Staff Testimonials

Our Trust of Schools

Emily Baxter

Assistant Headteacher

Here are Exwick Heights Primary School, I work within the Leadership Team as an Assistant Headteacher. I am so proud to work with such an exceptional team of colleagues. Every staff member is tireless in their dedication to our pupils, all working hard to support them to be academically excellent whilst also ensuring that our children are really great people with self-belief, ambition and compassion.

I seem to have a new favourite moment everyday, but the performances always fill me with joy. Year on year, my eyes prickle with emotion watching our superstars on stage, with songs filling the rafters and confidence exploding from every child. Seeing pupils' smiles when met with tumultuous applause from staff, parents and our wider community is something that makes me very proud.

Rachel Cox

Teaching Assistant

I am Early Years trained and have worked with children for 25 years, 7 of these as a Teaching Assistant at Exwick Heights. I also work at Foxhayes Playclub's in the holidays, where the children can express themselves through arts and crafts.

I have many years of experience working with SEND children, I love how Exwick Heights gives opportunities for all children to thrive and progress. The school choir and sport teams are just some of the activities available to children at Exwick Heights. It is great seeing the children progress with their confidence and learning. I have many highlights of my time working at Exwick Heights, but watching the year 6's in July with their performance of The Lion King, seeing how confident they had become and to see them all working together was totally amazing and a memory that will stay with me.

Jennifer Dell

SENDCo

I joined the team as SENDCo in September 2023 and this first year at Exwick Heights has been a huge privilege. Our children are fantastic, the staff are passionate about giving the children the best opportunities possible and I feel very fortunate to be part of such a positive and caring team.
A top highlight has been meeting so many supportive parents as well as their children, working together to provide the best possible provision and of course, seeing the incredible progress the children are making on a day to day basis. I can’t wait to see what next year brings.

Charley Gwilt

Teacher

I am currently Year 6 and Maths Lead here at Exwick. I have worked here for 6 years, having previously taught for 2 years at a school in Torquay. When I came to tour Exwick before applying for the job, it was the passionate staff and the stunning school grounds that inspired me to apply. One of the reasons I enjoy teaching at Exwick is because of the hardworking and polite children. Their marvelous manners are exceptional, something I know even Ofsted noticed, and that makes teaching them an absolute pleasure. I enjoy teaching Year 6 because there are so many fantastic opportunities like our residential, the Year 6 production, WW2 day and lots of sporting events. I am very grateful to be the school’s maths lead as I have had a passion for maths ever since I was young. I enjoy sharing my love of maths with the children – there is nothing better than seeing them have that ‘light bulb’ moment when something just clicks. I find it fascinating how you can find maths in so many other subjects such as science and geography, and even PE and music.

Paul Hackworthy

Premises Manager

I am the Premises Manager here at Exwick Heights and alongside my colleague Rich we aim to ensure our school always provides a safe and welcoming environment for our teachers to teach and our pupils to learn in. Our stunning buildings, both built post 2007 within the site of the old Guide Dogs for the Blind grounds are surrounded by equally stunning grounds. When standing on our balcony and looking out over our playing field and wooded Nature Area with visitors to our school, almost without fail the word “wow” is mentioned. I hope that we maintain our “wow” factor over the coming years and as long as I’m the Premises Manager, this will be a never-ending target.

Penny Hackworthy

Deputy Headteacher

My name is Penny Hackworthy, and I am privileged to live and work in Exwick. After qualifying as a teacher in 2001, I worked in Exmouth for twelve years before coming to work in Exeter. The beautiful setting and grounds of this school, its community - parents, staff and pupils - all bring me such joy, and I am proud to work here for the Ted Wragg Trust.

As the Deputy Headteacher of this very large primary school, my job is incredibly varied. Some of my key roles in school are to ensure that the teachers get to work with the best curriculum possible, that the curriculum is aspirational for all children, that teachers have the best professional development and coaching and to ensure that children leave our school demonstrating high academic achievement.

Maisie Hansed

Teacher

I started working at Exwick Heights Primary School two years ago as an early career teacher and have loved every second! At Exwick Heights, the staff are friendly and supportive while the children are enthusiastic, well-mannered and kind. Every day is different and it is truly rewarding to watch the children make progress, find new interests and make new friends. I particularly enjoy all of the enrichment opportunities which Exwick heights provides such as our year 4 trip to Kent’s Cavern and our Harry Potter themed quidditch day! Our school values of kindness, curiosity and determination can be seen in each and every classroom and it is wonderful to teach ambitious children who are willing to try their hardest to achieve their dreams.

Rebecca Haswell

Teacher

I have been teaching for nearly 30 years and have taught in London, Egypt, Spain and Devon. I am about to go into my 10^th year at Exwick Heights and cannot believe how time the time has flown by! I am proud to work at this amazing school as the staff, parents and children are amazing. It has been wonderful to see the school grow and develop and to witness our children really thrive. I feel we provide a broad and balanced curriculum for our pupils and prepare them well for the future. I have been a team leader across the school and enjoy making positive changes as part of the SLT. Art is a passion of mine and I have loved leading this subject and running art club. My role as School Council link teacher has meant I have been able to work with the children to gather their thoughts about how we can make our school even better. Reading for pleasure is a real strength and Exwick and I also lead the Read to Succeed initiative, where children earn tickets and win a book. Next year, I will be taking on the role of Techer Governor and am looking forward to working with colleagues from the wider community and The Ted Wragg Trust to help our wonderful school continue to improve.

Jessica Knight

Teaching Assistant

I'm Miss Knight and I've worked at Exwick Heights for 5 years now. I joined as a Mealtime Assistant when my son started school and have since become a Teaching Assistant whilst doing a Primary Education degree. I love working at Exwick Heights; we have a fantastic community feel within our school with wonderful staff and children. We are very lucky to have lots of trips, extra curricular clubs and plenty of green spaces within our school grounds.

My highlight so far has been a recent trip to the Barnfield Theatre with our reception children to watch the Dear Santa play at Christmas. It was so lovely to see all of the children enjoying themselves and representing our great behaviour standards out in public.

Jane Long

Teaching Assistant

My name is Jane Long, a teaching assistant working mostly in year 5, however I run a phonics programme in other year groups too. I've worked as a TA for 23 years. I enjoy all aspects of the job, but especially working with the children, each day is so varied. My highlight so far is the yearly Ted Wragg Innovation project, which our team has recently won, with their sustainable airport. A really great achievement.

Mike Oakley

Teaching Assistant

I love working at Exwick Heights. My job as Teaching Assistant challenges me everyday and is extremely rewarding. I work with an amazing group of people who all support the children to strive to be the very best version of themselves.

My passion is Math. I love developing the children’s understanding and sharing the “light bulb” moments with them.

One of my absolute highlights was the residential to Beam House with our Year 6 cohort. It was such a fantastic place. Being able to have a laugh with my colleagues and the children is so special; we work hard but play and have fun too.

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