Welcome to From Classroom to Community: A Spotlight On…, our new weekly series celebrating the people who make Beachborough Prep the nurturing and joyful place it is.
Each week, we’ll shine a light on a different member of our staff, offering a glimpse into the person behind the role – their interests, inspirations, and the little things that make them uniquely “them”. Through these short interviews, we hope you’ll get to know our team not just as exceptional professionals, but as real people with stories and experiences to share, and talents to uncover that enrich our whole community.
And with that, let’s open the series with our first spotlight Beachborough’s Head Simone Mitchell, who joined the school in September 2023.
Simone, tell us a little bit about yourself – what you’re passionate about, your background, and what makes you, you.
I am passionate about the journey children take as they grow, learn and prepare themselves for life beyond school. For me, education is about far more than academic success; it is about developing confident, curious and compassionate young people who are ready to engage meaningfully with the world around them. I care deeply about ensuring that children are not only well taught, but also well supported and encouraged to think critically, communicate effectively, and develop the character and resilience they will need beyond school.
My background is firmly rooted in education, but it has also been shaped by experiences beyond the classroom. I qualified as an English teacher in 1996 after studying at Exeter University and later completed a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Buckingham. Before entering teaching, I lived in Japan, an experience that broadened my outlook and fostered a lifelong interest in other cultures (along with a wish that I had continued practising my Japanese!). These experiences have strongly influenced my approach to leadership and my belief in the importance of a broad, outward-looking education.
What makes me, me is a genuine love of learning, people and community. I enjoy baking (often for those around me) and spending time with my family, including my much-loved Norfolk Terrier, Bertie. I value honesty, warmth, kindness and humour, and I believe schools thrive when they are purposeful and ambitious, but above all caring. I feel privileged to work with children every day and to play a small part in shaping the people they will become.
I am also a secret Elvis Presley fan and hope one day to make a trip to Graceland!
What do you love the most about being part of the Beachborough Prep team?
At the heart of what I love about Beachborough is the way the children are placed firmly at the centre of everything we do. The staff team is deeply invested in helping each child flourish, both academically and personally, and there is a real sense of joy in celebrating their successes, big and small. It is a privilege to work alongside colleagues who care so passionately about the whole child.
What inspired you to do what you do and what keeps you passionate about it today?
I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher. I loved school and found my teachers inspirational. I have always wanted to help young people discover their confidence and their voice, and when I realised I could combine this with my love of English (language, literature and the power of words) it felt like the perfect fit.
What keeps me passionate today is seeing the difference education can make, often in quiet but deeply meaningful ways. Watching children grow in confidence, develop resilience, and begin to understand who they are and what they are capable of never loses its impact. I am continually inspired by the curiosity of children and by working alongside colleagues who share a commitment to educating the whole child.
Leading Beachborough Prep allows me to shape an environment where learning is purposeful, caring and ambitious and that remains both a privilege and a constant source of motivation.
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A huge thank you to Simone for sharing her story; we hope you have enjoyed getting to know her a little better.
Join us again next week as we shine the spotlight on another colleague from across Beachborough Prep.
