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Compassionate

Respectful

Positive

Understanding

Responsible

Patient

Meet the Team

Meet Your Senior Leadership Team

Sarah-Jane Henderson

Headteacher

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

I was born in Scotland, then grew up in Gibraltar and Germany before coming to Manchester to attend University. As an NQT, I told the Headtecher I would only be staying at MPPS for 1 year. 21 years later...

I love our school because the sense of team work is so strong. Our pupils and their families, our staff and governors all work in collaboration to keep striving to be the best we can be. Challenge and support go hand in hand here, which means I learn something new every single day.

Interesting fact: I have ridden horses since I was tiny and I teach people to ride in my 'spare' time.

Rushna Avari

Senior Deputy Headteacher

Attendance, Operational Lead, Future teachers, DSL

I was born and brought up in Manchester. Miss Henderson and I started Manley Park Primary together in 1998 as newly qualified teachers.I love working with all the families and children in all year groups. I have taught so many older siblings too.

I love our school because the community is at the heart of everything we do and believe in. Our shared values gives us a strong identity.

Interesting fact: I love to do amateur dramatics when I can and I am learning to play the piano.

Robert Jones

Deputy Headteacher

Curriculum, Behaviour and Attitudes

I was born and brought up in Manchester.

I love our school due to its strong focus on understanding individuals, and collectively helping them to grow both academically and personally.

Interesting fact: I have met Elton John, Freddie Mercury, George Michael and Superman.

Ben Tudor

Deputy Headteacher

Pedagogy, Mastery, Assessment, Continuous Professional Development, DSL

I was born and grew up in Nuneaton. When I was 18 I moved to Leicester to study at university, staying there for my first teaching position. I moved to Manchester and began working at Manley Park in 2011.

I love our school because of our thoughtful, hard working children and our talented, committed staff who work tirelessly to provide excellent experiences for our pupils.

An interesting fact: I am a huge football fan, in particular I support Coventry City Football Club. I’m pretty sure that I am the only person at Manley Park that does!

Sue Lamb

School Business Manager

I was born and grew up in Winsford, Cheshire and still live there now

I love our school because I am part of a fantastic work family who make a difference, and that every day is a new adventure!

An interesting fact: small phobia of trees.

Safeguarding and SEND

Rushna Avari

 Designated Safeguarding Lead

 

Susie McAuley

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Sarah-Jane Henderson

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Ben Tudor

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Robert Jones

SENDCO

Year 6 Teachers

Jonathan Evans

Class Teacher, Upper Key Stage 2 Phase Leader, Maths Lead

I grew up mostly in the beautiful surroundings of North Wales and in the bustling city of London.

I love our school because children's outcomes lie at the very centre of all the many innovative and creative things we do, day in day out.

Interesting fact: when I was a year six child at Rhosddu School in Wrexham, I sang a solo for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip.

Antonia Armstrong

Class Teacher

Born and raised in Mighty Matlock, Derbyshire

I love our school because the children are free to be individual and unique. Differences are celebrated in an inclusive environment.

I love adventures! One of my favourite memories is climbing Mount Fuji - I reached the top just in time for sunrise.

 

Year 5 Teachers

Kate Brown

Class Teacher

I was born in Chester and spent my early years in Merseyside before moving to Manchester.

I love our school because of the overwhelming positivity and investment into the learning and development of everyone. The fact that children are both respectful and respected is expressed in their confidence and willingness to share their own values and attitudes with the community.

Interesting fact: I have stayed in a rainforest in Sri Lanka where I couldn’t leave any food out in case monkeys stole it.

Immy Wilson

Class Teacher

I was born in Hereford right on the border of South Wales, but moved to the Peak District as a child. I completed my degree in Primary education in the beautiful city of Oxford before moving to Manchester. 

I love our school because of the community atmosphere between all pupils, staff and parents. The fact that the children are all excited and inquisitive about all learning shows how they are developing into well-rounded young people who are aware of the world around them. 

Interesting fact:I love water sports and spend my summers windsurfing, sailing, waterskiing and cliff jumping! 

Rebeka Kay

 

Year 4 Teachers

Coralie James

Class Teacher

I grew up in Montpellier, a city in the south of France. I moved to the UK in 2020 and lived in York before moving to Manchester in 2022.

I love our school because of the respectful and positive atmosphere that allows everyone to achieve their full potential.

Interesting fact: I love hiking and going on treks: I once spent 5 full days walking in the wilderness without seeing a car nor a road.

        

Joe Hodgson

Class Teacher

My middle name is Nicholas and I learnt to play the flute when I was in Primary School but I'm not very good at it now. I worked as a chef for seven years and I can make a really good lasagna, pie and risotto, although not at the same time.  I love working at Manley Park because of the fantastic relationships I can see that children have built with the adults who work here. If you see me around, please tell me a joke or a fun fact, and I'll try to tell you one back!

Interesting fact:  I'm very very scared of the deep sea, but I quite like the beach so you can imagine how difficult holidays are for me. When it snows, all I can think about is the snow and where near me would be good to go sledging. One of my favourite authors is Stephen King, and I enjoy watching films written by Richard Curtis.

 

Year 3 Teachers

Keana Bukowska

Class Teacher

I was born and raised in London but moved to Manchester to become a teacher!

I love our school because of the way that children interact with their peers and the adults they work with. I always see such care and respect for everyone in the building!

Interesting fact about me: I lived and taught in Turkey for one year and can speak a little bit of Turkish!

Louise Gray

Class Teacher

I was born and raised in Sale, Greater Manchester, and still live in the same area with my husband and two children.

I love our school because it teaches children how to become responsible, respectful and compassionate citizens. Everyone (staff and children) cares for each other,  and supports each other to be the best version of themselves. 

An interesting fact: I love horses and spend a lot of my spare time at the farm with my daughter and her cheeky Welsh pony.

Year 2 Teachers

 

Lauren Cotterell

Class Teacher

Jessica Cheetham

Class Teacher

Year 1 Teachers

 

 

Miss Opacic

Class Teacher

Caroline Mellor

Class Teacher

 

Reception Teachers

Teresa Contel-Gonzalez

Class Teacher, RE Lead

I am originally from Barcelona and I have lived in Manchester for 21 years.

I love our school because of the community spirit amongst staff, pupils and families. It is a great place to be where children are enthusiastic and eager to learn new things!

An interesting fact: I am a big football fan and I once met David Beckham.

Jenny Lye

Class Teacher, Forest School Lead, Computing Lead

I grew up on the Wirral, moved to Manchester for university ... and never left!

I love our school because I am inspired by our fabulous MPPS children every day.

Interesting fact: I once beat Jessica Ennis in a long jump competition!

  •    Gemma Frankland-Slater

    Class Teacher, EYFS Phase Leader

    Where I was born, grew up... I was born in Manchester and grew up mostly in Whalley Range.

    I love our school because of its community and how supportive it is and that all members are respected.

    An interesting fact: I volunteered at a school in Southern India as part of my gap year before going to University.

Nursery Teachers

Periklis Chatzikyriakidis

Class Teacher

I was born and grew up in Kavala, a town in mainland Greece. I moved to London in 2014 and in 2019 I moved up to Manchester.

I love our school because everyone is always positive and tries really hard to achieve their best potential, both pupils and staff. We have such a diverse community and a great range of people working at MPPS.

Interesting fact: I love watching films and going to the theatre. I recently taught myself how to embroider.

Administration Staff

Lauren Farren 

Rubina Baig

Jane Culverhouse

Abida Qasim

Learning Support Assistants

Jenny Allen-Brooks 

Rekha Soni 

Debi Skelton 

Heather Rennie

Oana Dragan

Rukhsana Akram 

SEN Learning Support Assistants

Santock Sherry 

Joan Hammond 

Em Hickman

Marcia Murphy 

Ewa Maciasz 

Melissa Cravagan

Julie Brenner

Fouzia Ali

Madeleine Heatley

Rumaanah Patel

Amrit Kaur

Premises Staff

Kate Elphick

Victoria Ashton

Kitchen Staff

Mike Lazarou

Michelle Ying Lam 

Meletetsiga Beraki

Carole Lazarou

Jennifer Johnson

Gurbhar Kaur Landa

Sathvier Kour

Lunchtime Organisers

Khalida Mahmood 

Spuran Kaur 

Sue Ellen John 

Rashda Mughal 

Nadira Arfeen 

Shahida Bhatti 

Evelyn Hart 

Safina Ahmed 

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