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Shalfleet Staff

Head Teacher: Mrs Elizabeth Grainger – BEd English (Hons)

Deputy Head Teacher:  Mrs Georgina Westhorpe

Duty Lead:  Mrs Jennie Thompson

Business Manager: Mrs Sarah Woodburn (sbm@fosay.co.uk)

Finance Manager: Mrs Vikki Plumley (financemanager@fosay.co.uk)

Chair of Governors: Mrs Carla Bradshaw van den Akker

Vice Chair of Governors: Mr Stephen Holland

Class Staff 2023-2024

Rainbow Class (Reception)
Teacher: Mrs Cheryl Hedley (Mrs Debbie Munn (HLTA) & Mrs Cathryn Brett Hill (HLTA) teaching Thursdays)
Supporting Learning: Mrs Lindsey Cox & Mrs Whittle

Sunshine Class (Year One)
Teacher: Mrs Lucie Thurman (Mrs Debbie Munn (HLTA) & Mrs Cathryn Brett Hill (HLTA) teaching Fridays)
Supporting Learning: Mrs Claire Swift, Mrs Hayley Angel & Mrs Cathryn Brett Hill

Sky Class (Year Two)
Teacher: Mrs Jennie Thompson (Mrs Kirstein Cuff (HLTA) teaching Mondays)
Supporting Learning: Miss Leanne Cowdrey

Star Class (Year Three)
Teacher: Mrs Laura Chick (Mrs Rita Blackburn (HLTA) teaching Tuesdays)
Supporting Learning: Mrs Rita Blackburn & Mrs Cathryn Brett Hill

Comet Class (Year Four)
Teacher: Mrs Paula Blackley
Supporting Learning: Miss Tanya Heimour

Eclipse Class (Year Five)
Teacher: Mr Liam Roberts
Supporting Learning: Mrs Kirstein Cuff (HLTA) & Miss Leanne Cowdrey

Horizon Class (Year Six)
Teacher: Miss Daryl Isaac & Mrs Debbie Lewis
Supporting Learning: Mrs Emma Lucas

Office Administrator: Mrs Natalie Keith (admin@fosay.co.uk) & Mrs Katy Cool (shalfleet@fosay.co.uk)

Sports Coach: Mr Neil Westhorpe & Mr Simon Pilcher (sportscoach@fosay.co.uk)

Outdoor Learning Leader: Miss Diana Gates (outdoorleader@fosay.co.uk)

PSHE Lead:  Mrs Sylvia Smith 

Caretaker:  Mr Terry Coburn

Inclusion Manager:  Mrs Georgina Westhorpe supported by Mrs Heather Eggleton (SENCO@fosay.co.uk)

ELSA Support: Miss Claire Sampson & Miss Leanne Cowdrey

Pastoral Support: Mrs Lisa Burton

School Cook:  Emma Dixon

Lizzie Grainger

Lizzie Grainger

Head Teacher

My current role within the federation:
My name is Lizzie Grainger, I have the privilege of being the Headteacher at Shalfleet and Yarmouth C.E. Primary Schools.

My career so far:
I grew up in Uplyme, which is a small village near Lyme Regis in Dorset. It was a beautiful place to grow up and the coast line is very similar to the Isle of Wight. So I always feel that I live in a home from home!
I attended Mrs Ethelston’s Primary school and then went to the Woodroffe School. I took A Levels in English, Theatre Studies, History and General Studies. I knew I wanted to be a Primary School teacher because I wanted to contribute to society and help children have bright futures. I also loved English and sharing and writing stories with children is one of the loveliest things in the world. I trained at Rolle College and got my BEd Honours Degree with English, graduating in 2006.
I moved to the Isle of Wight and began my teaching career at Shalfleet C.E. Primary school, gradually taking on more responsibilities as my career progressed. After having my daughter (Annie, you know her!), I became the Deputy Headteacher of the Federation and then the Headteacher in 2015. It is the hardest, most rewarding, challenging and wonderful job to have and I love seeing the children every day.
It is an absolute joy to work with the wonderful staff and support our lovely families.

Quirky fact about me:
For those people who know me well, you will know that we love animals in our house – we currently have Hannah, a very old dog; three guinea pigs called Pumpkin, Doughnut and Oreo; and a lizard called Peanut! Guinea Pigs are by far the sweetest, funniest pets to have!
Interesting fact about me: I am very proud to be left handed and will always stand up for left handed rights!

Georgina Westhorpe

Georgina Westhorpe

Deputy Head Teacher

My current role within the federation:
Hi, my name is Georg Westhorpe and I am the Deputy Headteacher and Inclusion Manager across the Federation, I am also the Designated Teacher for children in care and the EYFS Lead for the Federation.

My career so far:
I always knew I wanted to work with children and began by working at Carisbrooke Pre School (now Clever Cloggs) and helping to lead the afterschool provision at Carisbrooke Primary as soon as I finished my Btec Course after college. I went on to Loughborough University to study a BSC in Sociology and gained my QTS through the then Graduate Teacher Training Programme (with a short diversion into the watersports industry!). I actually spent some of my training time at Shalfleet Primary, before working across other schools on the island and then
coming back to the Federation almost ten years ago now!
I specialised in early years and this is my passion as I believe those early years are pivotal to a child’s success, I am lucky enough to still be able to spend half a day in each of our reception classes which is one of my favourite parts of the week!

Quirky fact about me:
I can recite the words to the Maui rap from Moana!

Vikki Plumley

Vikki Plumley

Finance Manager

My current role within the federation:
Hello, my name is Vikki Plumley and I am the Finance Manager for the Federation. I work across both schools, ensuring that the schools finances are in good order!

My Career so far:
My career in Finance began 21 years ago in the banking sector, working in Branch banking, Private banking, Regulated Financial Services and Regulated Financial Compliance. I was appointed as the Finance Manager of the Federation in September 2018 and I thoroughly enjoy working in the school environment which has been quite a change from my previous
workplace!
I work alongside the School Business Manager and the Headteacher, no two days are the same! The most rewarding aspect of my role is applying for Grants to enhance our school provision and make a real difference to our families.

Quirky fact about me:
Coffee is my favourite flavour, especially coffee ice-cream!

Stuart Cook

Stuart Cook

Duty Lead at Yarmouth & Year 6 Teacher

My current role within the federation:
Hello, my name is Mr Cook and I am the school lead for Yarmouth and the Year 6 teacher.

My career so far:
I joined the Federation back in 2014 after being a trainee teacher under Mrs Grainger (when she taught Year 5 at Shalfleet). I began my career in the classroom at Shalfleet teaching Year 4 for 2 years and then Year 5 for 3 years. It was then I had the opportunity to move to Yarmouth in 2019 and taught Year 5/6 for 2 years before moving to single groups this year and beginning my current class role in Year
6.
Over the course of my time in the Federation, I have been able to progress professionally taking on multiple other roles such as assessment lead, curriculum lead as well as the aforementioned school lead role.
The main reason I moved over to the Isle of Wight back in 2014 was to have the opportunity to be part of a thriving, positive Federation and it is a decision I can
safely say was one of the best I have made in my life. Especially as I have managed to set up a happy home on the Island with my partner and I am going to be expecting my first child in a few months time.

Quirky fact about me:
I am now required to reveal a quirky fact about myself… Therefore I am happy to confess I am a huge fan of professional wrestling, and in 2018, achieved a
childhood dream of going to Wrestlemania 34 in New Orleans. It was incredible.

Sarah Woodburn

Sarah Woodburn

School Business Manager

My current role within the federation:
Hello, my name is Sarah Woodburn and I am the School Business Manager across the Federation

My career so far:
I started working for Shalfleet CE Primary School in 2007 as the Office Administrator. Over the span of my career at the Federation I have been a Midday  Supervisor and also a Teaching Assistant in Year 1. Covering these roles within the school has enabled me to gain in depth knowledge of the school’s operations and needs. I can even remember Mrs Grainger
joining the Federation, as my son was in her first class here!
In 2013 I transferred to Yarmouth CE Primary School to become the Office Manager. The opportunity arose in 2018 for the School Business Manager role, and I have been working alongside our Finance Manager, Vikki Plumley since this date. I thoroughly enjoy working for the Federation, seeing the children happy and thriving and I strive to do the very best I can to maintain our wonderful schools.

Quirky fact about me:
I am left handed and when I started school I would write in my books from the right hand side to the left hand side. My mum needed to hold a mirror to the page to read what I had written!

Jennie Thompson

Jennie Thompson

Duty Lead at Shalfleet & Year 2 Teacher

My current role within the federation:
Hello, my name is Mrs Thompson, I am the Duty Lead at Shalfleet, the Year 2 class teacher and RE subject lead for the federation.

My Career so far:
My career all started here, at Shalfleet, in January 2005 as a teaching assistant before starting the Graduate Teacher Programme in the September of that year remaining at Shalfleet. As we still had middle schools at the time I also spent half a term teaching at Solent Middle School in Year 5 and 6. I then started my teaching career at a school in Newport where I remained for ten years being a class teacher mainly in Key Stage 1 and being promoted to Key Stage 1 Leader of Learning.
In September 2016 I joined the Federation teaching in Year 1 and 2 as a job share with Mrs Shynn and Mrs Thurman. In September 2017 I became the Year 1 and 2 class teacher at Yarmouth where I remained until I had my daughter. When I returned after my maternity leave I moved back to Shalfleet and became the Year two teacher in the very classroom I did my teacher training in 17 years ago although there have been many changes to the school building since then!

Quirky fact about me:
I love music and I can play the clarinet, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, recorder and piano and I am learning the oboe!

Neil Westhorpe

Neil Westhorpe

Sports Coach for the Federation

My current role within the federation:
Hello, my name is Mr Westhorpe and my current role in the Federation is the Sports Coach.

My career so far:
I have been at the Federation as the Sports Coach since January 2022, previously I worked as the Isle of Wight Community Coach for cricket. I worked across almost all of the schools on the island in this role as well as helping to run the Isle of Wight Disability team, I also supported women’s cricket and the over 50s cricket for the island. I absolutely loved this role, my
background is playing cricket and it was fantastic to see others inspired to get involved in the sport. However, the most satisfying part of my role by far was working with the children in our schools and helping them to make progress and find a love for sport and this is what led me to want to be part of a school team.
I am familiar with the federation because of Mrs Westhorpe but also I worked here delivering the chance to shine programme and I knew immediately it was in line with my ethos and somewhere I would love to work, so I was delighted to get the job.

Quirky fact about me:
I love a good joke as the children and staff are aware, here’s my son’s current favourite…
What’s orange and sounds like a parrot? A carrot!

Heather Eggleton

Heather Eggleton

Inclusion Assistant & Family Liaison Officer

My current role within the federation:
Hello my name is Heather Eggleton.
I am Inclusion Assistant and Family Liaison Officer for the federation

My career so far:
I joined the federation 9 years ago as support in the class for SEND. I have been able to progress professionally and I became inclusion assistant for the federation working closely supporting the inclusion manager. I am also the Family Liaison Officer for the federation taking the lead on the Early Help provision.
As Family Liaison Officer I am here to work in partnership with parents, carers and pupils in our school community. I liaise and make referrals to the relevant external agencies, I am here to provide direct support for families. I work in school and out in the community to provide families support. I work closely with the West Wight time bank, the food bank, Barnardo’s and mental health services. My role is ever adapting and changing as the needs of families do.
After moving from Yorkshire 11 years ago the island has become my family’s home and I am so happy to be part of the thriving federation and live so close to the beach.

Quirky fact about me:
My random fact is as it is very topical with the queen’s jubilee coming up. I was once the Queen of Ecclesfield (my home village in the north) through the guides. I did get a crown but I was only queen for a year.

Diana Gates

Diana Gates

Outdoor Learning Leader

My current role within the federation:
I am the Outdoor Learning Lead for the Federation, a role which was created in September 2020 to ensure all children had quality access to outdoor learning where they can explore and develop our Federation values of Respect, Determination and Relationships.
I am thoroughly enjoying this challenge and the opportunities it provides for the  children and our outdoor spaces. I am currently doing Forest School Leader training so I can offer even more exciting activities.

My career so far:
Before training to be a teacher I worked as a nanny in the Netherlands, an office administrator in the UK and a volunteer in Australia. My teaching career took off on the island in 2000 at All Saint’s Primary school where I worked for 9 years. I then became a supply teacher across the is land in order to expand my experience working across the primary and middle school age range. I first worked at the Federation in 2012 when I covered Mrs Grainger’s maternity leave.
After some years providing supply cover at Shalfleet and Yarmouth, I accepted a full time post in Y4 and haven’t looked back. Funny to think I shall be back to my starting point next year when our new school opens!

Quirky fact about me:
Two for the price of One.
I’m a demon at scrabble.
In my spare time I have a lead role in a radio soap.

Claire Sampson

Claire Sampson

ELSA & Reception HLTA at Yarmouth

My current role within the federation:
Hello, my name is Miss Sampson, I have worked at Yarmouth Primary school for twenty three years, all of my own children attended the school, so I was also a parent before I began to work in the school.
I currently work in Reception class as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant and I also support children with their emotional well being in my role as an Emotional Literacy support assistant.

My career so far:
I have two degrees one in Early Years education and the other in Education and Training studies, both of which I achieved after reaching the age of forty, it’s never too late to learn!
Over the years I have undertaken a diverse range of training to support my role, this includes, a
certificate in understanding Autism and British sign language.

Quirky fact about me:
Some interesting facts about me are, I worked in America on super yachts and I am left handed and colour blind.

Daryl Isaac

Daryl Isaac

Year 4 Teacher at Shalfleet & Literacy Lead

My current role within the federation:
Hello my name is Miss Isaac.
I am Year 4 teacher at Shalfleet and Literacy Lead for the federation

My career so far:
My career is long and extensive. I started my first (real teaching) year in New Zealand, Auckland as a Year 6 teacher. I ended up teaching there for 3 years. It was a huge school with limited money/resources and very challenging at times but what an experience it was!
On my return to England, I taught at Carisbrooke Primary and then in London.
In 2011 I returned to the Island to teach at Barton Primary but I always wanted a job at Shalfleet and Yarmouth. I used to walk past our lovely school and hope that a job would come up-finally it did!

Quirky fact about me:
My first ever teaching job was in Auckland New Zealand- this was complete case of being in a random place at the right time- where I bribed my class with English sweets (pick and mix from Woolworths) that my poor mum had to post via air mail once a month! I did get very good behaviour after that!

Fliss Harris

Fliss Harris

SNA & LSA at Yarmouth

My current role within the federation:
Hello my name is Mrs Harris.
I currently work as an LSA and SNA in Yrs 5 and 3 at Yarmouth

My Career so far:
I started working in schools as a volunteer when my children started primary school in Carisbrooke. I completed my training at the Isle of Wight college and went on to work in other primary schools including Shalfleet.

Quirky fact about me:
When I worked at Shalfleet, we had a Newly Qualified Teacher and I made her a number line for her classroom. Her name was Lizzie Grainger – I wonder what happened to her?

Sylvia Smith

Sylvia Smith

PSHE & JLT Leader

My current role within the federation:
Hello, my name is Mrs Sylvia Smith and my current role in the Federation is leading PSHE and the Junior Leadership Team across the Federation. I am also the staff representative on the Governing body.

My career so far:
My teaching career started a long time ago when I trained as a teacher at Sheffield Hallam University. My first teaching job was in a small Church of England primary school in Derbyshire where I taught for 12 years. During this time, I taught in different age groups from nursery up to Y6. As our own children grew older, I then moved to teach in a very large primary school in Sheffield. Whilst there I again taught in all the different age groups. At the school, I worked on the middle management team and eventually led the KS1 team.
When our first grandchild was born here on the Isle of Wight, we made the big decision to move down here to be nearer to the family. Making the Island our home is a decision we have never regretted. I was very lucky to get a job with our wonderful Federation where I started teaching in Year 3 at Shalfleet. Since then, I have worked across both schools as both a class teacher and working with the Junior Leadership and Learning Leaders teams. Also, last year I was teaching and Duty Lead for the Freshwater site.
I love working for this Federation and I am proud to work with the wonderful staff we have here.

Quirky fact about me:
As this is the Queen’s Platinum jubilee year, I thought I would tell you a fact about me during the Queens Silver Jublilee year (1977).
This was the year I received the Queen’s Guide Award and I was also crowned Girl Guide May Queen, Queen Azalea. This was in the village where we lived.

Cheryl Hedley

Cheryl Hedley

Shalfleet Reception Class Teacher

My current role within the federation:
Hello my name is Mrs Hedley and I am the Early Years Class teacher.

My career so far:
I have mostly taught in Early Years over the past 16 years at St Helen’s Primary, Cowes Primary and Chillerton Primary. I am passionate about teaching young children. More recently, I taught at Yarmouth in Year 1/2 and am so happy to be back in Early Years this year. Before training to be a teacher, I ran two preschools in Carisbrooke. I love teaching. I have two daughters of my own who are now 27 and 23 and have a Hungarian Vizsla dog called Ruby and a tortoise called Nelly.

Quirky fact about me:
I have ridden on a camel and an elephant before, but never a horse.

Adam Tucker

Adam Tucker

West Wight Community Connector

My current role within the federation:

Hello my name is Adam Tucker and I am the Community Connector for West Wight. I work across Freshwater, Yarmouth, Totland and Shalfleet and support people of all ages to help them to find ways to improve life and overcome any problems they might be facing. I’m based at West Wight Sports and Community Centre but meet people out and about and I work closely with both of the schools in the federation to support families who decide to work alongside me.

I run local drop-ins at Our Place community sessions at Christ Church in Totland Monday afternoons 2pm – 4pm and at West Wight Sports and Community Centre on Tuesdays 10:30am – 12:30pm where people can come in for a a cuppa and a chat.

You’ll also find me at Yarmouth and Shalfleet schools once each half-term where you can drop in to see me.

I’ll next be at Yarmouth on Weds 6th July 9am – 12 noon and Shalfleet on Weds 13th July 9am – 12 noon.

Future dates for next school year will be posted here: https://www.fosay.co.uk/community-connector

You can get in touch with me via 07498 496 719 (phone, text and WhatsApp), email adam.tucker@westwight.org.uk or Facebook www.facebook.com/CommunityConnectorWestWight

My Career so far:
My experience in this type of community role started back in Northampton in 2006 when I worked for the local council as a housing officer and then as a support worker, specialising in supporting people moving from a mental health setting into their own independent home. In 2014 I moved to the Isle of Wight with my partner and son and we opened a B&B and found the perfect job right in my own community. I worked for the council here on the island from 2015-2019 as a Local Area Coordinator, doing very similar work to what I do now, supporting people in the community. Since 2019 I’ve been employed locally through West Wight Sports and Community Centre and love being able to meet with people to help them build a better life for themselves and to help develop more opportunities for this community to become even better still. I’ve recently completed the first version of ‘What’s On West Wight’, a guide to help people find out what is happening locally. It can be found here: https://westwight.org.uk/community-connector alongside other information about my role.

Quirky fact about me:
Alongside my day job, I also run a B&B with my partner and am also a photographer, but I once had a tiny taste of teaching myself when travelling in Sri Lanka to do sea turtle conservation. In the afternoons we would visit a local school and help the children learn English; however my resounding memory was the children being far more interested in getting hold of the colourful pencils and crayons we tool along with us. They had perfected ‘teacher, teacher one pencil’ by the time we left, if nothing else!

Nickie Jones

Nickie Jones

Teacher Y1 at Yarmouth

My current role within the federation:

Hello, my name is Nickie Jones, I am the Year 1 teacher in Cove Class at Yarmouth and the Geography lead for the federation.

My Career so far:
I started my career as a Teaching Assistant, then a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant, before training as a Teacher in my mid 30’s. I attended Southampton University for two years where I gained my degree in Early Education and Teaching qualification. As they say ‘it’s never to late to learn!’
I joined the federation nearly 8 Years ago as a supply teacher covering maternity leave. I continued to work at Yarmouth School for another two years in a mixed class of Year 3 and 4.
I then moved to Shalfleet School where I taught Year 4 for two years and Year 2 for another two years. I have thoroughly enjoyed my various teaching experiences across the federation.

Quirky fact about me:
I love to drink coffee (probably too much) but dislike any cakes or chocolates with a coffee flavour!

Lisa Burton

Lisa Burton

TA Y1 Yarmouth, Federation Pastoral Support

My current role within the federation:

Hello, my name is Lisa Burton. I’m a Teaching Assistant in Yr 1 and also employed as part of the team that oversees the Federation’s Church Pastoral Care.

My Career so far:
I have worked in a few different schools on the Island as both a general TA and working as a 1:1. We moved to the West Wight 4 years ago and I was very blessed to get offered a job within our amazing federation. I started out at Shalfleet but have mainly been based here at Yarmouth.

Quirky fact about me:
I have played the Cornet in a band concert with the late Queens Coldstream Guards in London.

Tammy George

Tammy George

TA in Y4 and Y2 Yarmouth

My current role within the federation:

Hello, my name is Mrs George and my current role in the federation is a Teaching assistant in year 2 in the mornings and year 4 in the afternoons.

My Career so far:
I have been working here at Yarmouth since September 2021. I previously worked as a TA at All saints. I started out as a volunteer in reading and general help in the classroom and then progressed to a TA.
I love being part of our wonderful team at Yarmouth. Everyone works really hard and goes above and beyond every single day to ensure all the children get the help they need to succeed in their everyday work.
There are some very talented Teachers that deserve medals with all the time and effort they put into making sure each lesson is prepared beforehand.
I love working with the children and helping support them in their work. I have a passion for encouraging them in doing their best while at school and I have seen many of the children go from strength to strength and have even been blown away at the improvement in their reading and writing!

Quirky fact about me:
I love to run around and play games with the children. I’m still young at heart. I even enjoy playing football with the boys and teaching them a thing or two when it comes to tackling.

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