Meet Ms Jenny Ticehurst, our wonderful Deputy Head here at Grimsdell. At the end of this academic year, we will be saying a fond farewell as she prepares for an exciting new chapter.

While we’ll deeply miss her presence at Grimsdell, we’re delighted that she’ll remain within the Mill Hill Education Group family. Ms Ticehurst, along with a few other members of staff including Mrs Simon, will be relocating to Thailand to help launch Mill Hill International, Thailand, opening in September 2025.

Ms Ticehurst will take on the role of Deputy Head, working alongside Mrs Simon, who will be Head of the new school.

We spoke to Ms Ticehurst to learn more about her and her role.

How long have you worked at the school?

This is my 7th year. I joined in 2018 having moved from Singapore. I was blown away by the setting and grounds and felt it was a great fit when returning to the UK.

What does your role involve?

I do a little bit of everything but if you ask the children my main responsibility is to keep everyone safe and well. I am responsible for Safeguarding, Pastoral Care, Behaviour Management, Health and Safety and anything else Mrs Simon needs me to do!

What has been the most rewarding moment of your teaching career?

I taught Reception for a very long time and by far the most rewarding moment is when the children in your class have that ‘penny drop’ moment and suddenly realise they can read. That is a joy that is unsurpassed. I also really liked being at the award ceremony when we were awarded Pre-Prep of the Year. Bringing the trophy back to the team and children was magical. A truly proud moment recognising all our hard work.

What invaluable advice would you give our pupils to help them make the most of their time here? 

Embrace every opportunity and be kind.

If you could go back in time and give advice to your first-year teacher self, what would you say?

Relationships are the key, build strong relationships with the children, staff and parents as trust builds a safe learning environment.

What inspired you to become a teacher, and has that inspiration evolved over time?

This is an easy and personal question to answer.

My Year 6 teacher was called Mr Price. He was my inspiration. There is an educationalist from Liverpool called Sir John Jones known for inspiring teachers to become "Magic Weavers", those who go beyond teaching to truly transform young lives. He celebrates educators who connect, care, and create moments of magic that leave lasting impressions on students. He reminds us that the most powerful tool in the classroom isn't technology or testing, it's the teacher who believes in their pupils. Mr Price was kind and listened and got to know each one of us in the class. He read ‘Danny Champion of the World’ to us, a chapter a day and I was captured by it and his storytelling. He was my Magic Weaver and I remember thinking that I wanted to be like that one day. When I graduated from university as a Teacher, my mum bought me a copy of the book and wrote a message saying ’you can read this to your own class now’.

Years later, I contacted Mr Price (after listening to a talk by Sir John Jones) and told him he was my Magic Weaver.

You never forget how people make you feel.

Did you participate in any extracurricular activities or clubs in school?

I was in the School Choir, and I loved it.

I was very honoured to be part of a whole Liverpool School Choir, we sang for the Pope (John Paul II) at the Anglican Cathedral when he came to Liverpool in 1982.

Can you share something about yourself that we might not know? 

When I lived in Singapore, I was really lucky to travel lots. I am a qualified diver and have been to Everest Base Camp (the Tibetan side)!