Meet the Aldwickbury Team

Paul Symes was appointed as Headmaster of Aldwickbury in September 2021 and has since led the Aldwickbury team through a dynamic period of change and development, culminating in multiple awards and widespread recognition for excellence and an exciting Future Thinking Curriculum.

Educated in Suffolk, Paul attended East Bergholt High School and Colchester Sixth Form College before going on to study at Brunel University in West London, where he achieved an honours degree in Sports Science and Geography and completed his Teacher Training Qualifications.

Paul’s passion for teaching began at Isleworth and Syon School for Boys, and he gained further experience at secondary state schools in Suffolk, where he taught pupils of all ages up to A Level. In September 2010, he moved into the independent prep sector, returning to London as Head of Boys’ Games at Belmont. There, he broadened his educational experience across a wider age range and later progressed to Senior Deputy Head, where he worked closely with all schools across the Foundation and served as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

Over the past four years, Paul has confidently led Aldwickbury as a forward-thinking school with ambitious standards and a strong sense of community. Under his leadership, the school has embraced innovation, ignited passions for learning, strengthened its pastoral care and celebrated notable achievements in academics, sport and the arts, earning accolades and positive recognition within the independent sector.

Paul believes that “Aldwickbury offers an education that is carefully planned to equip pupils for their senior schools of choice but also for the ever-changing, fast-paced modern world. As educators, we have a duty to develop not just bright minds, but good people, placing the school’s values and in particular kindness at the heart of all we do.”

Chris Schanschieff is the Deputy Head, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), and a Maths teacher at Aldwickbury. He oversees the School’s pastoral systems and plays a key role in the day-to-day running of the School.

Educated at Oakham School, Chris went on to study at the University of Exeter. He began his teaching career at Spratton Hall Prep School, where he spent ten years, progressing to Head of Middle School and later Head of Mathematics. He then spent 11 years at Old Buckenham Hall Prep School in Suffolk, serving as Deputy Head and Head of Maths. Before joining Aldwickbury in September 2015, he was Deputy Head at South Lee Prep School.

“It is a pleasure teaching and working with the pupils at Aldwickbury, watching them grow in confidence as they embrace the wide range of opportunities available to them. It’s inspiring to see the support they show for one another and the pride they take in both their achievements and their school. It’s also a privilege to work alongside such a talented, committed and friendly staff.”

Steve Lott is our Director of Studies. He graduated from the University of Wales in 1992 and has been teaching ever since. He taught in the state sector before moving into the independent sector, at Bancrofts in northeast London. He joined Aldwickbury in 2006 as Head of English.

His interest in education stretches beyond the classroom and he has edited and contributed to professional journals; chaired the National Prep Schools’ English conference and been involved in action research projects – most notably work for the International Boys’ School Coalition. He recently completed a diploma course in Metacognition and Thinking Skills from University of Exeter.

His current role has a wide remit and a key part of it is to liaise with parents regarding the procedures and requirements of entry for the many senior schools that Aldwickbury sends pupils to.

Speaking of Aldwickbury, Mr Lott said, “It is without doubt a special place to work. As the pupils know no different, they perhaps don’t realise what an array of opportunities they are exposed to from a wonderfully talented and committed staff that just aren’t there at other schools.”

Helen Pendell is responsible for Learning Support and teaches English to Years 5 and 6. Helen is one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) for the school and Mental Health Lead. She also looks after the school’s Community Links, overseeing our partnership with Advantage Schools Multi Academy Trust in Bedfordshire, as well as a wide range of educational programmes offered to local primary schools. She is a member of Advantage Schools’ Governing body and an ISI Team Inspector. Helen joined Aldwickbury in 2011 as a newly qualified teacher in the Junior department. Prior to doing her PGCE, and retraining as a teacher, she worked at Goldman Sachs Asset Management in London and Hong Kong, specialising in Marketing Communications. She has a BSc. Hons from the University of Liverpool, a Postgraduate diploma in Marketing and National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO). Her two sons were educated at Aldwickbury as well. She fully appreciates everything the school has on offer for the pupils and how busy life at Aldwickbury can be.

After graduating from Sheffield Hallam University with a BA (Hons) in Business Studies with Italian, Marianna started her career in the production department at Dorling Kindersley (part of the Penguin Group) facilitating print runs between their global markets. When Marianna left DK, she went to work in the heating and renewables sector where she spent over a decade working in both the public and private sectors for SMEs and large public corporations predominantly in a business support role focussing on operations, finance and HR.

Marianna took a career break to spend more time at home with her young children. During this time, she volunteered and helped at numerous events at her children’s school as an active member of the parent association and fulfilling the voluntary role of Treasurer. Following her career break Marianna joined Ambition Education Trust (formerly Alban Academies Trust) as a School Business Manager at Ridgeway Academy, subsequently being promoted to Director of Operations. Her role was to lead on the strategic implementation of finance and operations ensuring a consistent and cohesive approach across the schools.

With over 20 years of experience in the education sector, Joanne is a strategic leader whose career is defined by a passion for foundational learning and a belief in shared ownership. As a Deputy Headteacher and a contributor to the influential text “Creating Learning Without Limits” (Swann et al 2012), she advocates for an anti-deterministic approach to education, ensuring that no ceilings are placed on a child’s potential.

With an academic background in Music and Psychology (Oxford Brookes University) and a Masters in Education (University of Hertfordshire), Joanne integrates behavioural science into leadership, employing a coaching approach to empower staff. She is a firm believer in the power of “limitless” learning, the idea that by removing fixed labels and fostering shared ownership, both pupils and educators can exceed expectations.

Beyond the classroom, Joanne is a Deputy DSL ensuring that school policy is rooted in empathy and sustainable impact. From revamping learning environments to supporting leaders across educational establishments, Joanne remains committed to a holistic, collaborative approach to school improvement.