Lucy has led the school since its inception in 2013. Lucy’s qualifications include a BA and MA in English – University of Cambridge; PGCE English – Durham University; and Local Leader in Education (LLE) – National College of Teaching and Leadership. Lucy is currently studying for the NASENCO Masters Level qualification.
Lucy is the Hunsley Primary Inclusion Lead and, as such, performs the role of SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator) and Designated Lead for Children Looked After Children (LAC) and Previously Looked After Children (PLAC).
Lucy has an overview of English (writing) is part of the Curriculum Review Team for English, French, Music and History.
Having worked in East Riding schools since 1997, Lucy has a wealth of experience in whole school leadership and teaching across the age ranges. Lucy graduated with a BA in English from the University of Cambridge before taking up her PGCE at Durham University, training to become an English teacher. Accredited early on in her career as an Advanced Skills Teacher (AST) in recognition of outstanding classroom learning and the development of other staff, Lucy worked on literacy and numeracy projects across primary and secondary phases to ensure the smooth transition of pupils and to raise standards.
Lucy’s roles at South Hunsley as Director of Sixth Form, Assistant Headteacher for Teaching and Learning, and Head of the Teaching School saw her working alongside then Executive Lead, Chris Abbott, to support 15 schools nationally to raise their standards of staff development, teaching and learning, and marking and feedback, as well as supporting Middle Leaders to drive forward constant improvements through research-based evidence. Lucy led Teaching and Learning and Staff Development in the run-up to and during the period in which the school achieved its Outstanding Ofsted judgement in 2013.
In 2014, Lucy wrote South Hunsley’s successful bid to form a Teaching School Alliance in and led the development of the primary Free School from planning in 2013 through to opening in 2015, taking up the role of Head of Hunsley Primary following a national DfE interview process.
Her interest in working on national projects continues with the further development of Hunsley Primary as the first free school in the East Riding. Lucy was part of the core Executive Team supporting the journey of the Yorkshire Wolds SCITT to its recent outstanding Ofsted outcome. She now sits on the Quality Assurance Board of the Teacher Training programme.
Jonny joined South Hunsley in 2011 as Deputy Headteacher. He was quickly appointed as Head of School and latterly as Executive Principal, supporting schools across The Education Alliance before the Board of Trustees appointed him as Chief Executive Officer at Easter 2018. Jonny has extensive school leadership experience, having worked in senior leadership teams in Good and Outstanding schools for the last 15 years, and he is an accredited National Leader of Education. Jonny is currently supporting a number of local schools in both the primary and secondary sector as part of his NLE School Improvement work. Jonny specialises in the development and implementation of effective and robust monitoring and evaluation processes and the creation of positive school cultures along with the financial viability of curriculums and staffing structures.
Under Jonny’s leadership, South Hunsley School was in the top 5% of all schools nationally for progress at Key Stage 4 in each of the last 4 years. The sixth form is also in the top 10% of all providers across the country. South Hunsley School has won the Pupil Premium Award for Yorkshire and the Humber twice in the last 4 years in recognition of the outstanding progress made by disadvantaged students.
Julie joined Hunsley Primary in January 2017 as our Key Stage 1 Leader and has since taken up the role of Assistant Headteacher. An expert in teaching and learning across Years 1 and 2, with a wealth of experience in staff development, Initial Teacher Training and the teaching of Phonics, Julie brings the benefit of decades of experience in education to the school. With previous leadership roles as a science, computing and assessment co-ordindator, Julie’s creative investigative lessons certainly help to build the Hunsley Primary sense of ‘awe and wonder’!
Julie is our Designated Safeguarding Lead, driving the school’s pastoral and wellbeing agenda. She recently trained as a Mental Health First Aider and is also our Senior Mental Health Lead.
Julie oversees our Science curriculum as part of the Curriculum Review Team for Science, Art, RE and Geography.
BSc (Hons); PGCE in Primary Teaching, University of Hull
House Team: Volans (Red)
Alex joined the Trust in 2017, as the primary lead on our Yorkshire Wolds Teacher Training (SCITT) programme, supporting the development of aspiring teachers across the SCITT partnership of primary schools. As such, Alex is an experienced mentor and coach.
In 2018, Alex joined the Hunsley Primary team as an experienced whole school senior leaders and Key Stage 2 teacher, working across all year groups and continuing the exciting project of curriculum development in our unique school.
Alex is part of the Hunsley Primary Curriculum Review Team for English, French, Music and History.
Alex is the Trust’s Primary School Improvement Leader, working alongside other Trust leads and headteachers to develop the primary arm of The Education Alliance trust family.
House Team: Volans (Red)
Rachel joined us in 2015, to work on the initial development of the new school. Trained specifically in the Early Years teaching specialism, Rachel brings a wealth of skills, experience and excellent Foundation Stage knowledge to the team. Rachel was at the very heart of the class team achieving an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted judgement for Early Years in 2018.
Rachel is the Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion, and was designated ‘Expert Teacher’ in 2020. Rachel also holds a significant role beyond the school, leading the 3-7 years programme delivered by the Yorkshire Wolds SCITT team, co-ordinating and training ITTs in the Infant phase. As an Expert Teacher at Hunsley Primary, Rachel is an experienced host teacher, mentor and curriculum lead, supporting the delivery of early reading and phonics across the school.
Qualified in BA(Hons) Primary Education, 3 – 7 Years Specialism QTS – York St. John University
Rachel leads English (Reading) as part of the Curriculum Review Team for English, French, Music and History.
House Team: Aquila (Yellow)
Claire joined the Trust in September 2017 as an Initial Teaching Trainee, specialising in the teaching of Year 1 and training at Hunsley Primary through the SCITT to become a primary teacher. Following a number of years working as an Early Years practitioner, Claire qualified with QTS in the primary phase. During her training, Claire also took up practice at our partner schools, Cavendish and Swanland.
Now, working closely with the Assistant Headteacher for Wellbeing, Julie Boyes, and Assistant Headteacher for Curriculum, Rachel Cheeseman, on the development of her role, Claire is an established member of the Hunsley Primary team. She recently trained as a Mental Health First Aider, as part of the whole school initiative to champion positive mental health and wellbeing for all.
Claire is part of the Curriculum Review Team for Science, RE, Art and Geography.
House Team: Lacerta (Orange)
Louise joined Hunsley Primary in 2015, helping to set up the brand new school. An experienced school administrator, Louise has worked in educational administration for 14 years, across both primary and secondary phases.
Louise is responsible for the day-to-day administrative processes of the school, including communications, data processing, admissions and marketing. Louise engages in daily liaison with families and external agencies. She performs the role of Fire Marshall and first aider, as well as administering medicines in school. Qualified in delivering First Aid at Work, Louise ensures welfare is at the heart of each school day.
Louise is qualified with a Level 4 Diploma in Business and Administration.
House Team: Aquila (Yellow)
Kirsty is our Year 5 teacher at Hunsley Primary, having joined the Trust in September 2018 to complete her Initial Teaching Training through Yorkshire Wolds Teacher Training school-based programme.
Kirsty originally completed a LLB Law degree at the University of Hull and worked for several years as a property solicitor in the local area before taking a career break to focus on her children. This led to her taking on a voluntary role as a SEND governor in her local school and developing an interest in teaching.
Passionate about driving school improvement through application of evidence-based practice, Kirsty has taken a lead on key curriculum reviews, cascading her findings to the rest of the team. She recently took on the role of host teacher for the Yorkshire Wolds Teacher Training programme and is a trained mentor. Kirsty is a Staff Governor at Hunsley Primary.
Kirsty is part of the Curriculum Review Team for English, French, Music and History.
Kirsty is also an experienced Girl Guiding leader and brings a love of outdoor learning and educational visits into the classroom to help children further develop their skills and confidence.
House Team: Volans (Red)
Billy Sloan is our Year 6 teacher with leadership responsibility for curriculum transition and end of Key Stage 2 assessment. Billy’s leadership role involves liaison with the subject specialist leads at South Hunsley secondary school, and curriculum leads across the Trust, to help us realise our vision for a challenging 4-11 years curriculum which prepares our children for the next step of the learning journey. Billy’s work aims for the highest standards across each subject by the time children move up to secondary school by working with secondary colleagues to create clear lines of progression.
Billy is a very experienced Year 6 teacher, with a degree in Computer Science and Software Design. Originally from Ireland, Billy taught in London and York before taking up the position at Hunsley Primary.
Billy leads our Maths curriculum as part of the Curriculum Review Team for Maths, Computing, DT and PE.
House Team: Aquila (Yellow)
Eleanor is absolutely loving her chosen career. Eleanor completed her main teacher training placement at Hunsley Primary, establishing a great connection with the children and the team, ready to continue as a newly-qualified teacher in 2019-20.
Eleanor studied at Sheffield Hallam University and has a degree in English Literature. She progressed straight into her initial teacher training year with the Yorkshire Wolds Teacher Training programme, as she had always wanted to be a teacher. As well as a love of literature, Eleanor also champions the creative arts and recently led the Art curriculum review, which culminated in an exhibition of the children’s work. Eleanor has also presented on Design and Technology for the Yorkshire Wolds Teacher Training programme.
Eleanor embodies the ethos of the school, with a passion for inclusion, aiming to create a classroom environment where the children feel happy, comfortable and excited about their learning.
Eleanor is part of the Curriculum Review Team for Science, Art, RE and Geography.
House Team: Aquila (Yellow)
Liz joined the team in 2018. She has over 20 years of experience working in nurseries, pre-schools, and primary schools, working as a Teaching Assistant in Key Stages 1 and 2. Passionate about supporting children with Special Educational Needs, Liz brings a wealth of nurture experience to the school. Liz is particularly interested and trained in supporting children with neurodiversity and has recently trained in supporting children with autism, ADHD and ADD, including specifically how best to identify and support girls with ADHD.
Qualified at Level 2 Certificate in Support Teaching and Learning in Schools, Liz also has a BTEC National Diploma in Early Childhood Studies which enables her to focus on the needs of pupils with specific knowledge of how children learn and develop most effectively.
House Team: Aquila (Yellow)
Diane joined Hunsley Primary in 2024 and has over 20 years’ experience working as a Teaching Assistant in Key Stages 1 and 2.
Qualified in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools, Diane also has an intermediate apprenticeship in supporting teaching and learning. Diane has experience looking after children with physical, mental health and emotional needs.
Diane is passionate about working with and supporting children with neuro-diverse needs and is excited to be part of the Hunsley Primary Team.
House Team: Lacerta (Orange)
Sue Mutter has over 15 years’ experience and expertise in Early Years and primary settings, having also spent a significant time in Portugal, delivering and supporting learning in the Foundation Stage of the international Oporto British School. Her work with children learning English as a foreign language and teaching early phonics and numeracy has been a particular highlight. Sue enjoys helping children to experiment as they play, creating learning by discovery. Originally trained in fashion design, an artist at heart, Sue often weaves displays and creative activities into the school day!
Particularly passionate about outdoor learning, Sue set up our outdoor classroom and delivers training to staff so that they can make the most of outdoor opportunities. She also runs our gardening club and secured saplings to plant across the school site from the Woodland Trust.
Sue works closely with our Reception Teacher, Rachel Hudson, and Alison Wilson, the EYFS TA, as well as other key colleagues, to plan, deliver, observe and assess each week’s provision, ensuring Hunsley Primary children have a stimulating and enabling environment and feel safe, cared for and engaged. She works with children on a one-to-one, whole class or small group basis, supporting each child with their own individual, unique interests and needs.
Sue is a Level 3 qualified Nursery Nurse, CES; BA (Hons) Fashion Design
House Team: Lacerta (Orange)
Lauren joined Hunsley Primary in 2020, Lauren is thriving in the classroom, leading the children in the same way! She has a passion for teaching and learning, working closely with colleagues to deliver a challenging and inclusive curriculum offer. Lauren aims to create an engaging and exciting atmosphere in her classroom, in which every child can reach their full potential.
Passionate about sports and wellbeing, Lauren is our school’s PE Co-ordinator. She organises and supports many extra-curricular activities the children take part in.
Lauren is part of the Curriculum Review Team for Maths, Computing, DT and PE.
House Team: Lacerta (Orange)
Lizzie is a trained PE teacher and dance specialist, working as both a coach and PE teacher at Hunsley Primary. The children really enjoy the subject knowledge and skills she brings to their learning experience – Lizzie always offers a creative, enjoyable and hard-working PE lesson.
Lizzie also is responsible for producing the Hunsley Primary Sports Events in the summer term, with the support of the Sports Leaders from South Hunsley.
Hunsley Primary children also benefit from the contacts Lizzie formed when she took on the role of Sports Partnership Co-ordinator, setting up events and fixtures for our pupils to participate in.
Amelia became a qualified teacher in 2020, specialising in the primary phase, and went on to teach Reception classes for three years in the United Arab Emirates. After relocating back to the UK, Amelia joined the Trust in September 2023 as a Teaching Assistant, specialising in Early Years and leading Phonics interventions. Since joining the Hunsley Family, Amelia is thrilled to become part of the teaching team, making a difference and helping every child succeed.
Amelia has a passion for History and studied the subject at York St John University, later completing her teaching training in Lincoln. Amelia is part of the Curriculum Review Team for English, French, Music and History.
House Team: Volans (Red)
After completing her BA Hons Primary Teaching Degree and gaining QTS, Becca joined the Hunsley Primary team as a Teaching Assistant at the end of 2020.
During her university placements and gap year tutoring, Becca worked in a wide range of schools, facilitating opportunities to support children with a range of additional needs. Becca is very excited to work with the team and apply her knowledge of education, particularly her maths specialism, to working with the pupils at Hunsley Primary and supporting them to reach their full potential.
Becca is currently developing the literacy support programme offered by the school, working closely with Lucy Hudson in the delivery of screening and intervention programmes, such as Lexia and GL Assessment tools.
House Team: Volans (Red)
Vanitha joined the school in 2017, bringing us the benefit of her long-standing experience as an Early Years practitioner, working in a local pre-school.
With over ten years’ experience of educating young children, Vanitha graduated in Electronic Engineering and completed a masters in Business Administration in India, before qualifying with a Level 2 in Helping in Schools and entering the field of education.
Vanitha’s dedicated focus on one-to-one support in maths, English and phonics is helping children reach their full potential, as well as developing the social communication, social skills and emotional wellbeing of the children in her care.
House Team: Lacerta (Orange)
Alison joined us in 2015 to support the development of our Early Years team and meet the very specific needs of individual children in her care. An experienced TA, with a decade of working in Key Stage 1 and Reception of the primary phase, Alison specialises in supporting children on a one-to-one basis to enrich all aspects of their education, but most specifically helping them develop as communicators. Alison leads our NELI programme (Nuffield Early Language Intervention), supporting the communication development of our youngest children.
A passionate linguist, Alison enjoys leading the EYFS team in the planning of language lessons and fun activities to help the children get to grips with French. Bringing to the role a wealth of experience from working in industry before she pursued a career in education, Alison certainly offers the children a broad and exciting range of skills.
Alison is qualified with a level 3 certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools and is also a paediatric first aider.
House Team: Volans (Red)
Emma is an experienced Key Stage 1 Expert Teacher who delivers teaching and learning at Hunsley Primary and also works as a Trust supply teacher.
Emma is passionate about Key Stage 1 teaching – prior to taking up her position at Hunsley Primary, Emma’s roles have involved creating exciting, immersive learning environments which build on the continuous provision offered in EYFS. Emma also teaches in lower Key Stage 2, ensuring a smooth transition from Year 2 to Year 3.
Emma is part of the Curriculum Review Team for Maths, Computing, DT and PE.
House Team: Lacerta (Orange)
Rebecca joined the team in April 2023, in the role of Auxiliary Carer, trained to offer specific medical and pastoral support.
House Team: Lacerta (Orange)
Sarah joined the team in October 2019, originally as a Lunchtime Supervisor. Sarah now performs the role of Auxiliary Carer, trained to offer specific medical and pastoral support.
Sarah has significant time-served experience of leading and managing in Early Years childcare provision, having managed and run a local nursery and pre-school. The school team benefits from the way Sarah brings this expertise to her work with the Hunsley Primary children each day.
House Team: Volans (Red)
Great food and pastoral care are at the heart of the children’s lunchtime routine and Sharon brings help, support and a welcome smile to lunchtime routines at Hunsley Primary. Sharon always looks to serve the children with a delicious meal and plenty of support, knowing that good food is one the main keys to outstanding learning, and that smart lunchtime manners always help too! Sharon’s delicious and healthy desserts are becoming something of a legend in school.
House Team: Volans (Red)
Nikki joined us in 2021 as our school Cook. She has a passion for good food and a high level of skill and expertise in delivering school meals. She loves to review the menu, offering interesting versions of favourite dishes, listening to the children’s preferences and aiming to offer diversity in ingredients.
Meat-free Mondays were a popular idea in ‘Veganuary’ and Nikki has plans for theme days and cultural celebrations as the year progresses.
Nikki previously worked for the Trust at South Hunsley School and Sixth Form College before taking up the post of School Cook at Hunsley Primary.
The children love to try out Nikki’s menus and enjoy sharing their compliments, ideas and feedback with her as they pass by with their trays full!
House Team: Aquila (Yellow)
Lisa joined the team in December 2018 and brings a supportive, constant presence to the children’s lunchtime routine. Experienced in working with young children at pre-school as an early years practitioner, Lisa is on hand to make sure the children enjoy their mealtimes, working alongside the catering team and teaching staff to ensure children feel happy, safe and well-fed!
Lisa works closely with the catering and premises staff and also supports the administrative work of the school in the Main Office, working closely with Louise Hitchin, as an Administrative Assistant and paediatric first-aider.
House Team: Lacerta (Orange)
Stuart previously worked for the Trust at South Hunsley before taking up the post of Caretaker at Hunsley Primary.
Stuart is on hand each day to make sure the site is safe and clean for the children, maintaining the services accessed on the premises and delivering essential aspects of site management. Stuart also is on hand to help teaching staff develop the learning vision at Bluebird Way, for example by maintaining teaching resources in our outdoor learning spaces.
House Team: Aquila (Yellow)
As the Trust Catering Manager, Eve draws on her extensive experience of sourcing healthy, delicious and locally-sourced ingredients to ensure the children at Hunsley Primary have the very best. Leading provision in a number of Trust schools, Eve knows how to cater for a range of special dietary requirements. Eve works closely with our Cook, Nikki Reynolds, to draw up a menu which the children will love, including special food events, such as Pupils’ Choice Menus.
