Hello Mrs Meares, tell us a little about yourself

I teach across the Pre-Prep department and I have a degree in Education from Bath University. I taught Food and Nutrition up to A-level for the first five years of my career. I then took a career break to bring up my three children. During this period we lived in Holland for a number of years.

On returning to teaching, I re-trained as a primary school teacher. I have taught various age groups in a number of schools in the state and private sector. I am in my fifth year at Sompting Abbotts and very much enjoy teaching the Reception Class.

What inspires your teaching methods?

I believe that every child is special and every child is unique. I like to think that I'm giving the children in my care the best experiences possible as they begin their journey through school. A happy child is a learning child is my belief.

I take particular pleasure in sharing my passion for the outdoor environment at Sompting Abbotts. The children and I go pond-dipping, searching for mini beasts, building dens and collecting conkers to name just a few activities. The autumn is my favourite time as we go blackberry picking, then collect apples from the orchard to make our own blackberry and apple crumble. Sompting Abbotts Prep School has such wonderful and extensive grounds for the children to explore and for the teaching staff to use as an exciting learning resource. It means our children can learn to take risks and solve problems in a beautiful and safe setting. 

Tell us something we don’t know about you?  

I really enjoy kayaking. I do safety cover for several of the local triathlons in the summer months. I kayak down rivers and on the sea. A favourite annual trip is kayaking off the coast of the Isle of Man with the seals, identifying all the sea birds nesting on the cliffs. This year I was also on the Bayous of Houston with the alligators!