Meet the team

I have recently returned to Tynyrheol Primary, as Acting Headteacher, after a long secondment! As well as my teaching post in Tynyrheol, I have worked in Tynewydd Primary School , Ogmore Vale Primary School and Betws Primary School, teaching children from Nursery to Year 6. I love the friendly and happy atmosphere in Tynyrheol . The children are always keen to tell me their news and show me their work. When I am not in school, I spend most of my time entertaining my little boy. He is 4 and full of energy!! We like to spend time outdoors and he loves running around and exploring. I like to take him on little adventures too and we try to take little holidays whenever we can. I love to cook and love to explore flavours ad recipes from around the world. I spend a lot of time with my family and social occasions generally involve lunch or dinner!

I have worked as the Secretary in Tynyrheol for coming up to ten and a half years now. It is such a lovely friendly school with a great sense of community and where we know each and every child. I enjoy talking to the children and hearing about their news when they come to see me in my office.

Outside of school I have taken on a new role as a Foster Carer and have been doing so for just over a year now although it is challenging it is also very rewarding to know I can help improve a child’s life.

I have been teaching at Tynyrheol Primary school since September 2015. I love teaching in Tynyrheol because of the friendly and supportive atmosphere that has been created. Class 1 is a pleasure to teach in because it is a lovely experience to be surrounded by children who love to learn.

Outside of school I enjoy horse riding and competing in dressage tests, catching up with friends which usually involves a cinema trip and spoiling my dog!

Likes: chocolate, sunshine, laughing

Dislikes: the cold, horror films, moths!!

I joined the team at Tynyrheol in 2010 after many years of supporting their PTFA. I am still an active member of the PTFA and the Llangeinor Community and enjoy supporting local events. I am very enthusiastic and dedicated to the wellbeing of all the children who attend our school. I am a Learning Support Officer for Class One and also run Emotional Literacy support groups, plus other interventions that help support the children’s learning and development. The parents who know me realize I have a love for cake and chocolate and I also enjoy the dress up days we hold at school. I love spending time with my children, one son and 2 daughters (and I must not forget my husband). I have just completed a degree in Early Years Care and Education which is supporting how I approach and deliver lessons in the setting. I also have the joys of giving “the little guys” breakfast along with my colleagues of Breakfast Club.

I have recently joined the team at Tynyrheol Primary, after a year doing my training in Class 1. I have built up a good relationship with the staff and children. I really love my job working in Class 1 and watching the children progress throughout the year. When I’m not in school, I’m busy at home looking after my 5 year old twins.

I first started working in Tynyrheol doing a maternity cover in 2010 and fell in love with the community! I live in Porthcawl and am married and have four children of my own. I enjoy cooking and crafts! I recently started running an after school craft club for the children! I currently work in Tynyrheol as an LSO/Cover Supervisor, and run some interventions such as E.C.C – helping children develop their maths skills and run Catchup which is a literacy intervention to help children with their reading skills! I work across KS1 and KS2 in Classes 2 & 3 and occasionally I cover in Class 1.

I have been teaching in Class 2 for the last eighteen months. Prior to this I have worked in a number of schools across Bridgend County Borough in both Key Stage 2 and in the Foundation Phase. I enjoy teaching in Class 2 because the children are always so enthusiastic about everything and enjoy learning new things. We all love the outdoors and particularly enjoy the summer term when the weather breaks and we get to go outside a lot more.

I love spending my spare time with my own children and enjoy going for walks, going to the cinema and eating out at different restaurants.

I have worked in Tynyrheol since September 2000 as a Nursery Nurse. I love my position at the school and I feel passionate about children’s learning and try to make it as fun and interesting as I can. I prefer to look on the brighter side of life trying to make children enjoy positive energies.

I myself have lots of energy and enjoy connecting with the children after a lifetime practise of meditation.

My passion is the piano and laughter yoga along with self development programmes.

I am a devoted senior LSO and I have been working at Tynyrheol for almost 13 years. I have a variety of roles as a staff member, parent and governor. While at Tynyrheol I have had great opportunities to enhance my professional development and over the years I have gained a vast majority of experience/qualifications in SEN and ALN. I have supported pupils on a 1:1 basis in order for them to access the curriculum within a main stream school. For many years I ran the Catchup literacy intervention and supported children to reach their individual targets in reading/spelling. My role is exceptionally rewarding and I absolutely adore all the pupils/staff. At present I work mornings in class 3, supporting years 4, 5 and 6 and afternoons in all 3 classes as cover supervisor while the class teachers take their PPA time.

My hobbies are traveling, keeping fit and spending time with my family.

My name is Laura Evans. I have been involved with Tynyrheol since 2004 when I started here as a Teaching Assistant supporting in classes and from training that I was offered through the school and from doing an Education Degree in my own time, I progressed to being a Learning Support Officer, supporting children who needed extra help with Reading and Spelling and a Cover Supervisor, covering classes when teachers were absent. In 2009, I began training to support children with Emotional Difficulties on both a 1to1 basis and in groups. I then gained a post with the Local Authority travelling around the Comprehensive Schools in Bridgend facilitating support groups for young people which could be Anger Management, Self Esteem, Bullying etc. During my time away from Tynyrheol, I was still a governor at the school and kept in close contact with the staff. In 2013, after a period of leave from work, I began volunteering in the school and in December 2014, Miss Peters left and I was asked if I would like to return to my old post! I jumped at the chance as I loved working with the staff and children at Tynyrheol. When I returned, it felt like I was coming home. Since coming back, I still support children who need extra help but my role has developed and I am now ALNCO (Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator) and responsible for Parental Engagement. During my time away from Tynyrheol, I have developed many more skills and have a Diploma in Youth Counselling and am a Mental Health First Aider. I have been able to bring these skills back to Tynyrheol. I am very passionate about supporting children, young people and families. In my spare time, I volunteer with Mental Health Matters facilitating support groups and after Easter will be volunteering in Y Dderwen running support groups for young people there.

I am Mrs Leanne Grabham. I am the Acting Assistant Head at Tynyrheol Primary School and also the Class Teacher in Class 3. I have worked at Tynyrheol for thirteen years. I started working here in Class 2 with years 1, 2 and 3 but have now moved to Class 3 to teach years 4, 5 and 6. I am Maths, Geography and Music co-ordinator. My favourite subject is maths – I love it! If I could teach it all day long I would! The thing I love most about school is seeing children understand something new – watching their faces light up when they ‘get it’ makes my job worthwhile! I also love putting on a show – Christmas concerts, class assemblies and Leaver’s Assemblies to name but a few. I have been known to write a few original songs for them too!

Outside school, I am very busy with my own children, going to swimming lessons, Brownies, JAM Club, cricket sessions – you name it, they’ve probably tried it! I get the weekly battle with homework too! I love shopping, spa days, chocolate, sweets (especially jelly cherries) and proper triple cooked chips! I hate the rain and the cold, Brussel Sprouts and the smell of wet dogs!

I am very proud of the fact I am Welsh and enjoy our Eisteddfods every year. One of my best memories was when we wrote out own version of Hymns and Arias with all the teachers in it! One of my favourite places to go is Aberaeron as my nan and grampa used to take me there every year when I was a child and we would stay on a farm in a caravan. I now take my own children there and we go to the same Fish and Chip shop and eat Honey ice cream on the waterfront.

Coming from a family where both my parents were teachers and older brother was a teacher, it soon became very evident to me the professional satisfaction gained in helping others achieve and reach their full potential.

After qualifying as a teacher in 1993 I have gained a great deal of experience having taught in approx. 100 schools across Wales and Milton Keynes.

In 2013 while teaching for Swansea Council I was nationally recognised by the Lloyds/TSB group as the Welsh Tutor of The Year for my work with a group of teenagers within the area.

Since 2015 I have worked for Valley Education doing supply cover across South Wales.

My name is Lewis Watkins and I am a sports coaching graduate from the University of South Wales. I work for a company called Evolve as a qualified health mentor. I support classroom learning, encourage physical activity and play, and develop meaningful rapport in order to help pupils take charge of their own health, happiness and fulfilment. I have worked at Tynyrheol for almost a year and have enjoyed every minute of it. The pupils and the staff at Tynyrheol are fantastic to work with and every day is always an exciting one. Outside of school I like to keep busy by playing a variety of sports and physical activities. I also like to coach football in my spare time for local academies and national teams.

I am in Tynyrheol Primary on placement for a college course I am studying in Neath college. I also volunteer at the school one day a week. While in the school I help in Class 2 and also help with the school wall displays. I assist the teachers where needed and provide support to the children.

I am currently studying the CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Children’s Care, Learning and Development and am on placement at Tynyrheol until the end of the summer term. I am thoroughly enjoying my time with class 2 and learning lots in the process. Every day is different and there is never a dull moment! I love working with the children and supporting them on their learning journey.

Outside of school I love to read, travel and learn new languages. I spend most of my free time outdoors, with my four year old daughter, who keeps me on my toes.

My name is Laura Lewis. My role in the school is lunchtime supervisor and relief Breakfast Club assistant. I have worked at Tynyrheol since 2012.

I have worked in Tynyrheol Primary School for 11 years as Lunchtime Supervisor. I enjoy working with the children.

My name is Mandy Davies. I am Breakfast Club Assistant and Lunchtime Supervisor. I have worked in Tynyrheol Primary School since April 2002.

I have been in Tynyrheol for more years than I can remember (over 25).

I enjoy watching th children grow up through the school and the community.

I have worked as the Cook in Tynyrheol School for 12 years. I enjoy working with the children and staff of the school.

My name is Lawrence Jones. I’ve been a volunteer at the school for a little over a year now. Generally, my duties in school consist of reading with the children, assisting the pupils in class 3 and helping the older children to improve their typing speeds in preparation for comprehensive school. Reading is one of my favourite ways to pass the time as well as cooking, whereas I dislike extremely spicy foods. I was a pupil here at Tynyrheol Primary School in the past; it feels a little odd to help the new generation of pupils alongside the staff that once taught me.

My name is Chris Jones. I’ve been a Cleaner-In-Charge for six years here at Tynyrheol Primary School. I love working with the children, and the feel of the unique family atmosphere we have in our school. If I’m not in work, I enjoy regularly working out at the gym, going for long walks, or gardening, when the weather permits it. I dislike rainy days and watching TV.

Jo Blackman (Head Teacher)

Elaine Crowle (School Secretary)

Hannah Pare (Class 1 Teacher)

Alison Street (Class 1 LSO and Wellbeing Officer)

Amy Gunter (Class 1 LSA)

Tina Munro (LSO)

Alison Bruce (Class 2 Teacher)

Pearl Pascoe (Class 2 LSO)

Emma Dowling (Class 2 LSO / PPA Cover)

Laura Evans (Senior LSO)

Leanne Grabham (Formally Class 3 Teacher – Currently on Secondment)

Mr Reynolds – Class 3 Teacher

Lewis Watkins (Health Mentor)

Deborah Thompson (Student Volunteer)

Emma Fitzgerald (Student)

Laura Lewis (Lunchtime Supervisor)

Gillian Churchill (Lunchtime Supervisor)

Mandy Davies

Sharon Soles (General Kitchen Assistant)

Dawn Worrall (School Cook)

Lawrence Jones (Volunteer)

Chris Jones (Cleaner in Charge)