We have recently welcomed a number of new staff members to the Edge Grove community. You will have already met some of them but over the next few weeks we will introduce them to you here, starting with our Senior Deputy Head, Head of Music and one of our new specialist teachers.
What is your name? Miss Jo Leighton What is your role at Edge Grove? Senior Deputy Head What was your previous role before joining Edge Grove? For the last five years I have been the Deputy Head and DSL at Milbourne Lodge, a 13+ Prep School in South West London. I ran the Future Schools process ensuring that all pupils were successfully prepared to take their entrance exams to leading selective independent schools. I led on EdTech and even enjoyed the experience of teaching online during the periods of remote learning during COVID! In previous schools I have also held roles of Assistant Head and Head of Maths and have always supported the Parent Associations. I have a strong background in Prep Schools, having lived in one as a child where my Dad was Headmaster and Mum a teacher. Going into teaching was a natural progression after a degree in Maths and Geography at Keele University.
What are your hobbies and interests? What do you like to do in your spare time? Outside of school I like walking, cooking & baking and doing puzzles. I enjoy reading children's books and have recently finished the excellent Twitch by M.G. Leonard. For younger readers my favourite series is the Pugicorn set of books, and not just because one of my friends illustrated them! What are you most excited about starting at Edge Grove? I am very much looking forward to getting to know the whole school community at Edge Grove.
What is your name? Mrs Damini Modha
What is your role at Edge Grove? KS2 Maths and English Teacher as well as Year 6 form tutor
What was your previous role before joining Edge Grove? I have been working in schools for eight years and teaching for five. I have worked with almost every age group but more recently the Upper Key Stage 2 years. Previously, I was a Primary School teacher who taught all subjects (including coding!) with a particular passion for English, Maths and Languages.
What are your hobbies and interests? What do you like to do in your spare time? I enjoy the creative arts - singing and dancing. I have an aptitude for learning languages, currently I can speak four, understand five and I am trying to learn a 6th! I love watching and supporting cricket - all formats - and look forward to the cricket opportunities that children have here. I enjoy reading a good book in my spare time and absolutely love cooking and feeding people!
What are you most excited about starting at Edge Grove? Being part of the wonderful community vibe that Edge Grove has among staff, parents and children. Participating in all the opportunities that children have both academic and extracurricular. Getting to know my form group so that I can ensure their best progress and potential.
What is your name? Mr Karl Leutfeld What is your role at Edge Grove? Head of Music What was your previous role before joining Edge Grove? I was the Head of Prep Music at Wellingborough School.
What are your hobbies and interests? What do you like to do in your spare time? I'm a jazz pianist at heart, I also adore Mahler, I travel to Greece regularly, art galleries, fine coffee and I am having my first flying lesson soon! What are you most excited about starting at Edge Grove? I am looking forward to hearing our musicians and ensembles perform in public to a real, live audience.