Who’s Who
Rushbury CE Primary School Staff
Headteacher and DSL: Mrs Diane Pye
Assistant Headteacher/Reception and KS1 Teacher and DSL: Mrs Sue Manley
Key Stage 2 Teacher: Miss Kate Reeves
SENCO: Mrs Alison Rawlings
School Administrator and PA to Headteacher: Mrs Sian Mann
Full-time Higher Level Teaching Assistant Key Stage 2 and Forest School: Mrs Ceri Wilson
Full-time Teaching Assistant: Mrs Anna Child (currently on maternity leave)
Full-time Teaching Assistant: Miss Sam Carter
Part-time Teaching Assistant: Mrs Val Stanley
Part-time Teaching Assistant: Ms Mairi Dugdale
Teaching Assistant (maternity leave) and cover teacher: Mr Rory Bremner
Site Manager: Mr Paul Norton
Grounds Maintenance: Mr Mark Stevenson
Let's Dine Cook: Mrs Jo Dommett
Violin Teacher: Mrs Beverley Beynon
Guitar Teacher: Mr Tim Daley
Keyboard Teacher: Mrs Alison Dodd
Termly Story-teller: Sal Tonge
About Us
Mrs Diane Pye
Headteacher and Additional Designated Safeguarding Lead
Diane joined Rushbury CE Primary School in autumn 2012. Diane has extensive leadership experience in numerous primary schools in a variety of settings. Her particular areas of experience and expertise are leadership and management, English, music, drama and curriculum development.
Diane graduated from Bangor University with a B.Ed honours. She gained the National Professional Qualification for Headship in 2012. Diane holds the professional qualification for school inspectors (PQSI) and carries out school inspection work for Ofsted. In addition, she works with schools across the West Midlands as a school improvement consultant.
In 2010, Diane wrote a successful children’s book under the pen name of Arabella Armstrong. She has visited schools as an author and has been involved in projects to raise standards in primary schools. In November 2019, Diane became a ‘Leading in Reading’ ambassador for the Shrewsbury Bookfest.
Mrs Sue Manley
Assistant Headteacher, Foundation/Key Stage 1 Teacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead
Sue joined Rushbury CE Primary School in September 2016. She teaches the Reception and Key Stage 1 children. Before her career in teaching, Sue worked as a paramedic. She has a BSc honours degree in science from the Open University and qualified as a teacher in 2009 with a PGCE from Birmingham University. Sue has taught in other Shropshire primary schools before joining our school. Sue is a trained Forest School leader and believes passionately in child-led and outdoor learning.
Miss Kate Reeves
Key Stage 2 Teacher
Kate joined Rushbury CE Primary School in September 2019. She teaches the Key Stage 2 children. Before her career in teaching, Kate had careers in journalism, television production and global equine tourism before teaching English overseas. Kate graduated from Oxford University with a BA honours degree in politics, philosophy and economics. She qualified as a teacher in 2019 with a PGCE from the University of Cumbria.
Mrs Ceri Wilson
Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Ceri qualified as a teacher in 2006 from Worcester University. Before working as a teacher in the UK, Ceri taught English in international schools and worked as a children’s rep with a travel agency in Spain. Ceri joined Rushbury CE Primary School as a part-time teaching assistant in 2012. She now works as a full-time higher level teaching assistant. Ceri is a trained Forest School leader and believes passionately in outdoor and hands-on learning. She currently leads Forest School, Spanish and PE.
Mrs Anna Child
Teaching Assistant
Anna joined Rushbury CE Primary School as a teaching assistant in autumn 2013. Anna has an NVQ in childcare and education. In addition, she is doing an Open University degree in childhood and youth studies. Anna is based in Key Stage 2. She works in class and is also responsible for catch-up and one-to-one support. Her special interests are special educational needs, mental health and welfare.
Mrs Val Stanley
Teaching Assistant
Val joined Rushbury CE Primary School as a teaching assistant in autumn 1999. Val works each morning in the Reception and Key Stage 1 class. In addition to this role, Val is our playtime and lunchtime supervisor in charge and takes a lead in first aid.
Miss Sam Carter
Teaching Assistant
Sam was a pupil at Rushbury CE Primary School. She gained an NVQ Level 3 in childcare from Ludlow College in 2008. She has since qualified as a higher level teaching assistant and is doing a foundation degree in education through Stafford University. Sam works as a teaching assistant at Rushbury School. In addition, she is the teaching-assistant-in-charge of wrap-around-care and a lunchtime supervisor. Sam has a particular interest in special educational needs and this is a focus of her foundation degree. She plays a significant role in maintaining the school vegetable garden and organises the school’s annual Shrewsbury Flower Show garden design.
Ms Mairi Dugdale
Teaching Assistant
Mairi joined Rushbury CE Primary School in January 2009 as a Forest School assistant and lunchtime supervisor. Mairi has worked in publishing, the music industry, fine art sales and restoration. She has an NVQ qualification in childcare and education. Mairi believes in teaching life skills and encourages hands-on learning. She is a qualified Forest School leader and helps with Forest School on Thursday afternoons. In addition to this role, Mairi does cookery on Friday afternoons with children in Key Stage 2.
Mrs Alison Rawlings
SENCO
Alison gained her teaching degree at Sheffield Hallam University in 1981 and started her teaching career in Bridgnorth, Shropshire. Alison began her role as a SENCO 25 years ago and has worked as a SENCO in four schools in Hereford and one in Shropshire, before joining Rushbury Primary in 2019. In 2012, Alison studied at Hereford College to gain a level 7 diploma in assessing dyslexia. She is passionate about ensuring that all children have a great experience of school and are enabled to fulfil their potential.
Mr Rory Bremner
Teaching Assistant and Cover Teacher
Rory is a qualified teacher and a regular cover teacher at Rushbury CE Primary School. Rory graduated from Warwick University in 1989 with a BSc degree in psychology. Rory has worked at Lloyd’s of London and trained to be a teacher in 2008. His particular specialism is mathematics.
Mrs Beverley Beynon
Violin Teacher
Having graduated with a BA in Music Performance from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Beverley began her teaching career with South Lanarkshire Council. Her work in Scotland enabled her to gain valuable experience with pupils from Reception through to Sixth Form whilst also enjoying a very busy schedule as a freelance orchestral violinist. After accepting a post with Shropshire Music Service her teaching has evolved to include whole class lessons as part of the National Curriculum.
Beverley is also the Director of the award winning Ceilidh Band Fiddlesticks.
Tim Daley
Guitar and Keyboard Teacher
Tim Daley is a guitar teacher with over 30 years of experience. He works for Shropshire County Council as a peripatetic teacher and undertakes students privately at his studio in Shrewsbury. Tim is a passionate educator as well as dedicated guitarist. He teaches a large range of styles but particularly enjoys playing blues and jazz. Tim has played in a number of bands as well as doing studio and session work.
Mrs Sian Mann
School Administrator and Personal Assistant to the Headteacher
Sian joined Rushbury CE Primary School in June 2019. She is responsible for all administrative processes and is the headteacher’s personal assistant. Before working at the school, Sian spent many years within administration both at a local care home for the elderly and prior to that at David Austin Roses as a customer service assistant manager. Sian gained a BA honours degree in history from Aberystwyth University in 2006, and has since achieved Level 3 NVQ in business administration.
Mr Paul Norton
Site Manager
Paul joined Rushbury CE Primary School in September 2016 as site manager. Paul works every morning, cleaning and maintaining the school site. He also maintains an overview of health & safety and liaises with contractors.
Before working at Rushbury, Paul previously completed a four-year apprenticeship in mechanical engineering with British Aerospace in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey. He also spent time working in plant and site maintenance, which included two large primary schools in West London.