Our Staff

Amanda Riding
Head Teacher
Hello, my name is Amanda Riding and I am the current owner and director of Willow International Academy. I have over 20yrs experience in education and special educational needs. I also have 5 years experience in health care, working as a SEN nurse in paediatrics and ENT.
I am truly passionate about education and I believe that every single child has the potential to achieve their goals. With the right care, compassion and guidance we can achieve anything. We welcome all children, irrespective of their culture and ability.

Mike Dixon
Deputy Head Teacher
I am experienced in T.E.S.O.L education and providing differentiated learning for Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Dyscalculia. I also mark GCSE Literacy & Maths exams for the three main qualification providers in the U.K. Edexcel, AQA, and City & Guilds. As an examiner, this
has given me relevant inside knowledge on the U.K. curriculum and international specifications with which your child will experience their tertiary education journey – from Primary, through Secondary and onto 6th form college. I am passionate about education and the continued practice of learning throughout life, where we not only improve our academic skills, but also our life skills and real-life experiences. All staff at Willow International Academy will complete Continuing Professional Development in current and future areas of education, to provide our cohort with up to date and relevant knowledge, methods and resources which will enable your child to reach their maximum learning potential. I look forward to welcoming you and your children into a modern, safe, caring and passionate
environment, where they will experience a fun and active way of learning, in our new state of the art school – Willow International Academy.

Sam Smith
School Administrator

Lisa Norris
P.E. Teacher
Pastoral Leader
teaching for the past 14 years at various levels. I had a full and active 24-year career in the Army achieving the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1 within the Royal Logistic Corps and deployed on various overseas operations. As a Sergeant, I was selected to teach
in the ‘School of Excellence’ for the young soldiers, this was my first experience of teaching which I thoroughly enjoyed and found
extremely rewarding. As part of my transition back into civilian life and coupled with my leadership and management transferable qualifications, I went on to gain a distinction on the PGCE course at the University of South Wales. I have been teaching at Canolfan yr Avon Special Educational School in South Wales for the last twelve months, with pupils ranging from 4-18-years-old who have a variety of
Emotional, Sociable Behaviour Disorder (ESBD) needs and I can honestly say it’s the most rewarding job I have ever had, with no
two days being the same. This is where my passion, love and all-inclusive outlook on teaching grew, giving me a new vocational
purpose. I believe that every pupil, irrespective of what their level or special requirements may be, are entitled to receive the same
standard of education in a fun, safe and secure school environment.

Eva Ghost
Art and Drama Teacher
Key Stage 3 Leader
teaching the subject I studied for 5 years in the UK – Drama and Musical Theatre. Having taught Secondary and Primary in both the UK and Spain for over 22 years, I hope that my wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for the Arts, will bring a lot of fun and exciting times, to our learning environment at Willow International Academy.

Suzanna Newman
Humanaties Teacher
Key Stage 4 Leader
of this new venture. I am looking forward to sharing my passion for Religious Studies and Humanities with our new students.

Noemi Pastor
Modern Foreign Languages

Helen Wallis
English Teacher

Andrew Campbell
ICT Teacher
Hello, my name is Andy and I have worked in both primary and secondary education in the UK before joining Willow, including working with SEN pupils in a specialist school in the Lake District (UK). It is my aim to help build pupil’s confidence and independence as I aim to foster intellectual growth and engage students to develop the key transferable skills required to achieve in the modern world.
My education includes completing a Postgraduate qualification in ICT, (University of Liverpool), and a PGDE (Teaching) qualification from Edge Hill University. Having spent twenty five years working in retail management and sales/marketing, (both here in Spain and in the UK), I passionately believe in differentiated learning to help prepare the future generation for successful careers in a fast moving and dynamic world.
My “hands on experience” of the business and commercial world are combined with business related qualifications (Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing Management and a professional qualification from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, (Business School Staffordshire University), and a business and administration degree from the University of Essex. I will use my experiences to encourage pupils to always look to progress through critical reflection and be successful in life.

Susan Gawler
Science Teacher
My Name is Susan, and I am a teacher in the secondary department of Willow international School.
I have been teaching for 32 years in various roles in Secondary and Primary schools. I have taught Science, Mathematics Physical Education and Art. For the most part of my career I have been Head of the Mathematics department. For the past five years I have been working with children with Special Educational Needs and Emotional Sociable Behaviour Disorders. have found this extremely rewarding and enlightening.
I am now delighted to be part of the team here at Willows. I hope to be able to enable children to develop a love for lifelong learning and achieve their true potential. I am sure being part of this dedicated, enthusiastic team will facilitate this.

Emily Thackray
Primary Teacher
going to new places and listening to music.

Olivia Phillips
Primary Teacher

Anne Coster-Bell
Primary Teacher
Hello and good day! My name is Ann and I am originally from London, England but have lived in Spain since 2003. I qualified as a teacher in 1999 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) from Cambridge University and worked for the London Borough of Waltham Forest Learning Service. I spent two years in Singapore and Thailand working in EAL to gain extensive and valuable experience with adults and young learners which fore-fronted my career as a specialist in this area.
During my time in Spain, I have taught in academies, businesses and for five years at an International private primary school focusing on key stages 1,2 and 3 following the British curriculum. Therefore, I am well versed in identifying, developing and attaining results in all core subjects for young learners and non-native speakers.
I believe that education is a collaborative process. To this end, in my opinion, the best teachers are those that inspire and facilitate self-learning and development which I encourage in all my students so that they can achieve the goals and dreams that they want from life.

Joanne Beauchamp
Primary Teaching Assistant
Hello my name is Jo. To the Children of Primary school I’m known as Mrs “B”.
I studied for a BTEC National Diploma in Science and Health Studies and began working as a Healthcare Support Worker within a Social care environment. I completed an NVQ level 3 in care, and branched off to working with children and young people with special needs/learning difficulties.
I worked as a community support worker and trained for a Teaching support role.
My family and I wanted a new adventure so we moved to Spain in 2020. I am privileged to work in the position of
Teaching support for Willow International primary school. I love my job and work with a fantastic and dedicated team
of Primary staff. Together we encourage all of our students to flourish whilst on their learning journey at
Willow International School.