Main teachers

Alex Martinez

Head of Primary, Deputy Headteacher

Qualifications:
BA Hons Linguistics (Lancaster University), PGCE (London Metropolitan University)

Professional background:
Having completed my PGCE in London, I returned to Madrid to work at a British School, firstly as a Primary teacher and English and Humanities Coordinator, and then as Head of Phase. After eleven years at the school, I moved to Shanghai, where I worked for four years as the Assistant Head of Primary, overseeing a department of nearly a thousand students. Throughout my teaching career, I have taught all of the age groups in Primary, from Nursery to Year 6. I am very excited to have joined Thames British School as Head of Primary on my return to Madrid, and ensuring the high standards in teaching and learning as well as the well-being of the pupils are maintained and developed further.

Daniel English

Head of Secondary

Qualifications:
BA Honours Degree in Graphic Design, PGCE (Resistant Materials)

Professional background:
I have spent the first 8 years of my teaching career teaching at two secondary schools in Coventry, England. Whilst there, I was mostly a teacher of art and design however I have taught a variety of creative subjects such as resistant materials, product design, photography, fashion and textiles. My passion is art but my teaching qualification is actually in resistant materials. Just before coming out to Madrid, I was the Head of Art at a large Secondary school in England for four years.
I have lived in Madrid for nearly four years now and have worked at Thames British School for the same amount of time. I love Madrid and its culture, I feel very happy and settled here. I also really enjoy working at Thames, with such enthusiastic and interesting people.

Kirsty Shaw

Assistant Head of Primary

Qualifications:
BEd Primary with Geography - 1st Class Honours

Professional background:
I graduated from Stranmillis University in Belfast in 2012 with a 1st Class Honours in Primary Education. After graduating, I moved to the United Arab Emirates to work in an international school where I taught in Year 5 for three years. In 2015, I moved to Madrid and this is now my sixth year teaching at Thames British School. I have taught in Year 3, Year 5 and Year 6 and worked as the Primary Curriculum Leader for two years before becoming the Assistant Head of Primary in 2019. I am excited to continue to work with the other teachers at Thames British School to make learning interactive, challenging and stimulating for all of the children here!

Lea Gabbitas

Headteacher

Qualifications:
BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Statistics, PGCE, IPML

Professional background:
Early on in my teaching career, I spent five years teaching in Primary where 4 of those were in Early years. For the rest of the time, I have dedicated my teaching to the secondary school, teaching all ages and holding many different types of responsibility posts such as Head of Key stage 4 and also Head of Sixth form. I have worked in a large international school and now in a small, family orientated school here at Thames where I am delighted to work with other like-minded professionals who share the same educational philosophies and ensure the emotional and academic success of each child is the focal point of everything we do and strive for.

Ms. Ana

Psychologist

Ms. Ana is the school´s Psychologist.

She monitors students throughout their school life and is in direct contact with teachers and parents. She makes individual follow-up of the academic, social and emotional development of each student and also offers family orientation if needed.

Ms. Rocío

Nurse

Ms. Rocío is our full-time Nurse and she ensures first aid cover throughout the school day.

She also monitors special nutritional needs and diets for each student regarding allergies, intolerances, etc and coordinates the daily menus with the kitchen staff. Medical information about all pupils is kept in a secure database and is regularly updated. We respect confidentiality and health information is only shared when it is necessary for the safety of the pupil.

Infirmary Department Rules

Learn more

We are always delighted to hear from prospective parents that are considering our international school for their children’s education. Please do not hesitate to call us on the phone number above or select from the options below:

Note: As an international school we conduct admissions placement all throughout the year. Applications for the academic year 2023-2024 are for children in Nursery (2.5 years old) through to A Level.