Former King’s Ely students return to school as members of staff

Three Old Eleans enjoyed their time at King’s Ely so much that they have returned to join the school’s workforce.

Phoebe Bradbury, Emma Saunders and Florence Wynne are all Old Eleans – the name given to former pupils of King’s Ely – and are among several new members of staff to join the school this term.

Emma has joined King’s as a Teacher of Fine Art and Textiles. After leaving school in 2011, she studied Fashion Design at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. She then went on to study for her PGCE in Design and Technology at the University of Cambridge.

Speaking about her return to King’s, Emma said: “I am extremely excited to be coming back to teach at King's. I remember my time at school with such fond memories, exciting lessons and continuous fun times within the boarding house, so I am feeling incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to provide the same experience for the pupils within my lessons, as well as the pastoral duties within Hill House.”

Phoebe left King’s in 2014 and went on to St Mary’s University, Twickenham, to study Psychology and Sport Science and to row for the high performance club, Molesey. She has returned to King’s to teach Physical Education as part of her PGCE, and to be a rowing coach and resident tutor of Hill House.

Phoebe said: “I am very happy to be back in the King's family. I thoroughly enjoyed being a pupil in the supportive and friendly community that the school offers.”

Florence, who left King’s in 2012, is returning as a Nursery Practitioner. After leaving school, she took a gap year, during which she worked at Toppings Bookshop in Ely before heading off to France to work as an au pair. After her gap year, she studied English Literature at the University of St Andrew’s in Scotland.

Speaking about her new appointment at King’s, Florence said: “Having been at King’s for 12 years, the one part that I missed out on was the nursery, so I am filling in the gaps! It is certainly very nostalgic and wonderful to be back in Ely again. It is exciting to be involved with the 'first step' of the school, as it were, and I am looking forward to helping the little ones develop their own strengths and personalities at this formative stage.”

Principal of King’s Ely, Sue Freestone, commented: “It says much for the experience that Florence, Phoebe and Emma enjoyed as students here that they have returned to join the staff. We are delighted to welcome them and all who are new to King’s Ely. We look forward to working with them and learning what they bring to the culture and energy of the school over the coming months and years.”