Lower Key Stage 2
Children aged 7-9 in years 3 and 4. Classes are named after a British bird.
Mrs Hammond leads the Lower Key Stage 2 phase. As in Key Stage 1, Years 3 and 4 are split into three classes by age. The youngest children benefit by, in some years, being the older ones in class and the oldest experience being the younger classmates too. This supports good social development for all and also fosters friendships across three year groups. There is no 'ability' grouping with children learning in mixed groups apart from in Guided Reading where texts are selected for groups at a similar reading level.
Cuckoos
Younger children in year 3
Paula Hammond
BA (Hons) Primary Education, MaST, SAPRE Philosophy for Children (level 2), Outdoor Learning Practitioner (level 2}Mrs Hammond teaches the youngest year 3s. She leads behaviour and well-being throughout the school and is our subject leader for PHSE (personal, health and social education) and SRE (sex and relationships). Joining us a TA in 2005 from Hebden Green Special School, Mrs Hammond trained on the Graduate Teaching Programme at Kingsmead and has taught in year 6 where she qualified in Philosophy for Children before moving to Key Stage 1 where she trained as a Mathematics Specialist Teacher.
Hen-Harriers
The oldest year 3 children and youngest year 4 pupils
Mrs Julie Bagley
BEd (Hons) Primary Education with Environmental ScienceMrs Bagley is one of a small number of staff who have been with us since opening in September 2004. Previously SENCo here and at her previous school, Julie leads Religious Education through school as well as teaching the Hen-Harriers on Thursdays and Fridays.
Ruth Duberley
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry and Physiology, MSc, PhD, PGCE PrimaryDr Duberley job shares the Hen Harriers with Mrs Bagley as well as leading Science throughout the school. Ruth also leads provision for children keen to develop particular gifts and talents and puts families and teachers in touch with events such as Challenge Saturdays and Daresbury Laboratory. Ruth has taught in primary and middle schools and prior to her teaching career carried our post-doctoral research into Alzheimer's disease at Kings hospital in London. She has two sons, one who attended Kingsmead.
Sparrows
Older children in year 4
Melissa Buzzard
BSc (Hons) Zoology and Psychology, PGCE Primary Education Mrs Buzzard studied at university in Massachusetts, USA, before emigrating to the UK where she worked as a teaching assistant in Northwich. After completing her PGCE in Primary Education Melissa came to work with us where she leads Design Technology in school.
Teaching Support in LKS2
Maisie Chisholm
Ms Chisolm began her Kingsmead experience in Reception class and was a hardworking, useful and kind student here. We are delighted that she has returned in a professional role, supporting learning in KS1 and from September 2022 is training to be a primary teacher alongside her learning support role in KS1.
Ms Emilia Dabrowska
ISCED Occupational Health, MA Pedagogy of Childhood, QTS (qualified teacher status UK), Level 3 Health and Social Care (adults), ELSA Ms Dabrowska has taught in Poland where she trained as a teacher of early years. She supports learning for children with additional difficulties in LKS2 and works as our ELSA (emotional literacy support assistant).
Johanna Haskew
Mrs Haskew joined the team in March 2024. Mrs Haskew is a qualified teacher, who has previously taught in secondary education. She joined us in March 2024 as a teaching assistant supporting in Lower Key Stage 2.
Natalie Hill
BA (Hons) Primary EducationMrs Hill who has previously worked as a primary teacher, joined in September 2019 as a teaching assistant with Lower Key Stage 2.