Our Teachers
We have an enthusiastic team of teachers who are passionate, hardworking, kind and very well qualified. We value the individual skills, talents and ideas that each member brings to our team. The cultural and linguistic diversity of our teachers helps support our many bilingual children and those with English as an additional language. Our qualified Montessori teachers aim to bring out the unique personality of each individual child, to develop their self-confidence, sense of security and order in a totally child-cantered environment. Teachers regularly attend Montessori and local authority training courses to update their professional development. All our teachers have their Pediatric First Aid qualifications.
LUCY MORLEY HEAD TEACHER - FDA LEVEL 5
Lucy has been at LSMS since 2003 and has held the position of Head Teacher since 2014. With over 40 years of experience working with children and families from the local area, she brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her role. Lucy graduated from Norland Nursery Training College in 1987. Both of her daughters attended Ladbroke Square, and it was while her younger daughter was still a pupil that she joined the teaching team. Lucy continues to receive comprehensive Montessori training and has completed a Foundation Degree in Early Years Development and Education. She is passionate about discovering new insights and continues to grow professionally. Lucy lives locally with her family and enjoys the arts and spending time with friends, especially sharing laughter.
SOPHIA WALLACE-TURNER REGISTRAR / SCHOOL SECRETARY - B.A. IN LINGUISTICS PGCE IN EARLY YEARS
Sophia joined LSMS in 2018. She has worked with children since her teens, in the UK, France, and Spain. She holds a B.A. in Linguistics, an ESL teaching certificate, a PGCE in Early Years, and is bilingual in French. Sophia’s nephew and daughter attended Ladbroke Square, and although she followed various paths, she remained in contact with the school until she began working with us. Sophia is very involved with the local community; she was born in Blenheim Crescent off Portobello Road and continues to live nearby. In her free time, Sophia enjoys spending time with friends, going to exhibitions, and pursuing her hobbies of knitting, sewing, and, above all, baking!
VANESSA DEMPSEY DEPUTY HEAD TEACHER - MCI MONT DIP
Vanessa joined LSMS in 2021 and has sixteen years experience working in Early Years. Prior to becoming a Montessorian she obtained a BSc (Hons) degree in Hotel and Catering Management from the University of Surrey. Vanessa is passionate about providing all children with the necessary tools to achieve to the best of their ability and to become resilient, life-long learners and enjoyers of life. Vanessa loves to travel. She enjoys exploring new places, immersing herself in their culture and getting to know the local people.
LULA KUSY FDA LEVEL 5
Lula joined LSMS in 2007 and has completed the Early Years Foundation Degree. Lula has been a strong member of the nursery and held the position of deputy head for 2 and a half years until taking up her degree. Lula is a key member of our team and brings passion, empathy and humor into the classroom. Lula speaks Polish with some Russian and enjoys Polish dancing, coffee and long walks.
NIKKI CARVALHO NVQ LEVEL 3
Nikki started at LSMS in April 2009. She has more than 12 years of experience working with children, and having a child of her own has further strengthened her knowledge and understanding of both teaching and parenting. Nikki brings great enthusiasm into the classroom. She enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. Nikki speaks Portuguese and conversational Spanish and loves sharing these language skills with the children.
JO TSE MCI MONT DIP
Jo started working at Ladbroke Square in 2012 after completing her teaching practice with us. Since then, she has become a strong and valued member of the nursery team, having held the position of deputy head for two years. Jo is fluent in Cantonese and understands some Mandarin. She enjoys traveling, photography, and exploring new cultures, which she often incorporates into her work with the children.
DAGMARA KAZMIERCZAK AMI MONT DIP
Dagmara joined LSMS in 2021. She holds a CACHE level 3 Diploma and the AMI 0-3 and 3-6 Montessori Assistants Certificates. In Poland she obtained a BA in Teaching French as a Foreign Language and a Master’s degree in French Studies. Outside of school, she likes travelling and getting to know other cultures. Dagmara is also a big fan of Amigurumi (Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures) and in her spare time, she enjoys crocheting blankets, shawls and mandalas.
SYLVIA UMINSKA MCW MONT DIP
Sylvia joined LSMS in 2023 and brings with her over 20 years of experience working with children. She completed her Montessori qualification in 2008 and began her teaching career in early years settings. Sylvia has a passion for creative activities and enjoys engaging children in the arts. In her spare time, she likes swimming, traveling, and exploring different cultures.
ELISAVET GRIGORIADOU BSC IN EARLY YEARS CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Elisavet joined LSMS in 2023 and brings over eight years of experience in Early Years Education & Childcare. She holds a BSc in Early Childhood Education from the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece) and an MA in Applied Theatre from the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama (UK). Elisavet is also a trained and qualified Self-Esteem Counsellor for Children & Adults. She is an enthusiastic and energetic teacher who brings positivity and a passion for learning to the children. Elisavet loves combining arts, drama, and mindfulness in her teaching practice to create meaningful learning experiences for all the children.
RACHEL MORRALL MSC, BA, MCI MONT DIP LEVEL 4
Rachel joined LSMS in 2024. Originally from New York, Rachel has lived in London for seven years. Before this, she lived in Rome, Paris, Venice, and Edinburgh, where she studied history of art and worked in various museums and galleries in the US and across Europe. She has a BA in History of Art and an MSc in Renaissance and Early Modern Studies. After a few years in the art world, she discovered and subsequently fell in love with the Montessori philosophy. This led her to re-train as a Montessori teacher and in 2020 she obtained a Level 4 Diploma from MCI. Rachel is passionate about the arts and loves encouraging children to express their creativity in the classroom. Outside of school, Rachel loves attending concerts and life-drawing classes.
AMANDA DUFFY MONT DIP LEVEL 6, BA (ARTS)
Amanda joined LSMS in January 2025, bringing over 30 years of experience in education. She has taught in Japan, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Singapore, and spent the last five years working in County Mayo, Ireland. Amanda has a strong passion for supporting children with additional needs, an area of education she found deeply rewarding and inspiring. Amanda holds an Advanced Certificate in the Montessori Method of Education (Level 6) from University College Dublin and an Arts Degree from Winchester School of Art. She brings creativity to her teaching and personal life and is also a published children’s author. Her 2024 book, Desse’s Big Day, is a heartfelt story about a shy and unique dragon navigating the challenges of starting school.
Carol Rentzos C&G DIP LEVEL 3
Carol joined LSMS in 2025, bringing over 22 years of experience working with children to her role. Before joining the team, she worked in a private school in Hampstead and a nursery school in the vibrant Notting Hill area, where she honed her skills and deepened her passion for early childhood development. Alongside her professional qualifications, raising her three children has further shaped her dedication to supporting young learners. Outside of work, Carol enjoys connecting with nature by tending to her balcony garden, where she grows flowers and vegetables. A creative soul at heart, she loves incorporating artistic and hands-on activities into her teaching. In her free time, Carol cherishes moments with family and friends, especially when good food is involved!
FATIMAZAHRA AMALLAY LEVEL 3 DIP EARLY YEARS EDUCATION
Fatimazahra joined LSMS in January 2025, embarking on an exciting new chapter in her teaching career after completing her Level 3 Diploma as an Early Years Practitioner. A proud Notting Hill local, she is a native Arabic speaker, fluent in English and conversational in French. Fatimazahra is deeply passionate about the transformative impact of early years education on children’s development and academic outcomes. Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, discovering new cuisines, and dancing, as well as volunteering in her local community.
NICOLE MATTHES MONTESSORI DIPLOMA L5 (MACTE), INTERIOR DESIGN DIP L6, TEFL
Nicole joined LSMS in September 2025. Originally from South Africa with European heritage, she began her teaching career in 2017 after completing her TEFL qualification, teaching English in Italy and Spain to children, teenagers, and adults. She later taught at a traditional nursery school for three and a half years before moving into Montessori education. Nicole enjoys being creative and making arts and crafts with children. She is passionate about the Montessori approach, particularly its focus on fostering independence and encouraging children to engage with their environment through sensorial experiences. Outside of work, Nicole is a foodie who enjoys cooking and eating out with family and friends. She also loves travelling, meeting people from different cultures, and pursuing her interests in music, photography, gardening, and gentle walks in nature.
SUSAN JENKINS CLASSROOM ASSISTANT
Suzie joined LSMS in April 2025 in search of a new adventure. She previously worked in a Montessori nursery, where she developed her skills and discovered a passion for supporting children in their early years of growth and development. Suzie has also spent many years working in customer service and sales, including 20 years on a stall at Portobello Market, and five years in the elderly care and support sector. A lifelong local of Notting Hill, Suzie grew up and continues to live in the area. Her bubbly, caring, and positive personality shines through in both her work and personal life. In her free time, Suzie enjoys reading, swimming, gardening, visiting garden centres, and most of all spending time with friends and family.
LISA JENKINS LUNCH SUPERVISOR
Lisa is a ‘born and bred’ local, she grew up on Portobello Road where her father still lives. Their family have strong connections with the market where Lisa’s husband has held a stall for many years. Lisa worked at Norland Place for 10 years before helping her husband with his business. Lisa is a very good cook and likes to be creative with her 3 grand daughters who she often visits in Henley.
