I joined Estcots after completing my teaching degree at Brighton University, and since being here have worked both as a cover supervisor and a class teacher. My year as a cover supervisor saw me teaching all classes in the school, sometimes several different ones over the course of a day! It was a fantastic way to get a feel for the school, and work alongside all the children and teachers. Although it was a difficult job, it had many rewards, and after a year I felt truly at home in Estcots. Since then, I have previously been based in Year 5 and have really loved having a class to myself for a full academic year. I’ve been lucky to work with so many talented staff as part of Phase 3, and we have certainly challenged ourselves and our classes with some fantastic events and activities- the fashion show and African exhibition being two that particularly stand out!

I have been at Estcots for around 10 years, predominantly part time, but in September 2015 I became a full time TA and have loved every minute.  I love working and interacting with the children and am continually amazed at how much they absorb each day, how they care for their peers and when they have a “lightbulb” moment it is always a great sight.

No two days are ever the same working as a TA in a school!

I am so excited to have recently joined the Estcots team and to be working alongside such wonderful and experienced teachers. I carried out my teacher training at Brighton University specialising in English. I have always had a natural affinity for working with children and supporting them to develop academically and holistically as unique, creative individuals.

I started working at Estcots after my eldest son started in reception and I had been coming into school to read with children and help on school trips and when asked to support in activities.

I have always worked in Key Stage 2 Phase 3 and I really enjoy working with children in all subjects.

When I was at school I always knew that I wanted to work in science or with children.  As it turned out the science came first and, following a degree in Biochemistry, I spent the next 15 years working as a cell biologist in the pharmaceutical industry.

However, my desire to work with children never went away and 3 years ago I decided to take the plunge and go back to university to do a PGCE in Primary Education.  Being a mature student wasn’t easy, particularly as I am also a busy mum, but I enjoyed the course and was sure that I had made the right decision.  That feeling was strengthened when I visited Estcots and I was delighted to join the staff and children as a newly qualified teacher in 2014.

Two years on, it feels like I’ve always been here!  I am now looking forward to using my background to help to lead the science curriculum and ensure that it continues to be engaging and inspiring for the children.

I joined Estcots Primary School in 1998 when I moved down to West Sussex from Yorkshire having completed my first year of teaching at a school in Hull.

I qualified as a teacher after completing a degree at Durham University. I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher from a very young age when I used to play schools (making my sister be my pupil!). I have always been fascinated by the joy of learning and have thoroughly enjoyed all of my many years at Estcots trying to provide the best start in life for pupils at our school.

Helping children to learn, understand, question and enjoy the world makes my job thoroughly worthwhile.

I’ve been teaching for 20 years in a variety of schools from Middle Schools with over 900 pupils to little village schools with only 3 classrooms in total.

I have been privileged to have worked at Estcots for 5 years as Phase Leader. I’m currently in Year 4. I love working with children of any age and children constantly surprise and delight me with their enthusiasm, imagination and maturity.
I lead Curriculum Development in the school, supporting our fantastic teams with their imaginative topics. My favourite topic has been ‘Colours of Africa’, a project that culminated in a really wonderful gallery of work and film at Chequermead.

This topic led me to travel to Tanzania to work with pupils there to make a film to share with pupils back at Estcots.

I have been at Estcots for over 15 years. Previously I ran a local pre-school and before that had a career in banking.

I am married with 2 grown up children who attended local schools. I really enjoy working with the children at Estcots and have had the privilege of watching some of them start as shy reception children, blossom into confident year 6 ‘s and now find that some of them are appearing as very personable young adults in their Saturday jobs in the town!

Being part of the dedicated and hard working Estcots team who always put the children first and enable this to happen is very rewarding.