Meet the Team


St Joseph’s Staff this Academic year 2023-2024 
On this page we would like to introduce you to all the friendly people who work here at St Joseph’s.
Our fantastic team have one aim - to bring out the best in your child.
 
That is why you'll find our staff friendly and welcoming with a real interest in your child and their progress.
It all makes for a great atmosphere of support and encouragement for your child to have fun and grow at their own pace.

So, you can relax knowing that your child is in the best of hands.
Mr O'Hara

Principal

I am the Principal at St Joseph's and have been since 2008. During this time the school has doubled in size thanks to an expansion programme that has enabled us to move from 210 pupils to 420. I take real satisfaction in seeing children grow and develop from the age of 4 years old to when they leave here aged 11 years.
I am proud Yorkshireman and am a life long Leeds Utd supporter.

Mrs Chambers

Vice Principal

I have been working at St Joseph's since 2014 having undertaken several roles within the school, most recently occupying seconded roles as Head of School at both St Joseph's and Holy Cross. I am passionate about the importance of Catholic education and setting high standards of behaviour and all-round achievement to help the pupils of St Joseph's to become happy, confident, caring, responsible future citizens. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family and walking my dog, Duke.

Mr Lynch

Assistant Principal

I have been teaching since 2010 and have been at St Joseph’s since 2016. I have taught across most Year groups from Year 1 to Year 6 in three different schools. I particularly enjoy getting to know the different personalities of the children and seeing how they develop both as a person and academically.
In my spare time I enjoy going to see live music and playing football. I am also an avid Aston Villa fan.

Mr Harvey

SENDCO. Phase Leader for Year 2 & Year 3

I have started teaching at St Joseph's this academic year but I have been teaching since 2012. I have taught across most Year groups from Year 1 to Year 6 in three different schools. Being SENCO, I am passionate about supporting and raising standards for all children, particularly those who may have barriers to their learning. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my own family and watching live sport.


Miss Harris

Y6 Teacher & Year 6 Lead

This is my 10th year at St Joseph's. I was inspired to become a teacher through my own experiences at primary school: I loved learning about new topics (especially ancient History) and always felt supported and encouraged by my teachers. I hope that the children in my class leave St. Joseph's inspired to take on new challenges and to be the best versions of themselves. It has been a privilege to see the children grow in confidence each year, trying their best, ready to embrace their next chapter at secondary school.
When I am not in my classroom, you might see me running around the streets of Sutton or in the park.

Miss Down

Y6 Teacher

I have recently joined the team at St Joseph’s after over 15 years of teaching experience, which spans across key stages 1 and 2. I am passionate about every child getting the best education they can so they leave school with a wide range of possibilities open to them. Teaching maths is one of my favourite subjects, particularly when you see children have that ‘lightbulb moment’ and a concept just clicks!
When I'm not in school I enjoy spending time with my 3 children. My weekends will often involve going to a children’s party or cheering my daughter on at a netball match. In the school holidays I do love to get away to sunnier weather for some true relaxation!

Mr Wigley

Y5 Teacher. Phase Leader for Year 3 & Year 4

This is my first year at St Joseph’s, but I have been teaching for 16 years. I have spent several years teaching Year 6 but have experience across Key Stage 1 and 2. My favourite subjects to teach are Science and English. I enjoy seeing children gaining confidence with their learning and becoming increasingly independent. Outside of school, I have had a season ticket at West Bromwich Albion for the last 30 years, and have enjoyed visiting distant locations including Fiji, New Zealand, Australia and the USA.

Mr Rothwell

Y5 Teacher

I am so excited to be at St Joseph's and to be part of the team. My favourite subjects are Maths and PE and I enjoy seeing children learn and develop throughout the year in their learning. When I am not teaching I will be spending time with friends and family and most likely watching Derby County Football Club, having been a season ticket holder since I was 6 years old.

Mrs Lewis

Y4 Teacher

I am so thrilled to be a part of the team at St. Joseph’s. I am in my fifteenth year of teaching (having taught in Yorkshire) and have had experience teaching across all year groups. This is my third year teaching Year 4. My favourite subjects to teach are DT and maths. When I am not teaching, you will quite often find me walking in the park looking for the ponies.

Miss Round

Y4 Teacher

I have been teaching since 2016 and find it to be a most rewarding experience. I enjoy
exploring new places and can often be found camping around the UK in my spare time. I
love to sketch and I read my Kindle every single night. Watching live music is something my
partner and I enjoy whenever we can. I enjoy trying new foods and going to eat in different
restaurants.

Miss Green

Y3 Teacher

This is my first year at St Joseph’s, but I have been teaching since 2017 and have taught across both KS1 and KS2. My favourite subjects to teach are maths and art. I love seeing children progress and grow in confidence across the year. Outside of school, I enjoy exploring new places - especially if it involves going on an aeroplane.

Miss Johnstone

Y3 Teacher

I am a Year 3 Teacher at Saint Joseph’s. My favourite subject to teach is History and I love to help children to grow in confidence and to believe in themselves. I’m my spare time I love to go walking and bake cakes!

Miss Evans

Y2 Teacher & Foundation Phase Leader

I am a class teacher at St Joseph’s and I love watching children grow in confidence across all areas of the Curriculum. I particularly enjoy teaching English and exploring different texts through drama! I have three small children of my own who are my absolute world. Whenever they are not forcing me to play on the Nintendo switch, I can be found reading on My Kindle or watching something on Netflix.

Mrs Korimbocus

Y2 Teacher

Hello, I'm Mrs Korimbocus and I'm really pleased to be joining the brilliant team at St Joseph's. I enjoy teaching Phonics, English and Science and finding fun and engaging ways to help children to learn. When I'm not at school I love spending time with my family.

Miss Sheppard

Y1 Teacher

I am new to teaching at St Joseph's this year. My favourite subject to teach is science because I love learning about the world and how things work. When not at school, I like to take my two dogs on nice big walks. In my spare time, I love to read and I swap books with my friends every week!

Mrs Leahy

Y1 Teacher

I have enjoyed teaching in many different year groups across school and I love to see children progress and build their confidence. I love challenging children, especially with their maths work. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and going to the park with my family.

Mrs Shiels-Etheridge

FY Teacher

My name is Ms. Shiels. My Favourite subjects at school are singing, art and reading. One of my favourite authors is Julia Donaldson, I love reading her stories to the children in my class. After school I like to walk my dog Louis in Sutton park and stop off for an ice cream!

Miss Miller

FY Teacher

I have been at St. Joseph's for 9 years and have taught both KS1 and KS2. My favourite subjects are Maths and English. I love helping children to become incredible writers and see their own self belief grow as they do so. I have 3 children of my own so when I'm not at school I can usually be found at a sports club cheering them on. My favourite thing to do is curl up on the sofa with a good book (even better if it's winter and I can put the log burner on).

Mrs Bates

FY Teacher

I obtained my teaching degree from Newman University as an early years specialist and I have been teaching at St Joseph’s for 6 years. I love teaching phonics and watching the children grasp their early reading skills. I am also staff governor here at school. Outside of work I enjoy taking my daughter on days out, seeing friends and family as well as spending time at our cottage in Devon.

The Children are so lucky to also have many wonderful  Support Staff  who assist their learning daily 
Mrs Mahoney

Teaching Assistant

I have been working at St Joseph's for 5 years. I love singing, mainly to Rick Astley and dancing around the kitchen with my children.

Mrs Bowkett

Teaching Assistant

I have worked at St Joseph's since 2018 and I love supporting the children with their work, especially reading.
When I'm not in school, you'll find me out on a long walk with my family or on the stage in a musical theatre production.

Mrs McGrath

Teaching Assistant

Before working at St Josephs I have previously worked as a middle manager, chef, pub manager and Health and Safety manager - but I love this job the best!
I love baking, seeing live music and live comedy and enjoy walking in Snowdonia.
I have a Manchester Terrier dog, a furry cat and a Sphynx (naked cat!) all of whom I adore.
I live locally with my husband and son and enjoy going to Vintage Weekends and Re-enactments at weekends.

Mrs Jephcott

Teaching Assistant

I am looking forward to supporting the children at St Joseph’s and getting to know them. Working in education is very rewarding and to see the progression and development throughout the year is a wonderful experience. Outside of work I enjoy a busy home life with three children, my husband and the dog. At University I studied Drama, so I enjoy going to watch and support local theatre productions.

Mrs Oldham

Teaching Assistant

I have worked at St Josephs for 4 years. I love seeing children progess throughout the year. I enjoy reading, singing hymns and my favourite television programme is 'Friends'.

Mrs Tansley

Teaching Assistant

In my role as Teaching Assistant at St Joseph’s I bring a wealth of experience from previous roles. These include Key working to children at a local nursery; 14 years experience at The Children’s Society (understanding the needs of the most vulnerable children in England), and over 30 years experience Coordinating children’s liturgy at Holy Cross church. My passion is to support the children I work with to reach their full potential. Outside of this, as mother to 2 sons and a grandmother to 4 grandchildren, my close family keep me very busy as does jogging and my love of baking (Mary Berry rules)!

Mrs Vickers

Teaching Assistant

I have been a Teaching Assistant at St Joseph’s since 2014 and I love it!! I enjoy talking to and getting to know the children and am amazed by their development and progress throughout the year!
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and three children and our extended families and friends. At university I studied Spanish and Italian, so I love having the opportunity to travel and use my languages.

Miss Georgiou

Teaching Assistant

I have been working at St Joseph’s since 2016. I enjoy teaching in Early Years and watching each child develop and grow in every aspect of their school life. I also work within the Sunshine Club, which I thoroughly enjoy as it compliments the already rewarding aspect of my job. This is a great pleasure as it enables me to serve the wider community of the school. Of a weekend I enjoy socialising with my family and friends. In addition to this I act as a dog mom to my sausage dog Buttercup.

Mrs Holmes

Teaching Assistant & Attendance Officer

Hello, I’m Mrs Holmes and I am the Attendance Lead and Pastoral Support at St Joseph's.
Being able to support the children and their families to ensure children are at school each day is an extremely rewarding part of my job, I love to see the children come into school happy and smiling each day ready to greet their friends and have a fantastic day full of learning.
I have been a qualified child counsellor for over 2 years now. I am extremely passionate about children’s mental health ensuring children have the correct pathway and understanding of all social emotional and mental health as a whole. I work alongside parents/careers to support them and their children when matters arise ensuring that I get the most out of your children by supporting their wellbeing.
When I am not at work I enjoy spending time with my husband and 3 boys at the stock car racing tracks, watching my boy’s race their cars. Oh and I love the occasional mom only shopping trip 

Mrs Shahrukh

Teaching Assistant

Hello, I am Mrs. Shahrukh, and this is my second year at St. Joseph's. I love working with young pupils and feel content with making meaningful contributions to helping them progress and overcome their challenges. Outside of school, I enjoy travelling around the world with my husband and two lovely boys. Moreover, I am a health enthusiast and a fabulous cook.

We have a happy office at the front of the school to greet you at the door and answer all your telephone and email enquiries.
Mrs Mitchell

Office

I love working part-time in St Joseph's school office, and I enjoy getting to know the parents, as well as all the children who I see around the school each day. We are a friendly office, and I am happy to help parents with any questions they may have about the school or their children.
When I am not at work, my husband, two children and I love having family days out, swimming and picnics in the park. I love all the seasons, but I think Summer is my favourite.

Ms Green

Office

I have being working in the school office at St Joseph's since September 2016. I love my job so much, It is different everyday, I love meeting new people and I love seeing all the children's faces when they come down to say hello. When I'm not at work I love spending time with my partner and my two children, going on adventures!