I completed my NVQ III in Childcare and Education in 1999 and worked for many years in Cumbria. I have worked at St James’ since 2007 as a level 3 Teaching Assistant. I have worked in EYFS and KS2. Currently I am in Class 4 with Mrs Dobie in the mornings. In the afternoons, I work with groups of children doing interventions such as Grief Therapy, Art Therapy, Lego Therapy and Motor Skills. Within school, I am one of many First Aiders. I also help run a very successful cheerleading after school club and am part of the running club. I am joint Art Coordinator with Mr Woolley. I love being involved with school plays, where I provide the scenery and props, trips and Masses. My strong points are Art and Sport. My favourite artistic moment so far is having the great pleasure to be involved with the Walking with the Snowman display, which took pride of place in The Lowry shopping centre. Mrs Collins
I qualified as a teacher in 2002, after completing a BA (Hons) degree in Primary Education at Edge Hill University. Since then, I have also completed the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leaders (NPQSL). In 2016, I became the deputy headteacher, Key Stage Two lead and the Year 3 class teacher, here at St James’. I then moved into Year 5 (my favourite age group) for several years. In September 2024, I became the new headteacher here at St James’. As well as being the Designated Safeguarding Lead, I lead Teaching and Learning, as well as physical Education. I also work alongside other colleagues on different teams, such as RE, curriculum and assessment. I love being part of the fantastic team here at St James’. We all work hard but have lots fun too! Mr Woolley
I have worked as a Teaching Assistant since 1998, both in class and supporting individual children on a one-to-one basis. I have completed the NVQ 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools award. I support Maths in Years 5 and 6 in the mornings by taking a group of up to 6 children to work in a smaller group. In the afternoons I deliver interventions, which may be to individual children or groups, such as PIVATS work, pre and post teach for Maths, and individualised learning programmes. I am part of the ICT, MFL and Maths teams within the school. My interests and strengths, both in and out of school, are: Maths, computers, crafts and languages. I enjoy creating hats and blankets for donation to various charities Mrs Clark
After working as a dental nurse for many years, I qualified as a teacher in 2010. I have BTEC in Childcare Early Years and a B.A Honours degree in Primary Education. My specialisms whilst at university were: Creativity in Mathematics, Science, and Special Educational Needs as they all held a real interest for me. I love teaching and, although I have an early-years qualification, I have been in upper key stage two since qualifying. I have been in year 6 now since 2013. As well as teaching year 6 I also lead Mathematics at the school. Outside of school I love sport. I played Netball and Basketball until my body told me to stop and am an ex-season ticket holder of a certain red team from Manchester. Mrs Slawson
I have worked as a teaching assistant at St James’ since 2013 when I came to cover Mrs Child’s maternity leave and after that, I just never left! Since being here, I have worked in many different classes. I have worked in Nursery, Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 6. I am currently in year 6 with Mrs Slawson and we make an excellent team. I have a Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development which I completed at Hyde Clarendon College in 2009. I also completed a BA Honours degree in Learning Disability studies at the University of Manchester, from which I graduated in 2015. I coach our very successful cheerleading team alongside Mrs Collins and choreograph the dance routines for the school shows alongside Mr Woolley and Mrs Kinder. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my husband, daughter, family and friends and of course my two fur babies! Mrs Snarr