Hello, my name is Miss Dodd and I am Head of School, SENCO and Acorn Class Teacher at Heptonstall. This is my 12th year of teaching and I started my career here as Newly Qualified Teacher in 2013. I love it so much that I’ve never wanted to leave! I studied my Primary Education Degree at Leeds Met (now Beckett University) before joining the wonderful team here at Heptonstall and I have spent my career working in a variety of mixed age classes with children from Nursery age up to and including Year 2.
I took on the role of Head of School in September 2024 during a time of exciting change. I am thrilled to be working alongside Mrs Pether, and as part of the Family of Learning Trust, to drive our school forward and implement many positive changes on our new and exciting journey. As part of my SENCO role, I help to support pupils within school who have additional needs. It is important to me that we create an inclusive school environment where we strive to meet the needs of all our children here at Heptonstall.
Outside of school I love spending time with my two Bedlington Terriers Buster and Buddy – they like to keep me busy and go on very long walks! Me and my partner also love to spend time in Scotland (particularly Glencoe and the West Coast) so you may often hear me talking about my many camping trips up there. I also like to thrill seek – having done 3 sky dives in my past and itching to do another.
I am honoured to be part of such an amazing ‘family’ here at Heptonstall – I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else!
Hi, my name is Miss Robertshaw and I teach Oak class (year 5 & 6).
I trained at Bradford University and always wanted to be a teacher. I have taught across the whole of key stage 2 during my 21 years at Heptonstall, both on a full time and part time basis. I have spent my whole teaching career at Heptonstall and definitely wouldn’t want to teach any where else – I love the school, the children and everything about our Heptonstall family.
At Heptonstall, I am responsible for Maths, PE, PSHE, RE, History and Geography. I ensure these subjects are taught well and that our children receive a progressive, broad and balanced curriculum in these subjects. I am also 1 of the deputy safeguarding leads and I’m a staff representative on our school’s governing body.
Out of school I enjoy spending time with my 2 children, travelling and going on holiday, watching films and going to music concerts. I also volunteer and help out at my local judo club and I have even been known to go on the mat myself and train as I did judo myself when I was younger.
Hello! I am Miss Whitwam and I am the teacher in Saplings (Year 3/4). This is my 3rd year teaching, 2nd year teaching in lower Key Stage 2 and 1st year teaching at Heptonstall.
As well as being the Saplings class teacher, I am the Arts, DT, Computing and French lead. I love promoting creative subjects throughout the school and seeing children enjoy expressing themselves in different ways.
My favourite thing about teaching is helping the children grow in confidence and independence every day. I love to make sure we have a calm learning environment where everyone feels welcome and included, where we can accept and appreciate each others differences and uniqueness!
Outside of school, I love travelling, spending time in the outdoors, spending time with family, reading and, most of all, playing rugby for my team!