Southrop C of E Primary School

Miss Davies, Co-Head Teacher, part-time Cygnet Class Teacher, Safeguarding Lead and Governor

From a very early age I always knew I wanted to work with children. After finishing my degree, I got my first teaching position in a small school as the infant teacher. Here I am now, Co- Head Teacher of Southrop C of E Primary. I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead this special school, with Mrs McLellan, and to see the children learn and flourish.

I love working in small schools, life is busy but you always feel part of the team. In my teaching capacity I am responsible for Music, PSHCE and I am the Designated Safeguarding Lead. I also ensure the children in Foundation Stage and Key Stage one are being provided with a fun and inspirational learning environment.

As the Co- Head teacher I am looking to show the children that they can succeed, actually more than that, ‘they can fly!’ I am very passionate about learning through our mistakes and our enjoyment.

Mrs McLellan, Co-Head Teacher, part-time Swan Class Teacher, Deputy Safeguarding Lead and Governor

I joined the school in 2008 starting out as a part-time teacher in the Junior Class. I am now part-time Co-Head Teacher and also teach 3 days a week in the Junior Class.

I trained as a teacher after having my own family and before that worked in IT.

Southrop School has a very special character and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work here for so many years and now lead the school along with Miss Davies. In any spare time I enjoy getting out on my bike into the countryside or gardening.

Mrs Tipple, part-time Cygent Class Teacher

At the early age of fourteen, I began assisting my wonderful drama teacher with teaching speech and drama classes. I knew immediately that I wanted to become a primary school teacher. After completion of my leaving certificate, I earned a BA honour’s Degree in History and History of Art at University College Dublin

I moved from County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland in 2010 to the UK where I trained as a primary school teacher and worked in Hampshire for several years before moving to the United Arab Emirates with my husband where we lived and worked for two years. I worked as a teacher and managed English at a UK Curriculum based Emirati school.

We moved back to the UK in 2017 and I gave birth to our first child in December, Síofra, a little girl. In June 2020, we welcomed our second child, Jasper Tadhg.

I love working at Southrop forging those relationships with my colleagues, children, parents and the wider community.I currently teach Wednesdays and Thursdays and lead English at Southrop.

Mrs Dawson, SENDCo and part-time Swan Class Teacher

A warning to all volunteers…… my teaching career started when I came in to help read with Year 1 and loved it so much I decided to stay. Previously I had an exciting career with mental health charities setting up cafes, gardening projects and supporting people through their recovery. Wellbeing and happiness are really important to me and I’m particularly interested in the positive mental health of children and young people.

I live in Quenington and love spending time in the Cotswold countryside. As my boys are getting older, I am having to keep fit to keep up and you will often see me running or cycling behind them! I love singing and I have always been part of choirs and music groups and more recently enjoyed leading my own choir. I have always had an interest in literature and writing and my pile of books waiting to be read never seems to stop growing.

Here at Southrop C of E Primary, I will be teaching the Junior Class on a Thursday and a Friday. I’m really looking forward to getting to know the children, staff and the Southrop community.

Mr Jones, Higher Level Teaching Assistant

After graduating with a degree in Philosophy in 2011, I began to consider what I wanted to do with my life. Teaching had always been something I was interested in but, as I considered it, it increasingly stood out as a perfect fit. I began volunteering in a local primary school and spent a year working as a teaching assistant in Bath prior to completing my PGCE at the University of Gloucestershire. I began teaching in 2014, and since then I have worked across all year groups from Reception to Year 6. I joined Southrop in 2020 after the birth of my first child, Milo. I love football and am a passionate supporter of Liverpool. I also enjoy cooking and reading.

Mrs Woodhams, Reception Teaching Assistant

I joined Southrop Primary school in 2010 and since then have enjoyed working as a Teaching Assistant throughout the school, supporting pupils' learning both individually and in small groups. I have been a TA for over 20 years, becoming a HLTA in 2006 and completing a Foundation Degree in Early years through the OU in 2008.

My home is in Highworth and I have 3 married daughters, 1 grandson and 4 granddaughters. As well as enjoying spending time with my family, I love nature, particularly bird watching and butterfly spotting, and any free afternoons will find me out in the countryside, armed with camera and binoculars! I also play the piano and recorder, have harp lessons and belong to a local Scottish Dancing Club.

Mrs Blackburn, Reception Teacher

With a degree in History of Art, I enjoyed cataloguing and valuing pictures at Christie’s in London before coming to the Cotswolds and raising my family. My four children are all now at university and the top end of school so I have time for myself and I have a trained to be a teacher with a PGCE from Oxford Brookes. I am delighted to be joining Southrop as a teacher and to become part of an energetic, friendly community of young people and dedicated staff. I live close by and enjoy walking my two dogs through our beautiful villages. My passions are art, travel and good food.

Mrs Simmons, School Administrator

I have been involved with the school since 2002, as a parent, a member of the PTA, listening to children read and Lunch Time Supervisor. I am now the School Administration Assistant, working 8.30-12.00 in the office. The school provided a sound foundation for my two children and it is wonderful to see so many children still experiencing the same caring and nurturing enviornment today. It is a very special school with committed staff and happy children. I live in Southrop and in my spare time I enjoy gardening,baking (I was one of the many people who got hooked on making sour dough during lockdown!) and walking with my Border Terrier, Molly.