Rudston School Staff


	Mrs Swift I teach Lower 1 (Nursery) children. I am married with a grown up son and daughter. I studied at Ripon Teacher Training College where I gained my Certificate in Education specialising in the teaching of three to eleven year olds. Most of my work over the past 30 years has been with three to five year olds within the Rotherham area. My last teaching post was that of Early Years Coordinator and member of the Senior Management team – a post that I held for 16 years. I have a love of younger children and feel privileged to be part of their early development, laying the foundations for their future. In my spare time I enjoy eating out, spending time with friends and family and caravanning.
Mrs McHale I teach in Lower 2, otherwise known as Reception to non-Rudstonians! I have been at Rudston since 1988 and am the Foundation Stage and PSHE Co-ordinator. One of my main interests is sport and I am fortunate to teach P.E. to the primary classes and help run the Girls' Games Club. I am proud to have been instrumental in promoting Rudston as a Healthy School and establishing a vibrant School Council. I try and keep fit by attending a local gym three times a week (before school!) and I enjoy going out with friends, theatre visits and gardening.
	Mrs Jansen Hello! I am the Lower 3 form teacher and the English coordinator. I joined the school in September 2001 as Deputy Headteacher, but following the birth of my son, Robbie, in September 2002, I decided to work part-time as a class teacher. This allows me to balance my work at Rudston with my home life (well, try anyway). English and art are my two real passions in life and luckily for me, most of my time at Rudston is spent teaching these subjects and setting up the new library; a very exciting venture! I also enjoy travelling and have been to about 50 countries and have worked in places as far afield as Berlin, the Dominican Republic, America and Australia (and Slough!).
Mrs Henderson After Teaching all ages from 3 to 17 years I am very happily settled with the Year 2 class at Rudston. I consider Year 2 a most exciting year to teach as the children make such amazing progress between September and July. My specialist subject at college was History which stood me in good stead to take on the role of History co-ordinator. Among other things, this gives me the privilege of helping to organise many interesting history-based educational visits for classes across the school. When not at work I enjoy the countryside, eating out, visiting the cinema and theatre. I only discovered the joy of travelling abroad recently and now am always eager to plan the next trip.
	Mr Lowis Hi! My name is Graham Lowis and I am the Senior Master. I teach Year 3 (7-8 years) and also co-ordinate the teaching of Design/Technology throughout the school. I am a member of the Senior Management Team and the Health and Safety Committee. I organise a Games Club for Year 5 & 6 pupils on Friday evening and manage the school football team. I have worked at Rudston for over 21 years so there must be something here that I like! I teach Swimming and Games to Year 3 pupils and also enjoy teaching Cycling Proficiency to the older pupils every October. I thoroughly enjoy the school visits abroad. The children constantly amaze and impress me with their resourcefulness, energy and motivation when we are in France. In my spare time I enjoy reading, listening to music or the radio, watching sport on t.v. and doing a bit of D.I.Y. around the home.
Mrs Donkin I have been a member of staff at Rudston since 1988 and I almost feel part of the furniture! I teach many of the curriculum subjects to my form, Upper Two, and I also teach my specialist subject, Physical Education, to all of the Upper School pupils. My main interests outside school revolve around my family and sport. Everyone at Rudston will tell you that I love netball and football and that my favourite football team is Sheffield Wednesday. All the pupils in Upper Two learn quickly that I will be in a good mood if they have have won but that it will be double homework if they have lost! I like watching many other sports too, and enjoy walking and skiing myself. Away from sport I enjoy eating out with my friends, the theatre and going on holiday!
	Mrs Taylor Hello, I'm Sharon Taylor and I'm the Upper 3 (Year 5) Form Teacher at Rudston. I started teaching over 20 years ago as a Music and Drama Specialist in large comprehensive schools and so I'm really enjoying being part of such a small and friendly school. For three consecutive summers I worked as the Music Director of a Children's Summer Camp in Glen Spey, New York, and with a new production to churn out every week there was never a minute to spare! I took a career break from teaching when I went to work for P & O Cruises, sailing on Canberra, Oriana and Sea Princess. As a member of the Stadium Theatre Company, P & O's floating Rep. Company, I enjoyed playing a wide variety of roles in plays and musicals. I was promoted to Cruise Director of Sea Princess before I left the company to take on another new role, that of being a Mum!
Mr Thompson Upper 4 Mathematics, Science, ICT and Games teacher. My career so far has seen me teaching in different settings across the full age-range of pupils and I can honestly say I enjoy my job now as much as ever. I hope I bring experience and enthusiasm to subjects I personally love and aim to draw out the best in all learners. In my spare time I like to play guitar, walk and take photographs. I try to keep fit through various sports and enjoy travelling, particularly in France. I am an active member of my local church where I lead a music group and I play in a band where our repertoire is mainly what young people call 'retro', I think! Working at Rudston is rewarding and enjoyable as well as very busy with never a dull moment!
	Mrs Turnbull Upper 4 English, History and Art teacher. Art Teacher to Key Stage 2 pupils. I am Deputy Principal and a member of the Senior Management Team. I commenced at Rudston in January 2006 and have thoroughly enjoyed being part of such a friendly and caring environment. My career has been a varied one, teaching in Cambridge, Essex and Norfolk to working with architects and designers in Edinburgh. I am passionate about Art and Literacy and hope my enthusiasm for these subjects will inspire Rudston pupils. I have two children at University and we all love travelling and creative pursuits-but mostly having fun together, similar to being at Rudston really, one big happy family!
Mr Gyte I commenced at Rudston as Director of Music in September 1999. In addition to being responsible for the teaching of music throughout the school, I also teach Year 4 science, Year 3 R.E. and Year 5/6 R.E. and D.T. Most of my spare time is taken up with music. As a pianist I am a busy solo performer/accompanist and often take on the role of Musical Director / keyboard player for stage musicals or instrumental ensembles. I enjoy sequencing computerized backing tracks, listening to music, going to the theatre, eating 'good' food, and the scenic pleasures of hill walking (which includes a fantastic trek in the Nepalese Himalaya). I am also a sun worshipper. I am very proud to have recently been inaugurated as an Ambassador for Rotherham, in recognition of my contribution and commitment to music in the area.
	Mrs Wadkin I have worked at Rudston School since 1998 with Foundation 2 (Reception). Over a period of 30 years I have worked with a range of ages in a variety of settings. I have recently successfully completed my Cert. Ed. giving me teacher status. I am now working towards my 'A' award to enable me to teach and assess mature students on NVQ Level 2 and 3 courses. I enjoy walking, reading, caravanning and spending time with family and friends. I shall also be accompanying my husband in a visit to Buckingham Palace where he will receive an MBE for services to education.
Miss Vaughan Hello, my name is Elizabeth Vaughan and I am the nursery nurse based in Lower 1. I commenced working at Rudston School in September 2006 and was made very welcome and enjoy the friendly environment which the school has. As the nursery nurse in Year 2 I work with small groups of children helping to develop their literacy and numeracy skills which I find very rewarding.
	Mrs Green Hello! My main role at Rudston is working as a nursery nurse in Lower Three. I am also responsible for supervising children who arrive early for school. I am friendly and outgoing and consider myself to be a hardworking, dedicated person with a natural ability for caring for young children. In my spare time I enjoy socialising with my friends, listening to music, going swimming, reading and most importantly, spending time with my family!
Mrs. Dayson Hello! My name is Mrs. Dayson and I currently work alongside children in Lower 4 and occasionally in Lower 2. Before joining the Rudston staff, I worked as a supply teacher at a range of schools in Rotherham and the surrounding areas and taught children in a variety of different age groups. I am really enjoying working with the current Lower 4 class and am looking forward to seeing them develop and progress throughout the school year. I have been married for over 2 years and have recently moved back to my home town of Rotherham to settle down and be closer to my family. In my spare time I enjoy reading and listening to music and I try to get out into the countryside for a walk most weekends. I love to travel and experience new places and cultures and am always planning my next holiday abroad!
Miss Coope Hello! My name is Allison Coope and I teach Lower and Upper School Physical Education to students at Rudston. I have fouond it to be a very challenging and rewarding job. I have only just started at Rudston (2007) but I think I am going to really enjoy working with the students and staff! In my spare time I enjoy walking my dog, reading, gardening, swimming and spending time with family and friends.
	Mrs King Peripatetic violin teacher. I teach the violin and viola at Rudston and at Sheffield High School for Girls. I also enjoy playing the violin in various orchestras and string quartets. I currently lead the Boyce Chamber Orchestra and I am a regular member of Quartet for Occasions. In my spare time I enjoy tap dancing, aerobics and watching football.
Mr Lewis I teach guitar to children at Rudston. Initially self-taught I went on to study Classical Guitar and Theory at R.C.A.T. I then went to study at Leeds College of Music where I obtained a graduate diploma in Jazz and Contemporary Music.
	Mr Stamp I teach clarinet, saxophone and flute. I studied the piano early on, then clarinet and saxophone from the age of twelve, and later on in life, the flute. In that time I have combined a busy freelance career with a very successful teaching practice. I have been fortunate to have worked in most areas of music from orchestral to big band, theatre pit orchestra, saxophone and clarinet quartet and a variety of other groups, often directed by top professionals. I have worked for Doncaster Music Service but am now working as an accredited teacher of woodwind for Derbyshire Music Service, in addition to teaching at Rudston.
	Miss Gemma Hawkins Gemma Hawkins (brass teacher) graduated in 2006 from the University of Manchester with a first class honours degree in music. She has been teaching in the Sheffield and Rotherham area since then and has quickly built up a very full week of teaching. She works in a variety of both independent and state schools as well as conducting and tutoring a number of ensembles. As a player, Gemma has experience in a wide range of styles including orchestral, big bands, chamber ensembles and brass bands.
Mrs Bennett – Gymnastics Coach I have been involved in gymnastics since the age of five and later in trampolining, participating in displays and competitions. At the age of fifteen I began coaching which led me to study at Sheffield Hallam University where I gained a BSc Honours in Sport Development and Coaching. On completing my degree I moved to Windsor where I was employed as a full time gymnastics coach. In 2004 I returned to Yorkshire and I am now employed part time by British Gymnastics as the South Yorkshire Community Gymnastics Coach to increase the quantity and quality of gymnastics in the county. I also run school gym clubs both here at Rudston and at Ashdell Preparatory School in Sheffield and I am a coach at Barnsley Premier Gymnastics Club.
	Mrs Harrison I joined the staff at Rudston in 1989; since then I have been involved with many areas of school life, but my present title is Bursar's Secretary. Most of my duties relate to finance, but I am also the school's First Aider, responsible for the care and wellbeing of the children and staff. I like to have as much contact time with the children as possible and enjoy being involved with many fund-raising activities. My interests outside school include listening to music (anything from rock to classical!), flower arranging, yoga and most of all I enjoy spending time with my family. I am also a qualified reflexologist: this is a very special interest of mine and I enjoy treating and helping people.
Mrs Elston I joined the staff of Rudston in September 1974. Needless to say, during that time I have seen many changes, not the least of which the transition from manual typewriter to electronic typewriter to computer! In addition to being the Principal's Secretary, I am also secretary to the Board of Trustees. Both my grandchildren attend the school, having progressed from our Pre-School, so it is lovely to have a little chat with them during the lunchbreak. My main interests are gardening, walking and - at every opportunity - travelling; my main destinations being America and Canada.
Dr Nicholson I am the Bursar of the school working part-time, just three days each week. My main role is assisting the Principal in the running of the school. I also act as clerk to the Board of Trustees and provide them with the information they require to formulate school policies. My responsibilities include general management and administration, finance and accountancy and maintenance of the school buildings and facilities. My previous employment included the management of teams of government scientists both in research and the investigation of major industrial accidents. Leisure pursuits include fell walking, bird watching and a passion for sailing. I also sing in 2 Sheffield choirs, the Sheffield Chorale, of which I am also Chairman, and the Abbeydale Singers, a small chamber choir with an international reputation.
	Mr Beevers My name is Frank Beevers and I teach Latin at Rudston. My daughter was a pupil here, and now my grandson, Joe, has kept up the family tradition. In my spare time, I serve as a Magistrate, but I also have several hobbies. I enjoy making model steam engines for garden railways; I am a lifelong motorbike fanatic (I have three at the moment) and I also study Greek and Latin language and civilisation. For very many years I have been a season-ticket holder at Barnsley Football Club, which proves two things: I have an infinite capacity for suffering, and I know very little about football.
Mrs Anderson My role at Rudston is to teach French in both the Lower and Upper School. I like to concentrate on the spoken language using a lively approach (role play, songs, games and fun activities) to capture young children’s natural enthusiasm for language learning. When I am not at Rudston I teach French at other schools and nurseries both in the classroom and in lunchtime and after school clubs. I am also qualified to teach English as a foreign language, working with both children and adults of all nationalities. Sheffield Hallam University employ me as an Associate Lecturer to provide demonstration lessons for trainee English teachers. I have spent some time living in France and would like to go back there one day when my children are grown up. I have three children, all still at school and one of my challenges at present is dealing with teenagers! In my spare time I love walking my dog (who doesn’t answer back!), playing tennis, dancing and skiing.
	Mrs Green I teach at Rudston for one day a week, supporting children who are experiencing difficulties with literacy, numeracy and coordination. For the rest of the time I work for the Rotherham Learning Support Service. After my history degree at Leeds University I did a PGCE at Sheffield Hallam, specialising in the Primary Years and Special Needs. I have a diploma in teaching children with learning difficulties and a certificate in teaching children with dyslexia. I find working with individuals both challenging and rewarding. In my spare time I enjoy retail therapy, going to the theatre and walking in Derbyshire.
Mr Scott I am the 'site technician' for the school, which means that I do all the jobs that nobody else wants to do. I've been working at Rudston for about twenty years, although I haven't been employed here that long: I used to come and help my Dad who worked for Rudston as a joiner. When I'm not at school I enjoy walking, the cinema and messing around on my computer.