Mr M Haworth
(Deputy Head), BA (Hons) Leeds Metropolitan, St Martin’s Lancaster PGCE
Mr Haworth is now into his seventh year of teaching at Westholme and is thoroughly enjoying being part of the management team at Beardwood Bank. He enjoys working in such a close knit school and loves the caring atmosphere found within it. Mr Haworth lives in Blackburn with his wife and two young boys. He is a keen sportsperson with running and mountain biking being his main passions. He is looking forward to completing various Marathons again and taking part in other endurance events. He ‘enjoys’ coaching and watching Blackburn Rovers, but his favourite pastime is spending time with his family in the great outdoors.
Mr D Barnett
BEd (Hons) Cantab
Mr Barnett is enjoying teaching PE to the children in different year groups. He loves sports, travel and outdoor pursuits.
Mrs H Burton
BA (Hons), QTS, Edge Hill College
Mrs Burton has a life long connection with Westholme as she attended the school as a pupil. She first started her career at the Girls’ Junior School in 1994. After a short break to have a family she joined the Boys’ Junior School as a part time music teacher in 2006. Mrs Burton is now enjoying spending more time teaching at the Junior School whilst also enjoying getting to know the smallest of the Westholme family whilst teaching music at the Infant School.
Mrs Burton lives in Blackburn with her husband, children Charles and Ella and their recent addition to the family, a puppy called Barney.
Mrs L Butler
BA (Hons) with QTS, Lancaster
Mrs Butler came to Westholme in September 2006. Ever since then, she has taught Year 5 and really enjoys this age group. Mrs Butler has a passion for art and is enjoying running a lunchtime club for Years 3 and 4. She loves rugby and cricket and has been involved in running the cricket team in previous years. She has also been involved in some of the drama productions over the years as well. Mrs Butler has a gorgeous son called Ciaran who keeps her busy in her spare time! As she is originally from Northern Ireland, she looks forward to going there during her holidays to catch up with family.
Mr P Harrison
BA (Hons) Manchester, PGCE
Mr Harrison has taught at Westholme since 2006. As well as teaching the Year 4 class, he loves the opportunity of teaching computing to all the children in infants and juniors, and is renowned across the school for his sense of humour – so he says! He is fanatical about sport, especially cricket and football, and is a long suffering supporter of Everton FC. Mr Harrison is married with two sons, both of whom thrived during their time at Westholme.
Mrs A Holden
(Secretary)
Mrs Holden is our School secretary. After spending a number of years as Secretary at the Infant School, Mrs Holden moved to the Prep in January 2017. She loves going for coastal walks with her dogs Monty and Skye and spending time with her family. She also enjoys a spot of camping in the UK as well as reading.
Mrs E Lowde
BA (Hons), Northumbria, PGCE
Mrs Lowde 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 Mrs Lowde, explaining why she had returned to teach at Westholme after completing her degree. A natural sportswoman, Mrs Lowde has contributed enthusiastically to Co Curricular activities by running netball and tennis clubs. Her hobbies include walking her dog in the Lake District and skiing.
Mrs H Silvester
BA (Hons) Nottingham, PGCE (York)
Mrs Silvester’s links to Westholme School go back to 2002 when she joined the staff as Year 6 Teacher, a role which she thoroughly enjoyed for 12 years. Since 2016, she has been Learning Support Co-ordinator in the Junior Department; this involves both supporting small groups of pupils in the classroom and withdrawing individual children for more specialist help. For the past two years, she has also loved being a Year 5 Teacher. As a new academic year begins, her role in Learning Support will grow to encompass both the Infant and Junior Departments, and she is looking forward to working with children and staff across the full age range. Mrs Silvester feels privileged to be part of such a happy, supportive and purposeful school. She has a particular love of English, drama and history, and she hopes to develop the children’s love of words at Scrabble Club. She has been involved in numerous Junior School productions at Westholme over the years and she has helped many children to prepare for their LAMDA verse-speaking and prose examinations. In her spare time, Mrs Silvester enjoys baking, walking her dog, exploring the Lake District and going to the theatre.
Miss C M Strickland
BA (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 J Tinniswood
GMus, Huddersfield, QTS
Mrs Tinniswood started her career as a performer, accompanist and instrumental teacher. As a pianist she has been privileged to travel and perform with some exceptional musicians and has made various CD and radio recordings. Westholme is a creative and vibrant school with a reputation for its musical and extra curricular opportunities. Mrs Tinniswood is enthusiastic about sharing her talents and supporting pupils on their musical journey.
Mr D Gorse
Mr Gorse works alongside Mr Houghton and together they form a formidable team in keeping the Junior School ship shape!
MISS B PARKINSON
Miss Parkinson came to Westholme in 2017 and has been teaching for 6 years. She enjoys teaching PE to all students and is based primarily at the Senior School where she teaches all year groups. In her spare time she loves horse riding, running and swimming.