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. 

Sally has worked alongside Esma to establish CMS from the beginning. She is the head of CMS’ legal and accounting team. She also deals with many of
the day to day business aspects of running CMS. 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.

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 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 as an ALNCo.  Zoe is the Deputy Safeguarding Officer.

Claire joined our team in 2020. She is currently on maternity but normally teaches the 9-12 class and is responsible for overseeing the teaching & learning across the Primary school. Claire trained as a teacher in 2013 and began her career teaching Secondary and A Level Art. Claire moved to Australia in 2015 where she discovered Montessori education and retrained as a 6-12 Montessori teacher. While teaching in Australia she also travelled to Nepal to help train Montessori teachers and support the work in new schools in Kathmandu. She achieved a high distinction in her Montessori Diploma of Early Childhood and Primary Education, (Montessori institute, Sydney). She has also completed her PGCE and has a BA Hons in Fine Arts.

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 has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sport, Fitness and Coaching and a Level 3 Diploma in Play-work. He has also completed AMI Montessori Orientation for 6-12 years. 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, Exams Officer and Fire Warden at CMS.

Natasha has 16 years of experience in early years education. She holds a Diploma in integrating Montessori Practice and has spent 8 years working within Montessori settings, developing a strong understanding of Montessori philosophy and its practical application in early years environments. For the past 7 years, she has worked as a Montessori Trainer, Early Years Quality Manager and Training Manager, supporting educators and settings to develop their practice, maintain high standards and provide meaningful learning experiences for young children. Natasha manages the breakfast and after school club provision as well as supporting in the 3-6 Children’s House and holding the role of Admissions Officer. In her spare time, she loves reading, travel, mindfulness , yoga, dancing and anything creative.

Syrie joined Cardiff Montessori in 2023 after moving from London to South Wales with her family. She qualified as a Montessori teacher at MCI in 2015 and completed her degree in Early Years Education in 2016. Syrie also qualified as a level 3 forest school leader in 2018 and is passionate about bringing her love for the outdoors to the children she works with. She discovered her love of teaching through running stop motion animation workshops to children and young people. Syrie loves every aspect of the Montessori classroom and is always looking for ways to expand her knowledge of child development and works hard to create a rich, nurturing and creative environment for the children to blossom.

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, working as an intervention teacher and then lead teacher in the Children's House before taking on her role in the Elementary. 

Anda holds Montessori Assistant certification (AMI) and has a Level 3 qualification in Childcare. She also has a level 3 certificate in management.
Anda has worked at the school since 2019 across all the age groups from toddlers through to teenagers. In the last 4 years she has supported the 9-12
class. Her passions lie in mathematics, sports, physical and mental wellbeing and outdoor activities. Anda believes that cultivating a positive mindset helps
to increase resilience, better problem-solving skills, and improves overall well-being. In her free time, Anda enjoys spending time in nature with her
family, volunteering in youth sport clubs and trying new activities and experiences.

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. 

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.

Sarah trained in Psychology at the University of Reading, graduating with a BSc (Hons) in 2011. Following this degree, she gained a further Associate’s Degree at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. Her passion for mathematics led her to complete a Post-Graduate Certificate in Teaching Mathematics in 2018.

Sarah is passionate about mathematics and enjoys helping students develop confidence and a deeper understanding of the subject. She has taught students aged 11–18 over the past eight years, gaining experience and achieving highly successful outcomes for students of all abilities across both the Faith and Private Sectors in South Wales.

Sarah is delighted to become part of the CMS team and is enjoying learning more about the Montessori approach to education.

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.

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 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. 

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. 

Lucy is a Qualified PGCE secondary teacher in Art and Design with over 20 years' experience including Head of Department, class teacher and private tutor. 

She is passionate about teaching and excited to offer all disciplines of Art and Design including fashion, textiles, ceramics and photography to students.

She has also worked for the WJEC examination board for over 10 years in the role of visiting moderator for GCSE visiting moderator.

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After completing his 1st Class BSc Honours Video Games Design & Development, he went on to complete a masters in Animation and Illustration before completing his PGCE Secondary information communications technology and computing
(Master's degree).

In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family and friends, create exciting 3D models and environments, develop video games as personal projects, engage in social activities, and attend online events.

Ilham holds a BA (Hons) in Counselling and Therapeutic Practice from the University of South Wales and has over 20 years of experience as an Arabic Tutor in community schools, teaching children from primary level through to GCSE. She has also worked as an Arabic Tutor in UK state schools and has over 10 years’ experience as a Bilingual Teaching Assistant, supporting Arabic-speaking and EAL pupils in their learning and language development. Ilham is also an experienced GCSE Arabic Oral Examiner, having conducted speaking examinations in schools across Cardiff and Wales. She is passionate about creating a warm, inclusive and nurturing environment where children feel confident, valued and inspired to learn, while being encouraged to develop at their own pace. Her extensive experience in Arabic teaching, teaching assistance and counselling complements her child-centred approach and commitment to supporting each child’s individual development.

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 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 enjoys keeping active and is an enthusiastic member of a local theatre company, where she performs, choreographs, and direct productions.

Humaira first joined CMS in 2018. She completed her Bachelors of Education and Masters of Science (Mathematics) in Pakistan. She later completed her
Early Childhood Education Diploma in Toronto, Canada and AMI Assistants Certificate Course from the Maria Montessori Institute. Outside of work,
Humaira enjoys spending time with her three children.

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.

Abigail has completed her Montessori in Practice Diploma in Philosophy and Curriculum and holds a level 3 Qualification in Childcare, Development & Play. She has 4 years of experience working in a Montessori. She is passionate about creating an environment in which every child feels valued, capable, and inspired to explore at their own pace. Her previous role as Deputy Room Manager also enabled her to build strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills, working collaboratively with colleagues and parents to ensure the best possible outcomes for every child.

Rachel trained at the Italia Conti academy of theatre arts and worked as an actress and singer living in London for 20 years. After having her first child she decided to train at Goldsmiths University as a community musician and then later at Trinity as an early years music /drama facilitator. She moved to Cardiff in 2015 and has been with CMS for the past four years. Rachel enjoys long walks with her dog, spending time with her family and a good cafe where there is lots of cake! . She is based in the Toddler Community but also teaches Music and Drama to the older students.

Zaynab is a trained Montessori teaching assistant (AMI 3-6) and is currently studying towards her Montessori teaching diploma with the Montessori Partnership. She is very passionate about the Montessori ethos. She believes everyday is an opportunity for learning and growth, both for children and adults. In her spare time she enjoys doing creative tasks. She loves sewing, crocheting and scrapbooking.

Lilian joined our team in 2024 as an After-School Club Assistant and has since transitioned to supporting the 3-6 classroom. 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.