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Our Senior Leadership Team

Our current Leadership and Management Teams are extremely hardworking and dedicated to driving forwards standards and improvements so that the children at Maple Tree really do get the best education. They meet regularly as a group and are responsible for teams of people across the school. This helps to ensure a consistent approach which makes it easier for everyone.

Meet the Senior Leaders 

Mrs Cath Bainbridge Headteacher

I am so lucky to be the Head at Maple Tree! The children are the very best and I am always greeted by smiles, hugs and conversation. I love going into the classes to watch the children learn and the passion and enthusiasm that they show makes my job an absolute pleasure. I am jointly responsible for Safeguarding throughout the school.

Miss Amy Hyde Deputy Headteacher 

I am very excited to join the team at Maple Tree after working within the Sandy community for the last 7 years. Creating life-long learners who are interested in the world around them brings me so much joy, but my favourite thing about teaching is knowing that no day is ever the same - it never can be when working with such exciting young people. Alongside my teaching responsibilities, I am also a designated safeguarding lead, behaviour lead and languages subject leader.

Mrs Kim Varley School Business Manager

I have had the pleasure of working here at Maple Tree for over 10 years.  During that time I have seen the school leaders embrace the changes placed on them by Government, and those which were put in place to meet the needs of the local community.  I feel privileged to be a part of Maple Tree's future and it's continuous aim to bring quality teaching and learning to our pupils.

 

Leadership Team:

Mrs Victoria Darnell - Early Years Leader

 I have been teaching for 15 years now, have taught across all year groups but most of them within the Early Years. I am passionate about working within Early Years and the value and importance of children's early experiences. It is such a pleasure to see the excitement and buzz that comes from our youngest children, and to see the vast amount of learning that they undertake through their play. I love to be able to follow the children's interests and see their skills develop throughout these years. They always put a smile on my face and brighten my day! I am also the Science lead, Eco-Warrior lead and responsible for Healthy Schools.

Mrs Dani Vickery-Cox KS1 Team Leader

It is an absolute pleasure to hold the role as Key Stage 1 leader. Having worked across both Year 1 and 2 I know what an important time it is for the children as they transition across the key stages. It is the time when I see friendships blossoming and the children becoming independent and keen learners. It is a special couple of years that I am thrilled to have a part in. At this age you never quite know what the day will bring and I just love that fact that no two days are the same, this is one of the many reasons I love to teach.

Ms Tanya Cassidy KS2 Leader

Now in my fifteenth year of teaching, I have taught in all years of primary, years 1 to 6. I have been at Maple Tree for four years and am the lead for maths and Values. I was extremely proud, with the support of all staff and children, to have secured the Values Based Education Quality Mark in June 2019. I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of Maple Tree’s transition to a Primary school and cannot wait for what is in store for us.The children at our amazing school are truly the best! They have a thirst for knowledge and really enjoy what they do. They love a challenge – which I love to give them – especially in maths. As part of my role as Values lead, I also support the children who are involved in our School Parliament. We have some great ideas for the coming year to support the local community. We cannot wait.

Mrs Chris Pond - Inclusion

I have worked at Maple Tree School for many years.  I am the school SENDCo and I very much enjoy working with the children across the school.  I feel well placed in identifying pupils who may benefit from early, often individualised, intervention and strategies at this young age in order to help them and develop alongside their peers and reach their potential as they progress through our school.