Mr Atherton is Head of Humanities, Head of History, PSB Leader and High Order Thinking (HOT) programme coordinator.

After a brief spell in the Army, Mr Atherton relented and became the teacher everyone said he would become. He has always worked in independent prep schools, starting off as a Humanities teacher and then Head of History at Sandroyd and then was Head of History at Ludgrove (where he was also Head of Boarding) and Hazlegrove (where he and his wife ran a boarding house). He loves the variety and tapestry of life as a schoolmaster and throws himself as much as possible into all aspects of school life.

Following a sabbatical year in which he took a Masters in Education, he came to FSM in 2017 where he is now loving the opportunity to put contemporary educational theory into practice!

Outside of work, Mr Atherton lives with his family in Somerset. Most of his weekends and holidays are spent entertaining his two young daughters or living the rural life. When given the chance, his favourite passions are sport, travelling and salmon fishing.

Education

BA (Hons) Ancient History (Newcastle University)

Qualified Teacher Status (Bath Spa University)

MSc Education (Bristol University)

Mr McEwan is Head of Maths, Games Staff and also Boarding Staff.

After school, Mr McEwan spent 1 Year at St Peter’s Prep School, Johannesburg as Gap Student and travelling around southern Africa (where his parents now live); 1 Year at Warminster as Graduate Gap Student; 5 Years at Holmwood House and Colchester as Maths Teacher before joining FSM since 2013.

Outside of work, Mr McEwan enjoys playing golf, spending time with his family, running, watching sport, travelling, camping and looking after his pet Leopard Gecko.

Education

Cheltenham College for 11 Years

Oxford Brookes studying History and Sport Coaching 3 years

Bath Spa University 2 Years Maths PGCE

Mr Boyington has a varied teaching background, having taught in various schools both in the UK and abroad. He spent a fascinating year teaching English to adults in Turkey before 3 years in an international school in Cairo, Egypt. He joined FSM in 2002 initially as a part time Junior French teacher. Since 2008 Mr Boyington has led the department and enjoyed the challenge of equipping children with the French language skills to enable them to communicate effectively in authentic situations and fostering an enthusiasm for language learning.

He enjoy sports  – keeping fit with running, cycling, playing golf and skiing when the opportunity arises! (He worked a season as a ski guide for Thomson Holidays.) He is a keen traveller and has spent time working overseas in Portugal, France, Turkey and Egypt. Otherwise, all his free time is taken up with his family… and in particular ‘ferrying’ his teenage girls from one adventure to another!

Education

French degree including a year in the Haute Marne region of France working as a Language Assistant, Swansea University

PGCE in Secondary Languages, Reading University 

Mrs Beech is Head of Learning Support, Form Tutor and English Year 5.

Mrs Beech’s teaching career started at Hordle House Preparatory School in 1996 before its merger with Walhampton – joining as a Year 4 Teacher. She then became Head of Junior School in 2000 and remained as such until, following further training, she took on the role of SENCo (at the now called Walhampton school).

Mrs Beech joined the FSM Learning Centre in 2008 before being promoted to Head of Learning Support in 2019.

Mrs Beech enjoys family walks with her family and spirited spaniel (Scout – a regular visitor to the Learning Centre). You’ll often find her curled under a blanket with a good book, reclining in front of a gripping film or blowing the cobwebs away on a blowy beach.

Education

Bachelor of Education (BEd Hons), Southampton University, majoring in Biological Sciences

SpLD OCR Certificate

Mrs Thornton has over 20 years of teaching experience. Having been the wife of an Army Officer for the early part of her career, she has worked in many different locations, including Oman and France. However, a more settled civilian life has enabled her to live in a fixed abode and remain at FSM for the past eight years.

She joined us a Year 4 class teacher but with a love of literature and language has recently moved into the role of Head of The English Faculty, where she enjoys teaching pupils in years 6-8.

Outside of school, she spends her time: travelling, spectating at her children’s sports fixtures, reading (obviously!) and attempting the odd bit of cookery.

Education

St Helens School, Northwood

Surrey University (BA Hons French with QTS)

Mr Humphreys is Head of Geography but also works with our Forest School, games, is a Year 8 Tutor and a Charity Co-ordinator. 

Mr Humphreys completed a GAP year at TSS School on Australia’s Gold Coast before working for three years at Hinton Skydiving Centre. He began at FSM in 2006 with the Mighty 4DH before moving to the Geography Department in 2014.

Outside of work he enjoys football, golf, cricket, surfing, swimming, running, whittling and getting into the New Forest with his wife and two boys! 

Education

Shrewsbury School

Manchester Metropolitan University

Cambridge University

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Miss North is Assistant Head of Sport & Outdoor Education, Religious Studies teacher, Music and First Aid (Saturday Enrichment).

Miss North always knew that she was going to be a teacher! Following a post-university gap year as an Au Pair in Chicago, she returned to the UK and began teaching at Elmrise Primary School in Bournemouth. She then moved to Turi in Kenya to teach for three years at St Andrew’s Preparatory School as Head of Lower School (Academic). There she taught Year 5, Sport, and Music (piano and flute). 

Miss North joined FSM in 1999 and has had various roles across the School including being Head of English, Religious Studies and Girls’ Games. 

Outside of work Miss North enjoys a lot of sport – mostly running and hiking (and is gradually working her way along the South West Coast Path). She plays in GOJO Big Band and regularly plays gigs. She is also a keen traveller.

Education

Geography degree at Sheffield University (B.A. Hons)
PGCE (specialism in Upper Primary) at Sheffield Hallam University

Mrs Holdom has over 30 years teaching experience across the country, working locally most recently at Godolphin Prep, Chafyn Grove, Leaden Hall and Gabbitas Educational Consultants, London as their regional consultant, covering schools in the South West.

Outside of work, Mrs Holdom enjoys a lot of fitness – going to the gym, running, cycling and water sports.

Education

Cheltenham Ladies’ College
Royal Holloway College, University of London (BA Hons)
The West London Institute (PGCE)

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Miss Ridge joined FSM during her final college placement as a student, and has never left! 

After completing her Childcare Diploma with Brockenhurst College, she headed out to the French Alps resort of Courchevel 1850, as a Nanny for the winter season of 2016/17 with Esprit Ski, before returning to FSM in May 2017, to work with (what was then) the Pre-Prep and Middle School.

Alongside her Childcare qualification, Miss Ridge is also a Swim England Level 2 Swimming Teacher, eager to engage children’s water confidence, skills and love for aquatics!

Outside of work Miss Ridge will often have an adventure planned. In the space of one academic year she has explored New York, Copenhagen, Venice, Cornwall, Prague, Budapest and Berlin…to name but a few!

Education

Extended Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning & Development

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