Our Staff

Lillian Zwarts

Headteacher

I am an Early Years expert with twenty years teaching experience. I am passionate about making a difference in children’s lives and take great delight when a child learns a new skill or overcomes a difficulty and succeeds. I have extensive experience of leadership and working with families to support their children. I feel very fortunate that I became a teacher and that I found a job that I am passionate about.

In 2018 my son George was born. He will be three in January and he is full of boundless energy and fun. I love to dance, ride my bicycle and enjoy walking. I am an avid reader and I am passionate about books and plays. I am also a keen singer and I really enjoy singing in choirs. I am a Christian and my faith is central to who I am. Throughout the years I have gained strength and been guided by my faith.

Julie Fitzsimmons

Deputy Head

I’m joining the team at The Ark just as my son leaves to start at the local Infant School. As a parent I’ve seen him flourish at The Ark thanks to the wonderful teachers who helped him settle . After a nervous start he went on to make many good friends. I have a Level 3 NNEB Cache Diploma and over 20 years experience in Childcare, first as a Nanny and latterly in Nursery settings. I have lived in Liphook since getting married over 10 years ago and also have 2 girls who attend the local schools. We all love the community feel of the village. In my spare time I like yoga and baking and spending as much time outdoors as possible, be it camping, running or walking. I am really excited to be joining The Ark team as Deputy Head and look forward to helping lots more little ones flourish.

Ruth Grove

SENCo

I trained as a teacher at Canterbury Christ Church university, and have taught in two local primary schools over the last fifteen years. I have also been senior manager in these schools for the past eight years, providing leadership and support to my team. My husband and I have lived in Liphook for twelve years and our two boys attend Liphook Infant School. As a family, we go to Three Counties church in Hammer, where I am part of the Totzone team which serves children aged 0-4 years. We also love spending time together swimming, baking and playing in the great outdoors! It’s such a privilege to work at ‘The Ark’ and see the littlest people of Liphook grow and develop. I have an amazing team of staff and wonderful families who I get to work alongside every day in a unique partnership.

Cleone Inglis-Jones

Nursery Assistant

Having been headteacher of a London pre-school in my twenties, it was a real joy to be given the opportunity to re-engage with preschool work again here at The Ark. I am loving being part of a close-knit group of teachers, headed by the amazing team of Ruth Grove and Alison Jackson, as well as teaching the gorgeous children who come into the Ark every morning. My training is Montessori. However, I am able to use the skills I learnt there with current teaching methods to give the children the best start possible before they go onto Reception at their chosen schools. I am enjoying further training with Hampshire County Council on the promotion of positive behaviour.

I most love spending time with my three children, husband and two dogs. Together we love walking, gardening and theatre.

Julia Mason

Nursery Assistant

I have worked at ‘The Ark’ since it opened in September 2017. I previously worked at another nursery for 4 years, where I qualified for my NVQ level 3 in Childcare. I have recently attended a course in Early Talk Boost which is great to put into action with children at The Ark. Having lived in the village all my life, my teenage sons attend our local school. My husband and I enjoy a busy family life, eating out and walks in the local countryside.

It is a privilege to be part of the team at ‘The Ark’, and to watch the children develop towards their next steps!

Emma Bray

Nursery Assistant

I am a local mum of 3 children (2 boys and 1 girl) and we have lived in Liphook since 2013. We really love living in the village… all except the rush hour traffic! I love to bake and decorate cakes and spend time with family and friends. Any time I can get stuck into a book is a real bonus!

I have worked within the care industry in some capacity for the last 15 years , mainly with folks with learning or physical disabilities, supporting them at home or in the community to live as independently as possible. I absolutely believe in the person centred approach. With the best support, anyone can flourish and achieve their potential. Although this is my first position in a nursery , I think the same principle applies. I have recently completed training in Early Talk Boost and it has been so rewarding seeing it in action and working with the children.

I am so proud to be part of ‘The Ark’ team and love watching the children grow in confidence and have so much fun while learning. I am very excited to meet the other children who will walk through our doors in the future!

Jo Evans

Nursery Assistant

I have lived in Liphook all my life attending Liphook play school, infants, juniors and Bohunt! I then trained as a Nursery Nurse ( NNEB) and have worked for Hampshire and Surrey County Council for over twenty five years. For the past twelve years l have worked at Liphook infants, predominantly in Reception years, and I was the ELSA (emotional literacy support assistant) so l hope to bring a listening compassionate ear to both the little ones and their parents if ever needed. It’s a beautiful rich, happy environment here at The Ark and l am looking forward to being part of such a wonderful nursery. In my free time l enjoy spending time with my lovely grown up son and daughter. My husband and best of all my miniature Schnauzer Dudley, who like the little ones at The Ark, lives his best life every day!!!!

Leanne Miller

Nursery Assistant

As a mum of four young children, three of whom have attended the Ark, and the holder of level 3 diploma in early years development, I’m passionate about seeing children develop in a loving environment and equally passionate about making sure they have fun whilst doing so!

My husband was one of the Ark’s founding trustees and in my other line of work, as a bookkeeper, I get to assist with the administration of the playschool. So it is certainly fair to say that this amazing place is close to my heart.

We live in the local area and are part of the Church Centre congregation. My family have lived in Liphook and the surrounding villages for generations, so I’m absolutely invested in the local community and enormously proud of the community asset the church has seeded here in the Ark.

Our Story

The Ark Pre School is an exciting community development for Liphook Village. The project has grown out of a desire for the local church to serve the community in a practical, meaningful way, and also a vision to create much needed pre-school places. The various building developments in the area have considerably expanded the demand for nursery places; the increased demand led the Council to approach the Church asking that we consider using the facilities in this way and, happily, this coincided with members considering launching such a venture.

Bramshott and Liphook Church have worked hard to create the facility for the new nursery school which opened in September 2017. The pre-existing building was extensively modernised and altered to specifically cater for the needs of the nursery.

The school is overseen by a group of Trustees drawn from the church; they have the combined expertise in good governance, education and financial planning to ensure the project will be a great success. The PCC (the Church Council) was generous in its practical and financial provision for The Ark to become a reality.