Meet the Team

Mr Strachan

Head of Technology

I have always worked with the food industry and have enjoyed cooking for as long as I can remember. It’s a very privileged and satisfying position to be able to pass on skills to the next generation of cooks and something I am very passionate about.

I came into teaching by accident while studying part-time hospitality management whilst working as Head Chef at Southampton General Hospital.

My career has been exciting, including restaurants in London and France, 10 years in the merchant navy and 6 years at Southampton Hospital.  A few awards have come my way including British Meat Chef of the Year in 2002. My first teaching position came in 2003, teaching Professional Cookery at Highbury College. I keep my industry skills up to date now by working as a chef at Basingstoke Hospital some weekends.

My hobbies are cooking (of course), football - AFC Bournemouth, walking with my dogs and playing Chess.

 

Email rstrachan@fernhillschool.org.uk

 

Mrs Williams

Health and Social Care teacher

After teaching in a number of other schools I joined Fernhill in September 2020 as a Physical Education Teacher and also a Teacher of Health and Social Care to Key Stage 4. Outside of teaching I enjoy spending a lot of time outdoors with my family and friends, running, cycling, walking & paddle boarding and my favourite place be is at the beach. I like to travel and visit new places whenever I can.

 

Email lwilliams@fernhillschool.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Finch

Resistant Materials and Vehicle Technology Teacher

I am an ex Royal Marine and have been teaching for over 20 years, 15 of which here at Fernhill. I head up the KS4 vehicle technology course which I really enjoy and it inspires me to see the students working as a team to tackle the problems I set them on real working vehicles.  My other Fernhill hat has me teaching Key Stage 3 resistant materials in the workshop and even some food, I am a dab hand at baking!

 

Email pfinch@fernhillschool.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs Straker

Food Technology Technician

I am the Technology Technician here at Fernhill School.

My role is to help with the smooth running of the Food Technology department.

I particularly enjoy helping students in their practical lessons and getting involved in the many competitions that we encourage our students to enter in the local and wider community.

It’s very rewarding to get to see first-hand  how students progress from learning the most basic of skills in year 7 to becoming confident year 11s capable of producing a full 3 course high skills menu in their practical GCSE exams.