Leadership team (LILT)

At some schools this may be called the Senior Leadership Team. At Bloxham, our leadership team is called the Leaders in Learning Team (LILT).

Mr Ingall – Headteacher

I have worked in primary education for the last thirty years and I taught children from 3-11 in five different schools in Oxfordshire. Teaching children throughout the primary age range has been very beneficial in my current role as Headteacher.

From 1996-2004 I was Headteacher of a small village primary school. It was a wonderful experience during which I learnt a great deal that I have been able to apply in my current role. In April 2004 I was very proud to to be appointed Headteacher of Bloxham Primary School. Over the last couple of years I have also been employed by the Local Authority advising and supporting other schools.

I have two children, both of whom were at Warriner School before moving to the next phase of their education. The latest addition to our family is Bob, the border collie who demands walking early in the morning and late at night, which I have to admit I secretly rather enjoy. Aside from above I enjoy reading a range of books and have to confess being an avid fan of The Archers.

I believe passionately in the power of education and our chance and responsibility to make a difference to children’s lives

Ms Oatridge – Deputy Headteacher, Yr 6 Teacher

Before I came to Bloxham I worked as an Education Officer in Moray, Scotland. My job entailed implementing the Curriculum for Excellence and assessment. In my dealings with both primary and secondary schools and different authorities, I was key in supporting schools and helping them drive innovation and change. Previous to that I taught in Germany, Korea and tough inner city London schools.

I am positive and passionate about my work, leading, inspiring and motivating others to give of their best. I love working in a school where the staff all work together to create stimulating and challenging learning environments in order to engage and motivate our children.

When I’m not working I take to the skies in my vintage glider, the mighty Libelle. It is the only hobby I have where I can totally switch off from teaching and luxuriate in the freedom that gliding brings.

Since moving to England I have also discovered I have green fingers, everything seems to grow. I have to admit it’s more down to the warmer weather you have here than my talents as a gardener.

Mrs Akers – Upper Phase Leader and Year 6 Teacher

After completing my BEd Hons degree in English at Westminster College, Oxford in 1999, I returned home to Kent to begin my teaching career with a wonderful class of Year 1 children. In 2001, I began my teaching journey at Bloxham Primary School as both a Year 2 teacher and English leader. Since then, I have taught children in every year group, from Foundation Stage right through to Year 6. I was our PFSU Leader in 2012, our Middle Phase Leader in 2013 and have been our Upper Phase Leader since 2018. I am also our school's RE and Reading Leader.

I love teaching and working alongside children and am committed to ensuring that all children thrive: feeling happy, safe and having the best opportunities to learn. A classroom full of questioning minds is a wonderful place to be and guarantees that every day will be unique. My appetite for quality teaching and learning has led me to undertake various mentoring roles over the past few years, initially for Oxford Brookes University and since 2015, for the Cherwell SCITT based in Oxford, mentoring and supporting the practice of trainee teachers in not only our school but in others across Oxfordshire.

Outside of school, my young family keeps me very busy. As we love the outdoors, we enjoy going for walks and being football fans, love playing football at the park. Trains are a hugely important part of our lives and most holidays and weekends invariably involve trainspotting of some kind!

Mrs Bletchly – Bursar

I have lived in Bloxham for 24 years, with my husband Adrian; we have two sons Niall 23 and Lewis 17. They both attended Bloxham Primary School and received an excellent primary education under the direction of dedicated and caring staff.

I have always lived in this area and attended Christopher Rawlins Primary School followed by the Warriner School. On leaving the Warriner I attended Banbury College after which I took a post at J Bibby Agriculture, in the Payroll Department, where I worked as the Payroll Manager for 13 years until I left on maternity leave to have Niall.

I have been fortunate to work at Bloxham Primary School for 20 years this November, 13 of these as the school Bursar. I work with some tremendous colleagues, who are committed and supportive. I am also part of the schools leadership team and a member of the schools ECO team.

I am a real avid bird watcher and write the newsletter for my local club the Banbury Ornithological Society. It has been wonderful having the opportunity to work directly with the children on the RSPB school bird watch in the last four years - what could be better than introducing children to such a great hobby.

Miss Naidu – Middle Phase Leader and Year 3Teacher

Having completed my PGCE in 2013, I began teaching at Bloxham C of E School. I started teaching year 4, am currently in year 3 and also joint Maths Co-ordinator.

Before teaching, I qualified as a chartered accountant; therefore, a whizz with numbers and excel, but had to brush up on my knowledge of subjunctive mood and the Maya - as they never cropped up.

Bloxham School has a great atmosphere and team where we all strive our best for the children, who are the beating heart of the school and make every day exciting, different and push our thinking!

Mr Singleton – Foundation Stage Leader

After completing my BA Hons degree in Sports, Coaching and Physical Education at Oxford Brookes University in 2011, I became a Teaching Assistant at a local primary school. It was during this experience that I developed a passion for primary school teaching and was encourage in pursuing it as a career.

In 2012, I started my PGCE in Primary Education at Oxford Brookes University and was lucky enough to experience a diverse range of teaching placements during this year.

On completion of my PGCE I began my Bloxham Primary School journey as a year 2 teacher before moving down into the Foundation Stage. I love teaching Foundation as I have a real passion for outdoor learning and for children to develop their learning and interests through play. Another responsibility that I currently hold at Bloxham is being a partner coordinator of Science.

Outside of school I enjoy watching football, going to music concerts, spending time in London seeing friends and going on long walks around the countryside.