To apply for our current vacancy for the role of Individual needs/Teaching Assistant, please download and email the application form below along with a cover letter and CV to rachaelammari@hovemicro-school.com
Our Team
Rachael Ammari
BA (Hons), PGCE, MA
Founder and Headteacher
Welcome to Hove Micro-School!
As the founder and headteacher, I am proud to lead an educational environment that prioritises personalised learning and strong relationships. With a background in both private and state schools in the UK and the US, and holding a PGCE and Master’s in Education from the University of Sussex, my approach to education is informed by years of experience and research. My Master’s work was focused on attachment theory and the importance of relationships in education, which is central to the ethos of our school.
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At Hove Micro-School, we believe that a child’s sense of security and connection is key to unlocking their full potential. Our small class sizes, with a maximum of eight pupils, ensure that each child receives individual attention in a nurturing environment. This allows us to develop a bespoke curriculum that adapts to the unique needs and interests of the children, while maintaining the essential social interaction of a peer group. We work closely with parents, ensuring that their input is valued and integrated into their child’s educational experience.
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Hove Micro-School offers a premier, personalised education where every child is seen, supported, and encouraged to thrive. I am excited to share this journey with you and to provide a learning experience that truly focuses on the whole child.
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Welcome to our community!
Jessica Kelly
BA (Hons), PGCE, Post Graduate Diploma
Individual Needs Assistant and Supply Teacher
Jess has over 10 years of experience in Primary Education, having worked in a multitude of schools, including the Dharma School. She has served as a class teacher in Key Stage 1, a supply teacher across all age groups, and an individual needs assistant in both KS1 and KS2. Prior to her teacher training, she supported looked-after children as a sessional worker.
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Jess has completed her British Sign Language Level 1 and has many years of Makaton training. She regularly uses sign language to support the class with their learning. Through her experience in various schools, she has discovered what works best for children in terms of both their learning and their interactions with peers.
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She is passionate about the growth mindset approach, building on children's resilience from a young age. Jess loves having fun with the class and believes that children learn best in a calm and relaxed atmosphere. She incorporates yoga and mindfulness into her teaching, giving each child the chance to grow fully. She believes that the Micro School's small class sizes and homely feel are perfect for supporting this approach.
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Aimee Butcher
BMus (Hons)
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Head of Pastoral Care and Club Leader
As the Head of Pastoral Care at Hove Micro-School, Aimee brings a wealth of knowledge, creativity, and dedication to supporting the well-being and development of our students. With a specialised course in Child Mental Health under her belt, Aimee is equipped to provide the extra support children need during teaching time and through tailored interventions based on individual needs.
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Aimee's role encompasses overseeing the variety of school clubs, ensuring they provide enriching experiences that foster students' growth and interests. Her background in the performing arts not only makes her confident and communicative but also enables her to strike the perfect balance between being fun and entertaining when the time calls for it, and mature and professional when necessary.
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Aimee’s commitment to inspiring, nurturing, and helping students achieve their goals is evident in everything she does. Her positive attitude and creative spirit make her an invaluable part of the Hove Micro-School community.
Tahlia Ansbro
BA (Hons), PGCE, Primary Education
Individual Needs Assistant and Supply Teacher
Tahlia works as both an Individual Needs Assistant and a supply teacher. With a PGCE from Brighton University and a BA in Performance & Visual Arts, Tahlia brings a creative and empathetic approach to supporting students with diverse needs. Her extensive experience across Early Years, primary education, and Special Educational Needs (SEN) allows her to offer tailored support, ensuring each child feels valued and able to thrive in their learning environment.
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Tahlia is particularly passionate about play-based learning and sensory play, believing these are key to successful cognitive development. She is skilled in creating engaging, child-initiated activities that cater to different learning styles, whether auditory, tactile, or visual. Her ability to adapt lessons on the spot ensures that every child, regardless of ability, can make progress and enjoy their learning journey.
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In addition to her classroom experience, Tahlia has worked as an Ofsted-registered childminder and in Montessori settings, caring for children from 6 months to 11 years. Her expertise in supporting children with autism and SEN has been integral to her role at Hove Micro-School, where she consistently demonstrates inclusive practices and differentiated learning activities.
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Tahlia’s commitment to promoting equality, inclusion, and safeguarding is evident in her approach, making her an invaluable part of the Hove Micro-School team.
Amy Fowler
BA( Joint Hons), PGCE, MA in Education (SEN)
SENCO
Amy Fowler is our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) at Hove Micro-School and leads our provision for pupils with additional needs. She is currently undertaking the National Professional Qualification for SENCOs (NPQ SENCO) with University College London (UCL), building on her extensive experience and academic background in inclusive education.
Amy holds a BA in English and Film & Theatre from the University of Reading, a PGCE in Primary Education from Newman University College, and an MA in Education with a focus on Special Educational Needs from the University of Chichester. This strong foundation underpins her comprehensive understanding of neurodiversity and commitment to supporting pupils with a wide range of learning profiles.
With over a decade of experience in education, Amy has worked across various settings and worked closely with children with SEN. She also has extensive experience as a tutor, supporting children from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 4 with academic progress, confidence building, and exam preparation.
Amy’s broader contributions to education include work with Pearson Education and NFER in educational testing, and voluntary tutoring for underprivileged children. She brings warmth, insight, and a nurturing approach to her role, helping to ensure every child at Hove Micro-School feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Natalie Talisman
BA (Hons), PGCE
KS1 Teacher
Natalie brings nearly twenty years of diverse teaching experience, from leading swimming lessons to teaching across Reception and all primary year groups up to Year 6.
Her broad expertise is matched by a deep passion for child-led learning, as she believes that children learn best when they feel safe, seen, and celebrated.
As a mother of two neurodivergent primary-aged children, Natalie has a professional understanding of the importance of inclusive, flexible, and responsive education.
She is trained in both Makaton and a developmental trauma-informed approach to teaching, using these tools to create a supportive and accessible environment for all learners.
Books, play, singing, and laughter are at the heart of Natalie’s teaching philosophy.
A lifelong book lover, she weaves stories and joyful exploration into her classroom every day.Natalie is thrilled to be joining the Hove Micro School community and being a part of the nurturing ethos of Hove Micro School.
Sophie Griffiths-Milner
BA, QTS
KS3 Teacher
Sophie teaches English and Humanities to our KS3 class. Sophie is an experienced teacher and coordinator with over nine years of experience working in a specialist SEN school setting. She holds a BA in Museum and Heritage Studies and gained QTS in Secondary History through the SDS route.
Throughout her career, she has taught and coordinated Humanities, as well as delivering a range of subjects—including English, Maths, Art, and Current Affairs—to pupils with complex SEN and SEMH needs. Her teaching approach is flexible, trauma-informed, and rooted in strong relationships with learners, adapting Key Stage 2 and 3 content to meet pupils' individual learning levels and needs.
With a strong emphasis on emotional regulation, safeguarding, and bespoke curriculum design, she is committed to building trust, improving engagement, and helping previously disengaged students reconnect with their education.
Frank
Head of security and wellbeing
It's no secret who the favourite member of staff is at our school...
Emma Corbin-Mckenzie
BA (Hons), PGCE
KS2 teacher and DSL
Emma is a qualified PGCE primary school teacher with an early years QTS and a specialism in SEND. With over 10 years of experience in education, Emma has taught in schools, early years settings, and most recently in a home setting, offering private home education.
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As the KS2 Teacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead at our school, Emma's role is crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of our students. Her extensive training in safeguarding enables her to provide a secure learning environment where children can thrive.
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Emma is passionate about providing a stimulating and engaging learning experience for children. She firmly believes that children have an inquisitive thirst for knowledge and need the right environment and freedom to explore and quench that thirst. With a child-led and collaborative approach to learning, Emma emphasizes the importance of a flexible, play-based education that allows children to take control of their learning process.
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As a teacher, Emma is dedicated to guiding, facilitating, and supporting students. She advocates for a learning process that focuses on taking risks, developing critical thinking skills, and supporting emotional and social well-being, rather than a top-down approach with a heavy emphasis on testing.
In addition to her teaching role, Emma is a qualified youth yoga and children’s mindfulness tutor. She enjoys incorporating mindfulness practices into the daily routine, helping children learn to confidently express their feelings and manage tricky situations.
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At Hove Micro School, Emma ensures that children have fun and learn at a pace suitable for them. She collaborates closely with parents to provide a tailored educational experience, leveraging the benefits of small group sizes to offer focused, quality time with each student. By adapting the national curriculum, Emma meets the diverse needs of children, which are often overlooked in larger class sizes.
Emma’s dedication to inspiring, nurturing, and supporting students makes her an indispensable part of our school community.
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Shaun Jarvis
BA (Hons), PGCE, NPQSL
School Development Partner
Shaun is the founder of Jarvis Education and brings over 20 years of experience across the education landscape, including roles as a teacher, senior leader, Head of School, Ofsted Inspector, and consultant
Jarvis Education. He holds a BA (Hons), QTS, PGCE, NPQSL, and Cert TESOL—bringing a wealth of qualifications and insights to his partnership work.
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With deep expertise in safeguarding, SEND, alternative provision, and inclusion, Shaun works closely with schools and trusts to enhance educational practices and improve outcomes for all pupils.
His approach is rooted in integrity, collaboration, and a clear child-centred focus—principles that underpin both his consultancy and his long-term commitment to ensuring every child thrives.
As Hove Micro-School’s School Development Partner, Shaun is dedicated to fostering strong, supportive relationships within the school community and contributing to its continued growth and success.
Sophie Dean
BA(Hons), PGCE
KS3 Teacher
Sophie Dean brings a wealth of experience to Hove Micro-School. With a strong foundation in teaching, Sophie has held leadership roles, including Head of Science at the Brighton & Hove Pupil Referral Unit and Head of Physics at Christ’s School, Richmond. She has also mentored PGCE students at the University of Sussex and continues to provide private tutoring in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
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At Hove Micro-School, Sophie teaches Science, Careers and PSHE to the KS3 cohort, where her approach focuses on making learning accessible, engaging, and relevant to everyday life. In Science, she encourages curiosity and critical thinking, helping students to explore the world around them through hands-on experiments, investigations, and real-world applications. In PSHE, Sophie creates a supportive environment where students can openly discuss important topics such as mental health, relationships, and personal development, fostering a sense of confidence and emotional well-being.
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Sophie holds a PGCE in Science from the University of Sussex and a BA(Hons) in Philosophy and Economics from Cardiff University. Her wide-ranging expertise and passion for both education and business make her a key member of the Hove Micro-School team.
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Sophie also actively contributes to the community through her volunteer work, including roles as a data analyst for RISE and a pen pal for UK Prisoners Abroad.
Katie Jackson
BA (Hons), PGCE
KS3 teacher
Katherine (Katie) Jackson is the KS3 Maths teacher at Hove Micro-School, bringing over 20 years of teaching experience to her role. With a PGCE in Primary Education from St Mary’s College, University of Surrey, and further training as a Maths specialist at the University of Brighton, Katie is highly skilled at making complex mathematical concepts accessible to her students. She is passionate about fostering a deep understanding of maths and building confidence in learners as they transition through Key Stage 3.
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Katie has taught in a variety of settings, including international schools, and has held leadership roles such as Maths Leader and Year 4 Leader. She has also worked extensively in private tutoring, supporting children with maths from KS2 through to foundation GCSE level, and running small group sessions both online and in person.
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Her dedication to personalised learning, along with her extensive experience working with children across different age groups and abilities, makes Katie a valuable asset to the Hove Micro-School team. She is committed to helping students develop strong problem-solving skills and a positive attitude towards maths.