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 has been the 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 made 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 will 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 over 20 years and he has a teenage daughter at Bath University and a son at Bryanston school in Dorset. He loves all sports, particularly rugby and cricket – he is an avid Surrey County cricket member. He also enjoys travelling with his family and has an ambition to visit every country on the planet.
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 young family and pets, as well as travelling, 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 Ismail
Miss Ismail has been a Primary teacher for over ten years, teaching the National Curriculum both in the UK and Internationally across Key Stage 1 and 2. Most recently, she spent four years in the United Arab Emirates teaching at a British School in Dubai, where she excelled to the positions of Head of Year and Head of Department for English.
Before teaching abroad, Miss Ismail graduated with a Psychology degree from Royal Holloway, University of London, and began her career in the Inclusion Department of a Secondary boys school. She then went on to complete the Graduate Teacher Programme in Primary Education and achieved Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Miss Ismail is always looking to develop her teaching practice and recently completed the National Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) with UCL Institute of Education.
Whilst teaching, she has always enjoyed volunteering within the field of education and engaging in charitable initiatives. During her role as Head of Science at The Lyceum, Miss Ismail led and completed a voluntary project which developed the Science Curriculum in schools in Tajikistan. Her most recent charitable engagement involved walking/running/cycling over 100 miles in a month-with the students in her class. They managed to raise £2000 for the Bulogo School in Uganda.
Miss Wray
Miss Wray joins 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.
