Staff Profiles
Abbie Underwood - Principal
This is my 3rd year at Welford, Sibbertoft & Sulby Endowed School, having worked in both the private and public sector during my 10 years teaching. I have worked in both big town primary and small village primary and taught all years groups in my career.
I am passionate about lifelong learning and have recently achieved my NPQH qualification.
What I love about Welford, Sibbertoft and Sulby Endowed School is that I know all the children by name and have the pleasure of being involved in their learning daily. I am passionate about SEND as I am dyslexic, but view it as my super power and want every child to be able to reach their full potential.
Outside of school I am a mum to 3 boys. We love going away in our caravan in the school holidays especially to Wales and the Lake District.
Zoe Pallot - Administrator
Daisy Holmes - Teacher
I have recently joined the team at Welford and am loving getting to know all of the staff and children here! I have also had the pleasure of meeting lots of the local community with people offering their time to enhance the experiences for the children through volunteer readers to Welly Walk volunteers.
I have been teaching for 8 years and have taught in EYFS and KS1 in a range of settings. I have also taught in Namibia for a year which was an incredible experience! I have a Master's in Autism and Inclusion and I am passionate about supporting children with SEND and making the first year of school a positive experience for all children. I have also recently completed an NPQ Early Years Leadership qualification.
I am a very creative person and in my spare time, I love to draw and read! I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends and going on long walks in the countryside!
Elaine Martin - Teaching Assistant
I am now in my 20th year at Welford, Sibbertoft and Sulby school having joined the team in 2005. During my time here I have supported children in all classes from Reception through to Year 6. My favourite subject being Maths. I love being in a small village primary school where you are able to get to know all of the children as individuals.
Before this I worked at the local pre-school for a couple of years and for 19 years prior to that I worked for Barclaycard in a variety of roles, my last being as a Senior Project Analyst.
Outside of school I am a mum of two ‘big’ children, a girl and a boy. I enjoy travelling, reading for pleasure and recently I have started trying my hand at calligraphy. I am also a fan of sports such as tennis and athletics, as well as my football club Arsenal.
Kathryn O'Connor - Teacher
This is my 15th year at Welford, Sibbertoft and Sulby Endowed School I started my teaching career here and have taught across EYFS and KS1.
Before I was a teacher I worked as a teaching assistant and at a number of holidays camps both in the UK and Europe. I love working with children and getting to know them and their families and using their individuality to help them on their learning journey. I am passionate about active learning both inside and outside the classroom and want all children to develop a love of learning to ensure they reach their own potential.
Outside of school I am a mummy to Alfie. As a family we love spending time together outside on welly walks, building dens/sandcastles and finding nice cafes for coffee and cake.
Michelle Segond - Teaching Assistant
Gina Hillyer - Higher Level Teaching Assistant
I have worked at Welford School for the last 4 years. I started my career here as a Lunchtime Supervisor, moving to 1:1, then HLTA. I enjoy every day at WSSES, it’s like a family. I love that we are a small school, which enables me to know all the children’s names in each classroom. I enjoy creating bonds with each and every individual, and I feel honoured to be a part of their learning journey, both academically and emotionally.
In my spare time I can often be found walking my dogs, wild swimming or halfway up a mountain. Though being a mum to four children, this means they also come along to enjoy the fun!
Kate Sandells - Teacher
I have been working at Welford, Sibbertoft and Sulby Endowed School since 2006. I started my teaching career here and have taught in all year groups from Year 1 to Year 6. Before I trained as a teacher, I worked as a Service Manager for the NHS managing the Stroke Services across the Leicester hospitals.
I enjoy working with and getting to know children and young people and working out what ways of learning work best for them. I love English and reading for pleasure. My favourite part of my job is our daily story time!
Outside of school I am mum to two children and a lovable cocker spaniel called Billy. I enjoy watching football and have been a season ticket holder for my local team Leicester City for many years.
Lillie Tivey - Teacher
I am the Year 3 and 4 teacher on Friday’s. I have worked at Welford, Sibbertoft, Sulby Endowed School since the start of this academic year.
On Friday afternoons, Attenborough Class enjoys conducting experiments in science and getting creative with DT and Art. These are subjects that I love teaching, and it is made even better by the inquisitive and imaginative minds of the children in the class.
In my own time I enjoy helping on my family farm and spending lots of time outdoors surrounded by animals.
Gaye Highton - Teaching Assistant
I have worked at Welford, Sibbertoft & Sulby Endowed School for 10 years as a Teaching Assistant, working with each year group in that time.
When not at work, I love spending time with my family and my dogs. I really enjoy being outdoors, walking and gardening.
Claire Underwood - Teaching Assistant
Ethan Jones - Teacher
I have been a member of staff at Welford, Sibbertoft & Sulby Endowed Primary School since 2022. My journey in education began as a Maths teacher at a secondary school in Wolverhampton, where I taught students up to Year 13. I then decided to make the switch to primary teaching, initially working as a Teaching Assistant and doing supply work before stepping into a full-time Primary teaching role.
Beyond the classroom, I have a keen passion for football and proudly support the best team in the world – Arsenal! I also enjoy coaching a local football team. I have been a Scout leader for many years, initially starting out as a Beaver leader.
Music has also played a significant role in my life. I have been playing the drums since I was 10 and have been strumming the guitar for even longer!
Catherine Allcott - Family Support Worker
I am the Family Support Worker for three schools across PDET - Welford, Spratton and Guilsborough.
As a parent myself, I'm aware of the challenging role we have as parents. There is a lot of support 'out there' when we find things tough but sometimes it can be difficult to find or difficult to even know what we need. That's where I come in. Often, I know where I can signpost parents to for information and support and if I don't, I know people who will know. So, please talk to me and see what how I can help you and your family.
Away from work, I enjoy narrowboat holidays with my husband and two teenage children, have two grumpy old cats at home and am passionate about knitting, crochet and gardening.
Amy Riches - Lunchtime Supervisor
I've been here at Welford Sibbertoft & Sulby Endowed School since December 2024, I am the lunchtime Supervisor. I also volunteer a few mornings here listening to readers, through the School Readers Charity. I have been working in Primary schools since October 2022, first as a volunteer reader, then a Teaching Assistant now as a Lunchtime Supervisor.
Before that I was busy raising my two little ones & before they came along I was a Nursery Nurse working in a variety of nurseries as I have a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Childcare & Education.
At the moment I am half-way through my TA Diploma which has given me an insight into ADHD, Dyslexia & am working through Autism & Sendco. Also, alongside that I am restudying my Maths at GCSE level.
I love working in schools & it has allowed me to massively appreciate the hard work that goes into running a school as I have two young children myself.
I live in Raunds with my two children & I am originally from Stamford, Lincolnshire. My happiest days with my two children are either spent in a country park or at the seaside in Norfolk or walking my friend's dog.
Roxy - Pets As Therapy Dog
I have been enjoying visiting the school for over a year now. I often come in to sit and read with the children. I love it so much, and the children especially love it when I cuddle into them as they read to me. Sometimes they even give me treats! It can be hard work though, so I sometimes take a little nap on the floor under the desk, just to re-energise myself!
