Staff 

Staff 2023 - 2024

Senior Leadership Team

• 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

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

Teachers

• Eloise Hardisty
  YR - Bumblebees
  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.

• Zara Munday
  YR - Ladybirds
  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.

• Catherine Newhall
  YR - Ladybirds
  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.

• 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.

• Mrs Zoe Wild
  Year 1 - Squirrels
  Mrs Zoe Wild

• Kate Durack
  Y2 - Badgers
  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.

• Rebecca Birch
  Y2 - Badgers
  Rebecca Birch

  I have been teaching at Potters Gate for several years. The school holds a very special place in my heart because I live in the local area and my son attended Potters Gate.

  I love teaching, discovering and exploring new experiences with children, being creative and having fun! I feel passionately about nurturing children's wellbeing and helping them to grow and develop their skills to become independent, resilient and passionate learners.

  I have lived in Farnham for around 20 years and love the nearby countryside to spend time with my family and walk my dog Willow. Outside of school I like to do yoga, gardening and to read. Not many people know that I also like to do archery!

• Kirsty Bhoopal
  Y2 - Foxes
  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
  Y2 - Foxes
  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.

• Amy Robertson
  Year 3 - Penguins
  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!

• Malini Kakkar
  Year 3 - Penguins
  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.

  ,

• Dan Goodall
  Y3 - Puffins
  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 and Farnham Town Football club. Continuing my coaching from the children's teams, I am now one of the first team mangers at the club. 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
  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!

• Joolz Glowacki
  Y3 - Interventions
  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.

• Anna Hudson
  Y4 - Stingrays
  Anna Hudson

  My name is Anna Chapman and I have worked at Potters Gate since 2015. I began working in Year 5, which I really enjoyed. After a few years I decided I would like a change. In 2019, I moved to Year 2, which I love.

  
  My favourite subject to teach is English - which I love planning and researching!
  
  In my spare time, I love to go for long walks with dogs and friends. I also love sewing, and enjoy making things for my home and others.

• Miss Anna Hutt
  Year 4 - Turtles
  Miss Anna Hutt

• Miss Grace Meaney
  Year 4 - Dolphins
  Miss Grace Meaney

• Kirsty Niland
  Y5 - Rhinos
  Kirsty Niland

  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!

• 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.

• Helen Ruocco
  Year 5 - Giraffes
  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.

• Ginnie Carter
  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

• Mrs Lou Daly
  Year 6 - Lions
  Mrs Lou Daly

• Tracey Hoile
  Year 6 - Lions
  Tracey Hoile

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

• Rachel Wood
  PPA Release and Cover
  Rachel Wood

Pastoral Team

Year Leaders

Teaching Assistants

Mrs Michele Vidler

Mrs Emma Roseveare

Mrs Vicky Langhorne

Ms Maggie Payne

Mrs Amanda Davis

Mrs Isabel Edward

Miss Hady Knight

Miss Harriet Hawes

Mrs Nicky Tempest-Woods

Miss Sammy Duncton

Mrs Louise Cakebread

Miss Rachel Sims

Mrs Helen Jackson

Miss Kayleigh Bryce

Mrs Jo Sutton

Mrs Sophie Budd

Mrs Nicola Stagg

Mrs Hannah Sotheron

Mrs Adina Clarke

Mrs Georgina Grange-Cook

Mrs Candice Smith

Mrs Alex Jones

Mrs Sophie Kenee

Mrs Bonita Bales

Mrs Katarina Pokusa

Mrs Claire Woods

Mr Sam Wickham

Lunchtime supervisors

Miss Rachel Sims (Senior Midday Supervisor)

Mrs Brenda Simner

Miss Kayleigh Bryce

Ms Trish McGuire

Mrs Joanna Sutton

Librarian

Mrs Hannah Fazakerley

School Office

Miss Katherine Scholes – Office Manager, Admissions Manager and DSL

Mrs Olivia Richmond - Admin Assistant and HR Officer

Ms Cara Whitby - Admin Assistant and Attendance Officer

Mrs Tracy Humphreys - Admin Assistant

Mrs Carolyn Elder - School Business Manager

Mrs Miriam Forster - School Fund and Care Club Administrator, Finance Officer

ICT Technician

IMS Computing

Care Club

Miss Rachel Sims – Care Club and Breakfast Club Manager

Mrs Alex Jones - Breakfast Club Deputy Manager

Mrs Helen Latham - Care Club Deputy Manager

Miss Kayleigh Bryce

Miss Samantha Duncton

Mrs Isabel Edward

Ms Trish McGuire

Mrs Jo Sutton

Caretaker

Mr Toby Jenkin

Mr Melvin Antonio