Senior Leadership Team (ID 1017)

• 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, Chester 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.

• Carol Trottier
  Executive Deputy Headteacher & DSL
  Carol Trottier

  Having lived in Farnham for over 20 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 daughters and two gorgeous dachshunds. As a family we love travelling, walking, cooking and generally just being together!

• Jo Farncombe
  Assistant Headteacher (Teaching and Learning) & 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 (Teaching and Learning) & DSL
  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
  Aspiration and Wider Opportunities Lead
  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.

• Catherine Newhall
  Assistant Headteacher (Parental Engagement and Early Reading)
  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

• Anna Hudson
  Assistant Headteacher (Teaching and Learning)
  Anna Hudson

  I am the Year 4 Class Teacher in Stingrays at Potters Gate, as well as Head of Year 4. I am also Assistant Headteacher. I have worked in St. Andrews and Potters Gate since 2012, and love the ethos of both schools, as well as the teams I am fortunate enough to work with. In my spare time, I enjoy crafting as well as being outside, going for walks and playing netball!

• Tracey Hoile
  Assistant Headteacher
  Tracey Hoile

Teachers (ID 1044)

• Eloise Hardisty
  YR - Bumblebees & Year Lead
  Eloise Hardisty

  I enjoy exploring local footpaths and walks. You'll can often find me out in nature, birdwatching or creating art inspired by the colours and patterns of the natural world. I own an allotment in town and enjoy growing food and flowers. I studied illustration at UCA and have a passion for arts and crafts.

• April Pegler
  Year R - Ladybirds
  April Pegler

• Zara Munday
  Zara Munday

  My Potters Gate journey began many years ago when I was a pupil at the school myself! In fact, it was my very first teacher that inspired me to want to join the profession. Potters Gate happened to be recruiting when I eventually qualified, and I was thrilled to be able to become a part of the teaching team in a school that has always meant so much to me. I have remained here ever since and have witnessed the growth and change of the school and the many wonderful children that have passed through. I now have two children of my own who are also a part of the Potters Gate community!

  In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, being out in nature, reading, meditation and wild swimming.

• Julie Paul
  Y1 - Hedgehogs
  Julie Paul

  I started my teaching career in my hometown of Bournemouth and since then have taught across London, Hampshire and Surrey. I love teaching; getting to know each child as an individual and helping them achieve their potential is the best thing in the world (with lots of fun along the way of course!)

  Potters Gate is a school where the wellbeing of the children comes first which is something I wholeheartedly support. The children here are so caring towards each other which is wonderful to see and be a part of.

  I live with my partner, my two growing (please stop!!!) children and two dogs. I am currently halfway through writing a children's novel and like to explore nature with my children.

• Catherine Newhall
  Y2 - Foxes
  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.

• Mrs Zoe Wild
  Year 1 - Squirrels & Year Lead
  Mrs Zoe Wild

  I started my teaching career in Cambridgeshire before relocating with my family to Farnham in 2020. I feel incredibly lucky to be part of the Potters Gate and St Andrew’s school community where I love being part of so many children’s learning journeys. The children constantly surprise me with their amazing insight, skill and ability to think about the world around them. They make every day different and fun.

  When I am not teaching, I enjoy walking with my dog. He is a greyhound so can run a lot faster than me! I also like gardening, reading lots of books, going to concerts and spending time with my two daughters.

• Amy Robertson
  Year 2 - Foxes & Year Lead
  Amy Robertson

  I have been teaching at Potters Gate since 2015, having had roles in both key stages and at St. Andrew's since having my two children.

  I have really enjoyed having the experience across the two schools working with lots of lovely people.

  I live in Church Crookham with my husband and two children, but have strong links with Farnham where my family still live. As a family, we love to be out and about, exploring the local area, baking and enjoying spending time together!

• Helen Ruocco
  Year 2 - Badgers
  Helen Ruocco

  I have been teaching since 2014, working in schools in Farnham and Guildford. I have taught across both key stages and love both! Before I taught, I was a PE teaching assistant in Guildford which has led me to be PE lead at St Andrew's Infant School and to work closely with the PE team at Potters Gate. I feel lucky to be part of the Potters Gate team, where everyone is always supportive and encouraging and where the children are given such a fantastic and varied curriculum.

  In my free time I enjoy running, spending time with friends and family and reading.

• Kate Durack
  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.

• Dan Goodall
  Y3 - Puffins & Year Lead
  Dan Goodall

  I joined Potters Gate Primary School in a teaching capacity in 2018 and have had many different roles since. Having owned my own business, based in Farnham, teaching PE in primary schools (including Potters Gate) for more than ten years I was encouraged by the incredible people at Potters Gate to switch my career path to teaching. It shows the confidence that this school has in their staff and I feel incredibly lucky to be apart of such an amazing and caring staff team who really put the children first.

  I have lived near Farnham my entire life resulting in a strong passion for football, continuing my coaching from children's teams, I am now one of the first team mangers at senior level. If I'm not at the football ground, I enjoy motorsports and spending time relaxing at home or going for meals with friends.

• Laura Nolan
  Y3 - Pelicans & Year Lead
  Laura Nolan

  After over 15 years in marketing, I decided to follow my heart and train to be a teacher. I am very proud to be both a parent and teacher at Potters Gate and love being part of such an affectionate, inspiring and supportive community.
  Outside of school I enjoy playing my trumpet, running, growing fruit and veg in my garden, cooking and eating!

• Kirsty Bhoopal
  Y3 - Penguins
  Kirsty Bhoopal

  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.

• Tina Henderson
  Y3 - Penguins
  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. Having gained much experience for many years as a Key Stage 2 teacher, I joined the Year 2 teaching team in 2021 where I am currently Year Lead. 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.

• Malini Kakkar
  Malini Kakkar

  Hi everyone, I joined Potters Gate in 2018, I feel very lucky to be a part of this amazing school where children are nurtured and cared for and staff wellbeing is very important. I taught in a secondary school in India and had a catering business when I came to UK.

  I live in Farnham with my husband and two girls. I love cooking, singing, gardening and love going on walks with our dog on the weekends.

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• Kirsty Hammerton
  Y4 - Stingrays & Year Lead
  Kirsty Hammerton

  I my name is Kirsty Niland. I have always wanted to be teacher from a very young age so I was over the moon to start my teaching career in Aldershot over 10 years ago now! I have worked at Potters Gate since January 2016 and absolutely love it here! I have had the pleasure of being the RE lead at Potters Gate and St. Andrews for the last 3 years now and really enjoy being able to observe RE lessons across both schools as well as working closely with St. Andrews Church. I love spending the weekend with my family; I have 3 energetic children and a new puppy. As a family we love exploring the great outdoors, baking and playing lots of family games!

• Miss Anna Hutt
  Year 4 - Turtles
  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 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.

• Miss Grace Meaney
  Year 4 - Dolphins
  Miss Grace Meaney

  Hello, my name is Grace Meaney and I am currently a Year 4 teacher at Potters Gate. I recently joined in 2023. It is an honour to work alongside such enthusiastic, positive and admirable staff. I constantly feel grateful to work in an environment where children are polite, courteous and always smiling! The one thing that made me love Potters Gate so much was the exciting and varied opportunities the children have with their learning, it's such a great ethos where children thrive and most importantly have fun everyday!

  I have always lived in the area and it's a pleasure to work in a town I love. In my spare time I love travelling and a cosy coffee shop on a Saturday morning! I also play netball outside of school and love going to support our school netball team in matches.

• Ginnie Carter
  Y4 Turtles & Y5 - Giraffes
  Ginnie Carter

  Hello everyone. I have been teaching since 1997 so many years now! From Inner city London to lovely Surrey I have been lucky enough to work in a few different schools over the years. I have been at Potters Gate for 3 years and loved joining the Year 6 team working with Lions and Tigers. I feel privileged to now join KS1 to nurture the younger children and help them on their learning journey.

  I have 3 children and a very over excited spaniel and enjoy lots of walks in our beautiful countryside

• Steph Easting
  Year 5 - Rhinos & Year Lead
  Steph Easting

  I have been teaching in schools all around the world since 2011, after I graduated from University with a Ba Hons in Primary Teaching! I started my career in local schools in Farnham and then taught internationally for many years in 'British International Schools' in Thailand, Spain and Australia.

  I am now back in Farnham and am so happy to be teaching at Potters Gate where the nurture and care that goes into every detail is unmatched! PG is truly a wonderful environment for both staff and children!

  My hobbies include long walks in nature, a good book or listening to podcasts! I enjoy going to the gym and boxing! I take a huge interest in personal development and study many things in my free time!

  I am very excited to be the Year Lead in year 5, we have some amazing projects coming up and an amazing team of teachers!

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• Joolz Glowacki
  Y5 - Giraffes
  Joolz 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.

• David Millar
  Y5 - Elephants
  David Millar

  I have worked in both mainstream and special education schools for the past 9 years, supporting children with a variety of needs. Having already taken a degree in Special Education Needs and Inclusive Practice, I decided to take the leap over to teaching, currently working as part of the fantastic Year 5 team at Potters Gate.

  I greatly enjoy the outdoors and very much enjoy the opportunities the children at the school have to learn about both our local and global environment. I also have a big fondness for music, previously teaching guitar and ukulele, and love to bring share this passion with the children at school.

• Miss Ellie Baker
  Year 6 - Leopards & Year Lead
  Miss Ellie Baker

  Hello! My name is Ellie Baker and I am currently a Year 6 teacher at Potters Gate. I have lived in Farnham my entire life. Ever since I was at primary school, I have always wanted to become a teacher so I am extremely pleased I decided to pursue a career in teaching. Over the last four years, I have been teaching in Surrey and I absolutely love it! I recently joined Potters Gate in 2023 and feel privileged to be working alongside the caring, enthusiastic and passionate staff here. One of the many reasons I chose to teach at Potters Gate was because of the welcoming and thoughtful children.

  In my spare time, I love playing netball and going swimming. I am proud to be part of my netball team as well as running the school netball team and club with Mrs Daly. As well as playing netball, I love spending time with my family and friends, reading (you'll always find me with a book) and exploring new places abroad.

• Mrs Lou Daly
  Year 6 - Lions
  Mrs Lou 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.

• Luke Perkins
  Y6 - Tigers
  Luke Perkins

  I joined Potters Gate Primary School in 2018 and have enjoyed every minute of it since. Having taught PE in primary schools throughout Hampshire and Surrey for ten years prior to working here, I knew straight away that this school was exactly where I want to be. I feel incredibly lucky to work with such an amazing and caring staff team and such talented and thoughtful students.

  I have lived near Farnham my entire life but take the short commute three times a week to play football for Farnham Town FC. If I'm not playing sports, I love spending time at home relaxing, seeing my family and friends, taking my dog, Ernie, on long walks, visiting restaurants and going to the cinema.

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• Rachel Wood
  PPA Release and Cover
  Rachel Wood

  I started my teaching career in a very creative and inclusive school in central London where I worked for 7 years before moving to Barcelona and working for an international school on the outskirts of the city. I spent 4 very happy years in the sunshine before relocating back to the UK to be closer to family.

  I joined Potters Gate at Easter 2023 and feel lucky to be part of such a supportive and friendly team.

  I love spending weekends with family and have a young son so love being out exploring with him.

Pastoral Team (ID 2061)

• Alexis Carpenter
  Assistant Head, SENCO and 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 th

• Anna Hutt
  Assistant SENCO
  Anna Hutt

• Catherine Newhall
  Assistant Head, Parental Engagement and Early Reading
  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

• Hollie Brightman
  HSLW, DSL
  Hollie Brightman

  I joined Potters Gate and St Andrews in September 2021 as the school's Home School Link Worker and part of the Safeguarding team as one of the DSL’s. Before that I worked at the Waverley Family Centre and Potters Gate Sure Start Children’s Centre as an outreach worker for over 10 years. I love working at both schools and feel passionately about helping families in times of need and making sure each child is happy and ready for school each day.

  In my spare time I love to spend time in my garden growing flowers and vegetables on my vegetable patch!

• Annie Canton
  Pastoral Lead, Mental Health First Aider
  Annie Canton

  I started working at Potters Gate & St Andrews in 2016 and feel very lucky to be part of such caring and nurturing schools. My background and qualification is in Humanistic Counselling with a particular interest in Attachment Theory. Since joining the schools, I have further trained as an ELSA, Nurture Practitioner, Family Links Parenting Puzzle Facilitator, Mental Health First Aider and gained a Children's Counselling CPD diploma.

  As part of the Pastoral Team, I believe that a child's emotional wellbeing is paramount to their ability to learn and thrive in school. My role is to ensure the children at our schools receive the emotional support they may need and work with parents and staff for a holistic approach.

  In my spare time, I enjoy going to the theatre, being with family and friends, cooking and spending time in London or Brighton.

• Hannah Fazakerley
  ELSA
  Hannah Fazakerley

  I spent many years as a KS1 teacher in Surrey and Hampshire, but after starting my own family I came to Potters Gate as a Special Needs Assistant. Both of my daughters had their primary education here! I have worked with children 1 to 1, helped to run the school's Nurture Group and am now working as an ELSA. I really enjoy helping, talking to and working with children - it is simply an amazing thing to do and makes every day different! I am also the librarian at PG because I have an absolute passion for reading, especially children's books.

  When I am not at school, you will find me walking my Romanian rescue dog, spending time with family and friends and of course reading!

  'Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else's shoes for a while." Malorie Blackman

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• Alex Jones
  ELSA
  Alex Jones

• Georgie Barter
  Speech and Communication TA
  Georgie Barter

  I am the new Speech and Communication TA, delivering interventions to children across both schools. I am a trained speech therapist on the team who has also got experience of working with neurodivergent children with social interaction and communication needs. I also work in the pastoral team supporting children’s wellbeing.