C.E.O
Mrs S. Bagshaw
Over 25 years’ experience driving successful business operations in a variety of sectors including a £350m turnover FMCG business. Worked within St Bede at a strategic level for over 13 years.
Previously performed the role of acting COO covering for both the CEO and COO and understand the unique and successful way things are done at St Bede. embraces the Christian ethos of the Trust and understand the importance of this alongside the educational excellence. Spent a considerable amount of time supporting Heads of School with class observations, recruiting and mentoring staff.
Key part of the implementation of the aims and objectives of the MAT, ensuring they are relevant and help fulfil the vision of the Trust. Created project teams to lead the development of the MAT, from St Bede Academy conversion (without the use of external consultants) through to the first sponsorship of a second Academy, Tonge Moor. Network nationally to benefit the Trust and educational sector as a whole. Including advising the House of Commons Select Committee for childcare affordability, being part of the NAHT SBL Committee to challenge the Government on their National Funding Formula, and attending select round table talks with Education Ministers. Created a sound financial base for the Trust within challenging times. Under her financial guidance the Trust has been able to self-fund many capital programs (e.g. additional classroom space) and build reserves to continue to do so in the future.
C.O.O
Sarah Rostron
Currently serving Head at St Bede Primary Academy (rated Outstanding by OFSTED). Awarded Qualified Teacher status in 2003. Accredited Specialist Leader of Education with expertise in Curriculum Leadership. Director of St Bede Teaching School with a focus on strategic planning.
Head of School
Mrs N. Whittaker
Head of School from September 2019
I first became professionally involved with Tonge Moor Primary School from March 2017, as part of School-to-school support. I subsequently became Deputy headteacher in January 2019, after the sponsor lead acdemisation in 2018. As I am a former pupil of the school, it is my passion that we provide the very best educational offer for our children. Our vision is that everyone feels inspired to work towards their lifelong aspirations through a love of learning.
I have almost twenty-five years teaching experience in five different primary schools and senior leadership experience in four schools. During my career, I have held a variety of leadership roles have included phase leader, whole school responsibility for SEN, Safeguarding, Teaching and Learning and Assessment. As a Senior leader, I have been responsible for ensuring the highest standards of teaching and learning well as the strategic planning and monitoring of continual school improvement. In addition, I have supported the St Bede Primary Academy teaching school and worked with Altrincham Girls Grammar school as a Quality Assurance mentor for School Centred Initial Teaching Training. I have always felt that it is a privilege to have the opportunity to contribute to the career development of both experienced teachers and trainees as this always has the best impact on learners.
Deputy Head
Mrs N. Kelleher
I am very proud to be the staff governor at Tonge Moor Primary Academy. I have been the Deputy Headteacher here since September 2019, prior to this my teaching career began and progressed at St Bede CE Primary.
Throughout my teaching career I have held a number of curriculum leadership responsibilities including, Science, Phonics and English. Within my current role I am responsible for curriculum leadership throughout the school, and I have enjoyed working with the staff and pupils at Tonge Moor to design a vibrant and well-planned curriculum which places our pupils at its centre.
Within my career to date, I have been committed to developing other practitioners and have held various coaching and mentoring roles. I have also worked within the Teaching School, delivering various CPD programmes. One area of my whole school responsibility is the Quality of Education, I am passionate about education for all and want to ensure all our children feel happy and safe in school and grow to reach their potential.
Assistant Head of Year 5 & 6
Leah Jennings
In 2017, I first visited Tonge Moor Primary School as part of school-to-school support whilst teaching at St Bede Primary Academy, our partner school within the Multi Academy Trust. I was immediately impressed with how welcoming the school was and wanted to be involved in the Tonge Moor’s journey to improvement. Following this, in September 2020, I secured the position of Assistant Head of Years 5 and 6; a role in which I am extremely proud of.
Since qualifying as a teacher in 2014, I have worked within the MAT gaining experience across Key Stage Two. For the past five years, I have taught in Year 6 which has allowed me to develop a secure knowledge of the curriculum and end of Key Stage expectations. Throughout my career, I have held a number of curriculum leadership responsibilities including Science, Gifted and Talented, Maths and RE. I have also worked within the assessment team and have a secure understanding of the different statutory assessment requirements at the end of each respective key stage including the transition between curricula and children’s different start points. During the pandemic, I assisted in the design of the remote learning offer for the school and monitored the remote provision we were providing for our children. I also worked closely with other members of the MAT to ensure Covid risk assessments were in-line with current national guidance to protect all children and staff. In 2019, I successfully completed my National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership which focused on raising the attainment of boys’ Reading. More recently, I have led a team to develop our new marking policy which has made feedback in lessons purposeful and effective for all pupils.
At Tonge Moor Primary Academy, I lead a passionate, hard-working team who are dedicated to making a positive impact on children’s learning, increasing their desire to learn and enabling them to become independent life-long learners. As a collective, we believe passionately in the transformative power of education and continuously strive to ensure that our pupils leave us with the qualities and skills they need for the next step in their education.
Assistant Head of Year 3 & 4
Robina Durrani
I joined Tonge Moor Primary School in September 2017 as a class teacher and prior to Academisation I progressed to Assistant Head with whole school responsibility for English and Year 5 and 6 phase lead. I’m currently phase lead for Year 3 and 4 and also responsible for Personal Health and Wellbeing across the entire school.
I have a broad wealth of teaching experience covering 27 years, across 8 primary schools with whole school subject leadership for Science, English, RE, DT and PSHE. I’ve also successfully completed the NPQSL (National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership).
As a senior leader I contribute to the school’s strategic direction, maintaining a positive culture and excellence in our approach to planning. I have a passion for stimulating children’s thinking, to see them grow and to provide them with goals and aspirations. My approach is to innovate and push boundaries and to introduce the “wow” factor into their learning. I believe every child has the right to an excellent education regardless of their background and SEN needs.
It’s also vital that we strengthen relationships with parents and the local community, and I have 5 years experience as a parent/co-opted school governor at a local high school.
Being a people leader is a huge responsibility. It’s humbling to be able to mentor, guide, motivate and knowledge share with my team. Maintaining and growing trusting relationships and a positive team culture is important to me and has helped me to support people in their professional career development.
Assistant Head of Year 1 & 2
Danielle Livesey
In 2008, I embarked on my teaching career at Tonge Moor Primary School and quickly became part of the welcoming Tonge Moor family. Having spent thirteen years as a primary school teacher at Tonge Moor Primary Academy, I am excited to continue to be part of the leadership team, continually striving to improve our pupils’ learning experiences and inspiring them to aim high and achieve their dreams. My journey at Tonge Moor Primary Academy through past and recent changes has moulded me into a resilient, dedicated and hard-working professional, who is committed to providing the best education for the children and families of the Tonge Moor community.
Throughout my teaching career, I have held several positions of increasing responsibility, culminating in my current position as Assistant Head of ‘Key Stage 1’. As a passionate and caring teacher I promote and adopt high academic expectations and standards along with a great emphasis on nurturing children to become well-rounded individuals, with a love of learning. I believe that children who are happy and motivated through quality learning experiences and inclusive, creative and dynamic teaching experiences, engage and access learning effectively. At the heart of my teaching and leadership, is the well-being of the staff and children. Additionally, having spent my professional life so far working at Tonge Moor Primary Academy, I am acutely sensitive to the social, cultural and diverse needs of our children and families, which supports me in my role as Designated Safeguarding Lead.
I am committed teacher and leader, who encourages and support both staff and children to flourish and grow from their individual starting points and areas of expertise.
Assistant Head of EYFS
Jenna Philburn
I first joined the St Bede family as an NQT in September 2013. Prior to this, I had experience of working within a private Nursery and a Children’s Centre. Throughout my career I have experienced leading a curriculum group, taking responsibility for whole school improvement in Religious Education. I have also played an active part in our Teaching School offer, delivering Early Years Training courses to trainee Teachers. In 2019 I successfully completed the National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership, a course designed to ensure candidates develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to become a high-performing leader.
Following 7 years of teaching in Reception and Year One at St Bede, I moved over to Tonge Moor Primary Academy in September 2020 to begin my new role as Assistant Head of Early Years. I am very proud to be leading the Early Years Team here at Tonge Moor, working alongside dedicated staff to ensure our pupils receive the best possible start to their education. I am extremely passionate about Early Years education and believe that children learn best through enabling environments with teaching and support from practitioners who respond to their individual needs. Since starting at Tonge Moor, I have been focussing on establishing key groups, ensuring children and families feel valued and supported through meaningful relationships which place children at their centre. I am excited to continue this journey, creating a well-resourced, inspiring Early Years environment in which children can explore and develop over time. I understand that every child is unique, and I am committed to being a positive mentor and leader, helping staff to nurture confident and resilient learners who are motivated to achieve their dreams.
SENCO
Zoe Ashton
I began my career in education, as a trainee teacher, at St Bede in 2012. After qualifying as a teacher I was offered a full time position at St Bede, teaching in Key Stage 2. I discovered a passion for working with children with special needs from the beginning of my career and joined the wider special needs co-ordination (SENDCO) team at St Bede, assisting the then SENDCO in supporting the children in school with additional needs. I spent a year working at a special school before returning to St Bede to become deputy SENDCO and complete my National SENCO award, a statutory qualification for all new and existing SENDCOs.
I first joined the team at Tonge Moor in 2019, working as SENDCO between St Bede and Tonge Moor and made the permanent move to Tonge Moor in September 2020. I am very proud to hold the role as SENDCO at Tonge Moor and to ensure that all of our children with additional needs are provided with the opportunity to fulfil their academic and personal potential. I work consistently with staff in school and other support agencies to ensure the correct support is in place to allow all children to thrive. Since starting at Tonge Moor I have been focussing on making strong links with support agencies, such as Ladywood Outreach and speech and language therapy and helping to establish and lead a strong nurture team to provide our children with support around their mental health.
I am extremely passionate about inclusive learning and ensuring all children are given the tools and support to achieve alongside their peers. I am committed to my role within special educational needs co-ordination and in sharing my knowledge, enthusiasm and support to children, colleagues and families.