Our Team

Nikki Street joins the Harrow Hong Kong team with a true passion for early years education, focusing on the development of the whole child to establish firm foundations for personal and academic growth and achievement.  

After graduating from the University of Exeter with a BA in International Relations and French, Nikki qualified as a teacher as part of the Graduate Teacher Programme through Reading University. Her international teaching career began in 2014 as a founding member of the academic team at Wellington College International School, Shanghai. Two years later, Nikki took up a post at Wellington College China’s first bilingual nursery. It was here that she embarked upon her leadership journey, taking responsibility for Literacy development across the setting, acting as a mentor for trainee teachers and leading on pupil progress and assessment. 

Joining the Harrow Group as Head of Early Years at Harrow Little Lions, Zhuhai in 2022, Nikki was instrumental in laying the foundations for effective classroom practice to allow individual children (and teachers!) to reach their full potential, with the creation of inspiring environments and the implementation of a book-based approach to learning. 

Nikki is extremely excited to be a part of the Harrow Hong Kong team and is eager to work alongside members of the School community to plan and prepare for the opening of the new Early Years setting in Kai Tak to give our youngest pupils the best possible start to their educational journeys. 

Sophie Purnell brings over fifteen years of teaching experience and has been an Early Years class teacher at Harrow International School Hong Kong since August 2020. She is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment and believes that the wellbeing and active involvement of all pupils are essential for developing the whole child. 

Sophie is passionate about early childhood education and is dedicated to fostering collaboration among staff, parents, and the wider community, believing that a united approach enhances the educational experience for every child. She is particularly focused on implementing initiatives that promote mental health and wellbeing, recognising that a child’s emotional foundation is critical to their overall success. 

Sophie looks forward to continuing the legacy of excellence at Harrow and of its commitment to the holistic development of every child, making a lasting impact on each pupils’ educational journey. 

Nina Stocker joins the Harrow Little Lions team with a genuine passion for early years education, dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment that promotes student independence and curiosity.

After graduating from De Montfort University with a BA in English, Nina completed her Master’s in Children’s Literature at Roehampton University before earning her PGCE. She began her teaching career in London and moved to Hong Kong in 2019, where she has since made significant contributions at Yew Chung International School, developing a tailored phonics program and collaborating on innovative project-based learning initiatives.

Nina is deeply committed to pastoral care, actively engaging with parents to support their children’s emotional and academic development. She has organised wellness initiatives and facilitated workshops on mental health and resilience, creating safe spaces for students to thrive.

As a founding teacher at Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak, Nina eagerly anticipates contributing to the school’s ethos of educational excellence. She looks forward to enhancing the school community through her interests in wellness, literacy development, and the creative arts, ensuring a holistic approach to each child’s educational journey.

Katie is a passionate and experienced Early Years educator with 15 years of teaching experience in both the UK and internationally, including 6 years in Singapore. Throughout her career, she has remained dedicated to nurturing curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning in young children.

Katie believes that children learn best in environments where they feel safe, valued, and inspired. She is committed to creating rich, engaging learning opportunities through high-quality interactions and thoughtfully designed spaces. Drawing on evidence-based research, she continually reflects on and adapts her practice to meet the evolving needs and interests of the children in her care.

As a founding teacher at Harrow Little Lions, Katie is excited to shape an environment that fosters exploration, creativity, and meaningful learning from the very beginning of each child’s educational journey. She looks forward to working in partnership with families and colleagues to build a nurturing, forward-thinking early years community where every child can thrive. 

Molly Attwell is an enthusiastic and caring educator with a passion for helping young children grow, learn, and feel proud of who they are. Molly qualified as a teacher in 2021 after graduating with a BA in Primary and Early Years Education from the University of Sussex. Molly is dedicated to Early Years Education and also has experience of teaching both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. 

Molly is devoted to building children’s confidence, emotional literacy and fostering an inclusive learning environment. Before stepping into this role, Molly led initiatives to make schools more inclusive—such as creating a club for bilingual learners to celebrate their cultures and languages. Her classroom is a space where mistakes are part of the journey, curiosity is encouraged, and every child is empowered to succeed. 

Molly is extremely excited to be beginning her international teaching career at Harrow Hong Kong Little Lions, she is looking forward to working within the schools community and providing a secure and nurturing environment for our young learners.

Francesca joins Harrow Little Lions with a decade of Early Years teaching experience and a great passion and excitement for inspiring our littlest learners. She is dedicated to creating a loving, nurturing environment in collaboration with her colleagues and the children that becomes our ‘home away from home’. This sense of belonging, identity and calm is essential for establishing high levels of wellbeing and involvement for all our children (and teaching staff!)

Francesca believes it is an honour to be part of a child’s first learning experiences and is extremely passionate about making this stage of their educational journey as inspiring and special as possible; empowering their sense of identity and promoting an inclusive, global mindset. Francesca also has a great love of literature and really enjoys incorporating this in the classroom, she has been collecting children’s books from around the world for some years now, so has built up quite a collection! These books have been instrumental in fostering further curiosity and enhancing indoor and outdoor learning environments.

Francesca is so excited to be joining the Harrow family this year and work collaboratively with the community to give our Little Lions a loving, purposeful and inspiring start to their life long learning journeys!

Sophie joins the Harrow Little Lions team with a passion for early years education particularly in fostering emotional intelligence in young children. 

After graduating from the University of Northumbria with a BA (Hons) in Human Nutrition, Sophie qualified as a teacher gaining her PGCE through the University of Sunderland. Her international teaching career began in 2018 as an English teacher in an international Kindergarten in Shenzhen, China. Having lived in Hong Kong the last few years, Sophie has cultivated a deep passion for Early years education. 

One area of interest Sophie has in early education is the role of storytelling, as it helps children develop language skills, imagination and empathy. Sophie aims to cultivate a love for reading and a deeper understanding of different cultures among her students. 

Sophie is looking forward to being a part of the Harrow Little Lions team and creating a wonderful and inspiring learning environment for our youngest pupils through engaging activities that promote curiosity, emotional growth and a love for learning.

Jo Mitchell brings over fifteen years of teaching experience and has served as a teacher in Scotland, Qatar and Thailand. She has worked at Harrow International School in Hong Kong since November 2024 and is dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere, ensuring she creates a happy learning environment where all children can thrive and achieve their full potential.

As a qualified yoga instructor for both adults and children, Jo is particularly passionate about integrating mindfulness into her teaching practice. She recognises the importance of mental health and emotional resilience in education, and actively implements strategies that promote these values within her classroom. Her goal is to create a space where students feel safe to express themselves and explore their potential.

Jo is excited to continue her journey at Harrow, contributing to the school’s legacy of excellence and its commitment to the comprehensive development of every child, ultimately making a meaningful impact on each student’s educational path.

Aoibhinn Hume is delighted to join Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak as a founding member of staff and cannot wait to share this exciting journey with the children and families who will become part of our community.

Aoibhinn’s journey into education began at Queen’s University Belfast, where she earned her degree in Education. Following her studies, she spent three enriching years teaching in Qatar. This experience not only broadened her teaching skills but also deepened her appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives, which she believes play a crucial role in a child’s education. 

Aoibhinn has spent the last year as a Reception Teacher at Harrow International School Hong Kong, where she had the joy of working with enthusiastic young learners and witnessing their growth and development.

As an ambitious teacher, she is dedicated to creating stimulating learning opportunities filled with excitement, learning, and, most importantly, fun! She strives to make learning spaces safe and supportive environments where pupils can grow and learn together.

Aoibhinn is looking forward to a year filled with laughter, friendship, and impactful learning experiences. She looks forward to collaborating with parents to provide the best education possible for our Little Lions.

Theodora Kountouretis is our Cobra Class Teacher in Reception, a dedicated educator with a profound belief in the critical importance of the early years. 

She is passionate about shaping children into well-rounded, healthy individuals and fostering the emotional and academic foundations that allow them to contribute positively to society. Theodora holds a BA in Early Childhood Education, a Masters in Education, an iPGCE, and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), credentials that have provided her with a deep understanding of educational theory and practice, particularly within an international context.

With over 15 years of professional experience across the UK, Spain, and China, Theodora brings a wealth of diverse perspectives to her classroom. Her expertise is particularly focused on the role of storytelling as a tool for holistic learning, especially for children learning English as an Additional Language (EAL). This interest is backed by her master’s research into how anthropomorphism in stories can enhance children’s emotional intelligence, a subject she remains deeply committed to in her daily practice. Supporting emotional literacy is a primary focus of her teaching philosophy, as she believes it is crucial for overall development.

Theodora’s extensive background includes providing one-on-one support for children with special educational needs and serving in leadership roles such as Year Lead and Safeguarding Lead at an international school in Shenzhen. She has a proven track record of creating tailored learning experiences that accommodate the unique needs of each child and has successfully organised international events to foster community engagement and celebrate cultural diversity. Ultimately, Theodora’s aspiration is to make a lasting impact by ensuring every child feels happy, supported, and valued. She strives to build their confidence and encourage them to celebrate their uniqueness, providing a fundamental foundation for their future success.

Elysia Madge joins the Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak team as a passionate and innovative Early Years teacher with over fourteen years experience.

Elysia qualified as a specialist Early Years teacher at the University of the West of England and she began her teaching journey in the UK before moving into international teaching. Her international experience includes teaching and leadership roles at British international schools in Thailand, Malaysia, and El Salvador. She also worked as an Early Years Advisor in Rwanda where she supported early education initiatives, authored teacher training guidebooks, and led professional development for local educators.

Elysia believes deeply in the power of learning through play and is committed to creating purposeful and meaningful learning experiences that nurture the whole child both socially, emotionally and academically. She focuses on creating classroom environments where children feel safe to take risks, explore their interests and become confident, independent learners. 

Elysia is delighted to be joining Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak as part of its founding team and is excited by the unique opportunity to help shape and nurture a holistic, community-driven early years environment. With a love for hiking, nature, and culture, she looks forward to exploring all that Hong Kong has to offer, both professionally and personally.

Megu Aoki is delighted to be joining the Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak community. Growing up in Hong Kong, Megu’s teaching journey began at an international kindergarten, where she discovered her passion for early years education. She then moved to the UK to pursue a BSc in Childhood Studies at the University of Bristol, followed by a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, specialising in early years, at Goldsmiths, University of London. 

Megu has four years of teaching experience, starting her career in Camden, London, where she spent several years teaching across Key Stage 1. During this time, she has taken on subject leadership roles in Maths, PE, and Music. Megu is passionate about creating inclusive and engaging classrooms that encourage every child to feel confident, curious, and supported in their learning. 

Megu is excited to return home to Hong Kong and play a key role in shaping a warm and inspiring school community for the Little Lions and their families, helping foster an environment where every child can thrive.

Ivy Choi joins Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak in 2025. Her journey into early years education has been guided by creativity, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for inclusive, globally minded learning communities.

She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Master of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. Ivy began her teaching career in South Korea, then taught in the United States before returning to an international school in Seoul, where she continued to develop her relationship-driven, child-centered approach to learning. While she has experience across grade levels, her passion lies in early childhood education, where creativity and connection lay the foundation for joyful, meaningful learning.

Having attended an international school in Saudi Arabia as a child, Ivy brings a global perspective to her classroom. She draws on her multicultural background and artistic training to design experiences that celebrate identity, honour individuality, and inspire exploration.

As a founding teacher at Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak, Ivy looks forward to helping build a warm, vibrant learning community where children, families, and educators grow together.

Tom Eccleston joins Harrow Hong Kong with a deep passion for Early Years education. He thrives on the creative nature, active learning, and boundless curiosity that characterise this formative stage of childhood development.

After earning a BA (Hons) in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status from Edge Hill University, Tom began his teaching career in a Year 2 classroom in Salford, England. He then moved to Blackrod Primary School, where his journey in Early Years truly began. In his time there, he led the Early Years setting, as well as teaching in Key Stage One and Two, and further cultivated his interest in supporting the development of the ‘whole child’. In addition to his classroom roles, Tom led PE, PSHE, and the School Council, contributing to a vibrant and inclusive school environment.

Most recently, Tom has been teaching at a Special Educational Needs school in Bolton, England. In this role, he led a team of staff within his classroom and deepened his understanding of holistic and child-centred education within a provision-based setting. He also completed the National Professional Qualification in Leading Teaching, which enabled him to make a significant impact on literacy outcomes across the school’s four sites.

Tom is thrilled to be joining Hong Kong Little Lions. He is eager to collaborate with the skilled and passionate educators already at the school, as well as fellow new staff members. Tom looks forward to immersing himself in the school community and helping to provide every child with a joyful, inspiring foundation for their educational journey.

Iris YU is from Yunnan province of China, and has been teaching as a Chinese teacher in various international preschools in Hong Kong for 11 years. During this time, she has taught children aged 1 to 6 and has experience with flashcard instruction, IB PYP, Montessori education, and EYFS curricula.

She holds a Master’s degree in Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Arts (Japanese), both obtained from universities in mainland China. While working at the preschools, Iris also earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education from EdUHK and is registered as a qualified Kindergarten teacher with the EDB of Hong Kong. Additionally, she is a certified 3-6 AMS Montessori teacher and is currently pursuing a Master’s program in Chinese Literature at HKMU, which she will complete in the next year.

Iris is passionate about meaningful teaching and learning, with a focus on fostering children’s independence and learning through doing. She believes that every child is unique and possesses potential, and that teachers should encourage and support their exploration of the world through inquiry, observation, listening, and communication. Iris hopes that every Harrow pupil can learn with joy.