Our staff

'Our values shape what we do and how we do it. We strive to equip our pupils with the core skills, knowledge and, above all, attitudes, practices and behaviours that underpin learning for life.

We are dedicated to ensuring that our pupils acquire a firm foundation of lifelong skills, whilst enjoying a broad, stimulating and challenging curriculum which takes account of pupils' interests. We have an exceptionally committed, enthusiastic and supportive staff team. The pastoral care we offer to the children at school is excellent.'

Simrit Otway

Headteacher

Senior Leadership Team

Mrs Simrit Otway, Headteacher

Mrs Otway is passionate that all children should have the best opportunities in life and fulfil their potential. Since graduating from the University of Cambridge, Mrs Otway has completed post graduate study in Curriculum innovation and training with HMI and Ofsted. She has held teaching and leadership positions in a variety of schools and led the curriculum subjects of Science, Computing, Mathematics, Art. Her career began in a large city school in Oxford, moving to Berkshire and then a two-form entry school in Winchester before joining Preston Candover.

Over the last 25 years, Mrs Otway has gained invaluable experience in strategic leadership and managing change as a member of a number of Governing Boards and partnerships. She works closely with the 7 Alresford Schools (7AS) Headteacher group.

Mrs Otway is immensely proud to be the Headteacher of a Church of England School that is inclusive and welcomes all. She believes that a good education is life changing and it is a privilege to make a difference to the lives of children and families.

 

Mrs Heather Hulme, Assistant Headteacher

Mrs Hulme is the Assistant Headteacher at Preston Candover CE Primary and will be currently provides teaching cover across the school. She is a member of the Designated Safeguarding lead team and the Senior Mental Health Lead in our school. 

Mrs Hulme qualified as a teacher in 2012, having graduated from the University of Chichester with a First Class degree in Primary Education (BA) and specialised in English which remains one of her favourite subjects to teach. Having previously worked in a leadership position within a large, all-through 4-16 school all through, 4 form entry school, Mrs Hulme has had lots of experience with teaching all the primary year groups over the last 13 years. She has lead various subjects to date including: RE, Science, English and History. Mrs Hulme is experienced in mentoring and coaching both student and qualified teachers across the primary range and continues to support staff development here in our school. 

Mrs Hulme enjoys her role as part of the Senior Leadership team here at Preston Candover CE Primary School and working with our wonderful school community.

 

Mrs Dominique Meier, Inclusion Leader

Mrs Meier is Inclusion Leader and senior leadership team member at Preston Candover. Her passion to teach started when she was sixteen years old and taught swimming to all ages and abilities. She then went on to do a Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education, which allowed her to gain experience in all childcare settings from ages 0- 11 years old. Mrs Meier completed a four-year degree in 2012 achieving a BA (Hons) in Primary Education with QTS at the University of Winchester. Her specialist subject during training was Special Educational Needs along with Music and Computing.

Mrs Meier began her teaching career working across Devon, Dorset and then teaching in Oxfordshire. She moved to Hampshire and started teaching at Preston Candover CE Primary School in September 2016. Since joining our school, she has taught across Key Stage 2 and is the Maths and Music lead. In addition, she is a member of the Designated Safeguarding lead team at Preston Candover and Behaviour lead. Mrs Meier runs a successful school choir and song writing club and thoroughly enjoys being part of such a fantastic school. Mrs Meier teaches Upper KS2 class 'Kingfishers'.

 

Teaching team

Mrs Michelle Cooke, EY and KS1 Class Teacher

Mrs Cooke studied the Bachelor of Education at Derby University and graduated with her teaching degree in 1996, having majored in English and studied PE as her minor subject.  She then took up her first teaching post in 1996 as a full time Reception teacher at Preston Candover. In 2002 she studied for and gained a certificate in Advanced Educational Studies at King Alfred’s college in Winchester for the Education of children under 5.

Mrs Cooke continued to job share and is the Early Years/KS1 transition leader. She has also taught in all classes in the school covering teachers PPA and subject leadership time. During her time at Preston Candover, Mrs Cooke has led the subjects of PE and MFL and is currently the English Leader. Mrs Cooke also works with the Junior Sports Leader pupils in school and with PE lead teachers in the cluster to plan joint PE/Sports events.  She served as a teacher governor at Preston Candover for 16 years. Mrs Cooke teaches our Early Years and Year 1 class 'Sparrows'.

 

Miss Lydia Wells, Class Teacher

Miss Wells moved to Hampshire from South Wales to undergo her undergraduate degree in BA Hons History and Philosophy in 2018.  Following this, she came to Preston Candover Primary School as a Learning Support Assistant, before returning to Southampton University to complete her PGCE in Primary Education in 2019-20.

To date, Miss Wells has taught Reception in schools throughout the Southampton area.  Miss Wells teaches our Year 2/3 class 'Woodpeckers'.

Mr Graham Aston, Class Teacher

Mr Aston has worked across all age ranges, having begun his career in China and Hong Kong. After attaining a University of Cambridge CELTA qualification, he began to specialise in teaching English as another language and drama in Cantonese primary schools. Following a wonderful decade of teaching, he returned to the UK in 2022 to undertake his PGCE with an EAL specialism at Bath Spa University.   

Mr Aston loves to embrace creativity and a holistic approach to learning as a shared journey of discovery. He believes all pupils have the right to an eclectic and exciting education that develops a passion for life-long learning. Mr Aston enjoys the warmth of contributing to schools with strong moral and family-orientated values and is excited about joining the team at Preston Candover Primary School. Mr Aston teaches our Lower KS2 class 'Robins'.

 

Senior Leadership

Mrs Otway	Headteacher (DSL)
Mrs Hulme Mrs Meier	Asst Headteacher (Deputy DSL) Inclusion Leader & Class Teacher Kingfishers (Deputy DSL)
	Teachers	LSAs
Sparrows Year R & 1	Mrs Cooke Mrs Hulme - Cover	Mrs Croombs Miss Last Mrs Wilson Miss Watson Mrs Folan
Woodpeckers Years 2 & 3	Miss Wells
Robins Year 4	Mr Aston
Kingfishers Year 5 & Year 6	Mrs Meier
Pastoral support	Mrs Meier & all staff
Library	Mrs Cooke
Senior Admin Assistant	Ms Crompton
Senior Admin Assistant	Miss Howard
Site Manager	Mr Larkins