Teachers

Nursery

Nicola King

I began working at Oakfield Community Primary school in 2003 and have been lucky enough to teach in every year group across the school. In 2016 I was given the opportunity to move to Temple Hill Primary Academy. I can currently be found teaching the amazing Daffodil Class. I absolutely love working in Early Years and enjoy watching the children develop in to confident and independent learners. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family.

Dinah Lowdell

My name is Dinah Lowdell and I joined Temple Hill in September 2017 after spending 11 years teaching across EYFS and KS1 in schools in and around London. I completed a PGCE in Early Years in 2006 and have always had a passion with educating and supporting children’s development in those crucial first years of school.

I always say I don’t want to wake up in the morning but I do love coming to work each day. As you know, Temple Hill has such a diverse community and I really enjoying getting to know the children and their families across the school. I am also very lucky to work with an incredible team of people who all share the same passion for children’s learning and development and we all love having the ability to make a real and positive difference in children’s lives.

Outside of school, I have 7-year-old twins who keep me extremely busy and my weekends always seem to be spent ferrying them to and from various parties and other activities…If only my social life was as exciting!​

Reception

Rebecca Hughes

For the last 3 years I have been lucky enough to work at Temple Hill teaching Year 1. This year I am moving on to the a new and exciting adventure of teaching Reception. I am really looking forward to the new challenges and seeing the children start their amazing learning journey through school. 

Natasha Nicholson

I qualified as a teacher in 2012 and I am pleased to be part of the Temple Hill team. I love working with the younger children and introducing them to their schooling experience. I enjoy the challenge of everyday being different and witnessing the children’s ‘light bulb’ moments. In my spare time I play hockey throughout the winter months and go running in the summer but can always make time for a cup of tea with friends and family.

Rosie Sewell

My name is Rosie Sewell. I attended Temple Hill when I was little and it is an absolute privilege to be back. It has always been a dream of mine to work here! I will entering my teacher training year with School Direct and will be working with the fantastic year one's! I have an amazing team around and am looking forward to an outstanding year! When I am not in school, I love spending time with my wonderful friends and family.

Nadia Turnbull

This will be my first year at Temple Hill and I am so excited to join the Early Years Team. I have been in education since 2014, either in teacher support roles or SEN support roles. I am looking forward to teaching in Reception and have lots of lovely ideas that I cannot wait to share with the children. Teaching young children and enabling them to grow and develop has always been a passion of mine, particularly children's mental health. In my spare time I enjoy reading and spending time with friends and family.

Year 1

Marnie-Jae Blackmore

I am extremely excited and delighted to have joined Temple Hill Primary Academy. I am very lucky to be with the super sprightly Jill Murphy, Yr 1 class! It is a privilege to be in a profession where we are able to see children grow and prosper as well as see them teach us a thing or two! In my spare time, I love to play hockey and spend time with my fabulous friends and family. 

Violetta Bushell

I have started my teaching career in Ukraine in 1998. Oakfield was the first school that I’ve taught at in England in 2007. I have moved to another school to experience different environment and since then I had become an EYFS leader. Now I have come back to the school that had supported me from the start.  Outside of work I enjoy gardening and walking. I am also a squire of a local Morris side and spend quite a bit of time practicing and performing Morris dancing.

Poppy Winter

​I am Poppy Winter and I am so excited to be part of the Temple Hill team. This is my sixth year in teaching and I have taught from Nursery - Year 4. I have always dreamed of being a teacher and I have a real passion for developing children emotionally and academically. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends and my two hamsters!

Jacob Chiarletti

I'm Mr Chiarletti and I love working here at Temple Hill. We are a fantastic community and I am so pleased to be a part of it. I am going into my second year working in Year 1 which I absolutely love! I have also worked in Year 5 and the Lighthouse. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, reading and playing football. I also love the outdoors and spend as much of my time there as possible!

Year 2

Claire Lawes

I’m Miss Lawes and I love being a teacher here at Temple Hill Primary Academy. I also lead Year 2, a role I am thrilled to have taken on as I am passionate about making sure children experience fun and engaging learning opportunities. In my spare time I enjoy walking my dog, spending time with my friends and family or holidaying somewhere hot and sunny!​

Ashleigh Haines

I am incredibly excited to be starting my first year of teaching here at Temple Hill! You can find me in Year 2 in the brilliant and lively Oliver Jeffers class. My favourite thing about teaching is that no two days are ever the same and that always keeps me on my toes! Outside of school, I love spending time with my wonderful friends and family, seeing shows in London and watching movies.  

Kelly Warner

Hello! My name is Miss Warner. I was lucky enough to begin teaching at Temple Hill in September 2017 and I teach Year 1 - Tom Daley class. I love being a part of Temple Hill school and am thoroughly enjoying being a part of the Year 1 team. I love spending time at home watching films and documentaries. When I am not watching TV or drinking tea, you can find me doing my passion - Dance! I love dancing and keeping active.

Jack Spencer

I am Jack Spencer an I am really excited to have joined the Temple Hill team this year after graduating Liverpool Hope University over the summer! In school you will find me in Year 4 as part of Gareth Thomas Class. Outside of school I will often be found spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy trying new things, finding new interests and exploring. I have a real passion for learning about and teaching History. ​

Year 3

Emily Gould

I feel very lucky to have taught several different year groups over my time at Temple Hill so far and have enjoyed experiencing both KS1 and KS2 teaching. Outside of teaching I enjoy travelling and reading as well as spending time with friends and family.

Tina Muskett

I have been teaching in Dartford since September 2000 and have had the pleasure of teaching in all years from 1-6 at Temple Hill Primary Academy. The school and it's families have a special place in my heart as I have had the opportunity to see pupils grow into successful young adults, go onto have their own families and some even become inspired to become teachers themselves. I am grateful that I love teaching as much now as I always have!

Rachel Aram

This is my 15th year of teaching in the Galaxy Trust. I spent 13 years here at Temple Hill, relocated last year to West Hill and now I'm back again in Year 2! I have 2 children of my own and when I'm not at work I'm being mum and am kept on my toes. I love spending time with my family and we particularly enjoy being outdoors walking, jogging or climbing trees! I look forward to working with lots of new children this year.

Anna Benjafield

I am looking forward to the next step of my career at Temple Hill.

I have worked in education for the last 15 years, in a variety of roles and with many different children. I have worked in both mainstream and a special need setting.

I enjoy teaching in many different ways and helping all the children in my care.

I love music and musicals and going to the cinema.​

Year 4

Jordan Laws

I began working at Oakfield Community Primary school in 2010, where I taught for three years before being given my first opportunity to teach at Temple Hill. After teaching here for a year I was offered a new job at Langafel C of E Primary. However, the pull of Temple Hill was always there and, in 2018, I decided it was time to come back home. I am now teaching a fantastic Year 3 class and have been given the responsibility to help and advise teachers and parents in my new role of KS2 SENCo. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my growing family or playing hockey.

Emma Howe

My name is Mrs Howe and I joined Temple Hill in 2013 as Literacy Leader. Literacy is my passion, and I love being able to share my enthusiasm for the subject with the children here. I have been lucky enough to work at both Oakfield and Temple Hill and cannot wait to see what the future holds for our fantastic federation! When not at school you will most likely find me spending time with friends and family or curled up reading a good book.

Emma Sherwood

Hello I’m Emma Sherwood many of you may remember me from a few years ago before I left to have my twins.

I’m now a year 5 teacher.

I’m enjoying being back and look forward to the future brings.

Lydia Godden

My name is Lydia Godden. Having spent my training at Temple Hill, I am so excited to now officially be a part of the team as a teacher! Outside of work, I enjoy reading, travelling and spending time with my family.

Year 5

Melissa Scott

I joined Temple Hill as a Newly Qualified Teacher in September 2013. I'd just finished university and was so excited to have my own class, that I moved from Northern Ireland to England for my job! I worked at Temple Hill for 3 years, before spending a year in Zambia as a teacher mentor in community schools. I loved it there and had some amazing experiences, which I was then excited to bring back to Temple Hill! Since returning to Temple Hill in 2017, I've been Assistant Head of Curriculum, which I love as I have a real passion for ensuring our pupils see themselves as future geographers, computer coders, scientists, sports persons, artists, musicians, historians...the list goes on! I love teaching the whole curriculum, but maths and computing have always been my favourite. When I'm not at work, I enjoy travelling, reading, listening to podcasts and music, and going to the beach (I love being by the water!). The things that always put a smile on my face are elephant, flip flops and Skittles! 

Louise Bebbington

During my training year, I had an amazing time on placement here at Temple Hill so had to come back!

I am now so excited to be working in Year 2 with the fantastic children and a brilliant team. Outside of school, I enjoy doing many different activities, as well as enjoying spending time with my lovely friends and family.

Iroro Akpobaro

My name is Iroro Akpobaro and I’ve recently joined Temple Hill in 2018 as a Year 5 Teacher. With over 5 years experience in Education; an MA, PGCE and Bacholers degree in Journalism; I am thrilled to be part of such a great school.

I can’t wait to show and share my experience with our wonderful children. In my spare time I enjoy reading & writing, travelling, cooking, yoga and enhancing my radio skills.

Daniel Duffy

I have worked at Temple Hill for a year now and enjoy coming to work with all the amazing people at the school. I am currently completing my schools direct training here at Temple Hill working with a fantastic group of children in Year 4. Outside of school I spend my free time playing field hockey for a local club in the Kent League and spending time with my family.

Year 6

Tom Leach

Passionate, hardworking and creative are definitely how I would describe myself.  I love education and working with children every day - seeing them learn and grow - is the reason I always push, rather than pull, myself out of bed each morning in order to get to work.   Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, running (I am training for a marathon) and following my beloved Charlton Athletic.  I am excited to return to Temple Hill and can't wait to kick start all the incredible learning we have planned for the entire academic year.

James Fordham

I’m Mr Fordham and I have been working at Temple Hill since 2013. In my spare time I love spending time with my friends, playing football and going to the gym. 

Sophie Stephani

Having spent my university placement in Temple Hill I was excited to come back as a full time teacher! I'm currently working in Year 3 with a fantastic team. Outside of work I like to keep active and love to travel.

Jade Repsch

My name is Jade Repsch and I am delighted to be a part of Temple Hill. I have a keen interest in science within the curriculum and try to bring this into many of my lessons. I also have a passion for the environment and animals, particularly snakes and whales! In my spare time I enjoy yoga, climbing and visiting new places.

Amanda Dunn

I have worked at Temple Hill Primary Academy since 2013.  I started all those years ago as a parent helper in year 1, and I am now a teacher in Year 6!  I am so lucky to have a job I love and am proud to part of Temple Hill Primary Academy.  I am a huge rugby supporter and spend most of my weeks watching my boys play (I have even played a few matches myself!).​

The Lighthouse

Daniel Taylor

I and thrilled to be a part of the Leadership after several years here at Temple Hill. I have loved teaching in the Lighthouse and I am excited to be leading the growth of our specialist provisions. My favourite subject is history, particularly the classics, but I love teaching the whole curriculum. In addition to travelling, my favourite things to do are listening to podcasts, watching American football (Go Ravens!) and reading.  

Additional Staff

Rachel Brooker

Speech & Language Therapist

I am excited to have recently joined the Federation as a newly qualified Speech and Language Therapist after completing a BA Hons in Sociology and Criminology in 2010 and recently my postgraduate diploma in Speech and Language Therapy. I am passionate about supporting the children to succeed in a fun and exciting way. My previous experience includes working within schools and with children with Special educational needs. In my spare time I love spending time with my friends and family.

Melody Dalligan

Speech and Language Therapist

I joined The Galaxy Trust in 2020- a strange year for the whole world but I have been welcomed into a very supportive and inclusive environment. I have worked as a Speech and Language Therapist since 2010, mainly in special schools, and I love working with children with a variety of additional needs. I am currently working part time across 2 schools in the Trust, and work in Independent practise the rest of the week. I am passionate about supporting emotional wellbeing, sharing stories- through a variety of mediums, and celebrating differences. In my spare time I love watching films, listening to music and dancing in the kitchen!!