STAFF
Simon Partridge, Director
Simon was appointed Director in December 2011 but previously worked at How Hill as a teacher in the late 1980’s and was a trustee for eight years. Simon has a degree in Environmental Studies and is a qualified teacher.
Lizzy Ames, Education Manager
Lizzy became Education Manager in 2014, having previously covered maternity leave and summer day visits. She is the main contact for teachers wishing to visit How Hill, and she oversees all educational work.
Lizzy has a BSc in Ecology. She has lived and worked in the Costa Rican rainforest as a research scientist and used to live a showbiz life presenting the sealion and parrot shows at Pleasurewood Hills.
Shauna Ellis, Teacher
Shauna has worked at the Trust since she left school in 1997. She is our longest serving staff member and is as important to How Hill as the walls themselves. Her main role as a member of the education team is leading activities with our residential and day visiting school groups. She is extremely organised, fantastically practical and very handy with a chainsaw.
Lynsey Skeates, Teacher
Lynsey 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 globe as a field study instructor. She has taught children about everything and anything from red squirrels in the Isle of Wight to kangaroos in Australia.
Emma Purnell, Teacher
Emma is a nature lover who has worked with children for nearly twenty years, encouraging them to get involved with nature-based activities. Emma is 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.
Lawrence Patten, Teacher
Lawrence joined the day visit education team in 2016. He knows his great diving beetles from his great silver water beetles. He can spot milk parsley, home to the caterpillar of the rare swallowtail butterfly at ten paces and he knows all the best places to look for marsh harriers.
Zenda Madge, Finance and Office Manager
Zenda looks after the books and makes sure that the Trust is run efficiently and cost effectively. Previously she worked as Company Accountant for a multinational manufacturing company and spent 13 years as a Foster Carer whilst raising her own children.
Donna Clarke, Chef
Donna joined us originally as a cleaner but we soon discovered her hidden talents in the kitchen. She now cooks for the children and is creator of amazing cakes and culinary delights for adult groups.
Sarah Hudson, Sandwich Artist
Sarah has worked at How Hill since 2009. She is the Queen of Breakfasts and Lunches, working with visiting schools to make sure that all children’s dietary requirements are met and that there is enough coffee available for the teachers.
Chris Tubby, Head Gardener
Chris is surely the hardest working gardener in the land. He takes care of our magnificent gardens, both those surrounding the house and the secret gardens down in the woods. He can build anything, fix most things and he is the only one who ever really knows where an extension cable can be found. Formerly a butcher, Chris joined the How Hill team in 2007.