Meet the Staff

Miss Paula Blackburn

Executive Headteacher, Federation of Boskenwyn and Germoe Schools

head@fbgschools.co.uk

I was born in Manchester a long, long time ago! I moved to Cornwall 20 years ago and my 2 lovely children grew up here. Before then I lived and taught in a variety of places including Sweden (where I developed a love of the Scandinavian way of learning). I became head of Germoe School in 2006 and then Executive head of Boskenwyn and Germoe 8 years ago. I love my job and I'm passionate about enabling children to have a wonderful experience at school, developing a lifelong love of learning and being the best they can be. In my spare time I like to travel and immerse myself into different cultures. I am a member of Coverack Bluetits and sea swim when I can, I also enjoy coastal walking and I love reading.

Mrs Joanne Nicholas

Deputy Head /Poldhu Class Teacher/writing lead/art lead

jnicholas@fbgschools.co.uk

Hello.
I am the year 5/6 teacher and deputy head here at Boskenwyn.
I was born in Cornwall and grew up around Penzance.
When I was younger I always wanted to be a teacher. I studied Primary Education at university and I have been teaching for 15 years. I started my teaching career at Germoe School, before moving to Boskenwyn for two terms (8 years ago). I love teaching in a small school as we get to know all of the children so well. I am passionate about reading and creating a love of reading in children. I want to inspire all children to have a love of learning and to reach their full potential no matter their background or ability.

In my own time I enjoy spending time with my own children (9 and 4). I also spend time watching stage shows and enjoy dancing (often around my kitchen)

Mr F Conway

Church Cove Class Teacher/PE Lead

fconway@fbgschools.co.uk

Hello, I am the year 3/4 class teacher and also the PE lead.

Whilst at primary school myself, I always dreamed of becoming a primary school teacher, as I thought one of my teachers had a the best job you could possibly have! Since then, I continued to work towards qualifying as a teacher. I began working at Germoe and Boskenwyn schools in 2015 as a teaching assistant. After a couple of years, I decided to do my teacher training and thankfully was offered a job back at the school as a qualified teacher.

I have a love for sport and travel. I play football for Helston AFC and play badminton regularly. In the school holidays, I try to travel as much as possible to different parts of the world.

Mr L Hemsley

Church Cove Class Teacher/Computing Lead

LHemsley@fbgschools.co.uk

I am Mr Hemsley and I am Church Cove Class Teacher and Computing lead. I was born and have grown up in Cornwall, loving school from a young age and have always felt enthusiastic about learning. I started at Boskenwyn School in 2018 as a teaching assistant in Poldhu class until I started my teacher training in 2020. Once I finished my teacher training, I returned to Boskenwyn, initially as a teaching assistant once more. I was offered a teaching role at Boskenwyn and Germoe soon after, starting in January 2022.

Outside of school, I am very into football and currently manage Porthleven Reserves mens team while I recover from a serious knee injury. I am passionate about sport and exercise as well as believing in the importance of technology in schools, in a world in which it is becoming increasingly prominent.

Mr J Watson

Class Teacher

JWatson@fbgschools.co.uk

Hello,

I am the teacher in Rosemullion class (Reception and Yr 1).

I completed my teacher training in 2019 and have worked at our wonderful school since 2020. I have a real passion for education and helping children explore and develop those vital skills they need for their future.

Outside of school I really enjoy going for long walks with my dog and exercising. I have previously played rugby for my local team, Helston, but this year I have decided to try Jiu-Jitsu.

Mrs Katie Knight

Teacher and Inquiry/DT/French Lead

kknight@fbgschools.co.uk

I have been teaching for 23 years, and started my career in Kidderminster having completed my teacher training in Birmingham. After a few years I decided to volunteer with VSO as a teacher trainer in Malawi (South East Africa). I loved Malawi so much that I stayed for eight years, teaching at the International School. After that, myself, my husband and two daughters moved to Beijing, China for another seven years. Living in such different cultures was a wonderful experience and taught me to be a life-long learner - although I wish I had been better at learning Mandarin!

On return to the UK we settled in Cornwall, and I was thrilled to discover Boskenwyn and Germoe schools. I have many years of experience teaching inquiry-based learning, which I am delighted to continue developing with the children and my colleagues.

In my spare time I love to walk the coast path with my two dogs. I really love winter in Cornwall and the exhilaration of a chilly dip in the sea followed by a flask of tea and a piece of cake!

Mrs D Rusga

Intervention lead and class teacher

I came into teaching as a second career. My first career was Branch Manager in a building society. It was not until I had my own children that I became fascinated in child development and the way children learn. I have lived in Cornwall with my husband Steve for over twenty years and have two grown up daughters and two dogs.

I became a parent governor at Germoe School and starting volunteering in classes before becoming a paid teaching assistant. I was lucky enough to be able to train to be a teacher whilst working at the school and moved to Boskenwyn to teach Reception and Nursery. As the school grew the class became a Nursery, Reception and Year 1 class. Most recently I have worked with the single year class 2 group. I am currently working across both schools and year groups in an exciting new role coordinating and delivering interventions to groups and individuals.

I am passionate about the environment and instilling a love of nature in children. I am level 3 Forest School trained and try to take learning outside as much as possible. I feel really privileged to be part of so many children's learning and development.

Outside of work I spend as much time as possible walking my dogs on the beautiful Cornish Coast and Countryside, reading, cookery, travelling and sampling the best food Cornwall has to offer!

Mrs A Larcombe

SENDCO

I worked as a Teaching Assistant in local schools whilst my daughter was growing up, and decided I’d like to have my own class, so set about 7 years of part time study before achieving BA in Historical and Cultural Studies. I then did PGCE with Exeter University.

I started working at Boskenwyn school when it was a small two class school, with just four part time teachers. Before this, I worked in Penzance and other Helston and Lizard schools for a few years. I’ve taught all ages and key stages, and around 5 years ago, left the classroom for the role of Special Educational Needs Coordinator.

I have always been interested in children’s development and the development of the ‘whole’ child. I feel so privileged to be working with children and their families, and with colleagues, that really value the important things – relationship, nurture and commitment to supporting children to achieve their best, and thrive, academically, emotionally, socially and physically.

In my spare time, I enjoy family time, gardening, cooking, my cats and chickens, and spending time in the beautiful Cornish landscapes. I have interests in archaeology, family and local history and I’ve just started yoga.

Mrs L Harvey

Teaching Assistant

Miss C Brooks

Teaching Assistant

Miss C Laity

Teaching Assistant

Mrs L Van Kesteren

Teaching Assistant

Mrs H Lawson

Teaching Assistant

Miss D Willoughby

Teaching Assistant

Mr N Barco

Teaching Assistant

Mrs L Winter

Teaching Assistant

Ms C Schellekens

Teaching Assistant

Mrs L Murphy

Lunchtime Supervisor/Teaching Assistant

Mrs L McKeown

School Secretary

Mrs A Care

Senior School/Federation Secretary (Based at Germoe)

Ms S Wallwork

Catering Manager

Mr P Van Kesteren

Premises Manager

Mr D Davies

Cleaner