Mr David Girvan

Head Teacher 

BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS at University of Wales.

After qualifying in 2010 David taught on a supply basis in Primary Schools in North Wales, before taking time out to go travelling in the United States. Whilst in America, David led the Adventure Programme at a summer camp, teaching children how to rock climb and overcome obstacles on a high ropes course. Upon his return, he took a job in Castell Alun, a high school near Mold, as a PE and cover teacher. David came to The Firs in 2013.

Tim Longman

Executive Director

B.Eng - Brunel University. 

Tim started his career as a consultant before moving into  product management in rail telecommunications working in both London and France .Tim and Jo moved to Chester in 2007 and worked alongside Tim's parents before taking full responsibility for The Firs. Tim can be contacted either at the school address or by email at tim.longman@firsschool.org 

Jo Longman

Director & Year 1-6 Religious Education Teacher 

BA Hons - University of Gloucestershire and PGCE  - Swansea University

Jo has taught in primary education for over 20 years in a range of maintained and independent schools. She started her teaching career in London and worked there for 7 years before moving to and teaching in France. Tim and Jo moved to Chester in 2007 to run The Firs. 

Mrs Katherine Hague

Fir Cones Nursery Manager, Deputy Head Teacher  

 BEd (Hons) at Liverpool John Moores University.

Kathy previously taught for 27 years in a large Cheshire primary school with over half this time working across Reception and leading the 52-place maintained nursery classrooms. She believes Fir Cones should be an extension of home; a calm, caring family community where our youngest children can blossom through exploring and learning alongside each other in a natural environment.

Mrs Millie Seger-Bernard

Deputy Head, Year 3/4 Class Teacher, Inclusion Leader and PSHE Leader  

BA Hons in Primary Education with QTS from Durham University. Graduated in 2016

Millie has taught all year groups in Key Stage 2. Prior to teaching at The Firs she taught in two village schools in Cumbria. Having relocated during the summer of 2022. she is really enjoying working as part of The Firs family.

Mrs. Gaynor Warrington

Designated Safeguarding Lead and Learning Mentor

Gaynor's journey at The Firs began in 2004 as a lunchtime supervisor. Through hard work and dedication, she completed several courses and moved on to work in the Kindergarten when it opened, then a  Teaching Assistant before taking on the role of Learning Mentor.

​With a passion for helping children thrive, Gaynor is committed to helping every student reach their full potential within the school's nurturing environment. She is now also the Designated Safeguarding Lead, taking on the crucial responsibility of ensuring the safety and well-being of all students.

Miss Natalie Johnson

Year 6 Teacher &  specialist Art Teacher, English Lead 

BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS from Glyndwr University.

Natalie graduated in 2012 specialising in Early Years and spent four years teaching across all age ranges in schools in Wales and England. She spent two years teaching at independent schools in  Moscow, Russia before returning back to England. 

Mrs Olivia Pemberton

Learning Hub Teacher - Art and Design Leader

Olivia graduated from the University of Chester in 2021 specialising in Primary Education and Special Educational Needs/ Disabilities (SEND). Since then, she has spent time as a teaching assistant and a cover teacher at a large independent school before joining The Firs in Spring 2022. 

Mrs Catherine Lancley

Year 2 Class Teacher

Humanities Lead 

Catherine graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University and then started her teaching career at Lache Primary school where she taught a year 1 and year 2 class. She continued her teaching career in Yorkshire in a C of E school teaching year 3 and reception. Moving back to Chester to be nearer family Catherine taught for 20 years in local Upton schools with year groups 1,2 and 3 before joining us here at The Firs to teach year 1. 

Mrs Joanne Lowry

Year 6 Teacher and French  lead 

BA (Hons) European Studies with French, MA in Television Journalism. PGCE Primary Education with QTS, MSc in Psychology, PGDip in Family and Child Psychology.

After completing her teacher training in London, Joanne has enjoyed teaching across a number of primary schools across Cheshire and North Wales. After working across key stage 2, Joanne worked at the Joshua Tree where her role was to support children who had undergone treatment for cancer with their education. It was during this time that she completed a Masters in Psychology and a Postgraduate Diploma. Prior to her career in teaching, Joanne was a Producer at the BBC and Sky News in London.

Mrs Hannah Dunn

Year 3 Teacher & Maths Lead

Hannah graduated from Liverpool John Moores University  and then started her teaching career at Sandiway Primary school where she spent six years mostly in Years 3 and 4 but also in Year 6 during COVID times. Whilst there, she led humanities and took an active role in providing opportunities to encourage both staff and children's well-being. Now, after the birth of her first child, she has moved closer to home to continue her teaching journey here at The Firs School. 

Miss Sam Carney

FS1 Room Leader & Computing Lead

BA(Hons) Literature and Sociology PGCE Lower primary (3-7 year olds)

Sam started her teaching career in Kent before travelling to Bromsgrove International school in Bangkok, Thailand where she taught for 3 years. Upon returning to the UK in 2009 she relocated to the North West to be closer to family and friends. Sam taught for many years at a school in Trafford before working in schools around Chester and most recently at Hoylake Holy Trinity Church of England school on the Wirral.

Miss Abigail Williamson

Music Teacher & Music Lead

After completing her music degree at the University of Exeter and then her PGCE, Abigail n was keen to share her passion of music with others. She has tremendously enjoyed teaching classroom music over the last 21 years and has taught children of all ages, from Kindergarten to Year 13. She strives to provide high-quality, memorable musical experiences for children of all abilities, bringing the whole school community together. 

Harriet Cooper 

Year 2 Teacher

Mrs Catrin Johnson

Year 5 Class teacher & Science Lead

BSc.(Hons), MSc.(Dist.) PGCE (Dist.)

Catrin completed her PGCE at Liverpool Hope University and taught for 9 very enjoyable years across KS2 at The Grange Junior School, Runcorn. After becoming a full time mum to her two boys, she became Deputy Manager at Upton Pre-school and subsequently Early Years Practitioner at St. Michael's, Newton. She has a broad experience in developing and nurturing individual talents and personalities within KS2 and Early Years. Catrin joined the Firs Family in 2020.