Meet our staff
Vicki Briody - Executive Headteacher
Vicki was born in the Welsh borders but moved to this side of the country to attend university. She joined the Abacus team in June 2013 to prepare for opening in September 2013.
Vicki was previously a Deputy Head of a large primary school in Islington and brings senior leadership experience from an Ofsted-rated outstanding school along with specialist expertise in teaching Early Years children. She even taught in mainland China for a year and continues to brush up on her Mandarin along with the children! She achieved her Bachelor of Education with Mathematics from the University of Hertfordshire in 2004 and has taught in London ever since.
Vicki is the Associate Director of Education across six Anthem schools and is working closely with the team in finding Abacus a permanent home.
Melissa Chandler - Head of School, Designated Safeguarding Lead
Melissa was born in Adelaide, Australia and graduated with a BA in Education in 2004 with a language specialism. She then lived and worked in Japan for two years, teaching English to children and adults. Melissa moved to London in 2007 and has taught across all ages of primary but mostly in EYFS and KS1.
Melissa joined Abacus in its second year and has quickly become a crucial part of the team. She has recently conducted research in to children's reading and has been exploring strategies that support children in developing their reading skills as well as their fluency in understanding a range of question types.
Melissa is excited and proud to take on the role of Head of School, working with the team to provide a fun, safe and exciting place for the children to learn and THRIVE!
Melissa has too many favourite books to mention but she especially loves 'The Boy at the Back of the Classroom' which year 4 read and 'The Girl of Ink and Stars' in 5/6! A fun fact about herself is that she climbed to the top of a volcano and saw the sunrise from the very top!
Melissa is the English and MFL lead at Abacus.
Miriyan Sikkens- Deputy Head Teacher
After finishing a Masters in theatre studies, Miriyan started her teaching career almost by accident by tutoring in the outback of the Northern Territory, Australia. She ended up loving it so much that she returned to London to complete her postgraduate so that she could get in front of the class. She's been doing that (mostly in Tower Hamlets) ever since. With a particular interest in literacy and engaging in collaborative learning, Miriyan was seconded to Ghana for 3 months in 2012 with VSO to advise the director of education in implementing active learning opportunities in early reading and primary English.
After a few years away from teaching to raise her own children, Miriyan returned to the classroom and spent 5 years co-leading a team to implement and research effective oracy strategies. Since achieving a 'Centre of Excellence' status from Voice21, she has hosted headteachers and school leaders both nationally and internationally in helping them to kick-start curriculum development in Oracy.
Miriyan first came to see Abacus in May 2023 and knew instantly that this was the next family that she wanted to be a part of. She thinks Abacus is bursting with talent in both the children and its incredibly dedicated staff. Her favourite children's book is Skellig by David Almond and a fun fact about her is that she was born in Amsterdam.
Miriyan leadson Geography and History and is excited to be supporting school on their Oracy journey!
Tom Owens - SEND co-ordinator
Tom was born in Banbury, near Oxford. He achieved a BSC in Sociology at the University of Bath and after graduating, Tom worked as a care worker looking after and supporting elderly patients. He then supported adults with special needs, offering them support in their homes.
Tom moved to London in 2012 and worked at Paddock Secondary School where he supported children with special educational needs. He then embarked on his PGCE at St Mary's University where he graduated as an outstanding teacher.
Tom enjoys keeping fit and regularly cycles to school! Tom was awarded the Teacher of the Year 2019 at the London Awards. We are very proud of him!
Tom is the SEND coordinator at Abacus and continues to support learning in Reception.
Madison Tangyuk- EYFS/ KS1 Lead, Reception Teacher
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Julia Hagen - Year 1 Teacher
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Claire Taylor - Year 2 Teacher
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Tom Elgar - Year 3 Teacher
Tom found hisway to teaching in 2019, following a colourful career in the film industry. He feels he was blessed to find Abacus and a team that invested in him and guided him through his early teaching career. After a year teaching in the desert in Dubai, he returned home to Abacus in 2022 and is very happy to be back, settled in and serving the community that he loves.
Tom's favourite thing about Abacus is our school community. London can be a transient place, but at Abacus, we care and he feels that care himself everyday. From the leadership, to the staff team to the children and parents. We are all invested in doing the best for our children and developing resilient, well-rounded young people who feel proud to be a part of our community.
Tom's favourite children's book is Lost Words by Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris. He describes himself as a film-obsessed, music-obsessed, climbing-obsessed, Watford fan.
Tom leads on Computing at Abacus.
Becky Sheppard - Year 4 Teacher
Becky was born in Hertfordshire and lived there until she was 19 years old. She then moved to Twickenham where she gained a BA Honours degree in Education with Social Sciences and English at St Mary's University. She previously worked in a school for autistic children for two years before joining the Abacus team in 2016, which she has loved ever since!
Becky is the art and DT lead and PPG champion at Abacus.
Holly Lovell - Assistant Head Teacher, KS2 Lead, Year 5/6 Teacher
Holly has been teaching for 10 years and joined us in 2021 as an experienced Maths Lead and Key Stage Two Lead. She has taught in various boroughs across London, including Hackney and Greenwich. She says that Abacus is her "forever school" is now our Assistant Headteacher.
She loves the opportunity to coach and develop our other amazing teachers, after successfully completing an NPQ qualification in Leading Teacher Development last year.
Her favourite children's book is Wind in the Willows and her hobbies include reading, cooking, attending live music and DJ-ing.
Holly leads on maths, PE and RE.
Jackie Bright - Attendance Officer
Jackie has lived in London all her life. She has been working in education for over 23 years, and has gained high-quality experiences. She has an NVQ Level 3 in child care and Education and a HLTA Level 4. She enjoys working with children and seeing them blossom through their journey of learning. She says she loves working at Abacus with the outstanding team!
Toni Gill - Reception Teaching AssistantToni
Toni joined the school in 2018 and is a highly qualified support teacher. She runs our morning breakfast club as well as after school provision.
Alaya Begum - Year 1 Teaching Assistant
Alaya joined Abacus in 2019 and is local to Camden where she went to school and shows her creative side during her art after school sessions. Alaya says her favourite thing about Abacus is the children and being part of the school community.
Nasima Ali - 1:1 Teaching Assistant
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Michelle Kiratzi - Office Manager
Michelle joins us with a wealth of experience having joined us in 2022.
Nadine Kanda - School Cleaner
Nadine is a much valued member of staff who keeps the school clean and safe!