Meet the Team

Ellern Mede Orange Tree’s highly qualified staff team provide SEN teaching and support of the highest standard, at a pace and level to suit students who are struggling with mainstream school, for whatever reason. All of our staff have a wealth of experience and continually develop their individual and collective professional skills to ensure that they stay at the forefront of their educational and pastoral practice.

Zoe Ramshaw

Head of school

Helen Carmel

School Business Manager

Loukia Peara

Teacher of Science

Suzanne Green

Teacher of Art

Suzanne has taught Art and Design for the last 12 years to all key stages in London secondary, non-selective multi-ethnic, comprehensive schools. However, during the last 3 years she has been teaching Art and Design within the Hospital School sector teaching pupils with a wide range of special needs and behavioural challenges. Suzanne believes in inspiring pupils’ confidence, curiosity and commitment allowing them to learn how to think both creatively and critically and to express themselves fully. After completing her Art degree, Suzanne worked within the creative industry for seven years as a graphic designer. She uses her previous work experience to ensure that pupils identify and relate to the professional world. Suzanne returned back to studying and completed an MA in Graphic Media Design at London College of Communication advancing her professional and teaching practice in areas of research, critical analysis and making.

Maria Tuton

Teacher of Maths

Maria has a Bachelor of Education honours degree with mathematics as her specialist subject and has been teaching mathematics for over 30 years in mainstream secondary comprehensive schools in Barnet. Her teaching experience covers all abilities and ages across Key stages 3, 4 and 5. Maria was the head of the mathematics faculty for 12 years and assistant headteacher for 15 years during which time she enjoyed contributing to important decision making which considered the educational and pastoral needs of students.

For the last 2 years Maria has enjoyed teaching maths in an alternative school setting which has given her an invaluable insight to how young people’s emotional and mental health needs affect learning and progress.

Maria believes in lifelong learning and is committed to making the learning of mathematics accessible and enjoyable for all.

Benjamin Kastin

Teacher of English

Benjamin graduated in Film and Media studies in 2007, and worked a number of jobs in the film and video game industries of London and Berlin, before embarking on a career in teaching, receiving a PGCE in English language and literature, from Brunel university. He has worked as a teacher in international schools in Vienna, Ha Noi, and more recently Tbilisi in Georgia, but has now put that wanderlust to bed, returning to the only city that ever truly felt like a home, London.

Anders Grys

Teacher of Music and Humanities

Anders Grys teaches Music and Humanities and draws on a varied teaching experience from both local and international schools. Having worked as Head of Music, ESL Teacher and Lecturer of Politics, he has taught students of all ages and levels and works with a student-centred focus putting the needs of his students first using a growth-mindset approach. Anders qualified as music teacher at the Institute of Education, London and has a MA in Modern History and East European studies from University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Anders loves incorporating interactive games and activities into lessons, and often the combination of music, geography and history offer great opportunities to work on cross-curricular projects such as protest songs, music representing cultural, ethnic and religious varieties and historical uses of music in promoting nation-building.

Anders teaches lessons on piano, guitar, ukulele, singing, music theory and technology. In addition, he teaches KS3 Geography, History and Music as well as preparing students GCSEs and A-levels in these subjects.

In recent years, he has been working with young people with social, emotional and mental health difficulties with a special focus on autism and anorexia.

Margarita Kapsosideris

Teacher of French and Spanish

Margarita Kapsosideris has been teaching languages for over 25 years. She has a BA (Hons) in French and Spanish and lived in Paris and Madrid during her studies. She also has a PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages from the Institute of Education, London. She has taught Spanish at local primary and secondary schools, specialising in exam classes at various levels such as GCSE, AS and A level. She has always had a special interest in Special Educational Needs (SEN) and is passionate about teaching Spanish.

Imelda Meehan

Teacher of History and RS

Imelda is a teacher of History and Religious Studies with 18 years experience teaching in both comprehensive and grammar schools. Prior to this she worked as a researcher of public records specialising in family history. Imelda believes that innovative and thoughtful lesson planning is the key to instilling a love of learning and is delighted be joining the team at Ellern Mede School.

Jade Burdett

School Receptionist

Jade Burdett is the receptionist at Orange Tree School. Before joining the Orange Tree she was a professional dancer for many years as well as working in childcare for the past 10 years. Outside of school, Jade has two grown up sons. She is really looking forward to her new role at the school and excited to be a part of the growth and development.

Marianne Marino
School Counsellor

Marianne Marino is the School Counsellor at The Orange Tree School. She is currently working towards completing a doctorate programme in counselling psychology and psychotherapy. She has extensive experience of working with children and young people within a therapeutic capacity. As a School Counsellor, her role includes helping students to navigate problems more easily, and with increased confidence. She provides individual and small group counselling that is based on students’ needs, to help them understand and overcome any emotional, social, and/or behavioural difficulties they may be experiencing.