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.

Miss Gower (McGlynn)

Deputy Headteacher/Upper School Art Teacher

I joined The Observatory School in 2007. During my time here I have gained both my NPQML and NPQSL and I am currently the Deputy Headteacher. I also teach Key Stage 4 art and I love being in the classroom. I have recently got married and I have a Bulldog called Boycie!

Miss O'Sullivan

Assistant Headteacher/SENCo

I work as Assistant Head Teacher and SENDCo, overseeing the strategic development of the SEND provision at school, and I work closely with the teachers and teaching assistants to make sure every child’s needs are met. I aim to ensure our provision is responsive to each young person’s individual circumstance, removing their barriers to learning and ensuring success.

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 Williamson

School Administrator

I am the Receptionist & schools administrator.

I will be the first point of contact for many of you, either in person or on the phone, Feel free to ask me anything regarding the school, or your child’s needs and I will be happy to help.

Mr Gerrard

Pastoral Assistant

I work as part of the pastoral team. I love my job as I get to meet new
parents, pupils, professionals and members of the community. I love my dog, Tiago the sausage dog. Looking forward to him meeting you all. My hobbies are walking, swimming, tennis and socialising with family and
friends.

Miss Murphy

Pastoral Assistant

I am new to The Observatory School and my role is Pastoral Assistant. I will be working across the school but I will be mainly based with lower school. I am keen to support attendance, wellbeing and support individual students to access learning to their highest ability.

Miss Wootten

Pastoral Support and Examinations Officer

I am part of the Pastoral Team and the exams officer. My role focuses on supporting students and their attendance; as well as parents/carers. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time outdoors in nature, I am part of a choir in Liverpool and I play in a women’s rugby team locally.

Mr Bhalsod

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.

Mrs Rye

English Teacher

In addition to being an English teacher, I also take the lead on equality and diversity in the school and run a very fun drama club. In my spare time I love reading, hill walking and listening to music. I am coming to the end of training to be a psychotherapeutic counsellor and I have two children and a fabulous cat called Loki.

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

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 and whippet.

Mr Wood

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 Herbison

Lower School Phase Leader 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!

Miss Scott

Year 7 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.

Miss Storey

Key Stage 2 Teacher (Acting SENDCo)

My name is Miss Storey and I am one of the Nurture teachers at The Observatory School. Some of my favourite hobbies are baking, running, swimming and watching films. I love animals and we have a class hamster called Dio.

Mr McConnell

Key Stage 2 Teacher

I work in KS2. I am from Ireland but have lived in England for the last 3 years. One of my big hobbies is football and I support the best team in the world (Tottenham
Hotspurs). I am also a very keen runner and my goal currently is to run a marathon.

Miss Davies

Year 9 Sensory 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!.

Mrs Quatermass

Upper School Phase leader and 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.

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.

Miss Conway

Year 8 Social Teacher

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

Mr Smith

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.

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..

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

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.

Miss Ross

Teaching Assistant

Hi I am Ms Ross and I am the TA for Storey Year 10. I have worked at the Observatory School for 3 years and I am in the year 10 class Storey. I have two grown up sons, 3 cats and a dog called Mabel. I enjoy walking Mabel and reading in my spare time.

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Mrs Lockwood

Teaching Assistant

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 Blackburn

Teaching Assistant

I’m currently a year 10 TA with a class called Hamilton. I like art, doing jigsaws and diamond art. I have 3 children and 5 cats!

Mrs Nikolaska

Teaching Assistant

Hello my name is Mrs Nikolaska. I stared working at The Observatory School in September as a TA. I was previously a 1:1 with a pupil in year 9.

Miss Carruthers

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.