Stephen O’Brien

My mother leaving school at 13 and going on to raise 4 children as a divorced Catholic woman in a land far from home, impacted significantly on my upbringing and what I held important. Quite simply, my siblings and myself had to do well for our Mum’s sake.

Education runs through my veins, I remember playing teachers and pupils with my brother from the day that I started primary school. It seemed that I was destined to be a teacher from my first day of schooling.

I have worked in the Viridis Federation for coming up to 15 years. I consider it the greatest of privileges to have been headteacher of all three schools at different times. Orchard will always hold a special place in my heart, being the first Hackney school that I worked in. I love coming to work each day and that is all you can ask for really.

Rachael Carr

I was born and raised in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and for as long as I can remember, I had always wanted to become a teacher. I had the most brilliant time in primary school and it’s important to me that all children leave Hoxton Garden with wonderful memories of their time here. 

I moved to London in 2010 to attend university and complete my teacher training. My very first teaching role was actually here at Hoxton Garden in 2014 where I taught Year 6 for several years. I then moved to work on the Orchard site and then onto the Southwold site. When I was asked to move back to Hoxton Garden, I didn’t hesitate to say yes! Seeing children I taught many years ago bring their siblings to school does make me feel very old though. It is a privilege that I am able to lead our school forward with many of the staff that I met here over 10 years ago – it feels very full circle. 

My favourite Viridis memory is when I took my Year 6 class to Paris, France for the day. We explored the Eiffel Tower, took a boat trip along the Seine River and had a picnic in the park. This year, I am really looking forward to making lots of new memories with the Hoxton Garden community. 

Beverley Shore

My career in schools started when I worked in a private school overseeing catering, after a career as a personal assistant to a Director of company. From there, I began working in a local school as part of the admin team.

I started working at Hoxton Garden when it was called Burbage School. I was the office and school business manager responsible for school finances and the office team. My role has evolved over the last 16 years and I am now responsible for all 3 offices and premises across the Viridis Federation.

My favourite part of my role is working with lots of different people and making sure the schools are well-looked after. My favourite Viridis memory is when I was given the opportunity to take on more responsibilities and support and parents and local communities further. 

Jennifer Jordan

I have worked in education for over twenty years! Since my son was in year 6. I moved from southern Ireland to London when I left secondary school and worked in many different careers: waitress, delivery driver, a patent officer… just to name a few. Eventually, I began working as a TA in a local school until I could decide on a career.

I loved it and then worked on getting my degree in childhood studies, which eventually led me to Year 6 in Hoxton Garden.

My greatest moments at Hoxton Garden are too many to mention, as every day offers something new. However, I am always extremely proud of my year 6 classes in the hard work and resilience they show and getting to know them as people. 

Lewis Folkard

I grew up in Norwich with my mum, dad and older sister. Not knowing what I wanted to pursue as a career, I chose to study my favourite subject, History, at Coventry University.

During the summer of my second year, I worked at a summer camp in Austria, teaching children English and sport, and instantly knew that teaching was the job for me! After gaining my degree, I moved back to Norwich to train as a secondary school History teacher.

I then travelled around South East Asia before moving to London. Here, I decided to change to primary and began working at a primary school in Dagenham before moving to Hoxton Garden. My favourite part of being a teacher is seeing happy faces in my class make progress every day!

Lauren Dagg

I grew up in the Scottish borders and went to secondary school in Edinburgh. I originally studied History at Newcastle University and planned to travel the world after doing a ski season in Chamonix. However, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 21 which led me back home.

While I was adjusting to my diagnosis, I did some work experience at a local primary school and knew straight away that it was the right career for me. I studied my PGCE at Durham University then moved to London on my own a year later. Having started my Viridis journey at Hoxton Garden, I joined Orchard in the spring.

Every day as a teacher is different, some are more challenging than others, but inspiring children and playing such an important role in their lives makes it all worth it!

Shola Akinbanjo

I am Ms. Shola, a dedicated Learning Mentor at Hoxton Garden. Raised in Southeast London, I have always been passionate about childcare. I have two children: my daughter Anaiya who is 8 and my son Ashaye who is 14.

My career path has included working in a nursery, as a private nanny, and taking a two-year hiatus to care for my son. I was ready to return to work and this is when I joined Hoxton Garden as a Teaching Assistant and subsequently transitioned from a HLTA and into the role of Learning Mentor. This position has given me the opportunity to connect with a diverse range of children, from Nursery to Year 6, and develop strong relationships with their parents.

One of my most cherished experiences at Hoxton has been greeting my old students on the gate in the mornings and hearing them share how my advice has positively influenced their lives. My time at Hoxton Garden has allowed me to form great friendships with colleagues both within and outside the workplace. I anticipate another year filled with laughter and great memories.

Sadie Van Beest

I decided to work in education because I had some amazing teachers who I looked up to when I was in school, and this is what I strive to be for all the students I teach.

Growing up, I lived in many different homes and with many different families. I grew up in Canada in the foster care system. My mother was too sick to take care of me and my four siblings, and my father was not in the picture. When I reached the age of five, I was placed in a permanent foster home and have been part of that family ever since. I was able to go to university, earn two degrees, and start my teaching career in London, England in 2022.

I love teaching, and I have gained some amazing memories. My favourite teaching memory is attending my first London sports day and being able to support my class in their different sport activities. I have just started working at Hoxton Garden, and I am excited to see what the year has in store for me.

Aranazazu Perez

I am Miss Perez and I am a Spanish teacher and artist. I am from the Canary Islands, which are Spanish islands near Africa.

My dad worked many years for a famous artist/architect who taught me how to draw so, since a young age, I decided I wanted to be an artist. I was also good at learning languages and I studied French, English and Spanish language and literature at university too.

My favourite moment in Southwold was when the Spanish school visited our school two years ago.