Senior Staff
Mr Stanley
Mike grew up in a family of teachers and education runs through his core. After prep school, he attended Blundells’ School in Devon and then Cardiff University where he graduated with a degree in Ancient and Byzantine history. He has considerable experience of the prep school world and has been teaching for 25 years in both day and boarding prep schools in London and the southeast of England.
Before joining the Lyceum in September 2022, he was Head of Years 5 and 6 at Rokeby School in Kingston, the Deputy Headmaster of Walhampton School in Lymington and, most recently, the Headmaster of Forres Sandle Manor in Hampshire. He had a huge impact in all three schools, developing a reputation for introducing a more child centred approach and understanding how to unlock each child’s potential.
Mike believes that “all children are stars and that we, as teachers, help them shine.” His educational philosophy is based around recognising, understanding and nurturing children as individuals and working with parents to help develop their skills for the future, their emotional intelligence, and their inner strength. Children’s school days should be filled with laughter and excitement and every day should be an adventure.
Mike has been married for 25 years and has both a son and a daughter. He enjoys travelling with his family and has an ambition to visit every country on the planet. He loves all sports, particularly rugby and cricket, and he is an avid member of Surrey County Cricket Club.
Mrs Taggart
Mrs Taggart trained very close to The Lyceum at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, gaining a First-Class Honours Degree in Stage Management and Technical Theatre. It was during her time at Guildhall that she met Mr Taggart, who was training as a classical actor. Throughout her degree course, and for a few years after, she worked on various large West End shows including We Will Rock You, Joseph and Oliver.
After a number of years in the theatre world, working very late into the evenings, Mrs Taggart decided a career change was the path to follow. She took a job as an Assistant Teacher and, shortly after, was accepted onto a prestigious Graduate Teacher Programme, being thrown in the deep end with a Year 5/6 split class. During her training, she achieved outstanding in all areas and gained Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Mrs Taggart has taught in both state and independent schools in every year group within Key Stage 1 and 2. She particularly enjoys the challenge of working with older pupils and preparing them for the 11+ and secondary school transfer. Mrs Taggart is The Lyceum’s Safeguarding Lead and oversees the pastoral care of all the children at the school; ensuring children feel safe and happy is something she is deeply passionate about.
Outside of school, Mrs Taggart enjoys spending time with her family, as well as cooking and gardening.
Miss Lamond
Miss Lamond is the Assistant Head (Pastoral) at The Lyceum. She is an excellent practitioner with nine years teaching experience, with a particular passion for the EYFS. Miss Lamond grew up and studied in Glasgow, gaining a BA (Hons) in Primary Education from the University of Strathclyde.
In 2018, Miss Lamond relocated to London. She began at The Lyceum as a class teacher and has since progressed to Head of Early Years and subsequently Assistant Head. She is a passionate teacher who loves her job, values her pupils and most importantly, creates a happy, engaging atmosphere for all in her care. Miss Lamond won “Staff Member of the Year” for the EYFS division in the Annual Dukes Awards in 2019. In her spare time, Miss Lamond enjoys running, cooking and attending live music gigs.
Miss Wray
Miss Wray joined The Lyceum from King’s House School in Richmond where she was employed as a Commercial Operations Manager.
She is a qualified School Business Manager with 15 years school-based experience having undertaken a number of roles such as Deputy Head of Sixth Form and School Operations Manager. She is an experienced school governor and has developed and managed co-curricular programmes which she believes are invaluable to a child’s development.
Miss Wray is a decorated National League hockey player and passionate Liverpool FC fan.
Mrs Machado
Mrs Machado is a specialist teacher with over 20 years’ classroom experience and has worked extensively to deliver lessons that are fun and engaging for pupils with a range of educational needs. Her speciality is creating personalised learning for learners to support them to achieve their full potential, whatever their needs.
In addition to her teaching qualifications, Clare holds a BSc in Psychology and a MA in Specific Learning Difficulties (dyslexia). She is accredited by the British Dyslexia Association and is qualified to administer full diagnostic dyslexia assessments.
Miss Hardman
Miss Hardman joined The Lyceum School in 2020 and, after a brief period of travelling across Latin America, returned in 2023 to continue her passion for teaching. As Deputy Head Academic, she is dedicated to fostering curiosity and critical thinking in her students.
Originally from the Lake District, Miss Hardman has always had a love for the outdoors, spending much of her time hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing. Her adventurous spirit has taken her to over 40 countries, where she has hiked volcanoes, explored the ocean as an avid scuba diver, and even had an unforgettable encounter with an orangutan! She enjoys taking on challenges, whether it’s trekking through remote landscapes or learning conversational Spanish along her travels.
Academically, Miss Hardman holds a First-Class BSc in Nutrition from Newcastle University and a PGCE from Durham University, specialising in Mathematics. She has been teaching for seven years, with experience in both state middle schools and independent prep schools, working across KS2 and preparing pupils for the 11+. She is passionate about helping every child reach their potential, not just academically but by nurturing their talents and confidence.
Outside of school, Miss Hardman enjoys staying active at the gym, cooking, and baking—combining her love of food with her background in nutrition. She brings this enthusiasm into the classroom, encouraging her students to develop a love of learning, curiosity about the world, and resilience in the face of new challenges.
