Our Staff

Sharon Maher

Head

About me…

I started my working life in London for organisations developing broking, underwriting and actuarial software, I gained my MBA at City University in 2002.  After 15 years in the corporate world I decided to retrain and become a teacher.  After gaining QTS I taught in a number of independent schools in Surrey and London.  I have had a number of roles in school; KS1 and KS2 teacher, Assistant Head, Safeguarding Lead, Deputy Head and Head.  I have enjoyed every moment of my second career.

What are you most looking forward to about joining The Study as Head?
Becoming part of a wonderful community, that is incredibly kind and supportive.  I am looking forward to getting to know the children, parents and staff.

Tell us something that we might not know about you
I am a qualified swimming teacher and qualified to drive the minibus. Although I am not sure how much time I will have to do either of these things at The Study!

What’s the most surprising or adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
I love to travel with my family, when my children were quite young we backpacked from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam – this felt quite adventurous at the time.

What was your favourite toy or game as a child?
I had an orange desk with a blackboard in my bedroom. One of my favourite games was playing ‘teachers’ and my poor sister and next door neighbour had to be pupils in my classroom. I think this is where my lifelong dream of becoming a teacher came from.

Chris Baalham

Deputy Head - Spencer House

About me…

Having started my career in a village primary school set in the heart of Constable Country, I have enjoyed teaching in a variety of settings, all with a focus upon educating in a nurturing environment. Before joining The Study in 2017, I held the position of Assistant Head at a leafy prep school in North Essex. In my current role as Assistant Head of Spencer House, I enjoy helping our pupils to discover their strengths and interests, and to feel confident that they are valuable individuals.

Tell us about a moment that stands out for you from your time at The Study

When Year 6 held a mock election. I loved seeing the girls so motivated and confident in forming their manifestos and delivering their speeches to Spencer House.

What was your favourite toy or game as a child?

I was a great fan of Lego. My brother and I had a whole town in the playroom, with frequent demolition and construction projects.

Sarah Lee

Deputy Head - Wilberforce House

About me …

After gaining my PGCE in 1998 I taught in the state education sector for a few years before joining The Study team as a class teacher in 1992. I am now thrilled to be responsible for Wilberforce House as Assistant Head and a Year 1 class teacher.

Tell us about a moment that stands out for you from your time at The Study

Where can I start?! There are so many moments, from school birthday parties and being involved in the planning of the new building to helping with whole school productions.

Tell us something that we might not know about you

I love walking, travelling and being with my family. During COVID-19 lockdowns I started to walk the Thames Path and continue to do so in my free time.

What was your favourite toy or game as a child?

My stethoscope – I wanted to be a doctor!

Tracy Beard

Bursar and Clerk to the Governors

My first career was in banking and, after a maternity career break, I then moved into education. I started as a School Business Manager in the state sector, with the latter 8 years spent in the independent sector, followed by a short detour working for AGBIS, the Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools. I was very fortunate to join The Study Prep in May 2024 and am back working as a Bursar/Clerk – my natural habitat!

What are you most looking forward to at The Study?

Being back in a school environment and making a difference.

Tell us something that we might not know about you

I have run the Surrey Half Marathon twice in the last 5 years – it may not have been fast but I raised a lot of money for my chosen charities.

What is the most surprising thing you have ever done?

Despite a fear of heights, in 2023 I road the fastest zip line in the world in Wales. Exhilarating and terrifying in equal quantities, and yes I would do it again!

What was your favourite toy or game as a child?

One of my favourite toys was an Orinoco Womble; rather apt now I am here working near Wimbledon Common.

Vicky Moreno

Deputy Head Academic

About me…

I started my teaching career in state primary schools within inner London and loved it from day one! I had the good fortune to gain a wealth of experience in a number of different positions, notably Head of Mathematics, Head of History and as an Assistant Head. I began teaching at The Study in 2017 and have enjoyed every step of the journey.

Tell us about a moment that stands out for you from your time at The Study

Taking the girls on an end of year trip to ‘Clip and Climb’ and watching them overcome their fears, by taking part in daredevil activities such as the ‘Leap of Faith’. It was such an eye-opener.

What was your favourite toy or game as a child?

As a child my favourite ‘toy’ was actually my pet dog! We had a gorgeous, cheeky rescue Jack Russell Terrier called Cracker and I adored him. I remember spending many weekends running around the garden playing ‘fetch’ and teaching him tricks.

Amelia Ravalde

Reception Teacher and Head of EYFS

About me …

I worked as a teaching assistant in the girls’ school of Garden House in Chelsea for 2.5 years, before training as a teacher. Since my training I have worked as an Early Years teacher at St Mary’s in Putney where I have been for the past 7 years.

Tell us something we don’t know about you

I am left handed.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

I love travelling, so I’ve been lucky to have a few adventurous moments! Snorkelling in the sea with sharks in Oman (only basking sharks thankfully!) was quite exciting!

What was your favourite thing to do as a child?

I spent a lot of time with my nose in a book, but probably my favourite thing was going to the Natural History Museum. I loved (and still love) dinosaurs, and used to know all their names! My favourite dinosaur? A parasaurolophus!

Natalie Tehrani

Assistant Head Academic

About me…

I studied English with Creative Writing at university then went on to work as a PA at a HR company. I decided I wanted to teach, so I worked as a TA to gain experience then did a PGCE at St Mary’s University in Twickenham. My first role was at St George’s Junior School and, after four years, I moved to The Study where I have been a Year 2 Teacher for three years.

Tell us about a moment that stands out for you from your time at The Study

I loved celebrating the school’s last birthday. The girls had an amazing day with a fun fair, ice cream van and bubble disco. There was a great atmosphere – the day really captured the essence of the school for me.

Tell us something that we might not know about you

I have an exotic shorthair kitten called Albie who keeps me very busy! He is a house cat, but he likes to go for walks in the garden on his lead! When I’m cooking he enjoys watching bird videos on my phone (to stop him from jumping up onto the stove)!

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

I travelled around Thailand, Cambodia and Australia after I left university and had many fun adventures trying to surf, taking a Thai cooking class and visiting elephants.

What was your favourite toy or game as a child?

I loved my Fisher Price kitchen!

Melissa Peachey

Head of Learning Enrichment, SENCO and Mental Health Lead

I started my teaching career in 2005 at a mainstream school in Lambeth, before teaching internationally in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and then at London Prep schools.  I was a class teacher for twelve years across Key Stages 1 and 2, and have been a Literacy Co-Ordinator and Head of Year.  My passion is helping all children to fully enjoy their school years.  After qualifying as a Specialist Teacher, I became a SENCO in 2018.  I greatly enjoy working across the school with children and their families and working closely with the staff.  Out of school, I am a SEND and Safeguarding governor at a local mainstream school.  Prior to teaching, I worked in advertising.

Tell us about a moment that stands out for you from your time at The Study
The Study is a uniquely welcoming community.  The pupils always smile and stop for a chat when they pass by and all the staff helped me to settle in, with the camaraderie in the staff rooms.

Tell us something that we might not know about you
I am always keen to try new things – with mixed success!  From Thai cooking to salsa dancing, I will give it a whirl.  It reminds me how our little learners feel when they bravely try new things in their school day.

What’s the most surprising or adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
As part of a round-the-world trip, I taught at a school in India for three months, and slept in my classroom!  I would wake up every morning to children chattering outside my door, pinning on garlands of flowers and their drawings of Mickey Mouse.

What was your favourite toy or game as a child?
I loved playing the game 40 / 40, tearing around outside with my friends and trying to sneak up to the base before we were spotted!