Who's Who
Come and meet the staff and governors of our school!
Mrs K Mitchell - Headteacher
I am delighted to have joined the Cumwhinton team in September 2016 and to be part of an amazing school with such fantastic pupils and staff.
I spent 26 years at Upperby Primary School in Carlisle formerly as a teacher, teaching all year groups, then as the Deputy Head for 12 years.
I am very family orientated and have a wonderfully supportive husband and two grown up daughters. Family values are very important to me and this is the type of ethos I want to create at Cumwhinton; we all take care of each other and celebrate everyone's achievements.
My passion as a teacher is the creative arts; dance, art, music and drama (as a member of Carlisle Greenroom Theatre I have been called a 'Drama Queen' many times!!) I also enjoy the outdoors and I'm currently trying to accomplish climbing all the 'Wainwrights'. Sport features heavily in my interests and as a Carlisle United fan I enjoy watching 'The Blues' whenever I can.
Even as a Headteacher, my biggest love is still working in the classroom and teaching. I am proud to be working at such a special school and look forward to many happy years working alongside hardworking and dedicated people and such a supportive community.
Miss S Astell - Deputy Headteacher
Hi. I’m Miss Astell and I joined Cumwhinton School in 2016 as Deputy Headteacher and I’m thoroughly enjoying every minute of it. Everyone’s made me feel so welcome and I’m having a fabulous time with my amazing new class.
This is the third school I’ve worked in, having been a teacher for the past 22 years. I have experience teaching all year groups, from Reception to Year 6 and I’m passionate about teaching. In particular I enjoy all the Expressive Arts, Maths and English and I’m always looking for new and exciting ways to make the learning environment exciting and inspirational for the children – I love a bit of sparkle! Glitter isn’t just for Christmas in my class! I’m really looking forward to running a school Art Club for KS2 children this year.
In my spare time I love reading a good book, going to the theatre, galleries and spending time with family and friends. I was brought up in Keswick and love to return to the Lake District whenever possible. I’m a keen traveller and enjoy visiting and exploring new and exciting places too.
I’m so pleased that I am part of the Cumwhinton team and know I am going to be really happy here. Cumwhinton really is a wonderful school to be part of.
Mrs L Barber - Assistant Headteacher
I am Mrs Barber, the Assistant Headteacher and I teach Year 5. I have been teaching for twelve years and this is my third year at Cumwhinton School. I began my teaching career in North East London before moving abroad to teach in a school in British Forces Germany. I love reading, fell walking, skiing and visiting new places.
Mrs E Whitington - Office Manager
I have worked at Cumwhinton School since 2008. I have worked at two other schools and also spent 12 years as a secretary at a Bank. My job is varied, from finance and spreadsheets to administering first aid! I particularly enjoy developing our communications with parents which now includes texts, emails, the website and our app, not forgetting the good old fashioned letter! It is great to share the wonderful work that the school does.
I have accompanied a few residential trips in the past which gives me a great opportunity to get to know the children better.
I am also Clerk of Governors.
Teachers :-
Miss H Gray
I’m currently the reception teacher and Early Years leading practitioner here at Cumwhinton School and I’m moving into my fourth year in this role. At present, I also oversee the running of our school council, as well as being the school representative for our CSSA. My subject leadership is RE and PSHE. If you want to discuss anything further then come and say hello.
Mrs D Rickerby
My name is Mrs Rickerby and I have been teaching at Cumwhinton School since 2006. After having my daughter in 2014 I returned to school to teach part time. I am currently teaching in Year 3 with Mrs Hunter. I am responsible for Maths throughout the school and I also run the Eco club.
Miss P Tarbit
My name is Penny Tarbit. I have been a Primary Teacher for 26 years and during this time I have taught the whole Primary age range from Reception to Year 6. I thoroughly enjoy teaching all the year groups, no one day is the same and I am still learning new things all the time.
I am happy to be using my experience this year by teaching my Year One Class.
I am Curriculum Leader for PE and Art.
Mrs J Burke
My name is Mrs Burke and I am qualified as a teacher in 1998. I have worked at Cumwhinton since September 2013 and i am the Maths co-ordinator. I also run the Cumwhinton school official Facebook.
Mrs C Hunter
I began my teaching career in 1991 as a secondary school science teacher in County Durham before relocating to Cambridgeshire in 2000. With a young family, I became involved in the local playgroup and very quickly I realised how much I enjoyed teaching younger children. I then started working in a large village primary school, teaching in years 2 to 5, until I moved to Cumbria in 2012.
I am now in my 5th year at Cumwhinton School, currently teaching in year 3 alongside Mrs Burke. I am also the science coordinator and am the staff representative on the governing body which helps ensure there is effective communication between the staff and governors.
Mrs L Atkinson
I am currently the year four class teacher. I have worked at Cumwhinton School for the last four years: this follows a number of years working as Senior Teaching Assistant across the primary and secondary school age. I have a degree in Childhood, Youth Studies and Children’s Literature and I am currently studying towards a masters in educational excellence.
Mrs V Ward
I qualified as a teacher in 2014. I began my teaching career at Cumwhinton Primary School in September 2015, and what a fantastic time I have had so far!
When I started Cumwhinton I taught Year 1 and Year 2. My current role is teaching my lovely Year 2 class in the Haystacks classroom.
I teach a ‘Phunky Foods’ cooking club after school on a Thursday which is also helping me to become a better cook and try new recipes .
Mrs D Owen
Having taught for many years as a class teacher across the whole Primary age range, Music has always been an important part of my teaching career. As a music specialist, I play a number of musical instruments including piano, trumpet and flute. Since September 2013, I have enjoyed teaching Music to children across both Key Stages at Cumwhinton School. Music lessons at Cumwhinton School involve singing, performing, composing and instrumental activities, so we aim to make lessons fun and memorable. In May 2016, we became a Charanga Musical School so the children use ICT music technology as an exciting part of their music lessons. Learning to play musical instruments is important at Cumwhinton so I teach Keyboard to individual children in Years 3 upwards and Recorder to all the KS2 children. From September 2016, children will be able to learn to play the Ukelele in class lessons and the Cumbria Music Service will teach Guitar to individuals choosing to learn to play another musical instrument.
Support Staff :-
Mrs L Strong
Hello! I’m Lorraine Strong, Senior Teaching Assistant in Year 6.
I have worked at Cumwhinton School for 9 years now, in every single year group, at some point!
I love doing displays around the school – the brighter, bolder and now more sparkly, (thanks to Miss Astell!), the better.
In my spare time, I love spending time with my grandchildren and I have recently started to learn to play the piano.
Mrs S Norris
I have had a seventeen year relationship with Cumwhinton School and have enjoyed every part of this time. The first six years of this time were spent as a parent, member of the CSSA and a short stint as a midday supervisor. The next eleven years have been spent as a part of the Cumwhinton staff family. I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with every age group in the school from reception right up to year six. The school has given me the support to progress during my career and I have worked as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant for the last six years. My experience extends from working 1:1, with small groups and teaching whole class. The best part of my job has always been working with the pupils and this is still my greatest passion.
Miss C Mossop
Hi my name is Clare Mossop; I joined the Cumwhinton staff team in April 2010. I am a Senior Teaching Assistant in the year 1 and 2 classroom. I thoroughly enjoy being part of Cumwhinton School and the local community in supporting the children to learn and achieve.
As well as my teaching assistant role I also mentor and coach a level 3 student in the EYFS provision.
Mrs Rickerby and I run a KS1 art club afterschool, ensuring there is plenty of glue and glitter to enjoy!
I run a busy and action packed school Library with my fantastic year 6 Librarians. I find this extremely rewarding, to see children getting lost in a book and their own imagination and creativity come alive!
Mrs S Broomby
I have worked at Cumwhinton School for the whole of my teaching assistant career. I came to the school in 2007 as a student volunteering 2 days a week and I've never looked back! I have worked in every year group which i have found enjoyable for all different reasons. Everyday brings new experiences 'Every day's a school day' as they say. I am very experienced working with children with Autism having completed a college course on 'working with children and young adults on the autistic spectrum' in 2013. I more recently qualified as a Sports Coach with England Athletics in July 2015. I feel very passionate about both these areas of work and enjoy the challenges of both classroom work and my time spent with children on the field (Whatever the weather!). I also run Rainbows and Brownies in the village and with nearly 60 girls coming to the sessions every week it's a very busy Wednesday. I also coach local Athletics club 2 nights a week, and having 2 young children as well i am surrounded by children 24/7 which keeps me very busy.
Mrs H Little
My name is Helen Little. I have worked at Cumwhinton school for the last seven years as a support worker, STA , and part time HLTA. I am also play leader in after school club. I am married with two grown up children. I enjoy baking, gardening and spending time with my family.
Miss N Mooney
My Name is Miss Mooney, this is my fourth year here at Cumwhinton and I am a teaching assistant in year 2, 3 and 4.
Miss B Robinson (Admin Assistant)
Mrs L Taylor (Cleaner)
Mrs D Gordon (Midday Supervisor)
Mrs C Beaumont (Midday Supervisor)
Mrs E Batey (Midday Superviser)