Our Staff (ID 1104)

• Mr Smith
  Headteacher
  Mr Smith

  My name is Mr Smith.

  I was born in Stourbridge, near Dudley. My earliest childhood memory was winning the school ‘knobbly knee’ championships.

  My inspiration to teach came from Mr Liptrott, a Yorkshireman who was my primary school teacher. He opened the door for me to the world of literature, poems, reading them aloud with voices and theatrics.

  I have been a teacher since 1997, working in both primary and middle schools. I have also taught outdoor education and the Duke of Edinburgh award to pupils at secondary level.

  I have been an Assistant Head, a Deputy Head and served as an officer in the fire brigade prior to starting my first Headteacher role at Chilmark and Fonthill Bishop in 2016.

  I am married to Rebecca Westcott, a best-selling children’s author, with three children and a Cockerpoo.

  I also like pickled eggs and salted crisps.

• Mrs Hale
  Elm Class teacher and SENCO
  Mrs Hale

  My name is Mrs Hale and I am one of the teachers in Elm Class. I have been teaching for 20 years and spent most of my career teaching in Bristol before relocating to Wiltshire. My roles in school include Elm Class teacher, SENCO, Maths Lead, PSHE Lead and Mental Well-being Lead.

  My interest in teaching started as a young child when I would sit with my dad, who was also a primary school teacher, and watch him planning and marking books. He has always been and continues to be my inspiration and aspire to be the teacher that he is.

  Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my two wonderful children and our family dog. I have a passion for horses and riding and enjoy being able to do this with my daughter. Connecting with animals is something that I value and believe has a significant impact on us all as a family.

• Miss Murphy
  Oak Class Teacher
  Miss Murphy

  I am Miss Murphy, I qualified as a teacher in 2017 and have been working here at Chilmark since April 2020. Over this time, I have taught children in reception up to year 4. I am currently teaching in Oak, a class of Reception and Year 1 children and leading EYFS, Phonics and Humanities. I have also just completed an NPQ in Behaviour and Culture.

  
  My inspiration for teaching came from one of my own primary school teachers and from a young age, I wanted to be just like her. I have an undergraduate degree in History and it was at primary school that I began to develop this interest.

  
  In my free time, I enjoy getting out in the local countryside and the coast. I would love to have walked all of the South West Coast Path one day. I have a Jack Russell called Milo who often joins me on my walks. He is full of energy so we also practice agility sometimes

• Mrs Johnstone
  Elm Class Teacher
  Mrs Johnstone

  I am new to Chilmark but have been a KS2 teacher for over 20 years. I became a teacher as a result of really enjoying my own experiences of school which included lots of sport and drama. I take pride in building children’s self-esteem so they feel able to take risks in their learning. I strive to plan engaging activities and opportunities which lead to lasting memories. I am a bit of a story teller and enjoy sharing anecdotes to enliven lessons. I once had to do a dare – a cartwheel wearing a tutu- in response to challenging my whole class to achieve 10/10 in their spelling test.

  I grew up in Cornwall and love the outdoors. I have two spoilt Labradors who share walks, swims and the occasional cream tea with me. My two daughters have flown the nest – one is a veterinary nurse and the other is studying English at Warwick University. I enjoy our girly catchups and shopping trips during school holidays

• Mrs Cunningham
  Sycamore Class Teacher
  Mrs Cunningham

  My name is Mrs Cunningham and I teach the children in Sycamore Class. I have been teaching for four years and I was delighted to come back to Chilmark to work as it was the Primary School I came to as a pupil.

  My favourite subjects in school were History and Maths and these are also two of my favourite subjects to teach. There have been lots of changes since I was here but I do remember lots from when I started in Oak Class.

  I like baking cakes and decorating them in my spare time. I enjoy going on walks at the weekends with my family and our Husky, visiting farms with my daughter and having a hot chocolate in a café to warm up afterwards! I also enjoy reading and going to the theatre. One of my favourite musicals is the Lion King as I really like the costumes and songs.

• Mrs Rennard
  School Administrator
  Mrs Rennard

  I have worked at Chilmark for 7 years and previously was at a Dorset primary school.

  At home I enjoy baking often taking inspiration from a variety of people from Nigella to the Hairy Bikers.

  When we have time my partner Nick & I enjoy country walks with our springer spaniel Seb and weekend trips to Devon and Cornwall.

• Mrs Crowe
  Oak Class Teaching Assistant
  Mrs Crowe

  My name is Mrs Crowe and I am the Teaching Assistant in Oak Class. I have worked with children on and off over the last 17 years in various roles: childminding, nanny and teaching assistant.

  I volunteered at my daughter’s schools when they were in Nursery, Reception and Year 1. I love watching how children progress through the school and the “oh, I get it” moments are very rewarding.

  I have wanted to work with children from a young age, and playing schools was a favourite of mine. As a teenager, most families in the village where I lived would ask me to babysit.

  Outside school, I enjoy spending time with my family and I love crafting, selling through my online shop.

• Mrs Chapman
  Sycamore Class Teaching Assistant & ELSA
  Mrs Chapman

  I'm Joanna Chapman and I have been coming to our school every school day since 1992, when my own four children started school here.

  Over the years, I have been able to contribute to school life in many different ways including 15 years on the 'Friends' fundraising team, 8 years as a governor, 10 years teaching RE, 20 years as a teaching assistant, 11 years as a mid-day supervisor and for the last 13 years as the ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) for our school.I am passionate about the emotional health and well-being of children and it has been a joy to establish and develop the ELSA role here at Chilmark.

  While my children were growing up I studied for a degree in Social Sciences with Social Policy, a diploma in Mental Health and Well-Being, a Post-Graduate award in Teaching Primary Religious Education as well as an NVQ 3 in Early Years Care and Education. I feel so fortunate to be able to bring my interests into my workplace and use what I have learned to support the children in school.

  Outside school I love spending time with my family and especially my four gorgeous grand-children. I belong to a community choir and a reading group and I probably spend far too much time at the theatre! I enjoy precious moments of joy such as eating cake with friends and I believe that life is too short not to wear sparkly trainers!

• Mrs Hawkins
  Assistant School Administrator
  Mrs Hawkins