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Senior Leadership Team
Emma Williams

Headteacher (currently on secondment at Port Isaac)

In 1986 Rik Mayall read George's Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl for Jackanory. I was 8 years old and I was hooked. I watched silently, in awe of the mischief making George and totally transfixed by Rik Mayall's storyteller voices- most memorably the evil Grandma. I couldn't wait for the next episode to transport me to the magical world Roald Dahl had created and I still have my original copy which I read over and over and over again. Fast forward 34 years and I have just read that copy to my own children.

I have always loved the way books can transport you to another world and love nothing more than finding a good series, usually magical fantasy lands. From CS Lewis'classic The Chronicles of Narnia, to the modern classic of Harry Potter (I'm Hufflepuff, my wand is Rowan Wood with a Dragon Heartstring 13", reasonably supple, and my patronus is a Piebald Stallion- check out Harry Potter Wizarding World to be officially sorted)

I adore the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, I have two daughters and want them to be as caring, astute and fearless as Katniss. As I've grown up, my interest in magical worlds has broadened to include the imagined dystopian futures and I have thoroughly enjoyed Margaret Attwood's dark, dystopian Handmaid's Tale and more recently her Booker Prize winning, The Testaments- a highly recommended read for adults.

My first memories of really enjoying reading are from when I was about 8 years old and I discovered the 'Fighting Fantasy' books which were a series of stories where you got to decide what happened next by turning to different pages when you made a decision. You also got to fight monsters so it was utterly brilliant! Nowadays I read every single day and love a mixture of fiction and non-fiction, written stories and graphic novels. My favourite author has always been Stephen King who used to write scary stories but in recent years has changed to writing about lots of different subjects. I love how he makes you feel that you have entered a new world for a while and are really invested in new characters.

Suzanne Le-Doux-Lucas

SENDCo

My favourite book is Matilda by Roald Dahl. I must've read it dozens of times, sometimes finishing it, then starting it all over again straight away! I always wanted to be like the kind teacher, Miss Honey who saw the best in all children and valued each individual's characteristics and qualities. This book is why I became a teacher really. I do love most Roald Dahl books as the stories are all great as well as the illustrations by Quentin Blake-but in my opinion Matilda is the best!

Rachel Allison

Senior Teacher & Ash Class Teacher

I have always been, and still am, an absolute 'bookworm'. I love reading and it is never a good idea to let me loose in a book store (especially the children's department).

As a child, I devoured books by Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl, Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew) and Elinor M. Brent-Dyer (The Chalet School series). As a teenager and young adult, I discovered a love of fantasy books and I currently enjoy a range of fantasy/crime/mystery stories. My favourite authors are Faye Kellerman, Linwood Barclay and Terry Brooks.

I also love reading children's books aloud to my class and take great delight in putting on all the different character voices. Among my favourites are the Oi Frog series and Supertato series.

Ash Class- EYFS and Year 1
Rachel Allison

Senior Teacher & Ash Class Teacher

I have always been, and still am, an absolute 'bookworm'. I love reading and it is never a good idea to let me loose in a book store (especially the children's department).

As a child, I devoured books by Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl, Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew) and Elinor M. Brent-Dyer (The Chalet School series). As a teenager and young adult, I discovered a love of fantasy books and I currently enjoy a range of fantasy/crime/mystery stories. My favourite authors are Faye Kellerman, Linwood Barclay and Terry Brooks.

I also love reading children's books aloud to my class and take great delight in putting on all the different character voices. Among my favourites are the Oi Frog series and Supertato series.

Sophia Barnett

Ash Class Teaching Assistant

Sarah Berry

Teacher Thursday and Friday

As a Mum of young children, most of my reading concerns calamitous orange dragons and foolish beasts with poisonous warts and purple prickles. Yes- we are big fans of Julia Donaldson in my house! I love sharing stories which stir the imagination, evoke a sense of adventure and conjure vivid images, both at home and at school.

When I was a child, I enjoyed reading ‘The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe’ as it transported me to a mythical land where anything could happen. As a teenager, my love of fantasy grew and I devoured ‘The Lord of Rings’ trilogy within weeks of getting them for my birthday. Although it takes me a lot longer to journey to Mordor these days, I still love diving into these stories!

Beech Class- Year 2
Jennifer Young

Beech Class Teacher

One of my earliest memories is heading to the children’s department of Waterstones to buy a selection of new books after I had read everything that my infant class had to offer. This obsession with reading continues and I now can’t visit a new place without seeking out the independent bookshops. When we moved from Oxford to Cornwall and had the task of packing up our house, we discovered that almost a quarter of boxes contained books!

As a teacher, I love to use picture books across the curriculum, as a mum, we are exploring early chapter books and really rate Indigo Wild, and as a reader you will always find a gritty thriller or crime novel beside my bed.

Mary Fox

Beech Class Higher Level Teaching Assistant and Parent Support Advisor

During my childhood I remember my year 1 teacher Mrs Harrison reading many stories that influenced the books I chose to read. We would walk through the magical doors of the wardrobe and end up in Narnia, explore Willy Wonka's chocolate factory and meet the Oompa Loompas. But my personal favourite was imagining I was flying on a magic carpet with Mr Majeka. Mr Majeka was a teacher but no ordinary teacher he knew magic.

As a Mum I have shared these books and many more with my children. You can go on many adventures and the stories we read uplift us and can create a happy place.

But as an adult If I can’t find a story that can take me on an adventure, I enjoy reading books about mindfulness and well being.

Gemma Weir

Beech Class One to One Teaching Assistant

I love to read and have always read to my children. Jacqueline Wilson and the Mr Men/Little Miss series are firm favourites at home.

Sycamore Class- Year 3 & 4
Dale Hanns-Drake

Sycamore Class Teacher

As a child I found reading to be difficult and I never found a book I liked. However, when I was in year 5 I had an authour called Dick King Smith come to my class to talk about the joys of reading stories and how infact we all have a story writer within us. This inspired me to try and find some books I hadn't read. This lead me to an amazing author called Roald Dahl who had written so many books (my favourite being George's Marvellous Medicine or Fantastic Mr Fox). This then lead me to JK Rowling the author of Harry Potter. I found so much joy reading the book, watching the film and then reading the book again. I also fell in love with the story Holes and often dreamt of being Stanley Yelnats finding ... ( I won't spoil it for year 5/6)

However my favourite book of all time is into the wild by John Krakauer. It follows the story of a man aged 18 who goes travelling all across the USA on foot and meets some amazing people on the way.

Nikita Teobald

Sycamore Class Higher Level Teaching Assistant

I’ve always loved reading even from a young age. Even before I started school I was desperately trying to read the back of my dad’s newspaper! There is nothing like settling down to a good book which allows me to transport myself to another world and escape from my troubles.

Books have so many fond memories for me too. I still have my original copies of Beatrix Potter stories that I used to love reading to my mum and as I got older we would happily re-read Enid Blyton stories, particularly The Magic Faraway Tree collection.

The book that has a special place in my heart though is Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. I remember when it came out and I read it for the first time at primary school. All I desperately wanted was to receive my own letter from Hogwarts and I still secretly hope it will happen to this very day! From that day on my mum used to pre-order each Harry Potter book as it was released and we would get up early and queue outside the shop to buy it on release day. There was so much excitement and joy in our house and sometimes we would even buy two copies so that two people in our house could read it at the same time without having to wait for someone to finish. Even now both my sister and I make sure we always have a copy of each of the Harry Potter books in the house and regularly go back and re-read them. It is the one book that guarantees to cheer me up and make me feel better due to the fond memories and magical, intricate storytelling.

Oak Class- Year 5 & 6
Tim Kellow

Oak Class Teacher

Joanne Tonkin

Oak Class Teaching Assistant

As a child, I was usually found with my head in a 'Famous five' book. I loved their sense of adventure and perpetual youth. I was particularly full of admiration for George's bravery, loyalty and determination. I was also rather envious of her private island...

So I cut my hair very short (like George) and every summer I packed our bags and dragged my somewhat reluctant siblings and Bella (our elderly American cocker spaniel) out looking for adventures of our own - usually imagining that our innocent neighbours were in the midst of some sort of smuggling ring, searching for clues, and leaving codes to each other about them with invisible ink (lemon juice) just like in the stories.

With hindsight, short hair didn't suit me, and poor Bella really didn't have Timmy's energy (nor his intelligence). Futhermore, my mother couldn't find any local islands (with a secret underground tunnel to the mainland) for sale within our price range. However, I will never forget the way those books inspired my imagination and the excitement and the escapism they brought me. They have ignited a love of reading. I find it fascinating that a book can transport you back into the greatest minds in history. Since my famous five days I have been on many other adventures; from exploring the Galapagos islands on the HMS Beagle with Charles Darwin, to travelling to Hogwarts with Harry and all the gang, and everywhere in between!

"If you don't like to read, you haven't found the right book" - JK Rowling

Georgie Soper

PE Teaching Assistant

My favourite books to read have always been the Harry Potter books (especially the later books), and these were the books that really made me enjoy reading. Other books I have also really enjoyed reading are the Hunger Games and Noughts and Crosses. Growing up I saw characters such as Hermione Granger and Katniss as really good role models. As I have got older I have enjoyed reading even more so, as I love that it draws you in and creates another world.

Support Staff
Susan Grubb

School Secretary

My love of reading started, well, as soon as I could read. I love turning the television off, having a cuppa and the odd biscuit, curling up on the sofa and immersing myself into a good book. In fact, any chance I have, I whip out my current book, be it while waiting in the doctors surgery or while I’m eating my breakfast and disappear into whatever world I’m adventuring in (my tastes are eclectic – it could be anything from a Terry Pratchett science fiction book or a Maeve Binchy Irish love/family story.

When I was young I loved Enid Blyton's Malory Towers series and The Hobbit still holds a very dear place in my heart, so much so I named my Jack Russell dog after a character from the Hobbit, Bilbo’s dad - Bungo who had a mother called Laura Grubb – very apt I thought – although most people call him Bongo or Bingo, much to my chagrin.

David Lester

Caretaker

Leanne Johns

School Cook