Cardiff Montessori School
MEET OUR STAFF
Our greatest strength at Cardiff Montessori is our team of passionate educators. All our staff strive to get to know your child as an individual and ensure they always feel welcome, supported and challenged during their time with us.
DR ESMA IZZIDIEN
Founder and Head of School
(Senior Leadership Team)
Esma is the founder (proprietor) and Head of CMS. She is a medical doctor (MBChB, MRCGP) and has completed training in Montessori for primary education. She has gained certification for Montessori use for dementia. Esma has also completed AMI Assistant training, 11-18 introductory adolescent training and Montessori Coaching training. Esma is on the Montessori Society AMI UK Committee.
CLAIRE WATERS- currently on maternity leave
Head of Primary &
Elementary teacher
(Senior Leadership Team)
Claire joined our team in 2020. She teaches the 9-12 class and is responsible for overseeing the teaching & learning across the Primary school. She achieved a high distinction in her Diploma of Early Childhood and Primary Education, (Montessori institute, Sydney). She has also completed her PGCE and has a BA Hons in Fine Arts.
SALLY BASHIR
Head of Accounts and Legals
(Senior Leadership Team)
Sally has worked alongside Esma since CMS first opened. She is the head of CMS’ legal and accounting team. Prior to joining CMS, Sally was a practising Corporate Finance solicitor with a large Commercial law firm based in Cardiff. During her legal career she dealt with an extensive corporate client base situated both in the UK and internationally. Sally has also founded a not for profit organisation in order to assist children with Autism and learning difficulties.
YUSUF ABOULGASEM
Head of Secondary, PE
Yr 8/9 Humanities teacher
(Senior Leadership Team)
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Yusuf is a qualified teacher with a BSc (Hons) in Sports Coaching. He has over 12 years experience as a scout leader and several years experience coaching football.
He serves as a guide and mentor both with respect to academics and pastoral care in the secondary. He co-ordinates between the Secondary Teaching staff and oversees the day to day running of the Adolescent Community. He teaches Humanities to Yr 8 and 9. He is responsible for farm and residential trips.
Yusuf is also Head of PE across CMS.
ANTHONY THOMAS
School Administrator & Deputy Head
(Senior Leadership Team)
Anthony has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sport, Fitness and Coaching and a Level 3 Diploma in Playwork. He had previously been managing and running an out of hours school club. Anthony has also had many years experience working in an FCA regulated role within a bank.
He is responsible for administrative management tasks such as tracking attendance and audits. He oversees the admission process, policies and risk assessments.
Anthony is also the Designated Safeguarding officer and Fire Warden at CMS.
ZOE HUMPHREYS
Upper Elementary Teacher & Head of Primary (Maternity cover)
ALNCo
(Senior Leadership Team)
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Zoe's teaching journey began in 2003 when she completed a BA Hons in Primary Education with QTS. She remembers learning about Maria Montessori in her degree and has always had an interest in the ethos and method. During the academic year 2008-2009 she completed her ALNCO training and has worked as an ALNCO in schools ever since. In 2019 she completed an action research project which explored implementing the Montessori approach, she was hooked! In 2022 she came to join the team at CMS at ALNCo.
She is currently also taking the Maternity cover role for Upper Elementary and Head of Primary.
LAUREN KINSELLA
2-3 Lead Teacher
Lauren joined our team in 2022. She has completed her Montessori training for ages 0-6 at The Portobello Institute.
Lauren has worked across the school and in 2025 became the lead teacher of the Toddler Class.
In addition to her lead teaching role Lauren runs the after school club, providing students with an enriching and caring environment to relax in at the end of the day.
JULIE HARVEY
3-6 Teacher
Julie joined our team in 2018. She has a degree in primary education (BA Ed (Hons) with QTS) and over 20 years of teaching experience. She also completed the AMI 6-12 assistant training, MCI IMP diploma and the complete SEND diploma.
Julie has held a number of positions at CMS since she joined us and is currently doing a maternity cover lead teacher role in the 3-6 Children's House.
NINA FAURE
Lower Elementary Teacher
Nina lengthily studied literature (BA, English, MA in Contemporary Literature and Cultures), and after her master’s degree she started working in a language position in a high school. This sparked an interest in education and she became a secondary school teacher (PGCE French and Spanish). Always inspired by the works of Maria Montessori, she implemented as many elements as she could into her teaching but decided that mainstream system limiting of the way she wanted to teacher. She decided to train as a 6-12 Montessori guide. IShehold an A.M.I (Association Montessori Internationale) diploma from the Institut Supérieur Maria Montessori in Montpellier, France.
TRACEY COLEMAN
Secondary English, Drama and Art Teacher
Tracey is a qualified secondary teacher with a BA Hons in Theatre & Media Drama. She also completed her PGCert – Leadership and Management (Education). She has experience of teaching English, Art, Media and Drama. She has held the position of Head of Drama and Performing Arts for a number of years before joining CMS. She keeps the English curriculum engaging and interactive through adopting a cross-curricular approach between English and Drama lessons. Tracey also Teaches Art in secondary.
DAVID OWEN
Secondary Science Teacher
David holds a PGCE in Science with Chemistry and a BSc in Exploration Geology (First Class Hons).
He has taught science and geology at GCSE and A-level for over 20 years.
He joined our team in 2025 and is passionate about making science accessible and exciting to all students.
HENRY DINGLE
Secondary Maths teacher
Henry holds an MA in Psychology. He has 20+ years’ experience working as a GCSE Maths & English Tutor and alongside teaching in CMH he runs Young Fire Academy, the online Teen & Parent Coaching company he founded in 2019 with his wife, Sam. He has a calm, fun and yet focussed way of engaging adolescent students that fits perfectly with Montessori principles.
Alongside core curriculum coverage and exam preparation, Henry guides students to develop the right mindset for individual and collective success and well-being, supporting them to develop healthy learning habits, a positive, inclusive and nurturing culture and empowering ways of relating to themselves, the school, their community and the world.
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JOSEPHINE FARAG
Secondary Business Studies and Digital technology teacher
Josephine is a qualified PGCE Secondary teacher with over 20 years of experience. She holds an MSc in Advanced Information Technology (Computer Science), a Post Graduate Certificate in Special Educational Needs and a BEd. (Hons) Education & Information Systems
Outside of her teaching role at CMS, She is currently focused on developing the next generation of educators through tutoring and mentoring students in the secondary ICT and Computing Programme and works as a Senior Lecturer in ICT & Computing (PGCE Programme Leader) at Cardiff Metropolitan University. She previously worked as a Curriculum Leader for ICT and Computer Science, and had whole-school responsibility and served as a Lead Practitioner for the Digital Competency Framework (DCF). She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), currently pursuing an EdD that focuses on decolonising and diversifying the Computing Science curriculum.
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MARK SAMBELL
Secondary Music Teacher
Mark holds a PGCE in Secondary Music, a BMus (First Class), and a MA in Musicology.
He has over 15 years’ experience as a class teacher and as a private tutor. He is particularly skilled in preparing students for GCSE Music: ensuring confidence and fluency in performance; nurturing students’ compositional skills in the development of their portfolio; and helping students develop their appreciation and understanding of music through listening and analysis.
He has also previously worked in a college where he was responsible for the delivery and assessment of modules in BMus degree; and had sole responsibility for delivery of A Level Music
ESTI RAMOS
Secondary Spanish Teacher
Esti holds a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) - Modern Foreign Languages (MFL): Spanish, French. She also has a Masters degree in teaching English as a Foreign Language in Secondary Education (Zaragoza, Spain)and BA (Hons) in English Studies (Zaragoza, Spain).
She has experience working as a private tutor, in language academies and with children in leisure centres and in summer camps.
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David
RACHEL OWEN
Secondary History Teacher
Rachel holds a BA in History with Education Studies, followed by NQT, and a Master’s in Historical Studies.
She has gained valuable experience teaching in two mainstream schools, where she created a classroom environment that nurtured curiosity and an interest in history beyond the curriculum.
JODIE AL DOORI
Secondary Intervention Teacher
Jodie graduated with a BA (Hons) in Sports Studies and began her teaching career as a Secondary PE teacher, later taking on leadership roles as Head of Year and Head of Department for a ALN provision. With years of experience as an ALN and Intervention Teacher, she is passionate about making learning accessible and inclusive to all students, particularly those with additional needs. Outside of school, she enjoys dancing, which she sees as a way to stay active, express creativity, and maintain wellbeing.
LAURA HALLAS
Primary Intervention Teacher
Laura holds a PGCE (Primary Education), a Postgraduate Diploma (English Literature) and a Bachelor of Arts (Religious Studies and Education). She has over 20 years of teaching experience across both state and independent schools, taking on a variety of roles throughout her career. Including working as the Director of Infants/Deputy Head of a Prep school where she led school improvement in the Early Years, KS1
and KS2. She was also responsible for overseeing ALN provision and selecting appropriate interventions
She is deeply passionate about developing children’s foundational skills in reading, writing, and spelling, and takes great satisfaction in helping them to thrive and grow in these areas. Beyond the classroom, she enjoy keeping active and is an enthusiastic member of a local theatre company, where she performs, choreographs, and direct productions.
HUMAIRA KHAN
Upper Elementary Teaching Assistant
Humaira first joined CMS in 2018. She completed her Bachelors of Education and Masters of Science (Mathemathics) in Pakistan. She later completed her Early Childhood Education Diploma in Toronto, Canada and AMI Assistants Certificate Course from the Maria Montessori Institute.
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ANDA STARKA
Upper Elementary TA
Anda holds Montessori Assistant certification (AMI) and has a Level 3 qualification in Childcare. She has a level 3 certificate in management and a level 3 certificate in hospitality.
TANIA CARVALHO
Lower Elementary TA
Tania holds Montessori Assistant certification (AMI) and has a Level 3 qualification in Childcare. For the past four years, She has loved being part of the Lower Elementary classroom, supporting children as they grow in confidence and independence. She is also a qualified gymnastics coach. Outside of school, Tania spend most of her time with her family, being in nature, reading and exploring holistic approaches to well-being.
ZARA WEAVIN
2-3 TA
Zara holds a 0-3 AMI orientation certificate and a Level 3 in childcare. She has worked with children aged 2-3 years for over 12years. She has been working at CMS for 4 years and prior to that was working in flying start.
She has also worked part time as a contact supervisor for children in foster care. Her hobbies are walking and spending time with her children.
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JO GRIFFITHS
3-6 TA
Jo holds a BA (Hons) in English Language.
She is incredibly enthusiastic about child development. Her previous professional career comprises of an extensive history in customer service and coaching. These roles honed exceptional listening skills and the ability to empathise and understand individuals to be able to work towards a positive outcome in a variety of situations.
While working with a charity she traveled to Madagascar to teach English. This experience, alongside becoming a mother, sparked her love of education, and led to her interest in Montessori and a change in career path into work as a Teaching Assistant.
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ZAHRA El-KHAZRAI
3-6 TA
Zahra holds a BA (Hons) in Early Years Education and has over seven years of experience working in childcare as a dedicated play worker. She is passionate about supporting children’s development through creative and engaging play. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, reading, traveling and learning Arabic.
LILIAN EYNON
Teaching Assistant and After School Club Worker
Lilian Lilian joined our team in 2024 as an After-School Club Assistant and has since transitioned to supporting the 3-6 classroom as well as continuing in after school club. In this role, she cares for and supports students during lunchtime and playtime and after school, fostering a safe and nurturing environment. Having experienced the Montessori approach firsthand as a student, Lilian has a strong passion for the Montessori philosophy. She is currently pursuing her SCQF Level 8 Diploma (0-6) with Montessori Partnership and is excited to further her knowledge and understanding in child development and the Montessori approach to education.
ZAYNAB
Breakfast Club Supervisor
Zaynab has completed her Montessori teachers assistant training with AMI (AMI Orientation) and took on the role of breakfast club supervisor as she was eager to learn and gain more skills to better support young children. She strongly believes in the importance of creating a nurturing, safe and peaceful environment for young children to develop socially, emotionally and academically.
ELLA
Receptionist
Ella holds an advanced diploma in nutritional therapy and has a special interest in integrative approaches to supporting healthy development in children .
She has worked with children in educational settings from Swaziland to Rome. She ran a Montessori & forest school inspired Homebased childcare business in London for 8 years.
She loves reading, gardening and walking her collie lab Nel.