Staff
Meet the Team
Our dedicated staff love sharing their passion for nature, local history and learning as well as providing a warm welcome for all visitors. Read about them below.
Management & Administration
Simon Partridge
Director
Contact: simon@howhilltrust.org.uk
Simon was appointed Director in December 2011 but previously worked at How Hill as a teacher in the late 1980s and was a trustee for eight years. Simon has a degree in Environmental Studies and is a qualified teacher.
Zenda Madge
Finance and Office Manager
Contact: zenda@howhilltrust.org.uk
Zenda looks after the books and makes sure that the Trust is run efficiently and cost-effectively. Previously she worked as a company accountant for a multinational manufacturing company and spent 13 years as a foster carer whilst raising her children.
Education Team
Lynsey Skeates
Education Manager
Contact: education@
Lynsey is our Education Manager and the point of contact if you are looking to book a school or youth group visit to How Hill. She joined our Education team in February 2022, leading sessions for our residential school groups. Lynsey has a BSc in Education Studies and Science and has worked in primary and secondary schools as well as travelling the UK and Australia as a field study instructor. Lynsey also volunteers for Girlguiding as a District Commissioner and runs a Brownie unit.
Hannah Scoates
Teacher
Hannah is part of the education team and leads residential and day visits for How Hill. She joined in 2024 having previously been a primary school teacher for over 10 years. Hannah also has experience with leading youth groups such as Scouts and was a Duke of Edinburgh Award advisor with South London Scouts.
Shauna Ellis
Teacher
Shauna has worked at the Trust since she left school in 1997. She is our longest-serving staff member and has many strings to her bow. Her main role as a member of the education team is leading activities with our residential and day-visit school groups. She is extremely organised, efficient and very handy with a chainsaw! All her skills complement her work in the garden, where she works alongside our head gardener, Chris.
Becky Cooper
Teacher
Becky joined the education team in 2024 as a day visit teacher and since 2025 has been leading sessions with our residential groups. She has a passion for environmental education and has worked within education settings since 2003. Becky is a qualified teacher with a degree in Inclusive Practice in Education.
Her love of the Broadland environment and nature was fostered at an early age by sailing on Norfolk heritage fleet boats.
Emma Purnell
Day Visit Teacher
Emma is a nature lover who has worked with children for nearly twenty years, encouraging them to get involved with nature-based activities. At How Hill, Emma leads our day visit activities and her passion for wildlife is second to none! She is also a workshop leader with the Fairyland Trust, a children’s conservation charity. She also coordinates children’s activity areas and craft areas at a wide range of events around the country.
Support Staff Team
Rosie Preston
Chef
Rosie is our Head Cook who caters for our school groups ensuring everyone is well-fed and also creates amazing cakes and culinary delights for our adult groups and courses. She is also the brains behind our themed food and pudding evenings that help raise funds for environmental education school trips.
Sarah Hudson
Breakfast & Lunch Cook and Cleaner
Sarah has worked at How Hill since 2009. She prepares and serves breakfast and lunch for our school and adult groups. Sarah can be also be found cleaning and ensuring our accommodation is in top condition ready for our next guests!
Sophia Nicholson
Kitchen Assistant
Sophia serves our guests their evening meals and assists Rosie in the kitchen. She has an ambition to become a primary school teacher in the future and is currently studying towards this goal. Sophia has been with us since 2021.
Jenny Seaton
Cleaner
Jenny has been part of the cleaning team at How Hill since 2022. She works hard to make sure our house and facilities are in top condition and ready for our next school or group.
Chris Tubby
Head Gardener and Estate Manager
Chris takes care of our magnificent gardens and facilities. With help from Shauna, the How Hill House, House Gardens and Secret Gardens can be enjoyed by our guests throughout the year. Chris has been a valued member of the How Hill team since 2007.
Working at How Hill
We are a small, friendly team at How Hill. From time to time, we have vacancies becoming available. If you would like to join our staff in our unique location, please send in your cv and covering letter to simon@howhilltrust.org.uk in the first instance.