The Teaching Team:
Mrs Emma Gorman – Lower School Team Leader
Mrs Kylie Waters - Butterfly Class Teacher
Mr Jon Dolman - Butterfly Class Teacher
Miss Lily Sewell - Dragonfly Class Teacher
Mrs Jannice Boot - Ladybird Class Teacher
Mrs Alex Thomas - Ladybird Class Teacher
Mrs Jenny Armstrong - Teaching Assistant
Mrs Michelle Black - Teaching Assistant
Mrs Sarah Dainton-Long - Teaching Assistant
Mrs Sarah Dollar - Teaching Assistant
Miss Leanne Hardwell – Teaching Assistant
Mrs Linda Hickman - Teaching Assistant
Mr Joe Giampaglia - Teaching Assistant
Miss Katie McCooey Hall - Teaching Assistant
Mrs Rachel Milkins - Teaching Assistant
Mr Jon Dolman - Butterfly Class Teacher
Since I joined the Shiphay Team 10 years ago, I have taught in Year 1, Year 5, Year 4 and Reception. I am really looking forward to working in an even more vibrant learning community as we move into the next academic year and mixed Reception and Year 1 classes. I really enjoy teaching in Early Years and seeing the huge advances that children make in their learning journeys, and I am eager to take the children who have been in Reception this year and help them progress even further from the firm foundations they have achieved. I also look forward to getting to know each of the new Reception children and supporting them on the first steps of their Shiphay journey.
My motivation to teach stems from my experiences in my previous military career, where nine years were spent in instructional positions. These included instructing new recruits in engineering and training soldiers on their trade course at the School of Military Engineering. When I left the military I was successful in gaining a place on the ‘Troops to Teachers program’. My teacher training was split between academic study, gaining a First Class Honors Degree in Primary Education Studies, with Brighton University and working in Shiphay Learning Academy for four days a week.
Since I joined the Shiphay team, I have had the opportunity to set up and run a successful Forest Club, which has allowed me to share my love of the outdoors with the children. I had the opportunity to work in many places around the world while I was in the army and had the chance to experience many different things, from working with the Kenyan Wildlife Service, helping to save rhinos, to looking for a lost Inca city in Bolivia. It gives me a great sense of satisfaction when I can use my experiences to immerse the children in their learning.
When I am not involved in activities with my family, I can usually be found maintaining the garden at home in some way. When I find time, I like to fish from my kayak and take long walks in the country with my dog. I also used to take part in many physical activities and events, such as cross-country running and steeplechase events; I still continue to run, swim and cycle for pleasure and as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Mrs Kylie Waters - Butterfly Class Teacher
In my classroom, I offer a nurturing, fun, welcoming and safe place where the children feel a sense of belonging, excitement and desire to learn in many different creative ways. I enjoy offering a creative and engaging curriculum and seek to provide opportunities to strengthen and develop learning across all areas of the curriculum, with particular enthusiasm for early reading and phonics. Play-based learning is one of the most important and effective ways to help children develop and grow into the unique and wonderful people that they are, and it is something I advocate for to develop lifelong learners.
I am qualified in Level 2 Makaton and love to use this form of communication every day in my classroom with all children. I look forward to getting to know each of the children so that we can explore and develop together, as well as create a strong bond with the newly formed classes.
In my spare time, I love to spend time with my 3 young children and go on plenty of adventures, especially camping! I’m also a keen netballer and love walking & hiking! I love to read and hope to instil a love of reading in the children that I teach.
Miss Lily Sewell - Dragonfly Class Teacher
After completing my Early Years and Primary Teaching degree at University last year, I joined Shiphay. I have successfully completed my first ECT year and am honoured to stay in Lower School to continue my ECT journey. In my time at Shiphay, I have enjoyed teaching Year 1, and I am really looking forward to having the opportunity to teach a mixed Reception and Year 1 class this year. I am excited to watch the children learn and grow in Dragonfly class.
I am continuing to learn British Sign Language, which I hope to bring into my teaching and provision in order to promote inclusion for all children as well as parents and staff. I enjoy creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment for all children where the children are encouraged to reach their full potential.
I enjoy teaching all areas of the curriculum but especially enjoy phonics and literacy, as I believe phonics can be used as a foundation for all other subjects in the national curriculum. Specialising in Early Years has allowed me to see the transitions from the EYFS to the national curriculum.
When I’m not teaching in school, you will usually find me reading or taking long walks along the coastal paths with my family. I also enjoy going on ski holidays and have previously taken part in competitive ski racing.
Mrs Jannice Boot - Ladybird Class Teacher
I have been a class teacher here at Shiphay since I qualified in 1990. I did a first degree in Fine Art, followed by a PGCE in Early Years education. During my time here, I have had a number of leadership roles, including leading the Lower School Team and being the coordinator for Key Stage One.
In my time at Shiphay, I enjoyed teaching in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. I’m really looking forward to teaching a mixed Reception and Year 1 class this year. I really enjoy teaching in the early years, and it will be exciting to see the children grow and learn in Bumblebee.
I enjoy teaching all areas of the curriculum, especially literacy, as I have a real love for books and stories. I am also very interested in the Natural World and take every opportunity to include my love for nature and my enjoyment of Art in our themed work.
I like to make my classroom a welcoming and friendly place where children are encouraged to explore and investigate together within an engaging curriculum. I am passionate about providing every child with the opportunity to achieve their full potential, providing the children with the skills they need to become independent, confident and aspirational learners. Outside of the classroom, I love to go on walks with my family and spend time in my garden.
Mrs Alex Thomas - Ladybird Class Teacher
I started my career as a Year Four teacher in Reading in 2015, where I was the PE coordinator. This is an area of the curriculum I particularly enjoy teaching as it allows children to get active and learn creatively. In 2017, I joined Shiphay Learning Academy and had the pleasure of teaching in Upper School and Middle School. In 2022, I became Maths subject lead and have enjoyed the opportunities it has brought me to study the theory and practice of learning Mathematics from Nursery to Year 6. It is these experiences that have inspired me to teach in Year 1/Reception, as I understand the importance of the early stages in a child’s unique learning journey. I believe learning should ignite children’s curiosity, leading to those eureka moments that make learning so memorable. I strongly believe that it is these exciting learning opportunities that spark children’s love for learning across the curriculum and create life-long learners.
Bumblebee class will be a safe area where children are encouraged to share and explore their ideas. I believe it is essential to ensure all children feel confident to have a go and develop the skills to become resilient learners. We will create a supportive and engaging learning environment in which your child can grow.
When I’m not teaching, I love to spend time with my family, hiking around Torbay and meeting up with friends. During my maternity leave, I took up gardening, and I am currently in the learning pit. However, I have successfully grown a pear! I am looking forward to meeting you all and beginning our journey together in Reception and Year 1 Class.
Teaching Assistants | ||||
Mrs Jenny Armstrong | Mrs Michelle Black | Mrs Sarah Dainton-Long | Mrs Sarah Dollar | Miss Leanne Hardwell |
Mrs Linda Hickman | Mr Joe Giampaglia | Miss Katie McCooey Hall | Mrs Rachel Milkins |