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Our Staff

 

Senior Leadership Team

Please click on the name below to learn more about each member of our Senior Leadership 

Mrs Michelle Heather - Headteacher

I have been a teacher here at Buckden since 2007 and have seen the school go through many changes. I joined the Senior Leadership Team in 2014 and have worked alongside Alison Anderson, the CEO of ACT Trust, as firstly her Assistant Head and then her Deputy. In 2023, I became the Headteacher, as we became the sponsor school for ACT Academy Trust. I am very proud of all that we have achieved here at Buckden for our children. We will continue to strive with the excellent team I have around me to ensure that our children have the skills, knowledge and understanding, to move with confidence to the next stage of their education. 

Mrs Melanie Anderson - Assistant Headteacher

I joined Buckden in 2011 and have worked as a class teacher, language specialist and as Upper School Head.  I have had the opportunity to teach from EYFS to Year 6 as a language teacher and in both key stages as a class teacher. More recently, I have become one of the Assistant Headteachers, and I really enjoy being part of the team to lead the school and being part of its strategic direction.

More recently, I helped develop our new curriculum, ensuring it aligns to the National Curriculum and the UN Sustainable Goals. I am passionate about our curriculum and, as Eco Lead, I have worked hard with our Eco Council to attain an Eco Award with distinction. 

In my spare time, I enjoy walking, boxing and spending time with my family. 

Mrs Susan Tarpey - Assistant Headteacher

I joined Buckden in 2014 and have worked both as a class teacher, science specialist and Lower School Head.  I have taught across the school and more recently I have become one of the assistant headteachers. It is a great opportunity to be able to continue to ensure that Buckden is a great school to be part of and to gain the best education.

More recently, I helped develop our new curriculum, ensuring it aligns to the National Curriculum and the UN Sustainable Goals. I am passionate about our curriculum and have enjoyed embedding science into it for children, exposing them to the wonders of the natural world. 

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and spending time on my allotment.

Miss Laura Fozzard - SENDCo

I have taught at Buckden for 12 years, both as a class teacher, and Upper School Head. Whilst here, I have been responsible for leading PE and English. Whilst here, I have taught predominantly within year 5 and 6 but have had the opportunity to teach across the school from EYFS to year 6. 

Most recently, I have taken on the role of SENDCo and strive to continue embedding a whole school commitment to supporting our children with Special Educational Needs. Additionally, I am part of the Home School Hub team.

Mrs Nicola Butcher - SENDCo

I have taught at Buckden since 2012 as a classroom teacher. I have gained my Advanced Specialist Teacher status with the BDA, which enables me to give specialist support to those children with literacy difficulties. 

Most recently, I have taken on the role of SENDCo and strive to continue embedding a whole school commitment to supporting our children with Special Educational Needs. Additionally, I am part of the Home School Hub team.

Mrs Kate Purser Head of Upper School

I joined Buckden in 2011 and have worked as a classroom teacher. Recently, I became Head of Upper School. I feel passionate about ensuring that our children here at Buckden have the best educational offer and I am really pleased to be part of the senior leadership team to contribute to the strategic direction of Buckden.

I am a great advocate of Buckden and all three of my children have attended and had the benefit of the great educational offer.

Mrs Kate Woodward - Head of Early Years and Head of Lower School

I joined Buckden in 2011 and have worked in EYFS and KS1 as a classroom teacher. I am the EYFS lead teacher. I was part of the first cohort to gain Chartered Teacher Status at the Chartered College of Teachers. More recently, I have become Head of Lower School, which I enjoy both supporting my colleagues and pupils in lower school and being part of the strategic direction of the school.

Mrs Michelle Dunford - Attendance and Pastoral Lead/HSH

I joined the school in 2011 and as a EYFS Specialist teaching Assistant and later became Higher Level Teaching Assistant, therefore gaining experience across the school. I am especially passionate about SEMH needs and became the pastoral lead in 2022 and established the Home School Hub. As part of my role I am the Attendance Lead and I work closely with families to improve attendance of all our pupils under the guidelines put in place by government.

Teachers

Mrs Kate Woodward - EYFS
Mrs Denise Heal - EYFS

Miss Hannah Murkett - Year 1
Miss Isabel Greaves - Year 1

Mrs Christina Farmer - Year 2
Miss Laura Freeman - Year 2

Mrs Stacey Jaynes - Year 3 / Mrs Susan Tarpey - Year 3
Mrs Catherine Keating - Year 3

Miss Charlotte Wilson - Year 4 
Mrs Sonia Wall - Year 4

Mrs Melanie Anderson - Year 5 / Mrs Laura Conlong- Year 5
Mrs Caroline Schmidt - Year 5

Mrs Frances Walker - Year 6
Mrs Kate Purser - Year 6

Mrs Nicola Butcher - SEND
Miss Laura Fozzard - SEND

Melanie Gill - Nurture Group
Rebecca Routledge - Nurture Group

Mrs Katrina Pyke Milne - PPA Cover
Mr Jack Jenner - PPA Cover

Support Teaching Staff

Mrs Denise Carter - EYFS
Mrs Kim Davidson - EYFS
Mrs Valerie Ellis - EYFS

Miss Ronnie Dear - Year 1
Ms Michele Kelly - Year 1

Miss Antonia Judge - Year 2
Miss Chloe Burling - Year 2
Mrs Laura Pope - Year 2

Mrs Angie McDonnell - Year 3
Miss Katie Love - Year 3

Mrs Alison Whitehouse - Year 4
Miss Katie Love - Year 4
Miss Antonia Judge - Year 4

Mrs Sam Hardy - Year 5
Mrs Stephanie DeSilva- Year 5
Miss Katie Love - Year 5

Mrs Ruth Forshaw - Year 6
Mrs Jane Ryder - Year 6
Mrs Alison Whitehouse - Year 6
Mrs Stephanie De Silva - Year 6

Mrs Alison Morgan - Year 4

Mrs Michelle Dunford, Mrs Rebecca Routledge and Mrs Mel Gill - Pastoral Support

Administration Staff

Ms Gill Tipping - School Office Manager

Mrs Julie Marsh  - School Receptionist/Resources Administrator

Miss Sasha Lancaster - School Administrator and Receptionist

Catering Staff and Midday Supervisors

Mrs Michelle Bigg - Kitchen Manager

Mrs Donna Stewart, Mrs Jane De'ath-Stevens - Catering Staff

Mrs Jane Draycott, Mrs Karen Miles, Mrs Valerie Ellis, Mrs Sarah Galvin - Midday Supervisors

Site Staff 

Mr David Chamberlain - Site Manager

Mrs Julie Howe, Mrs Camelia Porojan, Mrs Helen Knight - Cleaning Staff

Buckden Out of School Scheme (BOSS) Staff

Mrs Chloe Burling - Manager

Ms Michele Kelly - Playworker
Mrs Samantha Hardy - Playworker
Miss Katie Love - Playworker
Mrs Donna Stewart - Playworker

 

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