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).

Ms Horton – Headteacher

I am so thrilled to be joining Bloxham Primary School this year. It’s a real gem in the county and I want to do my utmost to preserve those qualities and see it continue to sparkle. There are so many things at Bloxham that are important to me personally, such as being able to learn and play outside, to play and enjoy music and, of course, a nurturing and enriching environment where the children feel happy and safe in their learning.

I can’t wait to get started!

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 Thomas – Inclusion Manager

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Mrs Akers – Upper Phase Leader and Year 5 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 30 years, with my husband Adrian; we have two sons Niall 29 and Lewis 23. 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 26 years this November, 16 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. It has been sad to see some colleagues and firm friends leave the school in recent times, but I am looking forward to working closely with our new Headteacher Lisa Horton who I am sure will lead us on to new and exciting times

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 Drury – Foundation Stage Leader, Teacher

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Mr Singleton – Middle Phase Leader, Yr 3 Teacher

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.