Meet the Staff

Leadership Team
![]() Mrs N Rankin |
PrincipalNatalie Rankin began working at Ark Blacklands Primary Academy as an interim Head of School in January 2016, having demonstrated a successful track record as Vice Principal at Ark Blacklands since September 2014. Before joining Blacklands, Natalie was Leader of Learning for Mathematics at a junior school in Hastings. She was a pivotal member of the leadership team responsible for having Special Measures removed from the school in January 2014. The school improved its Quality of Teaching and Leadership to Good in the time Natalie was there. Natalie graduated from the University of Exeter in 1998 with a degree in Primary Education. Her specialism is Mathematics and she believes that every child can achieve high standards and enjoy the subject if taught creatively. She is passionate about providing children with the chance to learn the skills required to achieve excellence both academically and beyond the curriculum. Prior to working for the Ark Network, Natalie provided support to a number of schools in East Sussex to develop Curriculum and Quality of Teaching. As Instructional Lead Teacher at Ark Blacklands, Natalie continues to improve the quality of teaching and has implemented a coaching cycle with opportunities for teacher-led reflection and research. This ensures teachers share best practice and work together to improve. |
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![]() Mrs M Quinn |
Deputy HeadteacherMary Quinn joined Ark Blacklands Primary as Assistant Headteacher in 2016 and became Deputy in September 2018. She has a proven track record of consistently improving Key Stage 2 results. Before joining Ark Blacklands, she worked for ten years at a large primary school in Bexhill, most recently working as Leader of years 3, 4, 5 & 6. Under her leadership of Upper Juniors, KS2 attainment and progress results improved in all areas of the curriculum every single year since 2012. She has also successfully nurtured and coached teachers, developing their skills and raising their performance, from good to outstanding within a year. As Instructional Lead Teacher at Ark Blacklands, Mary will continue with this role of improving teachers' practice. During her time at Little Common, Mary led Art and then English across the whole school. Mary has a passion for reading and the necessity for children to keep reading as they progress through school, in order to reach their full potential. She has been instrumental in changing the function of school libraries and the teaching of Guided Reading in order to support and encourage children to read widely. Prior to teaching, Mary achieved a 2:1 Hons degree in History and Politics from Reading University. She worked for an academic publishing company before securing a Post Graduate Certificate of Education from the University of Chichester. She has taught in primary schools in West Sussex and Shropshire, teaching years 2 through to 6. She lived in Shropshire for ten years, where she worked part-time for SureStart, developing community relationships with travellers' families as well as bringing up her three daughters. |
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Assistant Headteacher - Teaching & LearningDarren Regnier joined Blacklands in 2004 on the school-based Graduate Teacher Programme, achieved QTS through Brighton University and became Assistant Head in 2018. He has a proven track record of supporting children and year colleagues to reach excellent year 6 outcomes (exceeding national expectations), where he taught for 11 years. Together with Mary Quinn, Darren is responsible for the development of teaching and learning at Blacklands. Coaching and developing teachers over the past few years, Darren is passionate about the teaching of children and how to support trainees and colleagues to have maximum impact in their role as teachers. Always having had a love for sport, Darren currently leads Outdoor Pursuits and led PE at Blacklands for over 10 years – helping Blacklands achieve significant success, notably in athletics, football, tag rugby and hockey to county level. The participation of girls in sport has always been one of his priorities and has been an integral part of the academy’s sporting success. Prior to becoming a teacher, Darren graduated with a 2:1 BA Hons degree in Communications from the Guildhall, London. He subsequently worked as a documentary photographer for the BBC and a range of lifestyle magazines such as: The Independent, Q Magazine, Rolling Stone and a range of advertising clients. As well as supporting and coaching teachers, Darren continues to regularly support children at Blacklands with maths, reading and writing through regular intervention and greater depth programmes; he is also a trained KS2 writing moderator for East Sussex, supporting other schools in the region with initiatives to improve children’s writing. |
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![]() Mr A Higgins-Gooch |
Assistant Headteacher - InclusionPrior to joining Ark Blacklands Primary Academy as Assistant Headteacher – Lead for Inclusion. Adam was Key Stage 1/2 and FLP Leader at New Horizons School. During his time there, Adam worked as part of the senior leadership team and helped to drive forward the school’s vision and aspirations of all pupils in the school. Adam’s FLP responsibility allowed him to regularly visit local Primary schools, observe their teaching and meet with Headteachers and senior leaders to discuss pupil outcomes, curriculum effectiveness and advise them on a range of strategies that will support them with pupils that are struggling to make progress in their setting. Adam galvanised an incredibly passionate and determined Primary team who worked tirelessly to ensure all pupils reach their potential. This contributed towards maintaining the school’s grading of ‘outstanding’ in March 2018. Prior to New Horizons, Adam worked at Saxon Mount School for six years. Here he set up and implemented the school’s first catch up afterschool provision and introduced new clubs to promote awareness of the importance of physical activity within the school and wider community. Adam worked with an exceptional team of staff who together ensured the pupils developed their social and academic skills and provided them the platform to achieve their potential. During his time at Saxon Mount School, he contributed towards the school being awarded two successful ‘good’ gradings by Ofsted. Adam’s teaching career started at Heathfield Community College where he completed his training year in Physical Education. Prior to being awarded qualified teacher status, Adam achieved a 2:1 BA Hons degree in Sport Science (Physiology). Adam has always enjoyed working with children. He has previously worked as a recreational sports assistant leading birthday parties and summer activities. In his free time, Adam enjoys spending time with his family, walking, playing football and running. |
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Mrs N Bartlett |
EYFS Lead & EYFS Class teacherNicola joined Ark Blacklands as an Early Years Teacher in 2000 and has continued to inspire, excite and nurture the youngest children in our school through their first year. During her years at Ark Blacklands Nicola has led several different curriculum areas including Music and Geography. She loves to include music in her daily lessons and encourages the children to sing everything from the register to nursery rhymes and songs to help fact recollection. Nicola is keen to develop a love of learning and an excitement within each child about coming to school each day. Prior to joining Ark Blacklands Nicola studied and gained a degree through the Open University along side raising her five children and supporting her husband in running his business. In her spare time Nicola enjoys cooking, walking and spending time with her famiily. |
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![]() Mrs D Jones |
Lower School Phase Lead & Year 1 Class teacherDiana graduated from NEWI Cartrefle (affiliated to University of Bangor) in 1988, with a B’Ed in early primary 3-8 years. Her diploma in Special Educational needs led to her first position as an NQT in a Hailsham School with challenging behaviour. She then moved to work in an Infant School in Bexhill for 8 years. She has been subject lead for many areas of the curriculum during her career, including computing, DT, R.E and Maths. In 1998 she moved to a rural Eastbourne school where her interest in assessment and performance data led to her taking on the role of KS1 Co-ordinator. Diana joined Ark Blacklands in September 2014, working initially in Y1. She has a passion for all children to succeed and achieve their very best. Outside of school Diana enjoys country walks and bike rides especially if there is a tea room along the route! She also makes preserves and chutneys in season. |
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![]() Mr D Barton |
Upper School Phase Lead & Year 5 Class teacherDan joined Ark Blacklands as a Year 5 Teacher in 2015. Prior to training as a teacher though Teach First, Dan worked as a TA in a special needs school in his hometown of Reading. |
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![]() Miss N Caush |
Leader of Learning: Read, Write Inc... & EYFS Class teacherNicky joined Ark Blacklands as an Early Years teacher in 2018. She is passionate about children having the best start to their school life and works alongside the Early Years team to ensure that they feel secure, happy and achieve in their first year. Prior to becoming a teacher, Nicky graduated with a 2:1 BA Hons degree in History from the University of Essex and then, in 2004, achieved a Master degree in Pre Columbian and Native American Art. Nicky worked in administrative roles for Lloyds TSB and Twinings before qualifying as a teacher with PGCE from the University of Southampton in 2008. Nicky worked for nine years in a variety of schools in Hampshire and then moved to East Sussex to teach in a small village school. She has taught classes ranging from EYFS to Year 6. Over this time, she initially led History and Maths across the different schools, but her love of books and storytelling drew her to the role of English lead. She led this subject in two schools where she worked with teachers to improve engagement and excitement with reading and writing through story telling teaching. In her role as Read, Write Inc lead, Nicky works with the Early Years and KS1 teams to ensure that every child receives excellent phonics teaching that will enable them to develop into a confident and independent readers. |
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![]() Miss B Tooze |
Leader of Learning - Reading & Year 3 Class teacherBeth joined Ark Blacklands as a trainee teacher in 2017 and trained through the Ark Teacher Training programme. After gaining experience in Y4 and Y5, she is now teaching in Y6. Prior to teaching at Blacklands, Beth studied English and Philosophy at The University of Nottingham where she achieved a 2:1. After gaining her degree, she taught in China for two years, first as an English teacher and then as a specialist music teacher. She then moved to Ecuador and worked as a music and English teacher for nursery and primary aged pupils before deciding to move back to England to gain her PGCE. As Reading lead, Beth supports other teachers to deliver outstanding reading lessons which enables pupils to develop a love for reading. Beth also enjoys playing music in her spare time.
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Miss O Emary |
Leader of Learning - Reading & Year 2 Class teacherOrla Emary joined Ark Blacklands as a Year Two teacher in 2018. Prior to this, she completed an undergraduate degree in Education where she studied education in different primary and secondary settings. After this, she completed her PGCE in Primary Education at St Mary's University in Twickenham. Whilst at university, Orla enjoyed playing for the university rugby team and worked alongside England RFU games at Twickenham Stadium. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the gym and reading. As writing lead, Orla supports other teachers plan and deliver outstanding English lessons. |
Class Teachers 2020-21
NAME |
ROLE |
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Nicola Bartlett / Jenna Smith |
EYFS Class teacher & EYFS Lead |
Nicky Caush |
EYFS Class teacher & Leader of Learning |
Charlotte Russell |
EYFS Class teacher |
Diana Jones |
Year 1 Class teacher & Lower School Phase Leader |
Karen Meek / Jenna Smith |
Year 1 Class teacher |
Jack Evans |
Year 1 Class teacher |
Orla Emary |
Year 2 Class teacher & Leader of Learning - Writing |
Kim Bates |
Year 2 Class teacher |
Natasha Lozada |
Year 2 Class teacher |
Ellie Buontempo | Year 2 Co Class Teacher |
Beth Tooze |
Year 3 Class teacher & Leader of Learning - Reading |
Meagan Sagar |
Year 3 Class teacher |
Robert Blackwell |
Year 3 Class teacher |
Hannah Jenkins | Year 3 Co Class Teacher |
Harry Orsborne |
Year 4 Class teacher & Leader of Learning - Maths |
Alyssa Bridge |
Year 4 Class teacher |
Lucy Adams |
Year 4 Class teacher |
Dan Barton |
Year 5 Class teacher & Upper School Phase Leader |
James McManus |
Year 5 Class teacher |
Amy Mitchell |
Year 5 Class teacher |
Tom Smith |
Year 6 Class teacher |
Jack Green |
Year 6 Class teacher |
Phoebe Cecchini / Nicole Bradbury |
Year 6 Class teacher |
Paris Hyett |
Year 5 Class teacher |
Support Staff – Higher Level and Graduate Teaching Assistants
NAME |
ROLE |
---|---|
Jacqueline Warden |
KS1 HLTA |
Georgia Spowart | EYFS HLTA |
Janet Jarvis |
LKS2 HLTA |
Letitia Banford |
UKS2 HLTA |
Support Staff – Teaching Assistants
NAME |
ROLE |
---|---|
Deana Coleman |
RWI Support Assistant |
Gemma Luxford |
Speech & Language Support Assistant |
Claire Gasson |
EYFS Teaching Assistant |
Georgina Crabbe | EYFS Teaching Assistant |
Kate Hood |
EYFS Teaching Assistant |
Nikki Burgess |
Year 1 Teaching Assistant |
Jacqueline Warden | Year 1 Teaching Assistant/HLTA |
Nikki Burgess | Year 1 Teaching Assistant |
Marie Paine | Year 1 Teaching Assistant |
Zoe Dunstall | Year 1 Teaching Assistant |
Shelly Rosati | Year 2 Teaching Assistant |
Inga Pretorius | Year 2 Teaching Assistant |
Janet Jarvis | Year 3 Teaching Assistant/HLTA |
Lianne Bowles | Year 3 Teaching Assistant |
Katie Rhodes | Year 3 Teaching Assistant |
Hanna Fennessy | Year 4 Teaching Assistant |
Kayleigh Skelton/Amanda Turnball | Year 4 Teaching Assistants |
Sophie Ellis-Gilchrist | Year 4 Teaching Assistant |
Ruth Anderson | Year 5 Teaching Assistant |
Letitia Banford | Year 5 Teaching Assistant |
Bea Rose | Year 5 Teaching Assistant |
Ruth Pettit | Year 6 Teaching Assistant |
Karen Osmond | Year 6 Teaching Assistant |
Chris Vaughan | Year 6 Teaching Assistant |
Inclusion Team
NAME |
ROLE |
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Michele Cook |
Pastoral Lead |
Shellese Shields |
Engagement & Learning Mentor |
Jen Morris | Engagement & Learning Mentor |
Rachel Hines |
Attendance & Admissions Officer |
Kim Evans |
Inclusion Support Officer |
Peter VandenBerg | Engagement & Learning Mentor |
Toria Frost | Engagement & Learning Mentor |
Individual Needs Support Staff
NAME |
ROLE |
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Pollyanna De Meza |
Individual Needs Assistant |
Sarah Paton |
Individual Needs Assistant |
Jenn Harrington |
Individual Needs Assistant |
Breakfast/After-School Club
NAME |
ROLE |
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Shellesse Shields |
Supervisor – Breakfast Club |
Steph Bartel |
Assistant – Breakfast Club |
Loraine Fuller |
Assistant – both clubs |
Sara Clark |
Supervisor – After-School Club |
Pollyanna De Meza |
Assistant – After-School Club |
Susan O'Kane | Assistant - After-School Club |
Support Staff – Lunchtime Play and Engagment Leaders
NAME |
ROLE |
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Sarah Kingshott – Senior Leader |
Ruth Anderson |
Steph Bartel | Lianne Bowles |
Amanda Turnball | Debbie Charman |
Deana Coleman |
Pollyanna De Meza |
Hanna Fennessy |
Loraine Fuller |
Claire Gasson |
Misha Hitchman |
Rachel Hines |
Kate Hood |
Rebecca Lovelace |
Charlie Streeter |
Emma Parkes |
Inga Pretorius |
Katie Rhodes |
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Catherine Foot |
Kayleigh Skelton |
Chris Vaughan | Bea Rose |
Grace Quinnell |
Office/Site Supervision Staff
NAME |
ROLE |
---|---|
Gill Hulls |
Business Manager |
Yasha Bialeska |
Receptionist |
Emma Gasson |
Finance Assistant/School Secretary |
Donna Howell | Admin Assistant |
David Haines |
Site Manager |
Ian Varrow | Assisatnt Site Manager |
Cheryl Pook |
Cleaner |
Juliet Batstone |
Cleaner |
Richard Harvey-Sharp |
Cleaner |
Debbie Charman |
Cleaner |
Emma Quickenden | Cleaner |
Deborah Rouse | Cleaner |