Talbot Heath is a leading independent through school in Dorset that offers girls aged 3-18 an outstanding education within a strong and supportive community.

Tracy Harris

Welcome to our extraordinary school

Our motto at Talbot Heath is ‘Honour before Honours’. It encapsulates the ethos of our school, an ethos that can be found in every aspect of the daily life at our school: discovering who you are, the importance of supporting others and striving to be the very best you can be. When you join Talbot Heath you become part of a unique empowering community where expectations are high and there are no limits to what our girls can achieve.

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Fond Farewell at the Harty Party

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Talbot Heath English Awards 2024

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Psychology Trip to Vienna

 Day 2 started bright and early to travel to Mauthausen, a town which…

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Part of the family

It is always good to put a face to a name, here are just a few key staff you may have contact with at Talbot Heath.

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Tracy Harris
Tracy Harris

Head
Tracy Harris

Tracy Harris joins Talbot Heath with a strong background in the leadership of high performing girls’ grammar schools. She has previously held posts as Head of Parkstone Grammar School and Senior Deputy Head of South Wilts Grammar School.

Tracy was raised and educated in the south west, from her childhood upbringing in Christchurch, to reading History at the University of Exeter, where she also studied for her PGCE. She is currently completing an MSc in Psychology to explore cognition and learning, along with child development. In her educational career, Tracy has taught in three other girls’ grammar schools in the area and will bring a wealth of experience to Talbot Heath. Her subject specialisms are in teaching history and politics. She has also been an Ofsted Inspector for eight years and inspected both secondary and all-through schools. In addition Tracy has acted as a School Improvement Advisor for two secondary schools, including a selective school, where she worked with senior leaders and governors on school improvement priorities. Tracy is a keen amateur musician and plays in a brass band performing in concerts and contests.

Tracy has a considerable track record of leading and delivering academic excellence in schools, coupled with outstanding pastoral care and experience of developing a productive vision. She is very excited to be leading the team at Talbot Heath towards the next phase of its rich and exciting journey.

Helen Chapleo

Assistant Head, Teaching and Learning
Helen Chapleo
I started at Talbot Heath as a teacher of Geography and was promoted to Head of Geography/Humanities the following year. My daughter, Katherine, loves Talbot Heath, having been a pupil since Kindergarten. I have enjoyed seeing Geography grow in popularity in recent years and was consequently extremely proud to collect the Geographical Association’s SGQM and Centre of Excellence Awards on behalf of the department. In my new role I aim to build on Talbot Heath’s strengths, supporting staff in the delivery of new specifications, whilst encouraging reflective practice and effective pedagogy.
Ian Cradick

Assistant Head
Ian Cradick
My first position of responsibility at Talbot Heath was the Physics Coordinator. This proved to be a highly rewarding role and a post I held with pride. My new role as Assistant Head (Academic Management) presents many new and exciting opportunities. I look forward to managing the school’s database system and producing the whole school timetable, meeting the needs of the Junior and Senior Schools. Above all I am delighted to be joining the Senior Leadership Team, working to continue to provide a first class education for our students.
Anna Karanja
Anna Karanja

Designated Safeguarding & Behavioural Lead
Liz Pugh

Head of Junior School
Liz Pugh
A graduate of Law and History, passionate teacher and SEN specialist, Mrs Pugh is determined to ensure that the Junior School continues to flourish, with an emphasis on aspirational, active, engaging learning. She attended Parkstone Grammar, it was during this time she swam in the TH pool and was hooked! Mrs Pugh, married with grown up children, sent her daughter to Talbot Heath because of its excellent academic standards and kind, caring family atmosphere. Ten years ago Mrs Pugh joined the staff of Talbot Heath as a Y2 form teacher. She subsequently became a Y5 tutor and SEN coordinator, then Interdisciplinary Lead and since January 2017 Deputy Head of the Junior School, with special responsibility for pastoral care. She is now absolutely thrilled to be taking on the Head of Junior School role. She has a real love of teaching and learning and is committed to enabling every girl in her care to become the very best they can be. Her philosophy in life is to seize every opportunity, try your very best and always treat those around you as you would like to be treated. She is determined to ensure that the Junior School continues to flourish, with an emphasis on aspirational, active, engaging learning, underpinned by compassion and Christian values, thus remaining true to the vision of Mary Broad.
Sarah Breeze

Assistant Head of Junior School (Academic)
Sarah Breeze
My Talbot Heath journey commenced in 2015 when I was delighted to be appointed KS2 Maths Co-ordinator and Year 6 Form Tutor. As a passionate educator, my main aim is to create a supportive learning environment where pupils feel confident and happy to take on challenges – with a good sense of fun! I enjoy nurturing a growth mind set amongst our pupils. The values and skills developed from this are important in all the curriculum areas but most importantly; help prepare our pupils for life beyond school. Talbot Heath is a school that successfully encapsulates both tradition and vision. As a result, I am very excited to be part of a team that develops elements of STEAM within our curriculum and provides different learning opportunities that embrace the ever changing world we live in.
Jo Brown

Assistant Head of Junior School (Pastoral)
Jo Brown
Talbot Heath has always been part of my life, I joined the school at the age of 8, as a junior pupil. Following school I studied at University College London and was then lucky enough to train as a teacher at Talbot Heath. I was then promoted to KS2 Science Lead where I have developed an exciting curriculum using the state of the art facilities we have in order to immerse my pupils in their learning. I have two daughters who both joined Talbot Heath in Kindergarten; my eldest has just left after gaining excellent A Levels and is now off to the University of Bath. As a parent I chose Talbot Heath for its exceptional pastoral care and traditional values as well as an extensive curriculum and sporting opportunities. I am now lucky to be on the school senior leadership team as the Assistant Head Pastoral for Junior School. My main focus is the wellbeing of the pupils and staff. My aim is to develop confident individuals who have the ability to recognise their feelings and manage these in a positive way, improving their self esteem and in turn their willingness to take risks and challenge themselves.
Gerry Ives

Director of Finance
Gerry Ives
Gerry joined TH in April 2015, a finance professional with over 30 years’ accountancy experience in practice, public and commercial sectors. Gerry is responsible for overall finance function, which underpins and supports the school, its pupils and parents throughout their TH journey.
Adam Poole

Facilities Manager
Adam Poole
Adam joined Talbot Heath School in 2020 arriving with over 15 years facility management experience in leisure and heritage buildings. As the schools Facility Manager he will encompass multiple disciplines to ensure functionality, safety, security, comfort and efficiency across all school buildings and grounds. Adam has the responsibility for the maintenance, grounds, caretaker, catering and cleaning support service teams to help achieve this. He is a keen sailor and has gained instructor level qualifications in a number of marine and water based activities.
A wellness routine is a daily schedule that incorporates all your healthy habits — like your meal plan, workout routine, self-care activities, and a solid night’s sleep. The perfect wellness routine will support you on the tough days and give you an extra boost on the best days. Not sure where to start? Mix and match ideas from the lists to create a customised wellness routine that fits your goals and schedule. You can always make adjustments until you figure out exactly what works best for you! Give it a go this coming summer holiday! ☺️☀️💓

A wellness routine is a daily schedule that incorporates all your healthy habits — like your meal plan, workout routine, self-care activities, and a solid night’s sleep.

The perfect wellness routine will support you on the tough days and give you an extra boost on the best days.

Not sure where to start? Mix and match ideas from the lists to create a customised wellness routine that fits your goals and schedule.

You can always make adjustments until you figure out exactly what works best for you! Give it a go this coming summer holiday! ☺️☀️💓

Listen to your internal compass, your gut. Somehow it always knows the way ✨ #MotivationMonday

Listen to your internal compass, your gut. Somehow it always knows the way ✨ #MotivationMonday

There are now spaces available on the Costa Rica trip, Summer 2025 for Lower 6 students. If you are interested in signing up, please read the email from Miss Poulton sent Friday 5th July with details.

There are now spaces available on the Costa Rica trip, Summer 2025 for Lower 6 students. If you are interested in signing up, please read the email from Miss Poulton sent Friday 5th July with details.

For the second year running, we have been awarded the School Games Gold Sports mark award! This is in recognition of all of the opportunities we offer for students of all ages and abilities to be physically active – through the curriculum, clubs, fixtures, events, festivals and leadership opportunities we attend and lead. 🤩

A great way to mark the end of the year! 👏🏼

Three days into the 2024 LTA Youth Schools National Championships held at the Nottingham Tennis Centre, Talbot Heath @westhants Academy players are already enjoying huge success. The TH team won their matches on Wednesday: 12-0 against Peter Symonds. This places Talbot Heath in the top 8 schools in Britain. On Thursday they face Culford (3rd seed), and as a good luck charm the team posed by former TH pupil and rising star, Jodie Burrage. The school community wish them every success!

Three days into the 2024 LTA Youth Schools National Championships held at the Nottingham Tennis Centre, Talbot Heath @westhants Academy players are already enjoying huge success.
The TH team won their matches on Wednesday: 12-0 against Peter Symonds. This places Talbot Heath in the top 8 schools in Britain.

On Thursday they face Culford (3rd seed), and as a good luck charm the team posed by former TH pupil and rising star, Jodie Burrage. The school community wish them every success!

Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnuts & other treats, all £1 - £2. (cash or card) Gluten free & Nut free will be available Seniors School, 1-2pm, Boarders Green Junior School, 3.30-4.15pm, Outside Jubilee Hall Senior pupils may visit the stand during lunch, Pre-Prep and Juniors may visit at the end of the day, accompanying Adults are encouraged to treat themselves too! We look forward to seeing you there! Talbot Heath PSS

Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnuts
& other treats, all £1 – £2. (cash or card)

Gluten free & Nut free will be available

Seniors School, 1-2pm, Boarders Green
Junior School, 3.30-4.15pm, Outside Jubilee Hall

Senior pupils may visit the stand during lunch, Pre-Prep and Juniors may visit
at the end of the day, accompanying Adults are encouraged to treat themselves too!

We look forward to seeing you there!
Talbot Heath PSS

Look after your well-being by including these simple steps throughout your week! 😊🩷 #WellbeingWednesday

Look after your well-being by including these simple steps throughout your week! 😊🩷 #WellbeingWednesday

Lunch certainly caused a buzz in Senior School today! We celebrated the bees 🐝 with a special ‘Honey Day’ thanks to Holroyd Howe 🙏 We run regular themed days to educate on nutrition and encourage pupils to try new foods, they always prove very popular!

Lunch certainly caused a buzz in Senior School today! We celebrated the bees 🐝 with a special ‘Honey Day’ thanks to Holroyd Howe 🙏 We run regular themed days to educate on nutrition and encourage pupils to try new foods, they always prove very popular!

Always follow your curiosities and dare to try new things; you never know where they might lead you ☺️ #MotivationMonday

Always follow your curiosities and dare to try new things; you never know where they might lead you ☺️ #MotivationMonday

As part of the Sixth form Enrichment programme, L6 students enjoyed a Personal Statement talk by Gail Alani, Head of Student Recruitment at Southampton University. She took students through the writing process and structure of a personal statement, with lots of advice thrown in. It was a great session with plenty of great questions from our L6. Gail will be returning in September for one to one sessions with our students at the start of their U6 year.

As part of the Sixth form Enrichment programme, L6 students enjoyed a Personal Statement talk by Gail Alani, Head of Student Recruitment at Southampton University. She took students through the writing process and structure of a personal statement, with lots of advice thrown in. It was a great session with plenty of great questions from our L6. Gail will be returning in September for one to one sessions with our students at the start of their U6 year.

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