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Pear Tree Mead Academy

Pear Tree Mead Academy

Meet The Team

Meet the Senior Leadership Team

Mrs Peden
BA.Ed (Hons)
Headteacher
Mental Health and Well-Being Leader

I  have worked at Pear Tree Mead since 2004.  I have worked in Reception and Year 3/4.  I was Deputy Headteacher for 7 years and became the Headteacher in September 2014.  I have been teaching for about 25 years and my passion is to help make a difference to children’s lives and education and help prepare them for their next steps.  I enjoy working at Pear Tree Mead as I like to work with whole families and work together as a team.

 I am also on the governing body.  My role continues to be part of the Senior Leadership Support Team.  I am the mental health and well-being lead in the school as well as the Deputy Safeguarding Lead.

 

Mrs Arnould
Assistant Headteacher
Safeguarding Leader

My name is Mrs Arnould and I am originally from Stoke-on-Trent, I am sure that you can tell from my accent!  At home I have three beautiful daughters and I enjoy playing netball and other sports in my spare time.  I have been a teacher since 2004 and have enjoyed working at Pear Tree Mead since 2009. I started as Early Years leader, part of the senior leadership team, moved into KS1 and then into the Assistant Head Teacher role.

I love my current role and endeavour to provide our school with the best opportunities and a supportive environment in order to thrive.  I adore my job and am passionate about enabling children to reach their potential whilst having a great time. I want all children at PTM to love and respect their school and the people in it.

 

Mrs Davies
Deputy Headteacher
Behaviour Leader

Hello, I am Mrs Davies.  I have worked at Pear Tree Mead since 2007, and enjoyed every minute of it!  Some of you will know me as the Year 6 teacher as I have taught there mostly throughout the years.  In 2014 I became the Deputy Headteacher, working alongside Mrs Peden (Headteacher) and Mrs Arnould (Assistant Headteacher).

I am hugely passionate about the direction in which the school is headed and enthusiastic about making Pear Tree Mead an exciting place for all the children to learn and thrive.  At Pear Tree Mead Academy we aim to ensure that all children strive to reach the branches of their future and enjoy their individual journeys!

Meet the Pre-School Team-

Mrs Tappenden

Pre School Leader

My name is Mrs Tappenden, I am the Pre-School Leader here at Pear Tree Mead.

I started working at Pear Tree Mead in March 2015.  I have worked in education since leaving college.  I have a NVQ level 3 in Child Care and Education and I am always going on courses to gain more knowledge to help my little ones grow.  I am very passionate about my job and love to see our 2 year olds having fun, learning new skills and watching their confidence grow.

Mrs Nash
Learning Support Assistant & Mid-day Assistant

Hi, my name is Mrs Nash. I have worked at Pear Tree Mead for almost 11 years now. I have two children of my own. I am a qualified Learning Support Assistant with almost 11 years experience in nursery and have completed an autism awareness course. I am also paediatric first aid trained.  This year I am based in Preschool, which I am really enjoying. I love getting to know the children and watching them grow.  

 

Mrs Thaxton

Pre School Learning Support Assistant

Hi, my name is Mrs Thaxton, and I'm currently working in the pre school.

I have worked with children for over 20 years in many different settings including education and the charity sector. 

I have an NVQ level 2 in early years care and education and an NVQ and BTEC level 3 in children's care, learning and development. 

I have mainly worked with SEND children throughout my career, focusing on children with autism and more recently SEND adults. 

I'm really looking forward to getting to know all the children in the preschool and helping them to learn and develop new skills.

Meet the Early Years Teachers-

Mrs Pickering
Early Years Teacher

 

Hi, I’m Mrs Pickering!

I have been teaching at Pear Tree Mead since 2020 after I qualified from the University of East London with a BA (hons) in Early Childhood Studies. During my time here, I have spent my time in Early Years and KS1.

In EYFS we aim to create dynamic and exciting opportunities for children to explore in order to gain new skills, promote their love for learning and support their emotional, social and academic development. I am looking forward to the year ahead!

 

Miss Fletcher - Rox

Early Years Teacher

Hi I’m Miss Fletcher-Rox

I graduated from Anglia Ruskin university with a BA Honours in Early Years Professional Practice with Early Years Professional Status in 2013 and completed my Primary PGCE at University of Greenwich in 2014. I have taught in EYFS since I qualified.

I am passionate about teaching early years because I believe these first experiences of education lay the foundations for a lifelong love of learning. I achieve this by creating an engaging and inclusive classroom where children feel confident and inspired to learn through play and exploration. I am excited to be joining Pear Tree Mead and I’m looking forward to the year ahead! 

Meet the Key Stage 1 Teachers-

Mrs Bolger
KS1 Teacher

I have been teaching at Pear Tree Mead Academy since September 2006, when I joined as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT).  I carried out my teacher training at the University of Plymouth, where I studied for four years and was awarded a BEd (Hons).  Within my time at Pear Tree Mead I have been the subject leader for History, Geography, Religious Education and I am currently the subject leader for English.

In Juniper Class we promote an excitement for learning and we encourage all the children to achieve their personal best.  We have and impart confidence in each individual’s ability and give them a desire for success.

Miss Butler
KS1 Teacher

Hello, I am Miss Butler. In 2012 I graduated from university with a BA Honours Primary Education teaching degree. Since then I have taught in both Key Stage 1 and Early Years.

I am an enthusiastic teacher. One of my main aims is to provide enjoyable and dynamic lessons and to promote the children’s love of learning. In class I encourage and support all children to reach their full potential. I enjoy being part of each child’s learning journey and helping them grow across all areas of development.

If you ever need anything, I am always happy to help.  

 

Miss Kwabiah

KS1 Teacher

 

Hi, I am Miss Kwabiah,

I studied Criminology and Sociology at London South Bank University before going on to complete my PGCE in Primary Education with a specialist route in Humanities and RE at the University of East London, gaining QTS. This is my first-year teaching, though my journey into education began working in Early Years, and I have since gained experience teaching in Year 2 and Year 4 during my placements. I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Pear Tree Mead as the Year 2 teacher, and I can’t wait to get started!

In Year 2 we aim to create dynamic and inclusive learning opportunities for children to explore, in order to build their confidence, nurture their curiosity, and support their academic, social and emotional development. I am so excited for the year ahead and can’t wait to teach all the wonderful children! If there is ever anything you need, please don’t hesitate to reach out I am always happy to help.

 

Mrs Goldhawk

KS1 Teacher

Hello, I am Mrs Goldhawk and I am delighted to be part of the team at Pear Tree Mead Academy.

I graduated from Anglia Ruskin University in 2018 with a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood and Education Studies. Throughout my teaching career, I have had the opportunity to teach across Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, giving me a broad understanding of children’s learning and development.

I am passionate about creating a nurturing, engaging and inclusive classroom where every child feels valued, supported and inspired to achieve their best. I believe that learning should be fun, meaningful and challenging, helping children to develop not only academically but also socially and emotionally.

This year, I will be teaching Hazel Class on Thursdays and Fridays. I am looking forward to working closely with the children and their families to make this a happy, successful and memorable year. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch—I am always happy to help.

 

Miss Cuffaro

KS1 Teacher

Hello, I am Mrs Cuffaro.  I have worked at Pear Tree Mead since 2007 and enjoyed every minute of it!  I have taught in EYFS, KS1 and LKS2.  I am currently working 3 days a week in year 2 with a brilliant team. 

I am hugely passionate about the teaching and believe that every moment spent in the classroom is a chance for children to foster a love for learning and to spark imagination. I feel that teaching is not merely imparting knowledge but also cultivating empathy, resilience, and a lifelong passion for understanding the world. In the heart of a teacher lies a boundless commitment to shaping futures and making a difference, one lesson at a time.

 

Meet the Lower Key Stage 2 Teachers-

Ms Fry-Smith
LSK2 Teacher

Hi, my name is Ms Fry-Smith.

I studied Psychology at the University of Sussex before working as a Teaching Assistant in a special needs school in Brighton. I then worked as a Support and Development Worker for Islington Council before completing my PGCE at the University of East London. I have been passionate about teaching ever since and feel incredibly lucky to do a job that I truly love.

I spent two years teaching in Leeds before teaching in Colchester and then settling in Harlow, where I have lived since 2017. I have been part of the Pear Tree Mead family since January 2018, and I absolutely love being part of such a warm, supportive and inspiring school community.

I am currently the Science Lead, a role I am extremely passionate about. I love encouraging children to ask questions, explore the world around them and develop a lifelong curiosity for learning. I am enthusiastic about creating engaging, exciting lessons where every child feels valued, challenged and supported to achieve their very best.

I am so excited to be teaching in Lower Key Stage 2 this year and cannot wait to get to know the children, celebrate their successes and help them grow in confidence, independence and resilience. It is a privilege to be part of their learning journey, and I look forward to working closely with you throughout the year.

If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to come and speak to me. I am always happy to help.

 

Miss Eracli
LKS2 Teacher

Hi, I’m Miss Eracli, and I’m thrilled to be joining the Year 3 team as the teacher of Mulberry class. I studied Primary Education with QTS at Edge Hill University, just outside Liverpool, where I specialised in SEND. This has led me to begin my career at Pear Tree Mead, and I couldn’t be more excited to start this new journey together!

I believe every child deserves the chance to shine in all aspects of life. In Mulberry class, I aim to create a fun, safe and positive environment where every child feels valued, supported and able to thrive. I am truly excited to watch the children grow, celebrate achievements, and be a meaningful part of their story as they continue to learn and flourish. 

If you ever have any questions or need anything at all, please know my door is always open!

 

 

Miss Millward

LKS2 Teacher

Hello, my name is Mrs Millward and I teach in year 3.  I studied Media and Cultural studies with American Studies at University and went on to study to become a teacher, starting my first teaching post in Waltham Abbey.

With our Lavender class we will create a safe, stimulating, and happy classroom.  I have a great passion for reading and believe that if children can read, they can access all the other parts of the national curriculum.  I will make sure the children are happy, happy children learn!

Any questions please ask, my door is always open.

 

Mr Thurgood
LKS2 Teacher

Hello! My name is Mr Thurgood and I teach Redwood class.  I am in charge of Computing across the school, which I find is a really exciting subject!

I graduated from Coventry University with a BA Honours Sociology degree and then after a year out went on to study for my PGCE, starting my first teaching post in Basildon.  I moved to Harlow from Chelmsford and I have been working at Pear Tree Mead since 2016.

I aim to provide a varied and exciting learning environment in which children feel that they are safe to learn through hard work and trying new things.  I expect children to be honest, hardworking and to develop a growth mindset where they are not afraid to make mistakes and learn from them.  I am looking forward to the rest of the year with Redwood class and to meeting and working closely with parents.

If there is anything you need from me, please feel free to speak to me.

 

Miss Parr
LKS2 Teacher

Hi everyone, I’m Miss Parr and I have been working at Pear Tree Mead since 2022. I am one of the Year 4 teachers and teach Mulberry class. I have also taken on the monitoring of RE across the school, which is a subject that I always loved myself and that I later went to study at university. I graduated from Heythrop University in 2016, with a BA Study of Religions degree. I continued my studies by joining the West Essex SCITT programme in order to complete my teacher training. I feel very happy to be a part of the Pear Tree Mead team, getting to know your children and also welcoming them into Year 4. As a teacher, I believe in a classroom environment where children feel safe and valued. I will aim to help the children to develop a growth mindset, where they know it is ok to make mistakes, and that all I will ever ask of them is that they try their best. If you have any questions, or there is anything that you need from me, please feel free to come and speak to me.

 

 

Meet the Upper Key Stage 2 Teachers-

Miss Warner
UKS2 Teacher

Hi, I am Miss Warner and this is my eighth year teaching here at Pear Tree Mead.   I am Year 6 lead, and this will be my sixth year of teaching Year 6. However, I have experience in teaching all of KS2. I am the lead for English across the school, alongside Mrs Bolger.

I graduated from the University of Hertfordshire with a BSc Sports Studies degree and continued my studies by going on to study for my PGCE in primary education and completing my teacher training at Pear Tree Mead.

I am very excited to get to know your children and welcome them into year 6. I believe in a positive and engaging learning environment where children enjoy coming to school. I have high expectations, however I believe it is important to reward those who are working hard and showing a positive growth mindset!

Please feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions!

Miss Burke
UKS2 Teacher

Hi there!

This is my tenth-year teaching at Pear Tree Mead. Originally, I come from Ennis, Co. Clare, on the west coast of Ireland and I have now been living in the U.K for the past 15years, which I am lucky to call my second home! 

In the school, I am the Maths coordinator, and I also have other roles such as the UKS2 Phase Leader and the MDA line manager.  I also run the ‘Young Voices’ singing club with the help of Miss Bevans, which gives pupils the opportunity to eventually perform at the O2 in London in January.

As a teacher, I believe that ‘Every Child Matters’ and I encourage my pupils daily to have a ‘growth mind-set’ to empower them to become the best version of themselves and be proud of their achievements, as they get ready for secondary school.

 

 

Mr Feast
UKS2 Teacher

Hi everyone! This will be my third year teaching at Pear Tree Mead. I graduated from the University of Hertfordshire with a degree in Primary Education and I love bringing creativity and all sorts of fun into my lessons. I am excited to be working in upper Key Stage 2 this year, and I'm ready for our time ahead! I can’t wait for another year of teaching at PTM.

 

Mr Humphries
LKS2 Teacher

Hi! I'm Mr Humphries, and I am excited to be continuing my teaching journey at Pear Tree Mead. I started my teaching career through studying Primary Education at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford. This took me three years, and now, I have been teaching for 6 years!

I’m thrilled to be working in Sycamore classroom with Year 5.  Throughout the year I hope to provide fun and engaging lessons within a stimulating learning environment.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask!

Meet the Nursery team-

Mrs Burland

Nursery Manager

Hello, my name is Mrs Burland.  I am the Nursery Manager.  I have a level 4 qualification and I am first aid trained.  I have been working at Pear Tree Mead since 2012. Working here is thoroughly enjoyable and very rewarding.  I enjoy being part of a fantastic team here at PTM. I am looking forward to spending time getting to know the children in Nursery and my aim is to provide a safe, nurturing and happy learning environment for them to enjoy. 

Mrs Menevili
Deputy Nursery Manager

Hello, I’m Mrs Menevili, I’ve recently joined Pear Tree Mead, currently working within the nursery.

I have over 18 years of experience working in a variety of settings and age ranges. I’ve qualified a BA Honours in Education and have two children of my own, who both attend Pear Tree Mead.

I’m very excited to be here at Pear Tree Mead to continue many more years of experience and developing the children’s educational needs and having fun.

Meet the Reception Learning Support Assistants-

 

 

Miss Lee

Reception Learning Support Assistant

Hi I'm Miss Lee and I've recently joined Pear Tree Mead as a class TA. I have worked as a teaching assistant for 11 years now and I love it! I have worked with a range of year groups over the years as well as 1:1. I am really excited for this next chapter as a member of the Pear Tree Mead community. I look forward to building relationships with the children and helping them to become happy, successful, independent learners.  

 

Miss Thomas

Reception Learning Support Assistant

Hello! My name is Miss Thomas

I am  a  Learning Support Assistant in Reception. I am enjoying getting to know the children and helping them to learn new things, build friendships and develop their confidence and independence.

Meet the Key Stage 1 Learning Support Assistants-

Miss Cousins
KS1 Learning Support Assistant, Mid-day Assistant & Clubs Lead

Hi, my name is Miss Cousins.  I started working at Pear Tree Mead in 1998.  I work as a Learning Support Assistant, Mid-day Assistant and Cleaner.  I enjoy all three of my jobs as I get to work with lots of different staff, as part of our fantastic team.

 

Miss Westbrook
KS1 Learning Support Assistant

Hi my name is Miss Westbrook and I have just joined Pear Tree Mead as a learning support assistant in year 1. I am level 3 qualified in childcare and education and have worked in early years for almost 21 years. I am really excited for my new journey in the school and getting to know all of the children and supporting them in their learning and development.

 

Mrs Timpson
KS1 Learning Support Assistant

My name is Mrs Timpson and I have been a part of Pear Tree Mead since my children attended here.  Firstly, as an Mid-day Assistant and now as a Teaching Assistant.  I find it very rewarding working with the children and watching them grow.

 

Mrs Papaphilippou

KS1 Learning Support Assistant

Hi, I’m Mrs Papaphilippou.  I have been part of PTM school community for the past six years, working as a SEND Learning Support Assistant within the classroom. I’m passionate about supporting children with special educational needs and helping them to thrive both academically and emotionally.

In the afternoons, I have the privilege of working in our Nurture Group provision creating a safe, supportive environment where children can build confidence, develop social and emotional skills. It’s a role I find incredibly rewarding, and I’m proud to be part of a team that puts the wellbeing of every child at the heart of what we do.

 

Mrs Ward
KS1 Learning Support Assistant

Hello. My name is Mrs Ward and I have worked in education for over 25 years. I have been at Pear Tree Mead for over 4 years. This year I am in key stage 1 and I am looking forward to working in lower school. 

 

Mrs Wagstaff

KS1 Learning Support Assistant

 

 

Miss Wilson

Casual Learning Support Assistant

 

I have been volunteering at Pear Tree Mead for 4 years. My passion is helping all children, but mostly those who need that extra support. I have now been offered a casual LSA position and love being part of such an inclusive, supportive team. I am looking forward to what the future holds.

Meet the Lower Key Stage 2 Learning Support Assistants-

Mrs Hughes

LKS2 Learning Support Assistant

 

 

Hi, I’m Mrs Hughes. I’ve worked at Pear Tree Mead for the last 2 years across KS1 and Early Years. This year I will be working between Y3 and Y1,  I'm  looking forward to some new challenges and meeting some new faces. 

 

Mrs Webb
LKS2 Teaching Assistant, Mid-day Assistant

Hi, 

My name is Mrs Webb this is my 6th year working at PTM. I have done year 5 and 4 and love working with all the children. I'm really looking forward to seeing what this year brings!

 

Miss Brown
LKS2 Learning Support Assistant & Mid-day Assistant

My name is Miss Brown.  Since joining Pear Tree Mead in 2014, I have worked mainly within Early Years and Key stage 1. For this school year I will be working in year 1, as well as helping to cover the KS1 playground as a Mid-day Assistant.  In 2016, I completed the Advance Level 3 Apprenticeship in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools.  In 2017, I went on to complete the Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism.

 

Miss Humphreys
LKS2 Learning Support Assistant

Hi I am Miss Humphreys.

I have worked in the childcare industry for over 16 years working with a range of ages and abilities . I have a NVQ level 2 and level 3 diploma in childcare . I love teaching and helping each child grow to become their own individual person.

Mrs White
LKS2 Teaching Assistant & Mid-day Assistant

Hi, my name is Mrs White.  I have been part of the Pear Tree Mead community since my children attended the school.  I love working with the children and watching them grow and also working alongside the dedicated staff at Pear Tree Mead.

 

Mrs Chippett
LKS2 Teaching Assistant and Intervention Teaching Assistant

My name is Mrs Chippett and I have been working at Pear Tree Mead for 28 years.  I started working in the Nursery and have since worked with various age groups around the school.  I enjoy my current role as Hazel Class LSA and KS1 Interventions Teaching Assistant, working alongside a great KS1 team.  I work with the belief that every child matters.

 

Mrs Fleming
LKS2 Learning Support Assistant

Hey, my name is Mrs Fleming. I have been a SEND Learning Support Assistant and Midday Assistant at Pear Tree Mead since May ‘22. This year I will be supporting children in Year 3 and will be leading the Year 3 life skills provision 3 afternoons a week. I have completed courses in Autism Awareness and have my Teaching Assistant level 2. I have 2 children that attend and love Pear Tree Mead. Every day is a new challenge, and I love helping the children navigate their way to their fullest potential.

 

 

Meet the Upper Key Stage 2 Learning Support Assistants-

Mrs Hayden
UKS2 Teaching Assistant

Hi, I’m Mrs Hayden and the Teaching Assistant in Willow Class this year.  I have been working here at Pear Tree Mead for 17 years.  I am very lucky to have worked in most year groups during this time.  I find working with our pupils very rewarding, it’s great to see them learn, develop and grow into confident, young citizens.  It’s also great to be working alongside a fantastic and dedicated team.

Mrs Thorne
UKS2 Intervention Teaching Assistant & Mid-day Assistant

Hi, my name is Mrs Thorne and I have worked at Pear Tree Mead since 2000.  I have been in Year 6 for the last 15 of those years.  I really enjoy being part of the Year 6 team and working with the children to help them achieve their best.  I am also the Mid-day Assistant lead for KS2, a role I really enjoy.

 

Miss Coggin

UKS2 Learning Support Assistant

Hello! I am Miss Coggin and I have worked at Pear Tree Mead since 2022. This year I will be working in the lovely Redwood class with a fantastic year 5 team! I have over 9 years experience working in education; mostly in Reception, year 4 and year 5. I love my job and believe every child has the chance to succeed to the best of their abilities if given the right tools to do so. I believe school should be a happy, fun and safe learning environment for children and I truly believe that every member of the Pear Tree Mead staff work together to achieve this for each and every pupil. 

I am really looking forward to working with your children and helping them grow over the next year.

 

Miss Hammond

UKS2 Learning Support Assistant

Hi, my name is Miss Hammond and I have just recently started at Pear Tree Mead. I am happy to be joining Willow classroom with Year 6 and will be working with some of our SEND children.

I am very excited to the coming year and getting to know all the children and supporting staff around the school.

Meet the Learning Mentors-

Mrs Williams
Learning Mentor Team Leader

Hello, my name is Mrs Williams and I have been working at Pear Tree Mead since 2000. My first role was as a Mid-day Assistant, supporting children during their lunch in the dining hall and within the playground environment.  I became a Teaching Assistant in 2001 and three years after, in 2004, I trained to become a Higher Level Teaching Assistant  In this role I supported classes by leading the teaching; I’ve had experience in teaching Nursery through to Year 6.

I’m now a full time Learning Mentor and have been doing this role for than 11 years.  I became the Learning Mentor Team Leader in 2019.  In this role, I work alongside the children across the school and help support the students to find a positive learning and school experience.

Meet the Specialist Teachers-

Mr Mann
Specialist Teacher

Hello, My name is Mr Mann and I am the swimming coach at Pear Tree Mead.

Mrs Holgate

Swimming Instructor

Meet the Administration Team-

Mrs Townsend

PTM Office Manager and PCLC trust lead for Governance and Compliance

I started working at Pear Tree Mead in 2010.  I really enjoy my job; it is a very busy role and there is always lots to do!  As well as holding a Business and Administration qualification, I am the office manager here at PTM.  Our office team is expanding this year, to provide more support as I take on a new challenge of supporting the trust by leading on Governance and Compliance. Mrs Hayton will be your first point of as always , and our newest team member Miss Currie will be monitoring attendance and supporting with some of the school financial jobs. 

I love that my role is so varied and that I am still able to meet with some of you as parents 

In the evenings,  I am still committed to the trust by providing a Clerking service to all of the Governing Bodies for our trust Primary schools.  I must retain lots of legal and important information to be able to help the Governing Board be as effective as they can be. Being a Governor can be a very rewarding role, if this is of interest to you, please do contact me to find out more.

Mrs Hayton
Front of House & Communications Administrator

My name is Mrs Hayton and I joined the admin team in June 2022. I thoroughly enjoy meeting and greeting pupils, parents, carers and visitors as well as staff at the front of the office. I have over 19 years' office experience. I look forward to the year ahead, and being part of a wonderful team!

 

Miss Currie

Attendance Officer

Hello, I am Miss Currie. I recently joined Pear Tree Mead as the Attendance Officer. I have over 10 years of administrative experience and I am passionate about providing an efficient and supportive service to pupils, families and staff.

I am looking forward to working with the school community and supporting our pupils to achieve excellent attendance and success.

Meet the Family Support Team-

Mrs Townsend
P.A. to the Headteacher, Clerk to the Governing Body

I started working at Pear Tree Mead in 2010.  I really enjoy my job; it is a very busy role and there is always lots to do!  As well as holding a Business and Administration qualification, I am the office manager, I have some lovely new office ladies this year , which I am super excited to be working alongside. Mrs Hayton will be your first point of contact moving forward, whilst Mrs Lyon will be looking after all the pupil administration. My job is such a varied role and this year I am going to be looking after some of the financial aspects of the school, such as payroll, HR and Health and Safety. This will give me a new challenge and makes my job at Pear Tree Mead forever interesting.  I will still be Mrs Peden’s PA and it is my job to make sure she is organised and has everything she needs daily to be a super Headteacher!

In my ‘spare’ time I am still committed to the school by providing a Clerking service to our Governing Body.  I must retain lots of legal and important information to be able to help the Governing Board be as effective as they can be. Being a Governor can be a very rewarding role, if this is of interest to you, please do contact me to find out more.

Mrs Thurgood
Inclusion Manager

Hello, my name is Mrs Thurgood and I joined Pear Tree Mead as a Classroom Teaching Assistant in 2009.  I progressed to becoming a Level 3 Teaching Assistant and then began working as an Interventions Teaching Assistant, providing phase support for Years 3 and 4.

My current job role is as an Assistant SENDco working alongside Mrs Martin.  This role enables me to work closely with pupils, staff and families to support children with additional needs.  I continue to run individual interventions for identified children and work closely with Mrs Cooper to run Gym trail.  I enjoy being part of a fantastic team that strive to help the children here to develop and reach their full potential.

I have previously been vice chair for the Friends of Pear Tree Mead committee and continue to support by being the school liaison.  I get to work alongside a group of fantastic, dedicated parents helping to arrange exciting and fun activities for the children. The fundraising helps to provide extra opportunities and equipment that help enrich the education and experiences for all the children here, at Pear Tree Mead.

Mrs Williams
Learning Mentor Team Leader

Hello, my name is Mrs Williams and I have been working at Pear Tree Mead since 2000. My first role was as a Mid-day Assistant, supporting children during their lunch in the dining hall and within the playground environment.  I became a Teaching Assistant in 2001 and three years after, in 2004, I trained to become a Higher Level Teaching Assistant  In this role I supported classes by leading the teaching; I’ve had experience in teaching Nursery through to Year 6.

I’m now a full time Learning Mentor and have been doing this role for the past 11 years.  I became the Learning Mentor Team Leader in 2019.  In this role, I work alongside the children across the school and help support the students to find a positive learning and school experience.

 

Stephanie Thurston-McGowan

Assistant SENDCO

Hi, I’m Mrs TM and I am the Assistant SENDCo at Pear Tree Mead Academy.  I began working with children back in 2019 at a secondary school in Harlow, I then went to work in residential foster care homes as I enjoyed working with children so much.  I joined Pear Tree Mead Academy in March 2025 and have really enjoyed my time here so far. 

I love watching our children learn and grow as individuals, I believe our children can achieve anything they want to and I’m excited to be working as part of the SEND team in  supporting them on their journey to greatness. 

Meet the Mid-Day Assistants-

Mrs Taylor
Mid-day Assistant & Cleaner

Hello, I’m Mrs Taylor, I am a Mid-day Assistant and a Cleaner at Pear Tree Mead.  I enjoy seeing the children at lunchtime and getting to know all their different personalities.  I also enjoy cleaning up after school in preparation for the next day.

Mrs Rothon 

Mid-day Assistant

Hi, I'm Mrs Rothon and I've been a Mid-Day Assistant since joining Pear Tree Mead in 2022. I work in the dinner hall helping the children with anything that they need.

I love seeing their smiling faces and hearing their stories. 

Mrs Rose

Mid-day Assistant

Hi I'm Mrs Rose. I have worked at Pear Tree Mead for a few years and have had numerous roles in the school . The job is very rewarding seeing the children develop and grow . There have been many changes within the school. The newest one is the Opal Play at lunchtime . It is great to see the children have so much fun with so much choice . 

Mrs Williams

Mid-day Assistant & Breakfast Club Lead

Meet the Cooking Team-

Mrs Kluza
Kitchen Manager

Mrs Dukes
Kitchen Assistant

Mrs H Bright

Kitchen Assistant

Miss S Bright

Cook

Meet the Cleaning Team-

Mr Hawkins
Site Manager

Hi, my name is Mr Hawkins, and I am the Site Manager.  I left school in 1979 and completed an apprenticeship to become an electronics engineer.  In October 1998 I joined Pear Tree Mead.  Within my time as Site Manager I have completed various courses to keep me up to date with Health and Safety & new practices, etc.  My role as Site Manager is to oversee the day to day running of the school and ensure it is a safe learning environment for both children and staff.  I am also in charge of a team of 7 cleaning staff.

Mrs Taylor
Mid-day Assistant & Cleaner

Hello, I’m Mrs Taylor, I am a Mid-day Assistant and a Cleaner at Pear Tree Mead.  I enjoy seeing the children at lunchtime and getting to know all their different personalities.  I also enjoy cleaning up after school in preparation for the next day.

Mrs Wagstaff

Cleaner

 

Mrs Smith