Mrs. C.H. Laverick (Headteacher), B.Sc. (Hons) Edinburgh, P.G.C.E.

Mrs Laverick became Head of Beardwood Bank in September 1999. One of the first things she had to do was help organise a whole school trip to the Millennium Dome, London, as part of the school's celebration of the year 2000. "I didn't really know it at the time but this was very typically Westholme. We always try to find new and exciting ways to enhance the work done in school and unforgettable outings and experiences are a regular part of Westholme life".
Mrs Laverick thoroughly enjoys being a part of the Westholme family and makes every effort to really get to know the pupils in her care. "It's wonderful to see the changes in the girls as they pass through the school. They often arrive as quiet and shy little girls but leave us as confident young ladies, ready to start the next stage of their education. It really is a rewarding experience and it is a privilege to play a part in their development".

Mrs. J. Shipley, B.Ed. (Hons) Warwick

Mrs Shipley came to Beardwood Bank in 1997 to teach Year 5, though in recent years she has worked in Year 6. She particularly enjoys preparing the Year 6 girls for transition to the Senior School and going with them on the PGL activity holiday weekend. "We see a different side to the girls when they are away from school and being challenged in so many different ways".
Mrs Shipley enjoys her role as Second Mistress and Science Coordinator and loves working as part of a team with her colleagues.

Mrs. H. Silvester, B.A. (Hons), Nottingham, P.G.C.E.

Mrs Silvester joined the staff at Beardwood Bank in September 2002. She is thoroughly enjoying her role of Year 6 teacher and feels proud to be part of such a happy, supportive and enriching environment. "There is never a dull moment at Beardwood Bank with highlights too numerous to mention! Life in Year 6 is exceedingly busy both inside and outside the classroom. It is very rewarding to watch the girls developing new skills and self-confidence, and to help them to prepare for a smooth transition to Wilmar Lodge". Mrs Silvester coordinates the history curriculum at Beardwood Bank and is also responsible for the school library. She has been involved in directing Year 6 drama in a number of productions at Musical Evening and also assisted in directing the Year 4 WISPA production of 'What a Knight' in 2009.

Miss E Lomax, B.A. (Hons), Northumbria, P.G.C.E.

Miss Lomax has a long history with Westholme School; she started as a pupil in nursery aged three and continued through to the sixth form.
"I thought Westholme was such a happy place for me and I wanted to be in the position to create an equally positive and stimulating environment", said Miss Lomax, explaining why she had returned to teach at Westholme after completing her degree. A natural sportswoman, Miss Lomax has contributed enthusiastically to extra curricular activities by running netball and tennis clubs. Her hobbies include walking her dog in the Lake District and skiing.

Mrs. J. Stott, B.Ed. (Hons), Liverpool

Mrs Stott has enjoyed teaching Year 5 at Westholme since 1994. She finds this age group particularly rewarding to teach.
"The girls are mature enough to have a discussion with, but still half believe in magic", she explained. With particular interests in language and art she enjoys working creatively with the girls and finds it rewarding to see their ideas develop. Running camera and animation clubs for Year 6 girls enables her to combine her interest in photography with teaching.

Miss S. Rimmer, B.A. (Hons), Edge Hill University College, Ormskirk, QTS

Miss Rimmer joined the team at Beardwood Bank in September 2002 and she thoroughly enjoys coming to school to teach her class. "I can't imagine working anywhere else where I would find it so rewarding. The atmosphere at Beardwood Bank is very friendly and welcoming".
Miss Rimmer is highly involved in many aspects of netball from umpiring to coaching. She spends a lot of time developing netball skills with Year 6 pupils. Their hard work and determination is demonstrated in their many successful results.
Miss Rimmer also enjoys reading during the rest of her spare time.

Miss C.M. Strickland, B.A. (Hons), QTS, Trinity & All Saints, Leeds

Miss Strickland began her teaching career in London before joining Westholme in September 2001. Since then she hasn't wanted to teach anywhere else!
Miss Strickland thoroughly enjoys teaching drama and has directed several Year 4 WISPA productions. "It has been a rewarding experience to watch these young performers grow in confidence and develop their talents".
In her spare time Miss Strickland enjoys performing in plays at her local theatre as well as spending time with her family.

Mrs. D. Hayton, B.Ed. (Hons) Sheffield

What Mrs Hayton remembers most about her first day at Westholme was how friendly, confident and enthusiastic about learning everyone was and that hasn't changed with the passage of time! "I like the way we can enjoy learning together and how supportive both staff and pupils are to one another. Even the ladies from the kitchen get involved in what's going on"!
Mrs Hayton enjoys any activity associated with art, craft and design, be it sewing, knitting, card-making and scrap booking and has used her creative talents to produce scenery for WISPA and other Girls' Junior School productions.

Mrs. A. Lofthouse, Cert. Ed. St. Hild's College, Durham

Mrs Lofthouse has taught music at Beardwood Bank since September 1994. She really enjoys seeing how the girls develop skills and confidence as they grow through the school. One of the huge bonuses of her job is to organise events such as the annual Carol Service held in the Cathedral and the Musical Evening held in the Westholme Theatre. There is never a shortage of volunteers to participate and she is always amazed at the confidence and composure the girls show on these occasions.

Mrs. F. Griffiths, B.A. (Hons), Open University, Cert. Ed., Bishop Otter College

Mrs Griffiths always wanted to teach at Westholme School where her daughter had a very successful education at Wilmar Lodge. She was lucky to start teaching PE part-time at Wilmar Lodge in 2004. After two very enjoyable years she came to Beardwood Bank.
It has been a superb experience teaching these lovely girls. Their enthusiasm has no bounds and matches Mrs Griffiths passion for sport and helping the girls to have a great and enjoyable experience at school. She is particularly keen on hockey and athletics, having been a county hockey player and also having competed for Great Britain at 400m hurdles.

Mrs. D. Thorpe, B.A. (Hons) Liverpool, P.G.C.E., Dip R.S.A.

Mrs Thorpe is passionate about all things French, especially the food! She teaches French in the Infant School, and Junior Schools so it is fortunate that she enjoys travelling! She loves teaching at Westholme as it is such a vibrant and happy place to be and the children are so enthusiastic about everything they do.
She has a daughter and two sons and in her spare time enjoys walking and reading. She has been a Guider for nineteen years and is currently Young Leader Adviser for Girlguiding UK in the Ribble Valley.

Mrs. G. Porter, B.A. (Hons), Manchester, PGCE, DASE

After fourteen years teaching full-time in sixth form colleges in Manchester and Preston , Mrs Porter moved to Westholme Senior School ten years ago to teach English. Last year, she was asked to join the staff at the Junior Schools, where she teaches pupils in her specialist capacity by providing `Additional Learning` to supplement the excellent teaching they already receive. In her new role, she is dedicated to planning her days according to the changing requirements of the children, and thinks Westholme is offering a new, valuable service to its pupils.
Mrs Porter has three of her own children, two girls and a boy, all of whom have passed successfully through Westholme's doors. She is a tennis player, swims, and enjoys studying new subjects as flexibility is vital to all learning.

Mrs. M. Taylor

Mrs Taylor joined Westholme as Secretary at the Girls School in April 2010. She is married with one daughter and enjoys regular visits to the theatre, particularly musicals. Most of her spare time is taken up spending time with her two grandchildren.

"Beardwood Bank has such a happy and friendly atmosphere and I love the fact that no two days are ever the same".