Staff 

Staff 2020 - 2021

Senior Leadership Team

• Jayne Venables
  Executive Headteacher & Lead DSL
  Jayne Venables

  I have been associated with St. Andrew’s Infant school since 2008 when I first started working at the school as Kingfisher Class teacher, and then becoming the Headteacher at the school in 2011. I became the Headteacher at Potters Gate Primary School in April 2015 and it is so exciting to be working with both schools currently.

  When I am not working at Potters Gate Primary or St. Andrew’s I like to spend time walking with my lovely Working Cocker Spaniel, Jasper and out in my garden. I have chickens which help with my other passion which is cooking. When  I find quiet time I like to knit and read. I live in Farnham with my two teenage children.

   

• Carol Trottier
  Executive Deputy Headteacher & DSL
  Carol Trottier

  Having lived in Farnham for 23 years I feel very fortunate to live in such a wonderful town. Since 2009 I  have been teaching in Farnham schools and now have the privilege of working with wonderful colleagues and children at both Potters Gate and St Andrew's.

  I have three teenage daughters and one very cute guinea pig called Lily. As a family we love travelling, walking, cooking and generally just being together!

   

• Jo Farncombe
  Assistant Headteacher & DSL
  Jo Farncombe

  Hello, my name is Jo Farncombe and I started working at Potters Gate in September 2015. I love working here as it is such a positive and happy environment and we are very lucky to have such fun, kind and inquisitive children. 

   

  I have lived in Farnham for nearly thirty years and I actually came to Potters Gate as a child myself! I have great memories of competing in Sports Day on the field and playing the part of an orphan in the production of Oliver at the end of Year Six!  Autumn is my favourite time of year, I love going on walks in the countryside and curling up with a book in front of the log burner.

• Alexis Carpenter
  Assistant Headteacher, SENCo, Inclusion Manager & DSL
  Alexis Carpenter

  Farnham has been my home for over 35 years and I love being part of the local community. I have been fortunate to have attended and taught in some of the best schools in the area. My own schooling started in Seale village school which had many similarities to St. Andrew’s. Teaching runs in my family so it was inevitable that I decided this was the career for me. I first started teaching in a primary school in Dorking but after a few years there I decided I wanted to be back teaching in Farnham.  I spent over 15 years in a small village infant school just off the Hog’s Back.  I have many happy memories of my time there such as teaching Maypole dancing to the children and putting on productions and events for the parents and the local community.

  I am thoroughly enjoying my role as SENDCo and Assistant Head at Potters Gate and am very excited to be part of the St. Andrew’s team in these roles.

   

• Louise Daly
  Assistant Headteacher
  Louise Daly

  Potters Gate is a very special school where the well-being and development of the children is central to everything we do. I have been teaching here since 2014 and thoroughly enjoy being part of a very creative, passionate team who strive to inspire the children every day.

   

  I have lived in Farnham for sixteen years, and I love the town and its surrounding countryside. My family includes my husband, my two teenage children and a cheeky Cairn Terrier called Toffee. At the weekend, I love to go running around the North Downs and spending quality time with my friends and family.

   

• Catherine Floyd
  DSL & Squirrels Class Teacher
  Catherine Floyd

  I have been very lucky to have lived and worked Farnham for over 20 years. With six children life is joyfully chaotic and has little space for a peaceful moment, but I thrive on the challenges that this brings. My family have enjoyed the rich opportunities that Farnham offers and have been involved in many of the clubs and organisations in the town. We try to support our community whenever we can, especially through our commitment to scouting in Farnham. My approach to teaching supports my belief that each child deserves a holistic and enriched learning experience, allowing them to develop as well rounded happy children with a passion for lifelong learning. Working with everyone at Potters Gate School  has been a pleasure and I look forward to the future with excitement.

   

Reception Teachers

• Miss Megan Gillies
  Ladybirds
  Miss Megan Gillies

  

   

   

• Miss Eloise Hardisty
  Bumblebees
  Miss Eloise Hardisty

  

 Year 1 Teachers 

• Mrs Catherine Floyd
  Squirrels
  Mrs Catherine Floyd

  

  I have been very lucky to have lived and worked Farnham for over 20 years. With six children life is joyfully chaotic and has little space for a peaceful moment, but I thrive on the challenges that this brings. My family have enjoyed the rich opportunities that Farnham offers and have been involved in many of the clubs and organisations in the town. We try to support our community whenever we can, especially through our commitment to scouting in Farnham. My approach to teaching supports my belief that each child deserves a holistic and enriched learning experience, allowing them to develop as well rounded happy children with a passion for lifelong learning. Working with everyone at Potters Gate School and St. Andrews has been a pleasure and I look forward to the future with excitement.

   

• Mrs Rebecca Birch
  Squirrels
  Mrs Rebecca Birch

  

   

   

• Miss Anna Hutt
  Hedgehogs
  Miss Anna Hutt

  

  Hello! My name is Anna Hutt and I have lived in Farnham my whole life. I started working at Potters Gate as a Teaching Assistant in 2017 and loved it so much I decided to train as a teacher here. I qualified in 2019 and I’m very happy to be part of the Potters Gate family as my career progresses.

  I have had a varied career before coming to teaching. I’ve worked on farms, in riding stables, offices and warehouses; I can drive a forklift truck and a tractor if needs be! Teaching however is my vocation, and I am thoroughly enjoying the privilege of helping children discover their own passions and skills.

  In my personal life I provide a loving home for a Cocker spaniel who is not nearly as well behaved as the children at Potters Gate – but we try our best. I enjoy walking, reading and going on adventures with friends.

 Year 2 Teachers

• Mrs Kirsty Bhoopal
  Foxes
  Mrs Kirsty Bhoopal

  (Key Stage 1 Phase Leader)

  

  My name is Kirsty Bhoopal and I have been working at Potters Gate since moving to Farnham 15 years ago. I love working in Key Stage 1, helping to nurture the youngest pupils in our school through their early years in education and seeing them grow and develop their personalities and friendships.

  There have been lots of positive changes with the expansion across Potters Gate and St. Andrews, while still keeping the spirit of community and close co-operative working with colleagues.  I look forward to helping Potters Gate and St. Andrews flourish even more in the future.

  In my ‘spare time’ I love reading and getting out and about with my family.

   

• Mrs Julia Glowacki
  Foxes
  Mrs Julia Glowacki

  

  Hi everyone, I am Mrs Glowacki and I have been a part of Potters Gate School for many years. My three children all attended Potters Gate and I was a parent helper before training as a teaching assistant and then a Primary teacher. I really enjoy singing and all the school performances and running film club.

  I live in Farnham with my family and two dogs and love walking in the local area. I enjoy reading, baking, listening to music and going to concerts.

• Mrs Amy Robertson
  Badgers
  Mrs Amy Robertson

  

   

  Hello everyone, my name is Amy Robertson and I am very excited to be part of the Potters Gate team. I love the community feel and can not wait to see what the next year will bring! Farnham is my hometown, and I really enjoyed growing up here! I feel very fortunate to be able to work in such a lovely community! When I’m not teaching, I’m having great fun with family, spending many hours and weekends out and about with my little boy and husband. I also enjoy being around horses, and am very excited to be getting to know the new addition to the family, my mums horse, Mickey!

   

   

• Mrs Kate Durack
  Badgers
  Mrs Kate Durack

   

  I have been part of the St. Andrew’s and Potters Gate team since 2011 when I joined St. Andrew’s as a class teacher before having my children.  Now my own child is a pupil at St. Andrew’s and so I have been able to continue being part of this lovely school community.

  I joined Potters Gate School in April 2020 and feel privileged to be part of this wonderful school where each child is nurtured and given such enriching learning experiences.  I am very excited to be back teaching in such a happy and friendly school.

  Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my two young children who keep me very busy, in my spare time I love to be outside with my family, read and play the piano.

 Year 3 Teachers

• Mr Dan Hallett
  Puffins
  Mr Dan Hallett

  

• Mrs Tina Henderson
  Penguins
  Mrs Tina Henderson

  

  With many years teaching experience across Kent, Warwickshire and Surrey, my family and I settled in Farnham where I have taught in year 3 at Potters Gate since 2013. I love working with children and having 2 daughters of my own, feel passionately about children and how they learn and develop.

  I am also the PE Lead at both Potters Gate and St. Andrew’s school and with such sporty, enthusiastic children at both sites, I am kept very busy managing sporting opportunities for all of our pupils.

   

• Mrs Shirley Watson
  Penguins
  Mrs Shirley Watson

  

  I have lived in the Farnham area for 25 years.  I have been very fortunate to have worked at both wonderful schools. First at St Andrew's School for 10 years as a Class teacher in Kingfisher Class,  then moving to Potters Gate in 2018.

  When I'm not teaching I am developing my skills and knowledge as a printmaker, enjoying my garden and 3 chickens.

  I love visiting exhibitions and reading and have 2 children who have almost left home.

• Miss Olivia Wilkin
  Pelicans
  Miss Olivia Wilkin

  

  Hello, my name is Olivia Wilkin and I started working at Potters Gate in September 2014. I love working here as it has such a family feel and the wellbeing of the children is at the heart of everything we do. I really enjoy being part of a team who inspire me with their creativity, passion and enthusiasm.

  I am the Maths lead at both Potters Gate and St. Andrews school as well as being a Lead Practitioner for the Good Shepherd Trust and a Primary Mastery Specialist for the NCETM. These roles keep me very busy on my two days out of class, but I love being able to go and support other schools and teachers and help them develop Maths.

  At the weekend, I love going out and exploring with friends and family and finding new brunch spots. I love growing vegetables in my garden and going for long walks in the countryside and curling up with a book and large mug of Earl Grey tea.

   

• Mrs Catherine Newhall
  Pelicans
  Mrs Catherine Newhall

  

  I joined Potters Gate and St. Andrews in 2019 and feel incredibly lucky to be part of the school team. It is wonderful to teach in such a caring school where the wellbeing of each child is the centre of everything we do.

   

  I have lived in Farnham for over 10 years with my husband and three boys. Weekends are mainly spent on sports pitches but we love to get outdoors and enjoy the surrounding countryside with our family and friends.

   

 Year 4 Teachers

• Miss Paul
  Dolphins
  Miss Paul

  

  

• Miss Hannah Hughes
  Turtles
  Miss Hannah Hughes

  

  

• Miss Anna Chapman
  Stingrays
  Miss Anna Chapman

  

  My name is Anna Chapman and I have worked at Potters Gate since 2015. I began working in Year 5, which I really enjoyed. After a few years,  I decided I would like a change.  In 2019, I moved to Year 2, which I love. 
  
  My favourite subject to teach is English - which I love planning and researching!
  
  In my spare time, I love to go for long walks with dogs and friends. I also love sewing, and enjoy making things for my home and others.

   

 Year 5 Teachers

• Miss Kate McMahon
  Leopards
  Miss Kate McMahon

  

  Throughout the course of my career, I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach diverse groups of students across both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. I started off my teaching career in the North of England, near where I grew up and then broadened my horizons by teaching abroad in Rome for 5 years and now here in Farnham.

  I joined Potters Gate in September 2018 and feel incredibly lucky to be part of an amazing team. It is a school that is successful, ambitious and forward-looking; a school that builds on its strengths and helps raise the standard of achievement for all students.

  At the weekend, I love to go out and explore the surrounding areas. I also enjoy lovely walks in the countryside with the dogs.

  In the holidays I really look forward to heading back up North to spend time with my family, especially my niece, Jessica and nephew, William. As well as, jetting off somewhere hot.

• Mrs Tracey Hoile
  Panthers
  Mrs Tracey Hoile

  

• Miss Amie Whitfield
  Panthers
  Miss Amie Whitfield

  

 Year 6 Teachers

• Mrs Jo Farncombe
  Lions
  Mrs Jo Farncombe

  

  Hello, my name is Jo Farncombe and I started working at Potters Gate in September 2015. I love working here as it is such a positive and happy environment and we are very lucky to have such fun, kind and inquisitive children. 

  I have lived in Farnham for nearly thirty years and I actually came to Potters Gate as a child myself! I have great memories of competing in Sports Day on the field and playing the part of an orphan in the production of Oliver at the end of Year Six!  Autumn is my favourite time of year, I love going on walks in the countryside and curling up with a book infront of the log burner.

• Mrs Louise Daly
  Tigers
  Mrs Louise Daly

  (Upper Key Stage 2 Phase Leader)

  

  Potters Gate is a very special school where the well-being and development of the children is central to everything we do. I have been teaching here since 2014 and thoroughly enjoy being part of a very creative, passionate team who strive to inspire the children every day.

   

  I have lived in Farnham for sixteen years, and I love the town and its surrounding countryside. My family includes my husband, my two teenage children and a cheeky Cairn Terrier called Toffee. At the weekend, I love to go running around the North Downs and spending quality time with my friends and family.

   

Other regular teaching staff

Mrs Ginny Carter

Mrs Nicky Norton (Dance)

Mr David Millar

Mrs Laura Nolan

Inclusion Team

 Mrs Carly Harries (Mental Health Specialist)

Mrs Claire Beere - SENCo Assistant

Mrs Annie Canton - ELSA and Nurture Practitioner

Mrs Carolyn Wickham - Nurture Practitioner

Teaching Assistants

Mrs Bianca Grant

Mrs Caroline Yates

Mrs Michele Vidler

Mrs Lisa Ratcliffe

Miss Sarah White

Mrs Emma Roseveare

Mrs Donna McDonald

Mrs Hannah Fazakerley

Miss Catherine Ashton

Mrs Pam Waters

Ms Maggie Payne

Mrs Wendy Vessey (Key Stage 1 Interventions)

Mrs Lauren Black 

Mr Dan Goodall

Mrs Sarah Scott-Brown

Miss Katy Winning

Mr Luke Perkins

Mrs Amanda Davis

Miss Kellie de la Huliniere

Mrs Isabel Edward

Mrs Liz Horne

Mrs Malini Kakkar

Miss Harriet Hawes

Mrs Donna Neale

Mrs Nicky Tempest-Woods

Mrs Rupi Gill

Miss Sammy Duncton

Mrs Louise Cakebread

Miss Rachel Sims

Lunchtime supervisors

Miss Rachel Sims (Senior Midday Supervisor)

Mrs Roula Koroniou

Mrs Maggie Payne

Mrs Brenda Simner

Miss Kellie de la Huliniere

Miss Kayleigh Bryce

Mrs Bryony Wait

Librarian

Mrs Tris Bondsfield

School Office

Mrs Jenny Binks – School Business Manager

Miss Katherine Scholes – Office Manager and DSL

Mrs Anna Mallett – Assistant Office Manager and Attendance Manager

Mrs Olivia Richmond - Admin Assistant

Mrs Miriam Forster - Admin Assistant, School Fund and Care Club Administrator 

Ms Cara Whitby - Admin Assistant

ICT Technician

Mr Ben Snedden

Care Club

Miss Rachel Sims – Care Club and Breakfast Club Manager

Mrs Caroline Yates - Breakfast Club Deputy Manager

Mrs Helen Latham - Care Club Deputy Manager

Mrs Rachel Gilliam

Mrs Fiona Goff

Mrs Julia Ledbrook

Miss Kayleigh Bryce

Miss Samantha Duncton

Caretaker

Mr Martin Atkinson-Weller (Interim)

Mr Melvin Antonio