The Best
Start in Life

I dedicated my academic journey to Education, having studied and taught in Bristol, where I pursued a BA in Primary Education ITE with QTS, specialising in the Early Years. Throughout my career, I’ve taught in a variety of schools, including challenging inner-city environments, where I always placed an emphasis on both academic and pastoral care. Notably, I took on the role of well-being lead at my previous school, underscoring the importance of nurturing students’ emotional and psychological development alongside their academics.

During the pandemic, in addition to my teaching responsibilities, I extended my reach by tutoring English to students in China, focusing on early reading skills. I find immense fulfillment in being an Early Years teacher at Headington because I cherish the opportunity to lay the foundation for young minds, nurturing their curiosity and helping them embark on their educational journey with a sense of wonder and excitement. Every day in Early Years is different and packed full of fun, excitement, and creativity!

Beyond the classroom, I have a passion for music, particularly jazz and soul, which I share with my father, a retired pianist. Outside of the school term, I love travelling, with some of my favourite destinations being Thailand, New York, and Iceland. Staying active is important to me, and I maintain my fitness through weight training, pilates, and spin classes. I have recently started playing Netball, which I am enjoying!

After Completing my Art Foundation Art Diploma at Howard Gardens Cardiff, I decided that what I actually wanted to do was teach. I moved from South Wales to Oxford and I completed my teaching degree at Oxford Brookes University.

I have taught from Nursery up to year 6, but I am most at home teaching in Early Years. My passion is teaching children to read, but I also love teaching outside, particularly in Forest School.

I live close to Headington Rye with my husband and daughter which means I am lucky enough to be able to walk or cycle to work.  I enjoy sewing, gardening and woodwork. I recently made a Windsor Chair on a chair making course.

From a young age I loved school and this stayed with me throughout my whole school career ultimately ending in achieving a BSc in Early Childhood Studies at Bristol University. Here I worked at and visited a broad range of educational settings and I knew teaching would be for me! Immediately afterwards I trained as a Montessori teacher at the International Centre in London before then going on to gain Qualified Teacher Status. At Headington I am very fortunate to be in the midst of the magical early years department. Here the foundations for life are set and it couldn’t be a more exciting place to work. The department is a constant buzz of activity indoors and outdoors. It is a real joy to work with my fantastic colleagues alongside the children and their families as they begin their exciting educational journey. Out of school I enjoy being active, growing flowers and spending time with friends and family.

My name is Katie Nulty and I am the Learning Assistant in Nursery. I have worked at Headington Prep School since 2006. Most of my time here has been spent within the Early Years department. I have a keen interest in my job as I love being part of a child’s learning and development and seeing their progression throughout the School. Outside of Nursery, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and going for long walks with my husband. 

I come from the outskirts of Zurich in Switzerland where I trained as a primary school teacher and worked across different age groups. Last year I moved with my husband to Oxford and joined the wonderful Early Years Team as a Learning Assistant, working closely with our youngest learners. 

My favourite part of the school week is the morning we spend in Forest School, where I love encouraging children to explore the world around them. It’s amazing and inspiring to see how much they can learn while having fun in nature. I’m also passionate about helping young children on their reading journey, supporting them as they discover the joy of books.

When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending time outdoors, cooking, and baking. I also have a passion for traveling and love to explore new places.