Staff

Learn more about The Observatory School staff here.

Mr Chiswell

Headteacher - DSL

Hi, I am Mr Chiswell, Headteacher of the school. As Headteacher I work hard to ensure that the school is a transformational place for children to be. Outside of school, I am a husband and father. In my spare time I am a sailor, and I sail and race offshore.

Mrs McGlynn (Gower)

Deputy Headteacher/Creative Faculty Lead

Hello, I am Mrs McGlynn and I am the Deputy Headteacher of the school. I also teach key stage 4 art, I love being in the classroom! I am passionate about giving our pupils lots of different opportunities and helping them to discover their talents.

Miss O'Sullivan

Assistant Headteacher/SENDCo

I work as Assistant Headteacher and SENDCo, overseeing the strategic development of the SEND provision at school. I aim to ensure our provision is responsive to each young person’s individual circumstance, removing their barriers to learning and ensuring success.

Mrs O'Connor (Storey)

SENDCo/Assistant Headteacher

Mrs Baird

Pastoral Manager - DSL

I have worked at The Observatory School for 9 years. I love my job as I get to meet new parents, pupils and professionals. I love talking to people and helping them if I can. I love my pets, Barney the Pug and Charlie the cat. Barney loves to visit school and meet you all. My hobbies are walking, reading and going to the Cinema/theatre.

Mrs Gardner

APA to the Headteacher

Miss Smith

HR Manager

Mrs Mullaney

Finance and Facilities Officer

Miss Adass

SEN Administrator

Mr Bhalsod

Knowledge Faculty Lead, Behaviour Lead and Maths Teacher

I am the upper school maths teacher and I have been the elected staff governor for the past 3 years. Away from school I am passionate about motor sports, cycling, football, my cat, and my house plants. I have worked here at The Observatory since 2013 and really enjoy working with young people to help them achieve their goals.

Miss Herbison

Lower School Phase Leader, Knowledge Faculty Lead and Year 7 Sensory Teacher

I am a teacher in the Year 7 Sensory class. My favourite subject to teach is maths. I enjoy going on long walks with my little cockapoo Milo and taking him to training classes. My guilty pleasure is watching Harry Potter movies on repeat!

Mr Meenan

Computing Teacher

I am Storey’s form teacher and I also run weightlifting club.

Outside of school I like to keep myself fit by going to the gym and being active. I love the outdoors and like to try new activities and challenges.

Mr Dickson

Knowledge Faculty and Science Teacher

I love teaching science across key stage 3 and 4 in the school. I also really enjoy hosting STEM club, which is very popular with many exciting, upcoming projects. In my spare time I enjoy playing golf, cooking, hiking, playing guitar and hanging out with my wife, daughter and whippet.

Mr Wood

Personal Faculty Lead and PE Teacher

Hi my name is Mr Wood. I teach PE here at The Observatory School. I teach across the whole school and I complete morning sports with all groups each morning.

In my spare time I enjoy playing golf and gardening with my wife.

Miss Scott

Personal Faculty Lead and Year 8 Social Teacher

I am the year 7 social pathway teacher and my favourite subject to teach is history. I am originally from the North East of England but moved to the local area in 2018. Outside of school, I enjoy taking my dog Morgan for long walks. One of my favourite things in life is Disney and it is my ambition to visit each Disney theme park in the world.

Miss O'Hare

Key Stage 2 Teacher

Hello my name is Miss O’Hare. I am a key stage 2 teacher in the nurture base. I teach across the curriculum in key stage 2.

Mrs Quatermass

Upper School Phase leader, Knowledge Faculty Lead and Year 9 Base Teacher

I teach the Year 9 nurture base class and am the Phase Leader for Upper School (Y9-11). My specialist interest is literacy. When I’m not in school, I am usually walking my dogs or meditating.

Miss Davies

Humanities Teacher

Hi everyone! My favourite subject to teach is Geography, especially volcanoes. Outside of school, I love spending time with my dogs and taking care of my houseplants. I also love Taylor Swift and probably talk about her a bit too much!.

Mr Freeman

Year 8 Sensory Teacher

Outside of school I like to keep myself fit by going to the gym and being active. I love the outdoors and like to try new activities and challenges. My favourite subject to teach is PE and I enjoy tennis.

Mr Smith

Creative Faculty Lead and Key Stage 2 Teacher

Hello everyone, my name is Mr Smith and I teach in year five and six at the Observatory School. I joined The Observatory School in 2021. Outside of school I enjoy playing football and golf. I support Everton Football Club. I have two dogs, Max and Wilbur.

Mr Blaylock

Key Stage 2, Knowledge Faculty Lead and Intervention Teacher

I am the year 7 Intervention Teacher and currently work with Banksy Class. I love working with children and families and in addition to my teaching qualifications and experience, I am also a qualified Social Worker.

Miss Conway

Year 7 Social Teacher

I started working at The Observatory School last year as Castner’s teacher. I am passionate about literature and I am looking forward to the year ahead.

Mrs Harold

Teaching Assistant

My name is Mrs Harold and I am a teaching assistant that works with pupils off school site. My favourite hobby is to play golf at the weekends..

Mr Pattan

Mrs Dowd

School Programme Coordinator(PSP) and Educational Visits Coordinator.

Along with ongoing training I have a degree in Learning, Development and Support. It is a joy and honor to work with our young people and to be part of a great team in The Observatory School family.

Mrs Marsland

Teaching Assistant

I am the teaching assistant for Carson who are year 11. Away from school I enjoy spending time with my grandson who is 4. I also love football and support Liverpool FC.

Mr Garland

Teaching Assistant

Hello! I joined the Observatory School in 2017. I have worked with different year groups, I now work with Castner who are year 8. I keep fit by playing basketball and to be creative I write poetry. .

Mrs Forbes

Teaching Assistant
Personal Lead TA

Hi everyone. I am a teaching assistant in Anderson who are a year 9 class. I am originally from South Africa but now live here. I enjoy spending time with my family, dogs and listening to music. I love travelling and trying new things.

Mrs Riley

Teaching Assistant

I am a TA in Curie (year 8 sensory). I enjoy volunteering in the community. I have 2 boys with additional needs and I enjoy going for walks with my two dogs Sandy and Patch.

Mrs Lockwood

Teaching Assistant
Creative Lead TA

I joined The Observatory school in 2020 as the TA for the interventions classroom. During this time I have enjoyed getting to know each pupil and supporting them to develop in their learning. I enjoy outdoor activities and traveling with my family.

Mrs Taylor

Teaching Assistant

Miss Mullan

Miss Turner

Teaching Assistant

Miss McCool

Teaching Assistant

Mr Lohan

Teaching Assistant

Mrs Blackburn

Teaching Assistant

I’m currently a year 11 TA with a class called Hamilton. I like art, doing jigsaws and diamond art. I have 3 children and 5 cats!

Miss Carruthers

Behaviour Lead and Teaching Assistant

I have worked here for 4 years and I am the TA in the KS2 sensory class, Daley. The most important thing to remember about me is I adore Disney so remember, “like so many things, it is not what is outside, but what is inside that counts.”

Miss Flannigan

Teaching Assistant
Knowledge Lead TA

My favourite subjects are Science and Art. I hope to inspire pupils to enjoy their learning experience within all areas. Outside of school I enjoy walking, camping, and the occasional spot of DIY

Miss Bracegirdle

Receptionist

Mr Green

Receptionist

Mrs Taylor

Kitchen Assistant

Hello my name. is Mrs Taylor and I work with Pat in the kitchen. I run breakfast club and i love baking delicious cakes.

Mrs Nolan

Kitchen Manager

Hello my name is Pat and I cook the pupils school dinners. I have worked at The Observatory School since it opened. I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren and walking my dog, Poppy.

Mr Norman

Site Manager

Hello my name is Mr Norman and I am the Site Manager. I take care of the school and make sure that everything is working properly.

Mr McCloud

Mrs Kenwright

Cleaning Staff

Hello I am Mrs Kenwood and I help to keep the school clean and tidy. I have worked at The Observatory School since it opened in 2007.

Miss Stephenson

Cleaning Staff

Hello! I am Miss Stephenson. I work very hard to keep the school looking clean and tidy.

Miss Casey

Cleaning Staff

Hello my name is Miss Casey and I help keep the technology block looking clean and tidy.