Mr Dunne
I have been Headteacher at Ashley Church of England Primary School for over 10 years now. It only seems like yesterday that I started, but things have changed a lot during that time as we have grown from a one-form entry school of 210 children to a two-form entry school of soon to be 420 children.
Every day is different in my role as Headteacher and it is never boring! I love leading the school, challenging and supporting staff and children to be the best they can be. We have a great team of teachers and support staff at Ashley and I think the children are very lucky to be in such a happy, achieving school.
As many of you will know, I am passionate about sustainability and I am very proud that this school is seen as a role model of best practice in areas such as energy management and food growing. What I like best is the fact that it is the children who are responsible for leading these exciting projects of learning.
I also really value our fantastic school community with lots of our parents and governors giving great support to what we do. Their commitment to the school really does make a big difference.
More than anything though, it is the success of every child in this school that makes my job as Headteacher such a rewarding one.
And finally, when I am not at school….. I enjoy travelling, photography and buying cool shirts!
Lisa Atkinson
I came to Ashley School to begin the fifth year of my teaching career having previously taught Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Now, in my sixth year I am the Squirrel Class reception teacher and really enjoy being part of our excellent Foundation Stage team.
I feel very fortunate to be spending my days teaching such enthusiastic and fun young people, and am thankful every day that I love my job. My favourite moments are those that are normally not planned; the fancy dancing to the tidy up music, the reading aloud to the teddies and the awe and wonder of discovering something new.
I co-ordinate Design Technology and KS1 Literacy and I am the teaching staff governor. I am also a member of the infamous ‘Ashley School Cupcake Team’ along with some staff and parents.
My background is in art and I have brought this interest into school by starting ‘Ashley Art Club’ which is a great opportunity to meet children from other year groups.
Ashley School is a happy place to be and I am proud to be part of the team.
Sami Rich
Working at Ashley School is a real privilege as it is a fantastic smiley school in a big friendly community. I am a Reception Class Teacher and my class is called Hedgehog Class. This is my 3rd year at Ashley School and I have loved every minute. I adore working in Reception and feel proud to be the children’s first teacher. My favourite part of my job is teaching the children new songs and rhymes that help them with their learning. We spend a lot of time dancing and singing in Reception and which is why I love my job! I also enjoy reading them new stories that I know they will love.
I am also the PE Coordinator which is a role that I really enjoy as I have a huge interest in sport. I run and organise numerous clubs at the school such as netball, running, rounders and athletics. I like this aspect of my role as I get to work with children from different year groups. I have organised a range of inter and intra sports matches and tournaments for the school and I set up the Sports Council.
Outside of school I attend Bikram Yoga classes, which is a style of yoga in a room that is heated to 45 degrees c! I run daily and enjoy cycling and walking. I also play the saxophone!”
Katharine Scott
I am in my fourth year of teaching at Ashley School and teach Frog Class in Year 1. One thing I love about teaching is that it is never dull! I enjoy the opportunity to think and work creatively and to see the children express their learning in so many different ways. It’s always wonderful to see the ways the children grow throughout a school year, both in their learning and their character.
I have responsibility for coordinating RE and the Values Education in the school. I believe that nurturing the ‘whole’ child includes nurturing and developing their spirituality and at Ashley School we place great importance in allowing for moments of reflection and providing opportunities for children to express their awe, wonder and questions about themselves, the world around them and about God.
I run The Christmas Club and Springtime Club for children in Year 2, after school clubs where children make seasonal crafts.
Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my husband, family and friends and I’m very good at shopping and frequenting coffee shops!
Maggie Rebbeck
I started teaching at Ashley School in September 2010. Before this I had experience of teaching across the Primary age range in Gloucestershire, Richmond and Haringey. In Gloucestershire I worked as an Advanced Skills Teacher. During this time one of the most interesting projects I worked on was about developing children’s potential, with other teachers and neuroscientists from Oxford University.
I’m really enjoying working at Ashley School. I teach part time in Year 1 Dragonfly Class, sharing the class with Alison Wilde. It’s really exciting working with children in this early stage of their schooling, and seeing how they develop as independent learners as they progress through the year.
My other responsibility in school is as Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, and part of my week is devoted to this. It is a really interesting role since I meet staff, children and parents across the school, as well as co-ordinating support and advice from outside school. Currently we have a range of professionals coming into school to support Speech and Language, Learning and Language, Sensory Impairment and English as an Additional Language amongst other areas. This academic year I am developing my knowledge of Special Needs Education through study at Reading University.
My interests outside school include Art and Design. I love running a Key Stage 2 Art Club, which gives me chance to meet older children.
Alison Wilde
I have been teaching at Ashley School for 16 years teaching years 1 and 2. I was a full time teacher for 9 years before I took two lots of maternity leave and returned each time as a part time teacher. I currently work as part of a job-share team in year 1. I have been Music subject leader for the whole of my time at Ashley and have also been leader of Literacy and R.E. I love working at Ashley School as the staff, pupils and parents are so friendly and supportive. As you can tell from the length of time I have been here, I have never wanted to leave!
My husband Simon and I have 2 children, Amelia aged 7 and William aged 5. They attend St. Andrew’s School in Cobham very close to where we live. Most of my free time is spent with my children, teaching them to play the piano, reading with them, helping with homework and taking them to various activites such as swimming lessons, ballet classes and Beaver Scouts. However, in my own time I enjoy yoga, meeting up with friends, and theatre and concerts with my husband. I also help to run the youth group at my own church, St. Andrew’s in Cobham.
Claire Goodfellow
I started my teaching career in a small village school in Hilmarton, Wiltshire where I taught a mixed Reception/Year One class. After three years I moved to Surrey and was Key Stage One leader and ICT Leader at Grovelands Infant School for six years, teaching Years One and Two. Then in September 2011 I joined Ashley School as Infant Leader and Year Two teacher. What attracted me to Ashley is that it is a primary school and I love the community feel and how the children across the school look out for each other. I have been made to feel very welcome by the pupils, parents and staff and feel very privileged to work in such a dynamic school that always provides the best for children’s education and well-being.
At Ashley my curriculum roles are ICT and numeracy which I love to teach as they can be very practical subjects and I feel that learning by doing is so beneficial. I have also run a country dancing club which I find that the children enjoy and get a good workout at the same time! It brings back good childhood memories of taking part in displays in our local village fayres and I hope that the children will also look back in years to come with that same feeling.
I am about to go on maternity leave in February as my husband and I are very excited that we are expecting our first child. I will miss everyone when I am on leave but hope to visit lots and keep in touch. Outside of school life I also love to volunteer and have been helping to run 1st Oatlands Brownies pack for the past five years. I enjoy taking the girls on pack holiday and taking them to Church and other community events. I love to be busy and enjoy eating out with friends, going to the theatre or cinema and before pregnancy doing aerobics and skiing.
Charlotte Apsitis
I started my teaching career at Ashley School and am now in my third year of teaching. I have the privilege of teaching the children in Year 2, Otter Class and really enjoy seeing the children grow and progress throughout the year. I take pleasure in getting to know the different personalities in my class and encouraging children to become passionate about their learning.
I believe that Ashley School is a happy place to be as we promote the well-being of each individual child. I have the responsibility for the PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education) and ‘Healthy Schools’, and enjoy co-ordinating the monthly school council meetings, giving the children a chance to voice their ideas.
I have a passion for dance and as well as pursuing this outside of school, I enjoy running dance clubs with children across the school. I am also currently a member of the Ashley School Cupcake Team along with several mums from across the school. The team make and sell cupcakes at the school’s Christmas Bazaar and Summer Fete.
Alex Somerville
I am currently teaching Year 3 in Badger class. I have been at Ashley since the beginning of 2012 and it is my first primary school teaching job. I have been working in education since 1995 and, from 2001 onwards, was a professional storyteller. I have taught adults as an English as a Foreign Language teacher and I have taught Years 1 and 3 during my teacher training. I have told stories and facilitated workshops and projects with all year groups from Nursery up to Year 10.
I am very excited to be teaching at Ashley as it is a happy and supportive place to be. I think my storytelling skills can thrive at Ashley because, just as a story provides a rich context for language, the topic and project-based curriculum here provides a rich context for learning.
I live with my partner and our young daughter and leisure time includes playing guitar, going for walks in nature, reading historical fiction and seeing family and friends.
Gill Hood
I have been teaching at Ashley School for 14 years. I arrived here after teaching for 3 years at a school in Egham and have never left! In that time I have taught all the year groups in the juniors. I now teach year 3 and love watching them grow in confidence and independence as they settle into the first year of the junior school. One of my favourite parts of the year is the residential trip to Sayers Croft. It is a fantastic opportunity to work with the children in a completely different environment and see them blossom. It is always great fun, though exhausting!
I have responsibility for numeracy across KS2, as well as assessment, student teachers and the international curriculum. I also love science and have tried to share this passion through science clubs and Funky Friday activities
I enjoy music, singing and dancing and have loved coordinating the Junior Christmas Production for the past few years. I belong to a choir, so am busy singing and dancing out of school too. Other interests include theatre trips, visiting art galleries and travelling.
Sarah Kelly
I joined Ashley School in September 2011 and I delighted to be teaching Swan class, in Year 4. Previously, I taught Year 3, so I am now enjoying exploring the Year 4 curriculum alongside the children. It is wonderful to see my class develop, progress and enjoy their learning. The children, staff and parents at Ashley School have made me feel very welcome – emphasising the sense of community and ‘family feel’ of the school.
My additional responsibilities include running the Eco-council and helping its members to maintain the high profile of sustainability issues throughout the school. As a French Graduate, I am able to share my passion for this area by coordinating the teaching of French in Key Stage Two. I particularly enjoy teaching languages as it allows children to improve their communication skills, confidence whilst learning about the culture and traditions of others. I will now also be responsible for Science at Ashley and am looking forward to developing this exciting area of learning.
Juliet Goymer
I am very excited to be teaching my second year at Ashley Primary School in year 4 alongside Sarah Kelly. I have the responsibility of coordinating Geography and History in the school. As I studied Drama and Theatre Arts at University I incorporate lots of practical elements in my lessons so don’t be surprised if you hear a lot of noise coming from Kingfisher classroom! We endeavour to have plenty of learning outside the classroom so you may spot Year 4 children acting out the Battle of Bosworth on the playground or searching the school for triangles.
We work together closely in year 4 to ensure a positive and safe learning environment for the children. A high expectation of the children is a priority of ours and we strive to enable them to achieve their full potential. I thoroughly enjoy the topic based learning we have at Ashley which enables me to be creative with the curriculum to provide a relevant yet fun learning experience for the children.
I’m really enjoying my time in class with the children and when we have a moment we catch up on who has gone from X Factor, Strictly or talk about the latest films. Out of school I enjoy going to yoga and exercise classes when I have the time, to help me keep up with the children! I am fascinated with history and try to get as much use out of my National Trust membership as I can.
I’m looking forward to contributing to the future of Ashley Primary as we grow, and to develop my teaching career in this outstanding school.
Jackie Stevens
Ashley Primary School is the third school that I have worked at since starting my teaching career. In my last school I held an Advanced Skills Teacher post and was fortunate to have worked in a number of Richmond schools advising and supporting other teachers in the expressive arts. I also worked as a consultant for a short time before joining Ashley School as Deputy Head. I am now in my fourth year here and have thoroughly enjoyed working alongside the dedicated and happy staff.
No two days in school are ever the same, and watching the children grow and flourish and become passionate about their learning is a joy to be involved in. I am the Year 5 (Owl Class) teacher in addition to being the literacy and Art & Design subject leader. My passion is in the arts and I will take every opportunity to embed the arts in my teaching and find ways of making the classroom environment and my lessons stimulating and exciting.
My interests outside school include photography, swimming, badminton, pilates and cooking. I enjoy running a sewing club and in the past have run dance clubs where the children have been able to display their talents at the RichDance Festival. I enjoy looking for ways to enhance the school environment and in particular the display areas around the school.
Tash Morgan
I have been teaching at Ashley School since January 2010. I began teaching 1:1 and then moved back into the classroom teaching Year 5, Owl Class as part of a job-share 2 days a week. My career started in Richmond Borough in 1999: I taught Year 3 through to Year 6 in two schools. I knew from a really young age that I wanted to become a teacher, playing ‘schools’ often! Teaching is exciting and no two days are the same! I particularly enjoy teaching lessons that are part of a creative curriculum, providing stimulating and engaging learning opportunities. The children in Year 5 make me smile every day!
I am currently responsible for ICT in KS2. I have a passion for music and am about to begin running a recorder group for children in lower KS2.
I live locally and enjoy the fact that I can walk to school and I really feel part of the school, church and the wider community. I love being close to the river, which reminds me of my home in Cornwall. I am married with 3 children, aged 4, 7 and 8. My eldest 2 attend Ashley School. Outside of school I love to spend as much time with my family as I can, swimming, watching them play tennis, exploring National Trust properties and helping them with their school work! When I have time for myself I run, attend Pilates classes and go to the gym. I also enjoy spending time with my friends going into London and doing something cultural and to shop!
Daniel Cadman
I started teaching in 2004, working in nursery, primary and middle schools in rural Japan for three years. I then moved to Peru for a year, teaching years 5 and 6 in a British international school. When I undertook my teacher training I was lucky enough to spend time at Ashley for my first school placement. A year on I am teaching year 6 and loving every moment. I am a passionate person and encourage my pupils to express their passions in school and in their learning.
Within the school I currently assist in the school’s provision for ‘More Able’ pupils. I also co-organise and run our Funky Fridays. I take great pleasure in joining the Roots and Shoots team and getting involved wherever possible with the school garden and community.
Away from school my three passions are surfing, travelling and sustainability. I have spent recent summers travelling the UK and working on organic farms, also finding the time to explore our coastline and its many surf breaks. Fortunately, working at Ashley allows me to pursue my passion for our environment and world everyday.
Connect with us:
