Meet the Staff

Miss Paula Blackburn

Executive Head Teacher, Federation of Boskenwyn and Germoe Schools

head@fbgschools.co.uk

I was born in Manchester a long, long time ago! I moved to Cornwall 20 years ago and my 2 lovely children grew up here. Before then I lived and taught in a variety of places including Sweden (where I developed a love of the Scandinavian way of learning). I became head of Germoe School in 2006 and then Executive head of Boskenwyn and Germoe 8 years ago. I love my job and I'm passionate about enabling children to have a wonderful experience at school, developing a lifelong love of learning and being the best they can be. In my spare time I like to travel and immerse myself into different cultures. I am a member of Coverack Bluetits and sea swim when I can, I also enjoy coastal walking and I love reading.

Miss Z Symons

Deputy Head/Class 3Teacher/Maths

zsymons@fbgschools.co.uk

I was lucky enough to be born in Cornwall and loved growing up here. I left to go to university and study maths and returned back to Cornwall after completing my degree to carry out my teacher training. I still love maths- as all my classes all know- and I love leading maths across our schools. Outside of school I love to spend as much time as I can outside and exploring, especially at beaches. I will give almost any watersport a go at least once and particularly enjoy gig rowing. I've been lucky enough to take part in the world championships out on the Isles of Scilly a few times now and have even raced against Mrs Basher!

Mr F Conway

Class 3 Teacher

Hello, I am the year 3/4 class teacher and also the PE lead.

Whilst at primary school myself, I always dreamed of becoming a primary school teacher, as I thought one of my teachers had the best job you could possibly have! Since then, I continued to work towards qualifying as a teacher. I began working at Germoe and Boskenwyn schools in 2015 as a teaching assistant. After a couple of years, I decided to do my teacher training and thankfully was offered a job back at the school as a qualified teacher.

I have a love for sport and travel. I play football for Porthleven FC and play badminton regularly. In the school holidays, I try to travel as much as possible to different parts of the world.

Mrs B Reeves

Class 2 Teacher

BReeves@fbgschools.co.uk

Hi!
I'm Beth and I was also lucky enough to be born in Cornwall- I even went to Germoe School in Y5 and Y6!

I love to travel and spent the early part of my 20s doing ski seasons and exploring our brilliant planet. I came to primary teaching after having spent a decade teaching English as a Second Language in many different places. I realised that teaching was my vocation! My biggest love is teaching reading, and I especially enjoy working with early readers and emerging readers. I feel very strongly that high levels of literacy, good critical thinking skills, and a love of books is the best way we can empower our children for the future.

I still enjoy travel, cooking, being outside or in the water, and spending time with my three hilarious and mischievous children. And, of course, I love a good book.

Miss J Burns

Class 1 Teacher/ EYFS/ RE Lead

jburns@fbgschools.co.uk

I have been at Germoe School for almost 10 years now, how time flies when you are having fun! I have been working in the early years for 28 years and I can honestly say I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else! First and foremost, the most important thing for me is to make sure your child has a happy start to school, where they feel safe and cared for in a nurturing environment. I have previously worked in many different schools across the North West . I graduated at university with an Arts degree and when I'm not busy at school, I enjoy sketching in and outdoors and taking long relaxing walks on the beach. I also enjoy spending time with my little 'zoo' of animals, I have two Romanian rescue dogs and 3 rescue cats., plus a huge tankful of fish!

Mrs Angie Larcombe

SENDCO

alarcombe@fbgschools.co.uk

I worked as a Teaching Assistant in local schools whilst my daughter was growing up, and decided I’d like to have my own class, so set about 7 years of part time study before achieving BA in Historical and Cultural Studies. I then did PGCE with Exeter University.

I started working at Boskenwyn school when it was a small two class school, with just four part time teachers. Before this, I worked in Penzance and other Helston and Lizard schools for a few years. I’ve taught all ages and key stages, and around 5 years ago, left the classroom for the role of Special Educational Needs Coordinator.

I have always been interested in children’s development and the development of the ‘whole’ child. I feel so privileged to be working with children and their families, and with colleagues, that really value the important things – relationship, nurture, and commitment to supporting children to achieve their best, and to thrive, academically, emotionally, socially and physically.

In my spare time, I enjoy family time, gardening, cooking, my cats and chickens, and spending time in the beautiful Cornish landscapes. I have interests in archaeology, family and local history and I’ve just started yoga.

Mrs Katie Knight

Class 1 Teacher Inquiry/DT/Languages Lead

knight@germoe.cornwall.sch.uk

I have been teaching for 23 years, and started my career in Kidderminster having completed my teacher training in Birmingham. After a few years I decided to volunteer with VSO as a teacher trainer in Malawi (South East Africa). I loved Malawi so much that I stayed for eight years, teaching at the International School. After that, myself, my husband and two daughters moved to Beijing, China for another seven years. Living in such different cultures was a wonderful experience and taught me to be a life-long learner - although I wish I had been better at learning Mandarin!

On return to the UK we settled in Cornwall, and I was thrilled to discover Boskenwyn and Germoe schools. I have many years of experience teaching inquiry-based learning, which I am delighted to continue developing with the children and my colleagues.

In my spare time I love to walk the coast path with my two dogs. I really love winter in Cornwall and the exhilaration of a chilly dip in the sea followed by a flask of tea and a piece of cake!

Miss A Widdowson

Class 1 Teaching Assistant

Miss E Wilson

Class 1 Teaching Assistant

Mrs H Fish

Class 2 Teaching Assistant

Miss C Laity

Class 3 Teaching Assistant

Mrs A Segal

Class 4 Teaching Assistant

Mrs A Care

School/Federation Secretary

Mrs L McKeown

School Secretary (Boskenwyn)

Miss K Mitchell

Cook

Mr T Lane

Premises Manager