Meet the team who will be inspiring your child

Kate Fairbrother

Head Teacher

Having been ‘born’ into the teaching profession, with a real-life Mary Poppins as a mother, educating young people and offering the best possible opportunities and educational excellence to the children in my care has always been my greatest passion.

My early teaching career began in Inner City London in challenging schools, followed by a period in Bedfordshire where I progressed to Deputy Headship and Acting Headship in a large Lower School and then to a substantive Headship in another large Lower School serving a diverse community. For the last 13 years, I have been in the very privileged position of Headteacher at Landkey Community Primary Academy in North Devon.

During my time here, I have successfully led the team through several Ofsted inspections, including one judged to be outstanding in 2011. The parting comment from the Lead Inspector at our most recent inspection was that out of the numerous schools he had inspected, Landkey was the one he would choose for his own children!

In more recent years, from 2012, I was appointed as a National Leader for Education and have worked alongside several schools to support school improvement. Securing the best possible educational outcomes for the children in North Devon whilst working with such schools was very much a driving force when committing to join the Tarka Learning Partnership in 2018.

Working with such an incredible team within the Multi Academy Trust, in order to benefit and improve the life chances for our local children, further motivated and inspired me to progress to the unique and exciting opportunity as Headteacher of the new school, Rounsdwell Community Primary Academy – an honour that I am certain will be most rewarding. In addition, I will remain as Head Teacher at Landkey school until September 2021 and Deputy Lucy Mardling will be assisting to provide continuous provision and cover. We will ensure continuity and stability for the school during the transition period and subsequent appointment at Landkey.

Early Years Leader and SENDCo

I am very excited to have been appointed EYFS Leader & SENDCo at Roundswell Primary Academy School. I have been a teacher for 18 years and the majority of this time has been in Early Years as I am very passionate about this important stage of learning and ensuring children have the best start possible to their educational life. I have always taught and lived in North Devon and for the past 4 years have taught Reception and been the EYFS Leader at Landkey Primary Academy School.

It is such a wonderful opportunity to be part of this fantastic new school right at the start of its journey and helping it to develop and grow and I can’t wait to get started.

Lizzy Toon

Laura Conway

Early Years Lead Practitioner

I’ve worked in Early Years at Landkey Community Primary Academy for the past six years. I am passionate about Early Years and how it sets the foundations for lifelong learning and social and emotional development. I am also a trained Thrive Practitioner, helping to supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing. I’m excited to be joining Roundswell Community Primary Academy and being part of this amazing new school.

Gemma Stabb

Teaching Assistant

I am very excited to have been appointed Teaching Assistant at Roundswell Community Primary Academy. I have worked in a Nursery as an Early Years Practitioner for the last 4 years, it has always been my ambition to work with children and to help them through their journey of education.

I am thrilled to be joining the team on this great and exciting journey and cannot wait to meet you all in September.

Connie Martin-Harrison

Teaching Assistant

I can't wait to begin this exciting journey at Roundswell Community Primary Academy! I have been working and volunteering with mainly young children since 2014 and I am hugely passionate about this stage of learning and development. I love helping to facilitate a quality learning experience for children, supporting their growth and confidence and encouraging an enthusiasm for learning - it really is such a privilege to work in the EYFS. I have recently completed my BA Hons degree in Education Studies and I am so excited to start a wonderful adventure at this incredible new school.

Sophie Wheeler

Meal Time Assistant

I am super excited to be starting at Roundswell Community Primary Academy a Meal Time Assistant, helping to make lunch times safe, fun and enjoyable. I have been a Meal Time Assistant for the last 8 years at Newport Community School Primary Academy and the last 4 years I have spent working closely with reception. I can't wait to start this new journey with everyone.

Zsuzsanna Horvath

Meal Time Assistant

I love being with children, I am committed to keeping them safe and happy, and I am interested in educating and stimulating them. Having children of my own taught me that patience, enthusiasm, empathy, a sense of responsibility and a sense of fun are key things for caring for children. I have been a nurse for over 10 years on a very busy surgical ward but I always had a passion for child development.

I am very excited to start this new chapter in my life.

Susan Hayes

Cook

I live in Ilfracombe with my husband Nigel and our cat Socks.

My passion is cooking, walking the coastal paths and enjoying life living by the sea.

In my previous job I was cooking for over 100 children in a very busy nursery so life was hectic, lots of pots and pans in use. I love to cook food for all children, cooking food that caters for allergies or intolerances, as I believe no child should feel different when it comes to food.

I am looking forward to the new journey in the school and being part of children's growth and learning.

Emma Stubbs

Business Manager

I have worked in primary and secondary schools as an Administrator looking after finance, recruitment and assisting parents, children and staff. In the last 5 years I have worked in Newport Community School Primary Academy and recently moved into the Tarka Learning Partnership Trust to assist with the preparations for Roundswell Community Primary Academy. I look forward to welcoming you into the school.

Stephanie Galliford

Teaching Assistant

I am delighted to be starting as a Teaching Assistant at Roundswell Community Primary Academy. I have always wanted to work with children and have been an Early Years Practitioner for the past ten years, enjoying every minute. It is a privilege to be involved and support children in their first stages of education. I love to make learning fun and widen opportunities for children to gain confidence and build life skills. I look forward to the exciting journey to be had at this wonderful new school.

Kate Reeves

Teaching Assistant

I am thrilled to be appointed Early years TA at Roundswell Community Primary School. I have been working in Early Years since 2013 and I have worked in a variety of settings with main stream children and those with special educational needs. I am Makaton trained, think Mr Tumble! and a huge advocate having seen the positive affect that signing can have.

I am looking forward to being part of the amazing Early Years team and playing a part in your child’s journey here at Roundswell Community Primary School.

Jo Burtoft

Teacher

I have been a dedicated and passionate teacher for a long time! My early teaching career started in Basingstoke followed by a move to North Devon then Cornwall. Having taught across the primary age range and then returning to teach Reception children for several years, I feel privileged to be continuing my career at Roundswell Community Primary Academy, providing the best possible start to the learning and development of children, making a difference to their lives and life-chances. I have recently moved back to North Devon with my husband and twin boys so we are making the most of exploring this wonderful area. I am thrilled to be part of the Roundswell team and look forward to starting in September.