The Reception team:

Mrs Emma Gorman –  Lower School Team Leader

Mrs Kylie Waters - Class Teacher (Mon-Wed)

Mr Jon Dolman - Class Teacher (Wed-Fri)

Miss Leanne Hardwell – Teaching Assistant

Mrs Sarah Dainton-Long - Teaching Assistant

Kylie Waters

I began my teaching career in Essex where I taught for 5 years, before returning to my Devon routes and joining the Shiphay team in 2013. I have been fortunate to teach a range of age groups, but I’m excited to be returning to a Reception class this year on a part time basis. It is a privilege to be trusted with the youngest members of the school as they begin their journey into education. 

In my classroom, I offer a nurturing, welcoming and safe place where the children feel a sense of belonging, excitement and desire to learn in many different creative ways, both inside and outside. I look forward to getting to know each of the children to be able to explore and develop together. 

In my spare time, I love to spend time with my 3 young children going on plenty of adventures! I’m also a keen netballer and love swimming, though I’m yet to brave any kind of cold water swimming!

Jon Dolman

Since I joined the Shiphay Team 11 years ago, I have taught in Year 1, Year 5, Year 4 and Reception. I really enjoy teaching in Early Years and seeing the huge advances that children make in their learning journeys. I especially like teaching phonics and seeing the children turn into independent readers over the course of the year. I also get an immense amount of satisfaction from helping to support the Reception children in their personal, social and emotional development which is key to shaping how they approach the future whilst here at Shiphay.

 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 programme’. My teacher training was split between academic study, gaining a First Class Honours 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.

In my spare time, I enjoy keeping as healthy as possible by running, cycling and sea swimming most days. I also get very excited when out foraging for fungi and find some choice edibles.

Leanne Hardwell

After having my daughter in 2012, I knew that working with children was exactly the career path I wanted to take. I studied childcare at college, which enabled me to experience working in Nursery settings for 2 years. I furthered my education at South Devon University Centre, where I studied my Honours degree in Child Development and Education for 3 years. Prior to and during my University studies, I worked in a small school in Torquay for a total of 6 years, working with children from Reception to Year 6.
In 2021, the opportunity arose to work as a Teaching Assistant at Shiphay Learning Academy, which is a wonderful opportunity for me to further develop my skills and knowledge of supporting children in their learning and development. I am currently based in Reception two days a week and in Year 2 one day a week and I love working in both year groups. I have a nurturing, creative and fun personality and I thoroughly enjoy supporting children in all aspects of their learning.

I have two children and we love to do lots of family things together, such as dog walks, baking cakes and going on day trips.

Sarah Dainton-Long

I joined the Shiphay Learning Academy team in September 2022.  I am part of the Reception Team and currently work 3 days a week. My career has consisted of working within the same law firm for 22 years and qualifying as a lawyer. However, after having my two daughters I decided that I wanted to pursue a new career and it has always been a dream to work with children. Shiphay Learning Academy has provided me with this opportunity and I am excited to help children develop through learning and play activities. I find it extremely rewarding to see the children developing each day and being able to support them on their journey as they progress through Reception. 

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my husband and two young daughters, family and friends and walking our Cockerpoo. I also enjoy being outside and spending time at the beach and paddle boarding.