Westonbirt welcomes new Head of Nursery

28th September 2026

Westonbirt School is delighted to welcome Wendy Ash as the new Head of Nursery. Wendy began her role over the summer and is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and development of Westonbirt Nursery.

Wendy’s journey in education began on the stage. She started her career as a qualified dance teacher after training in London at the prestigious Urdang Academy. Her passion for the performing arts led her to pursue a degree in Theatre Studies Design and English Literature, a path that saw her traveling the world designing sets and producing corporate conferences, all while continuing to teach dance whenever she could.

After having her own children, Wendy’s focus shifted to school-based teaching, starting with GCSE Dance at the secondary level. Soon after, she joined a brand-new primary in Wiltshire where she spent 13 years.

During her time there, she taught every age group from nursery all the way to Year 6, while also leading PE and Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL). Combining her love for performing arts and teaching, Wendy ran after-school dance and singing clubs, taking talented pupils to the national grand finals of The Great Big Dance Off several times and making magical memories every year at Young Voices.

For the last five years, Wendy has dedicated herself to Early Years education, teaching pre-school and working across Early Years. During this time, the school was named Primary School of the Year and achieved an ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted. They were also proud to earn our Hygge Accreditation – a reflective framework that focuses on creating warm, nurturing, and cozy learning environments that promote wellbeing, mindfulness, and a strong sense of connection for young children.

Wendy said: “I am delighted to have joined the Westonbirt community. It has been a fantastic first few weeks.

“Through my experiences, I developed a deep passion for Early Years and a firm belief in just how crucial those first steps in education are. I have loved exploring and implementing innovative child-centred approaches – such as Hygge, Reggio Emilia, and The Curiosity Approach – which spark wonder, independence, and natural curiosity in early learners.

“I am thrilled to bring these creative and child-led learning practices to Westonbirt, all while keeping my energy and enthusiasm for dance and singing alive in everything I do! I look forward to getting to know you and your children and working together to make their early school journey inspiring, joyful, and memorable.”