Staff

At Rugby Free Primary School our vision is to have a ratio of one qualified teacher for every 20 pupils. This will help us achieve our overriding aim which is to deliver the very best quality of education to all of the children in our care.

Our staff team will grow each year as the number of children increases. Our current staff are:

Miss Rebecca Butters – Headteacher

Miss Butters is enjoying her role as Headteacher at Rugby Free Primary School.

Prior to her appointment at RFPS, Miss Butters taught across the primary age range in three different schools, was responsible for inclusion in two schools and achieved the National Award for SEN Coordination. She is committed to ensuring all children have a broad, balanced and enriched education and particularly enjoys working with parents, teachers and all members of the local community to help all children realise their potential. Miss Butters has experience providing support for children who speak English as an additional language and challenge for gifted and talented children.

In her spare time, she enjoys photography and especially enjoys capturing the sunrise and landscape photography. She also enjoys ceramics and pottery and loves nothing more than creating something out of nothing.

Miss Butters is thoroughly enjoying her post at Rugby Free Primary School and particularly enjoying working with small groups of children to ensure their full potential is realised.

Mrs Karen Sharp – Deputy Headteacher

Mrs Sharp is very excited to be our Deputy Head Teacher at Rugby Free Primary School.

Prior to joining the school, Mrs Sharp taught children from Reception to Year Six in three different schools in Bolton and Warwickshire. She has worked as an Early Years, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two Manager and as an Assistant Head Teacher. She set up an Outstanding Foundation Stage Unit and has supported other Early Years Managers in her role as a Specialist Leader of Education. Mrs Sharp is committed to making learning for all children engaging and enjoyable, so that they achieve their full potential and love learning. She has a passion for reading herself and loves to inspire children to become readers. Mrs Sharp is fascinated by the way children learn and has completed an MA in Educational Studies at Warwick University.

In her spare time, Mrs Sharp enjoys playing with her young daughters and having days out with the family and her dog. She loves drawing and painting and her house can sometimes resemble a craft workshop. She enjoys being part of her local community and is keen to develop community links in her role at the school.

 

Mrs Natasha Samra – Assistant Headteacher / Mathematics Lead/ Year Four Teacher

Mrs Samra is our Phase Leader plus she is responsible for our Powerful Penguins class. Miss Samra is also our Mathematics leader.

Mrs Samra is extremely passionate about teaching and is skilled at finding creative ways to ensure that children reach their full potential. She has completed the Outstanding teacher programme which has given her a valuable insight into the different ways that children learn.

Prior to joining RFPS, Mrs Samra was responsible for a Key Stage One class in an outstanding school in Coventry, she was P.E. co-ordinator and she particularly enjoyed being responsible for gifted and talented provision across the school and enjoyed helping other staff to find different ways of challenging more able children in

 

Miss Amy Pohl  

Prior to joining RFPS, Miss Pohl completed her four-year BA (Hons) Primary Education degree with Qualified Teacher Status at The University of Winchester. As part of her degree, Miss Pohl undertook ICT and Multimedia as her subject specialism and is now enjoying utilising her extensive ICT skills at Rugby Free Primary School. Her teaching has been graded outstanding on various occasions by different external partners.

In her spare time, Miss Pohl enjoys dance, arts and crafts. She is enjoying incorporating these along with her computing skills into the school’s programme of extra-curricular activities.

 

Mr Ben Foster – Year Two Teacher

Mr Foster is one of our Year Two teachers. He is responsible for our Curious Crocodiles class.

Prior to joining RFPS, Mr Foster worked for an international charity mobilising young people in various community development projects around the world, which has taken him to over forty countries. He is passionate about motivating and empowering people to fulfil their potential. He studied Economics at University before recently completing a PGCE at Staffordshire University.

In his spare time, he enjoys time with his family, as well as playing football, kayaking, hiking and snowboarding.

 

Miss Jacqueline Dall – Year Three Teacher

Prior to joining RFPS, Miss Dall completed her four-year BA (Hons) Primary Education Degree with Qualified Teacher Status at Nottingham Trent University. Miss Dall has a particular interest in outdoor learning, particularly in science, and how this can allow children to make links to real-life connections. She has completed her Level 1 Forest School Training.

In her spare time, Miss Dall enjoys keeping active. Despite being very busy, she always makes time to go to the gym! Miss Dall also enjoys spending time with her friends and family, going out for dinner and visiting new places!

 

Mr Thomas Wallder – Reception Teacher

Mr Wallder completed his PGCE at London Metropolitan University after his undergraduate degree in Film Studies.

Prior to joining RFPS, Mr Wallder taught for 3 years at an infants’ school in London where he was a Year Two teacher and Literacy coordinator. Mr Wallder is very excited to be teaching Reception this year at RFPS and is looking forward to creating exciting learning experiences for his new class. He is a passionate teacher who enjoys bringing drama into the classroom and loves doing silly voices during story time.

In his spare time, Mr Wallder enjoys watching movies, reading, going for walks and has been enjoying discovering the Midlands since his move up from London.

 

Miss Amy Tyler – Science Lead and Year Three Teacher

Miss Tyler is responsible for our Terrific Turtles class and is also our Science Leader.

Prior to joining RFPS, Miss Tyler did her Qualified Teacher Status at Newman University. She has a particular interest in developing children’s learning through the outdoor environment and has especially enjoyed leading our Eco Team this year. Miss Tyler has an interest in Forest Schools and is looking at moving towards creating a forest school at RFPS next year.

Miss Tyler has had several years experience working in the Early Years. She previously managed a successful Nursery where she promoted the development of all the children in her care and tailored their learning.

In her spare time she enjoys going to the gym. Miss Tyler also enjoys spending time with friends, family and the dog and travelling the country exploring new and exciting places.

 

Miss Emily Hearle – SEND Lead, SMSC and Year One Teacher

Miss Hearle is one of our Year One teachers. She is responsible for our Outstanding Owls. Miss Hearle is also our SEND Lead & SMSC leader.

Prior to joining RFPS, Miss Hearle worked for several years as a Key Stage One and Lower Key Stage Two teacher. She has a degree in Music and studied a Modern Foreign Languages specialism as part of her teacher training.

Most recently, she has been teaching in an Outstanding international school in Valencia, Spain, where she has enjoyed improving her language skills and working with children with English as an additional language. She is however, very excited to have returned home to England to join the team at RFPS.

In her spare time, Miss Hearle enjoys listening to and playing music and she likes to go to see theatre performances, especially musicals. Miss Hearle loves to read, travel to new places and also enjoys crafts, such as sewing and crocheting.

 

Mr Mark Adkins – Year Three Teacher

Prior to joining RFPS, Mr Adkins had been teaching at an International Primary School in Dubai as a KS2 Teacher and Head of Science, working with teachers and pupils from all over the world, and enjoying the hot weather.

Before this he taught at a small Northamptonshire school for five years and two years at a Rugby Secondary Grammar School, enabling him to teach every year group from Year 1 to Year 13!

He studied for his PGCE in Primary Ed at Warwick University and also has a degree in English Literature and Film from Sheffield Hallam. In his spare time Mr Adkins loves cooking, reading, watching movies with his pet tortoise and playing as much cricket as possible.

 

Miss Charlotte Wilson – PE Lead, Anti Bullying Lead and Year Two Teacher

Miss Wilson is one of our Year Two teachers. She is responsible for our Fantastic Foxes class. Miss Wilson is also our anti bullying lead and PE co-ordinator.

Prior to joining RFPS, Miss Wilson attended the University of Northampton where she completed her three year BA (Hons) in Primary Teaching. Whilst she was studying she specialised in English, which was the start of her passion for children’s literature and drama.

Anti Bullying is a strong interest of Miss Wilson’s and she is excited about leading our new school friendship ambassadors who will promote good friendships, ensure everybody understands the effect of being unkind to others and further promote our zero bullying policy.

In her spare time, Miss Wilson enjoys running and various other sports such as rounders and netball. Miss Wilson also enjoys travelling to new and exciting places.

 

Miss Katy Preston – Humanities Lead and Year Four Teacher

Miss Preston is one of our Year Four teachers. She is responsible for our Energetic Elephants class. Miss Preston is also our Humanities lead.

Miss Preston attended the University of Leicester to complete her three year BA (Hons) in History. Whilst studying she took part in a ‘right to read’ programme where she visited schools in Leicester to provide more opportunities for children to read. After this, Miss Preston attended Newman University in Birmingham to complete a PGCE.

Previous to joining RFPS she has taught in Year One for two years in Milton Keynes and Year Three prior to this in Birmingham. She led History and Geography also in her previous role which allowed her to share her love of these areas with other teachers and children. Miss Preston is enjoying continuing this at RFPS, along with leading our topic curriculum which incorporates other foundation subjects alongside History and Geography.

In her spare time, she enjoys baking and running. She has taken part in the ‘race for life’ multiple times and has ran the Birmingham Half Marathon. Miss Preston is enjoying doing our baking club RFPS and not only sharing her passion for baking but also looking at the history of baking and learning new recipes and ideas. Miss Preston also enjoys spending time with her family and friends which often takes her all over the country!

 

Mrs Kathyrn Swain – Languages Lead and Reception Teacher

Mrs Swain is one of our Reception teachers. She is responsible for our Delightful Dragons class. Miss Parker is also our Languages lead.

Mrs Swain completed her PGCE at St Mary’s University in London after gaining an undergraduate degree in Sociology.

Previous to joining RFPS, Mrs Swain taught for two years in a school in Birmingham where she was a specialist Maths teacher and led speaking and listening. She is very much enjoying being our languages lead at RFPS and combining her knowledge of speaking and listening with a love for languages. Mrs Swain enjoyed organising European Languages Day and continuing to promote languages throughout the curriculum.

In her spare time, Mrs Swain enjoys open water swimming and is training for a half marathon. She also loves going to London to see friends and family and enjoys going to the theatre.

 

Mrs Bavita Sareen – English Lead and Year Three Teacher

Mrs Sareen is one of our Year Three teachers. She is responsible for our Wise Wolves class. Mrs Sareen is also our English lead.

Prior to working at RFPS, Mrs Sareen has taught in both Nottinghamshire and most recently prior to RFPS, in Warwickshire as a Maths leader. While she loves maths and working with numbers, she has a real passion for books and English and so is enthused by her new role at RFPS as English leader and is enjoying planning various exciting initiative to further promote reading and writing.

In her spare time, Mrs Sareen enjoys cooking, holidays, walking and gardening.

 

Mr David Payne – Computing Lead and Year Four Teacher

Mr Payne is one of our Year Four teachers. He is responsible for our Heroic Hares class. Mr Payne is also our Computing lead.

Prior to joining RFPS, Mr Payne has taught for several years in KS2 in Loughborough where he led Computing and is passionate for utilising technology in schools. He gained a degree in Forensic Science before completing his teacher training. Whilst he enjoys using his science background to inspire the children, he also greatly enjoys creative writing and sporting activities.

In his spare time he likes to keep active, playing football as many times as time allows, as well as writing stories to share with his class.

 

Mrs Sarah Walker – Year Two Teacher & School Library Manager

Mrs Walker is one of our Year Two teachers. She is responsible for our Gorgeous Giraffes class. Mrs Walker is also the School Library Manager.

Mrs Walker became a teacher after being inspired by her own children’s love of learning. She is passionate about teaching and ensuring all pupils achieve their full potential through active, engaging and challenging learning experiences. Prior to joining RFPS, Mrs Walker taught across Key Stage 2 in schools within Coventry and Warwickshire. At her last post in Coventry, where she taught for four years, she particularly enjoyed being responsible for raising the profile of reading and launching a whole school reading scheme.

In her spare time, Mrs Walker loves spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys listening to music, watching films at the cinema, going to the gym and travelling to different places.

 

Miss Megan Bailey – Year One Teacher & Music Lead

Miss Bailey is one of our Year One teachers. She is responsible for our Remarkable Rabbit class. Miss Bailey is also our Music lead.

Prior to joining RFPS, Miss Bailey attended the University of Worcester where she completed her three year BA (Hons) in Primary Teaching. She then taught at a primary school in Coventry in Key Stage 1. During this time, Miss Bailey was Music co-ordinator and really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know all children throughout the school through various extra-curricular activities.

Miss Bailey has an agricultural background and loves all things farming! She hopes to help children understand where their food comes from and the processes involved from farm to fork! She is looking forward to sharing this with her class. She also enjoys creating resources for the children to use in lesson time and also developing children’s growth mindsets!

 

Miss Lauren Calcutt – Reception Teacher

 Miss Calcutt is one of our Reception teachers. She is responsible for our Marvellous Monkeys class.

Prior to joining RFPS, Miss Calcutt completed her four-year BA (Hons) Primary Education degree with Qualified Teacher Status at Nottingham Trent University where she specialised in Early Years (3-7). Miss Calcutt has a particular interest in developing children’s holistic learning through utilising the outdoor environment. She has completed her Level 1 Forest School training.

In her spare time, Miss Calcutt enjoys keeping active and travelling. Last year, Miss Calcutt taught English as an Additional Language in a Sri Lankan school.

 

Miss Samantha Hayter – Year One Teacher & Arts Lead

Miss Hayter is one of our Year One teachers. She is responsible for our Brilliant Bears class. Miss Hayter is also our Arts lead

Prior to joining RFPS, Miss Hayter worked in London teaching within key stage 1. She was the history lead for her previous school where she helped to develop a fun and engaging history curriculum. Miss Hayter studied at Roehampton University and has a degree in Education and a foundation degree in art and design. Miss Hayter enjoys finding creative ways to teach children and tries to think of immersive ways to get children passionate about their learning.

In her spare time Miss Hayter enjoys spending time with her family and friends, travelling to new places around the world, going to the theatre and cinema, as well as exercising through dance.

 

Miss Jo Wilday – Teaching and Learning Assistant 

Miss Wilday works with small groups of children and individual children. Supporting children who mainly need extra help to complete tasks and supporting the class teachers in moving learning forward. Prior to joining Rugby Free Primary School Miss Wilday worked as a Systems Officer in Local Government, but after spending time volunteering at her daughter’s school has decided on a career change.

In her spare time Miss Wilday enjoys spending time with her family, friends and dog. She particularly enjoys spending time watching her daughter performing gymnastics and horse riding, and her son playing Rugby.

 

Mrs Beena Mistry – Teaching and Learning Assistant 

Mrs Mistry works with small groups of children and individual children supporting those that may need extra help to complete tasks. She also supports the class teacher in moving children’s learning forward. Prior to joining Rugby Free Primary School, Mrs Mistry worked as a Teaching and Learning Assistant in a small primary school in Barby.

In her spare time Mrs Mistry likes to spend time with her family and friends. She enjoys cooking and baking with her daughter and trying out new recipes. She also enjoys watching her daughter perform in her dance shows.

 

Miss Genevieve Jordan  – Teaching and Learning Assistant 

Miss Jordan works with small groups of children, individual children and supports the class teachers in moving learning forward. She is passionate about learning, particularly using creative art as a medium as this is her passion.

In her spare time, Miss Jordan likes to spend time with family and friends and to be outdoors in the countryside. She has recently competed a floristry course from which she has dabbled in producing wedding flowers for family and friends. This has become a new hobby as it’s a subject with continuous learning with beautiful outcomes. Miss Jordan also enjoys photography.

 

Mrs Clair Vural – Teaching and Learning Assistant 

Mrs Vural is one of our Teaching Assistants who works 1:1 with certain children. She also works with small groups of children and supports the class teachers in moving learning forward.

In her spare time she loves spending time with her two boys and particularly enjoys watching them compete in athletics competitions. This has also inspired her to improve her own fitness and she has recently taken up running. She loves listening to music and although not naturally musical, she has a ukulele which she is trying to teach herself to play.

 

Miss Emma Barnes – Teaching and Learning Assistant 

Miss Barnes works with small groups of children, individual children and supports the class teachers in moving learning forward. She particularly enjoys working with children with special educational needs and helping them access the curriculum and overcome any barriers to learning they have.

In her spare time, Miss Barnes enjoys spending time with her little girl, particularly taking her on days out and they particularly enjoy sharing picnics together. Miss Barnes also enjoys spending time with friends and particularly enjoys seeing new films at the cinema.

 

Mrs Roshni Panchal – Teaching and Learning Assistant 

Prior to joining Rugby Free Primary Mrs Panchal was based at the University of Leicester where she worked as a Research Scientist. Mrs Panchal has a BSc degree in Microbiology and has a particular interest in how the human body functions. After having children of her own she was inspired by their positive attitude to learning and decided on a career change. Mrs Panchal is passionate about helping children achieve their full potential by offering them a nurturing and caring environment so that they can feel safe and not be afraid to try.

In her spare time Mrs Panchal likes to experiment with ingredients to create healthy recipes with the help of her children. She has a keen interest in nutrition and the benefits that certain foods provide in order to support the body and mind. She also enjoys being in the company of friends and family.

 

Mrs Becky White – Teaching and Learning Assistant

Mrs White is a qualified teacher and attended Canterbury Christchurch University. She has worked across all primary ages during different roles. Whilst at Rugby Free Primary School her role will be Teaching Assistant in Key Stage Two, supporting children in their learning. On some occasions she will be covering teachers.

In her spare time she enjoys playing badminton with friends and experimenting with new cuisines and baking for friends and family.

 

Mrs Nikki Davison – Teaching and Learning Assistant

Mrs Davison retrained to be a Teaching Assistant when her daughter started school 8 years ago.  At the same time she also studied a British Sign Language course as it was something that she had always had been, and still is,  interested in.  Mrs Davison always enjoy seeing how the children progress and grow throughout their years at primary school.

Prior to retraining she spent some years in theatre on stage but these days is happy to watch musicals from the other side of the curtain and also enjoys Zumba classes to keep fit.  Mrs Davison loves doing crosswords and word puzzles and is currently trying to see how many bee friendly plants she can fit into her garden to help our diminishing wildlife. She is also pretty keen on baking, although admits she is a long way off The British Bake Off standards!!!

 

Mrs Suzanna Phillimore – Finance and Admin Manager 

Mrs Phillimore is an experienced Finance and Admin Manager, most recently working in a local Warwickshire school in Bedworth. Mrs Phillimore has a wealth of experience within both Finance and Admin. Mrs Phillimore will manage all our school finances and also oversee Health and Safety within school.

In her spare time, Mrs Phillimore enjoys reading a range of modern and contemporary books. She also enjoys live music events and musicals. Mrs Phillimore has two sons and is an active supporter of their football activities, including actively working with the teams they play for to raise funds to purchase new equipment and help subsidise tour costs.

 

Mrs Eleanor Odwell – Administration 

Prior to joining Rugby Free Primary School Mrs Odwell has experience working in libraries and bookselling.  She will be working closely with Miss Butters and also the administration team.

In her spare time Mrs Odwell enjoys spending time with her family out and about, visiting historical properties and walking.  She likes to travel both in the UK and abroad and is interested in learning about new places.  She always has a book to hand and loves to read modern fiction and classics.  Mrs Odwell also likes a trip to the cinema when she has some free time.

 

Mrs Clare Southam – Administration 

Mrs Southam helps support the administration team in the smooth running of the school.

In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and is busy with weekend clubs and acting lessons for her daughters. When she does have time she enjoys spa days, shopping with friends and visiting the cinema and music concerts. Mrs Southam is an avid collector of Irregular Choices shoes, which are some funky looking footwear.

 

We are also privileged to have the following partnership staff working as part of our school team:

Mr Brandon Sheehan – Game On

Miss Chelsea Smith- Game On

Mr Ricky Blewitt – Game On

Mr Ryan Morris – Game On

Miss Keeley Dann – Game On

Miss Amie Rowe – Educaterers

Mrs Christine Roe – Educaterers

Mrs Helen Walker – Educaterers

Mrs Erica Bryant – Educaterers

Mrs Rita Cowderoy – Educaterers

Miss Stacey Dymek – Educaterers

Mr Matt Jankowski – Facilities Officer

Mrs Stacee Leadbetter –  Cleaning Contract