Offley since January 2010. I thoroughly enjoy being part of the Offley family and involve myself wholeheartedly in the school sports and PE. 

In the past, I was one of the Games Makers for the London 2012 Olympics, something I was very proud of doing. Out of school I like to sew and these skills are often put into practice within school by either helping the children with their DT topics or just doing a general repair to various items of clothing. I have also taken up running and take part in regular local parkruns.

Mrs Stoner – Early years Teaching assistant

I’ve been working at Offley since March 2016. Formerly I worked as BA Cabin crew for 20 years and I like to apply these skills at Offley by having a conveyer belt of tea and coffee ready at all times. I love the caring, friendly team that I work with and the children never fail to put a smile on my face each day. 

Miss Pymar - Teaching Assistant / Spanish Club 

I am so chuffed to become part of ‘team offley’ and be able to work at this super school. When I am not here I am with my twin tweens or I am doing something creative. I may also be found dancing and singing around the house (much to the disgust of my children). 

Mrs Anness - Midday supervisory Assistant / Teaching Assistant 

I became a member of Team Offley in December 2023 and I am delighted to join the school, which both my children attended from pre-school to year 6. 

When I am not at school, you can find me in my garden as I am a passionate gardener and nature lover. 

Mrs Horne  - Office Manager

I joined Offley school in November 2018 and have been overwhelmed how they have welcomed me into their friendly team.  I previously worked at another primary school in Hitchin as a Teaching Assistant.  My role at Offley provides admin support to Mr Edwards.

Outside of school, I am kept very busy with my three children with their sporting activities.  You can often see me either freezing on the side line on the football pitch or on the boundary line of the cricket pitch with a Pimms, think I know which I prefer!.

Mrs Thompson – Learning support assistant 

Since starting in January 1992 I have spent many years working towards my roles here at Offley. Before that I was working in a very noisy factory office handwriting ledgers and invoices, then I became a stay at home mum to my two children both who came through this lovely village school. The staff and children past and present have always been happy and supportive of each other making work a joy every day! Outside of school life I enjoy steam engines, card making and glass fusing as hobbies, and of course my family.

Mrs Hawkes – Learning Support assistant / Midday supervisory assistant/ Breakfast and After school club co-ordinator

I’ve been at Offley since May 1993 wearing many hats. I began as an MSA and parent helper before becoming a teaching assistant in the EYFS. Out of school I am a Beaver, Cub and Scout leader and spend many of my weekends and school holidays doing Scouting activities.

Mrs Atkinson – Nursery Practitioner

My first encounter with Offley was when my children started the school.  In 2012 I became the Assistant for the School bus. Due to the relationship I already had with the school, it made sense to join the team in 2014 as an MSA.  I thoroughly enjoy working at Offley and am delighted to be able to interact with ALL the children. 

Mrs E Wood - Nursery Practitioner

I have been at Offley School since September 2019, however I previously worked at Offley Pre-School for 18 years! I started as a parent helper and this led me to completing my NVQ level 2 & 3.  I love to see the children grow and gain confidence, needing our support initially and then becoming independent when they move into Reception. 

Mrs Reid – Violin teacher

I have been teaching the violin at Offley School for approximately 20 years! The school is a lovely village school and I very much enjoy teaching the violin in such a friendly and happy environment and is obviously why I keep coming back!!

Mrs Townsend – Piano and Flute teacher

I joined the peripatetic team at Offley in January 2022 and so far teach piano to keystage 1 and 2. The students have a fantastic musical life at the school and their piano performances help to enrich assemblies and concerts as well as their own personal learning. 

I have been teaching music for over 20 years both privately and within schools and it's so nice to teach in such a supportive school and be part of 'team Offley'.  

Mrs Grochmal-Ras - Teaching Assistant

I joined Offley in November 2020 and I feel very lucky to work with such an amazing team and children willing to learn. In my spare time I enjoy playing with my children. We play tennis at the park or go for long bike rides. I love traveling with my family, visiting new places, meeting new people and learning about their culture, traditions and food.

Mrs Hare - Midday Supervisory Assistant/ Teaching Assistant

Both my children attended Offley.  I work alongside Mrs Hawkes in breakfast club and jesters and I am also a midday supervisor.  I support Mrs Warne as a teaching assistant as well.  The children are great and the team are fab to work with.  Outside school, I like to socialise and I'm obviously taxi driver for both my children. 

Miss Goffin - Office Manager

I originally joined the pre-school in 2014 after a career as a Quantity Surveyor.  Both my children came through from pre-school and my youngest had an interesting last year through Covid.  I enjoy exercise and chocolate.  I have just got a new puppy which is keeping me very busy. 

Mrs Burgess - Office Administrator

I officially joined Offley Endowed as a part of the admin team in January 2023 (after volunteering for a year) and have been made very welcome.  When I’m not working here, I’m either walking my crazy labrador or being a taxi service for my two children who play hockey, football and cricket.  I like to keep fit and run weekly, do Pilates as often as I can, and I also sing (badly) in a local choir.   

Mrs R Wood - Teaching Assistant 

I am brand new to Offley school in 2024 and can’t wait to meet you all. I have worked in Early Years elsewhere for the past seven years. I love working with children at such a magical age. In my spare time I enjoy running, biking, yoga and then making up for the lost calories by cooking, baking and eating with friends and family, especially my four sons. 

Mrs S Estes-Patel - Teaching Assistant 

I am excited to be joining this wonderful school and being part of the team at Offley. I have over a decade of experience of doing a variety of roles in different Early years settings, including SEN responsibilities which I have a real heart for. Outside of school, my baking skills come in handy as I help run a community café. I’ve often got a knitting or crochet project on the go or when the weather is good I’m out in my garden. My favourite thing to do with my husband and our three children is a mini-golf round where the winner buys the ice cream, which is usually my husband.

Miss M Beresford - Teaching Assistant

I have been in childcare for 3 years. I absolutely love working with children and I always knew this is what I wanted to do. As soon as I left school, I went to college where I studied level 3 childcare. Previously, I worked in a school as an EYFS TA. I really enjoyed this. Now I am excited and enthusiastic to begin working in “Team Offley”. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I have 2 fluffy Pomeranians that I enjoy taking for walks. I love going on holiday and exploring new places. On Tuesday evenings I also attend an aquasize class which I love. 

Miss Shannon Daly - Teaching Assistant

I have over 5 years experience working in childcare and always dreamed of becoming a teacher! I find the way children's brains work and the way they learn fascinating and feel very lucky to have the opportunity to support some of the brilliant teachers at Offley Endowed!! I have 2 high-energy, sassy little ladies at home (both primary school aged) that have inspired my interest and passion for education even further. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my little girls, be it spontaneous dance parties, playing dress up or getting out and about to explore. I'm always busy getting stuck into some sort of adventure with them!! I'm also a massive bookworm, so any spare moment I get you'll find me with my nose in a book!!