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About Us

Gallery of Staff

 

Head Teacher - Mr Haylock 

Mr Haylock graduated from Winchester University in 2002, having studied for his BA with Hons degree in Education. He has taught in both key stages 1 and 2. He has been a senior leader in primary schools since 2008 with experience of raising school and pupil achievement.  He gained his National Professional Qualification for Headship in 2021 and became headteacher of Poverest in 2023. Mr Haylock has worked with the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) and Computing at School (CAS) on primary computing provision and was a lead moderator KS2 writing in Bromley. Mr Haylock has been part of the Poverest team since September 2012 and is very proud of the improvements Poverest Primary School has made and looks forward to the school's journey to 'Outstanding'.

Deputy Head Teacher - Mrs Wilson

Mrs Wilson started teaching in Greenwich in 1999 teaching children from the Nursery to Year 6. Here she was a Deputy Head and a Leading teacher for Greenwich supporting other schools in the area with Maths and Early Years. In 2012, she moved to Poverest Primary School. She continues to support other schools in Bromley as well as being a EYFS moderator for the local authority and working with the DfE. She achieved an 'outstanding' judgement in the 2014 OFSTED for her leadership and for the EYFS team and continues to support the school in moving from 'good' to 'outstanding' across the board.

Assistant Head Teacher / SENCo -  Mrs Mills

SENCO/Head of Provision Mrs. Mills started teaching in 1991 where she was a class teacher at Darrick Wood Junior School. Alongside her class teaching, she worked closely with BYMT (Bromley Youth Music Trust) in promoting and involving children in their musical activities.  She has worked in many local schools inspiring musical love and talents in the children she has taught.

Mrs. Mills joined Poverest Primary School in January 2014 as the music teacher and through working closely with the children within the Provision she became one of the teachers there, in Ash class.

In 2016, Mrs. Mills trained for her NASENCO PGCert. award and moved into the role she has now.

As Assistant Head, Mrs. Mills works closely with the Head and Deputy Heads with moving the school along the path to outstanding.  She also supports the children and their families within the mainstream within her role as Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator.

Poverest Primary School is very proud of its inclusive nature and Mrs. Mills leads the team in our Specialist Provision ensuring that families are supported and the children thrive there, reaching their full potential.

Assistant Head Teacher - Mrs Arnold

Mrs Arnold started her career in 2008 after achieving her  BA Hons in Primary Education with QTS at The University of Greenwich. Her first teaching position was at Days Lane Primary school in year 2, before working at Jubilee Primary School in Thamesmead where she enjoyed 7 years of teaching in Key Stage 2.

Mrs Arnold taught Year 6 after joining the Poverest team in 2019 and became Assistant Head Teacher in 2023, she is currently on Maternity Leave. 

Key Stage One Phase Leader, EYFS Lead and English Lead - Mrs Rautenbach

Mrs Rautenbach joined Poverest  in September 2018. She is originally from South Africa, and completed her Bachelors degree in Teaching at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. She specialised in Music Education, and really enjoys sharing her love of music with children. After completing her studies, she moved to London and taught in Tower Hamlets for ten years, in both Early Years and Key Stage 1. She is currently teaching Year 4 and is responsible for English across the school. 

Creative Curriculum Lead - Mrs Smith

Mrs Smith completed her four year degree in Primary Education at the University of Winchester. She completed her final placement at Poverest Primary School and returned as an NQT for Year 3. Mrs Smith has taught in Year 3, Year 2 and Year 1 during her time at Poverest. She also specialises in Computing and enjoys sharing her passion with all the children. Mrs Smith is currently teaching Year 1. 

Behaviour, Attendance and Well-Being Lead - Mrs Dale

Mrs Dale started her career in 2002 after achieving her  BA Hons Degree at The University of Greenwich. Her first teaching position was at Slade Green Infants where she enjoyed 7 years of teaching in the Foundation Stage and Year 1. During this time she had experience of working with special needs children within a mainstream setting. Her next career choice was to work with children with ASD, she then joined us in 2009 as the Specialist Teacher in charge of the Provision where she stayed until 2015 when she had a career break.  She returned as a class teacher in the Provision in September 2017 but now has returned to the mainstream with a Year 1 class.

Key Stage Two Phase Leader - Mrs Hopper 

Mrs Hopper studied a degree in Early Childhood studies  with Education at the University of Roehampton. She then went on to do her PGCE at the university of Greenwich. She became a teacher in 2008. She taught in key stage one for eight years at Leesons Primary school. Mrs Hopper joined Poverest in 2016 and is working in year 5. In September 2021, Mrs Hopper moved into Key Stage 1 to teach Year 2. Most recently, she moved back to Year 5 to teach part-time with Mrs Kaynakci. 

Key Stage Two Phase Leader - Mr Smith

Mr Smith completed his degree for Primary Education in 2020. He worked as a PTP at Midfield Primary School. He began his teacher training at Poverest in 2020 and he completed with QTS in July 2021. He enjoyed his first year at Poverest teaching Year 4 and leading School Council. In September 2021, Mr Smith moved to Year 3 and became Computing lead for a year. He has been working in Year 6 for two years and mostly enjoys taking children to PGL. 

Early Reading and Phonics Lead - Mrs Jones

Mrs Jones completed her teacher qualification in 2019, after many years working as a PTP. She originally trained as a dancer, gaining a Bachelor of Arts honours degree in 2011. Mrs Jones has been teaching early years now for five years and has also taught dance clubs and workshops for KS1 and KS2. She is leading Design and Technology within the school and enjoys teaching Reception. 

SENCO Assistant - Miss Otieno 

Miss Otieno completed a BA Hons in Education Studies at the University of Greenwich. She then went on to complete a Post Graduate Certificate in Primary Education at the University of Greenwich. Miss Otieno joined Poverest Primary School in 2017 as an NQT in Year 1, she enjoyed teaching Year 3 before moving to Reception. She has enjoyed developing Religious Education throughout the school as well as being responsible for our School Travel Plan. She is also part of the LGBT+ team supporting the children within our school. 

Mrs Inwood 

Mrs. Inwood completed a degree in Primary Early Years Education with QTS at the University of the West of England before moving to London and finishing her first teaching year in the borough of Brent. She joined Poverest in 2014. She loved working in the Early Years and seeing the progress and huge advances that the children make over their first year in school. She achieved an 'outstanding' judgement in the 2014 OFSTED with the EYFS Poverest team and continues to support the school in moving from 'good' to 'outstanding' in all areas.She is currently working in Year 4. 

Mrs Williams

After a long and varied career in journalism, including 10 years running an academic journal, Mrs Williams joined Pickhurst Junior School as a literacy specialist in Year 6.  Other appointments have included running interventions for gifted and talented children, introducing the P4C initiative (Philosophy for Children) across all year groups and a year spent in the Infant School providing teaching cover for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. She is currently teaching in Year 5. 

Mrs Wallis 

Mrs Wallis completed her Batchelor of Arts Degree at Goldsmiths College, University London. She has worked for a number of years in Kent, teaching children from year 3 to year 6. Mrs Wallis joined Poverest Primary School in 2012 to increase her knowledge and understanding of children with ASD. She works within all classes and sometimes the ASD provision.  

Miss Irwin

Miss Irwin became a teacher in 2006, having attended University of Greenwich where she specialised in Art, Primary Education with QTS (BA Hons). She has taught in Key Stage Two for the last ten years, first at Leesons and then at Tubbenden. Miss Irwin joined Poverest in 2016  teaching in Reception class. Miss Irwin currently teaches in Year 3. She is leading the school in achieving it's Art Mark with many varied and interesting projects being undertaken since 2019. 

Mrs Mantle

Mrs Mantle completed her 4 year degree in Primary Education at Brighton University. She then went on to work at Leesons Primary School in Reception for 4 years and then became the EYFS Leader for a year. She joined Poverest teaching Year 1 in 2018. She is currently responsible for a Year 2 class and is a very pro-active leader of Geography through the school. 

Miss McIllmurray

Miss McIllmurray starting working as a Professional Teaching Partner at Poverest in 2014 where she supported in EYFS and Year 3. She then successfully completed her Foundation Stage qualification in Early years education and worked in Tiddlywinks here at Poverest. In July 2018 she completed her BA (Hons) degree in Education Studies and was awarded her QTS in February 2021. She has enjoyed her time teaching in Elm class and is now part of the Year 2 team.

Miss McIllmurray took the role of Travel Plan coordinator and helped to promote active travel throughout the school. Poverest has since been awarded a gold level award for their travel plan. Miss McIllmurray has now taken on the role of MFL lead for the school and is promoting high-level Spanish teaching and learning through songs, games and different activities.

Mrs Thakur

Mrs Thakur completed her Masters Degree in Commerce overseas and then trained to be a teacher in England in 2021. During her training she worked in Biggin Hill and Warren Road Primary School. She has been teaching in Poverest Primary School since September 2022 in Year 3 and is in charge of the school's travel plan.

Mr Duffin

Mr Duffin is a specialist PE teacher who has been teaching at Poverest since 2014. He gained a degree at Leeds in Physical Education. He prides himself on providing a wealth of opportunities for our children but also our parents. 

Professional Teaching Partners

  • Mrs Banks
  • Mrs Callaghan
  • Mrs Carney
  • Miss Caulfield
  • Mrs Chapman
  • Mrs Davis
  • Mrs Gentleman
  • Miss King
  • Mrs O'Connor
  • Miss Parsons
  • Mrs Reed
  • Mrs Roa Avendano
  • Mrs Senft
  • Mr Senft
  • Mrs C Smith
  • Mrs K Smith 
  • Mrs Wheller

Individual Support Assistants

  • Miss Bashford
  • Mrs Bell
  • Mrs Cooper
  • Miss Croucher
  • Mrs Deller-Miles
  • Miss Ditch
  • Miss Harris-Durkin
  • Miss Jafrato
  • Mrs Judickaite
  • Mrs Mitsi
  • Mrs Rixson
  • Mrs Sharma
  • Miss Tullett
  • Miss Williams
  • Mrs Wilson

Head of Pastoral Care: Mrs Boorman 

Mrs Boorman began her career working for the NHS where she worked over 16 years before moving into the Educational sector. During her 16 years in education she has worked in Lewisham and Bromley Borough schools. She has held various positions including School Counsellor, PA to the SENCO and Inclusion Manager. She is passionate about the pastoral care of all children at Poverest and working as part of a team. Mrs Boorman is part of the Senior leadership Safeguarding team and Manager of our Breakfast Club.

School Business Manager: Mrs White 

Officer Manager: Mrs Helm 

Admin Officer: Mrs Marshall

Admin Assistant: Mrs Thompson

Midday Supervisors

  • Mrs Bell
  • Mrs Bignell
  • Ms Corcaran
  • Miss Edwards
  • Miss Golding
  • Mrs Judickaite
  • Miss Parker
  • Mrs Siddiqui
  • Miss Thirkell
  • Mrs Thompson
  • Miss Treamer
  • Mrs Wilson
  • Ms Wojciga

Breakfast Club

Mrs Boorman, Mrs Carney 

After School Club

Mrs Senft, Mrs Sathiyamoorthy, Mrs Mitsi

Site Manager: Mr Watling

Assistant Site Manager: Mr Parker

Union Officials

No time has been taken by union officials within the Poverest staff to carry out official union duties.

Contact Us

  • Poverest Primary School, Tillingbourne Green, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent, BR5 2JD

  • 01689 816060

  • admin@poverest.co.uk