I have been a teacher since 1991 and I have worked in many schools in the Manchester area (you may detect my accent), North Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Doncaster. Ermine Primary Academy was the perfect choice since I moved to Lincoln recently and I was delighted to accept the post as Year 1 teacher.

Teaching is my life and I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love teaching maths most of all but I also like getting messy with paints and being creative in lots of other ways. I always find an excuse to sing or have a giggle during the day and love to work with children who act kindly and try their very best.

Teachers

Mark Knapton, CEO

Mark Knapton is the CEO of the Healing Multi-Academy Trust.

Mr Manby, Headteacher

Areas of responsibility:

Headteacher

Personal Statement:

Teaching has always been the profession I wanted to be in. I was inspired at an early age by my own primary school teacher and I hope that, over the years, I have inspired others to do the same and join this rewarding career. There is no better feeling than to see a child succeed.

Qualifications:

B.Ed (Hons) with Qualified Teacher Status.

National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH)

Experience:

I qualified as a teacher in 2003 and have taught both Key Stages. I have worked in several schools and, as well as being a classroom teacher, I have held various other leadership positions such as, Deputy Headteacher, Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo), Maths, Literacy, PE and Geography Coordinator.

Ermine Primary Academy is the second school I have been the Headteacher of.

Why Ermine Primary Academy is your passion:

It is immediately clear from when you walk through the door at Ermine Primary Academy that all staff care deeply about the children in their care. Ensuring that pupils achieve their full potential is the principle behind a good school. I believe that, as Headteacher of the school, I can steer our pupils to be the best they can be in all areas.

Mrs Richards

Areas of Responsibility:

• Deputy headteacher
• SLT

Personal Statement:

I am passionate about aiding every individual, children and staff, to achieve their true potential. Team work, positivity, training and support is the ethos I stand by and I truly believe a thank you and a well done goes a long way. I work with children and staff across the whole school and seeing others achieve fills me with pride.

Qualifications:

I have a BA Honours degree in Drama with education studies with a PGCE. I have completed many leadership courses as well as safeguarding. Before attending university I used to teach Ballroom and Latin American dancing and this is an area I enjoy bringing into school.

Experience:

I have taught children from the ages of 3 – 11 and have been part of the schools journey from a junior/infant school, primary and finally an academy. I qualified in 2006 and completed my NQT year at Ermine. I have held many positions within the school from English Lead, Key stage 2 leader, Assistant and deputy head, school Governor and director of the trust.

Why Ermine Primary Academy is your passion?

EPA is my passion as I feel I have been involved in the development of the school to what it is now through many changes over the years. The team of staff and pupils are exceptional and everyone has the same goal in mind. The hard work of all means that we continue to grow and develop. EPA has taught me so much about myself and the job I do and I approach everyday as an opportunity to learn even more.

Mr Barnard

Areas of Responsibility:

Curriculum and assessment lead
SLT
Class teacher in year 4

Personal Statement:

To date, I have spent eight enjoyable years at Ermine Primary Academy and relish the challenge for working here. We are focused on giving the best education possible to the children in our school and as a senior leader, my drive is to constantly improve the provision we offer.
In the classroom, I enjoy teaching all of the subjects but I have a real passion for teaching Maths and Science, which I make as relevant to the lives of the children as possible. I enjoy playing games and watching films so I try to get these interwoven in as many of my lessons as possible.

Qualifications:

I have a PGCE in Primary Education as well as a BA Hons in History.

Experience:

I have worked as a class teacher for 18 years all over the country. In that time, I have been a mentor to over 15 students and a leader within the school for the last 7 years.

Why Ermine Primary Academy is your passion?

Working here drives me to meet the challenges that we face on a daily basis. The people I work with and the children who attend this great school make me want to be a better teacher and leader.

Mrs Hoyland

Areas of Responsibility:

Assistant Headteacher
SLT

Personal Statement:

I love working at Ermine Primary Academy. Every day is different, unique and fun in so many ways. I am lucky enough to work with children across the whole school and be part of team who strive to be the best school we can be.

I love to learn outdoors and strongly believe in following children’s interests in their learning, in order for them to reach their full potential and enjoy every day at school.

I have previously worked as an Early Years teacher, Early Years leader and SENCO. I have also carried out different projects with the local authority with a specific interest in transition.

Mrs Holt

Areas of Responsibility:

• SENCO
• SLT

Personal Statement:

Hello, I am Mrs Holt and my main job in school is the SENCO. This means that I coordinate the additional support that some children might need and make sure that they are making good progress. I also monitor the children for whom English is an additional Language and those identified as gifted and talented. I have been teaching for many years and always wanted to be a teacher. I enjoy working with those children who maybe find things slightly harder as I see the pride when they finally succeed.

Mrs Shaw

Areas of Responsibility:

MLT
KS2 Leader
KS2 Teacher

Personal Statement:

Interested in helping children develop into responsible, productive citizens who can think and question the world around them.

Mrs Bresnihan

Areas of Responsibility:

MLT
Class Teacher
Key Stage One Leader

Personal Statement:

Where else can you work where every day is different and brings a new passion for the job? I can’t remember a time when I haven’t wanted to work with children.
I especially enjoy teaching maths and sharing my enthusiasm for the subject with the children.

Qualifications:

I graduated at Bishop Grosseteste University at the age of twenty with a BA Hons Degree in Primary Education with QTS.

Experience:

During my second year of university I had the opportunity to do Camp America in Pennsylvania where I taught Drama to 5-17 year olds. Once my final assignment was handed over in my last year of university I was able to work in a variety of schools around Lincolnshire doing Supply teaching. I then got a job at a school in Lincoln where I worked for 5 years teaching Year 2, Year one and Year 3. I also had the role as Science Co-ordinator. In September 2015, I became the Key Stage One Leader and Year 2 teacher at Ermine Primary Academy.

Why Ermine Primary Academy is your passion?

I started at Ermine Academy less than a year ago (September 2015) and I’ve never looked back. I have been overwhelmed by the positivity and enthusiasm by both children and staff. Ermine is a happy, caring and supportive environment that encourages children to be the best they can be.

Mrs Byers

Areas of Responsibility:

MLT
Acting Foundation Stage Leader
Foundation Stage Teacher

Personal Statement:

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a teacher, particularly an Early Years teacher, and the fact that I now get to do it every day is exceptionally rewarding.

Qualifications:

I qualified from Sheffield Hallam University in 2003 with a BA Honours degree in Advanced Early Years Education with QTS. I started at Ermine when it was a separate Infant and Junior School. There have been many changes over the years!

Experience:

I have always taught in the Early Years and Key Stage One part of the school.

Why Ermine Primary Academy is your passion?

I love working at EPA, I have been here many years and feel immensely proud of the work we do for the children and their families within our local community.

Mrs Mawer

Areas of Responsibility:

• Read Write Inc Leader
• ECC Leader
• MLT

Personal Statement:

I have always wanted to be teacher from as long as I can remember and I continue to find it a rewarding profession – even all these years later. I have made countless friends with colleagues, parents and children through my teaching and would like to think that I have made a difference to some of their lives.

Qualifications:

I trained to be a primary teacher at Bishop Grosseteste College in Lincoln, back in 1985 for 4 years, and qualified with a B.Ed Honours degree. I have enjoyed going back there with children from Ermine to various workshops with the BG students – there have been many changes over the years but it will always feel like home to me.

Experience:

I have taught children from the ages of 3 – 11 a range of other schools in Lincolnshire and have been teaching at Ermine Primary since 2003.

Why Ermine Primary Academy is your passion?

I am proud to work in a school which plays such an important part within the local community. There are many challenges which all the staff and pupils rise to on a daily basis – no two days are ever the same!
I particularly love my current role of RWI leader which enables me to support children learning to read and it never fails to excite me when a child makes their first steps towards reading a book.

Mr Bignell

Areas of Responsibility:

MLT
KS2 Teacher
Maths Lead
Head of School Council

Personal Statement:

I have always wanted to be a teacher since my first experience in a school when I was fifteen. Even though I was sick on, I still continued.This is a job I love thoroughly and have a thirst to enhance and move children forward in every aspect of their young lives. With every day bringing a different challenge, it is a job that never stands still.

Qualifications:

I graduated from Bishop Grosseteste University in 2009 with a 2:1 BA Honours and completed my PGCE award in 2012 with flying colours! Graduating was an amazing experience that has enabled me to begin the career I always wanted.

Experience:

I have been a part of several classrooms around the county during my practice at University. My first job in a school was as a teaching assistant and eventual unqualified teacher at St Lawrence School in Horncastle. I started at Ermine Primary Academy in November 2013 as a TA3 before completing my journey as a qualified teacher last year.

Why Ermine Primary Academy is your passion?

When I started at Ermine Primary Academy, it was extremely difficult circumstances personally. However, within a matter of days, I felt like I was at home and part of a wider family. The determination and passion shown by all adults makes this an empowering place to learn. This school has become ever present in the local community, something which I pride myself on.

Miss Newbury

Areas of Responsibility:

Key Stage 1 Class Teacher
Science Coordinator

Qualifications:

BA in Professional Studies in Primary Education with QTS

Experience:

For many years, I worked as a Teaching Assistant at Ermine. I enjoyed working with children and wanted even more of an active role in educating them. I decided to train to be a teacher. As part of my teacher training I had the opportunity to work in other schools to gain valuable experience and knowledge.

Why Ermine Primary Academy is your passion?

I have been a part of the Ermine Family since 2001 and I can’t imagine working anywhere else. I am proud to be a part of such a fantastic school where everyone supports each other. I love supporting children to flourish and achieve their potential over the school year.

Miss Colclough

Mrs Francis

Areas of Responsibility:

KS1 teacher
History co-ordinator

Personal Statement:

I suppose what brought me into teaching was that my mum was a secondary school teacher and later a Nursery teacher. I spent a lot of my childhood in her classes especially in her Nursery class, reading the children stories and helping them with practical activities. I loved helping the children to learn and achieve their goals and at a young age decided that teaching was the job for me! I love the relationships that I build with the children, their individual personalities and watching them grow and develop into thriving young people.

Qualifications:

I graduated from Bishop Grosseteste University in 1990 with a 2:1 BEd (Hons) degree with a subject specialism in Art.

Experience:

You could say that I am probably the longest serving member of staff at the school as I have been a teacher at Ermine Primary Academy for many years. I have worked here ever since I graduated in 1990 and have never felt the need to leave. Although I have never had the experience of working in other schools since I qualified as a teacher, I can probably say that I know this school and the community pretty well! I have seen the school change and develop over the many years and hope to still be here when it reaches its ultimate goal of being labelled an outstanding school!

Why Ermine Primary Academy is your passion?

Ermine Primary Academy has been a major part of my life for a very long time. I have seen many people, both teachers and pupils, pass through this establishment, but one thing remains true to this day. It is not just a school, it is one big family, where everyone looks out for each other and strives to be the best that they can be. I just can’t imagine my life without this place apart from when it is time to write reports!

Mrs Hall

Areas of Responsibility:

• Early Years teacher
• Food and DT co-ordinator

Personal Statement:

I have always wanted to work with children and I have been especially passionate about working in Early Years ever since my experiences in schools and nurseries as part of my BTEC National Diploma in Early Years which I completed in 2001. I love to see how the children grow, develop and learn through their play and interactions with the people and world around them. I love being a part of this and knowing that I have helped them at the very early stages of their lives.

Qualifications:

I completed my training to become a primary school teacher at Bishop Grosseteste College in 2005. Previous to this I completed a BTEC National Diploma in Early Years at Lincoln College.

Experience:

I have taught children from the ages 3-7 years. I have previously taught children aged 4-7 years in a Lincolnshire village school. I have been at Ermine since 2013.

Why Ermine Primary Academy is your passion?

I absolutely love teaching in the Foundation Stage at Ermine Primary Academy. I love working with the children and staff on a day to day basis and seeing them progress in terms of their achievement and personal development. I enjoy being a part of a school that always strives to move forward and grow.

Mrs Hebborn

I qualified in 1991 from Aberystwyth University with a BSc in Geography and a PGCE in Early Years.

Since then, I have worked in several schools in Lincolnshire across all key stages but my passion is for Early Years.

Being a part of Ermine Foundation Stage is a fantastic opportunity to work with wonderful children and I am proud to be part of a super team.

Mr Hobson

Areas of Responsibility:

Class teacher and P.E. lead.

Personal Statement:

I have wanted to be a teacher since I was fifteen (after I gave up hopes of becoming a football superstar!). I find the profession hugely rewarding and genuinely love waking up and coming to work every day.

Qualifications:

I graduated from the University of Lincoln in 2012 with a Sports Science and Coaching degree, I then spent a year with CfBT teacher training course.

Experience:

I have worked predominantly at Ermine Primary Academy, starting here as a TA3 and working my way up to become a teacher.

Why Ermine Primary Academy is your passion?

Each and every day brings a new, fresh challenge working at EPA. In the time I have been here, I have noticed the vast improvements in all areas of the school, all due to the adults’ and students’ dedication to working in an outstanding environment. I am very proud that I work with such passionate people who not only want to improve each students learning and knowledge, but to guide them into becoming hard-working and honest young people.

Miss Hughes

Mrs Knowles

Areas of Responsibility:

• Class teacher
• PSHEE leader

Personal Statement:

Coming from a large family, I really enjoy being with children and I always knew I wanted a career in working with young people. What I love about teaching is that every single day is different and brings us new challenges. I believe having good relationships with the students is key to help them engage in their learning, helping them to feel supported in every step of their primary school journey.

Qualifications:

Before teaching I graduated from the University of Lincoln with an Art degree then completed a postgraduate teaching course with Bishop Grosseteste University.

Experience:

After qualifying I worked as a supply teacher across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. I thoroughly enjoyed this as it gave me many insights into how lots of different schools work. This also provided opportunities to work in a range of different age groups which gave me experience in working across the whole primary school spectrum.

Why Ermine Primary Academy is your passion?

It is an absolute pleasure to work with such supportive and caring children and I am proud to be a part of such a hard-working team.

Miss Martin

Mr Sale

Areas of Responsibility:

Class Teacher

Personal Statement:

Working in a school can be the most challenging and rewarding of jobs all at the same time! I love the community and have been working here since 2000. I am passionate about giving the children the best possible start in life with high aspirations!

Qualifications:

I trained to be a primary teacher, with specialism in KS2, at Scarborough from 1996 to 1999.
I worked at Nottingham Boys High School for a few months then found my first permanent position at Ermine Junior School.

Experience:

I have worked my way through my NQT year and through various subject leader roles.

Why Ermine Primary Academy is your passion?

There is a special place in my heart for the children and the community as a whole. I have built many positive relationships with various people over the years and feel the need to give this community my all; the relationship we have with Lincoln Castle Academy is a particular strength. The children here deserve to be educated in a fantastic, forward-thinking school with their best interests at heart.