I began my teaching career in a large County Primary School in Wilmslow. After three years I took a year out and went to Brazil with an international Christian organisation working with street children. On my return, I worked at Astbury St Mary's Primary School for twelve years in a variety of ever developing roles including KS1 teacher, Acting Headteacher and more recently Y3/4 teacher and Assistant Headteacher. I completed my National Professional Qualification for Headship in December 2006 and following a Diocese course in November 2007 began to dream of becoming a Headteacher in a Church School.
I first visited Wincle School in March 2009 and knew immediately that I wanted to work here. The buzz of activity, polite, well mannered children and warm friendly welcome I received from everyone has continued to make me sure of my decision. I officially started as Headteacher in September 2009, also fulfilling a two day a week teaching commitment in the infant class working alongside Mrs Gilman and Mrs Candy.
I have a passion for Christianity and education; to have the privilege of marrying the two in an outstanding church school such as Wincle makes me excited about the opportunities and experiences we provide for our children who learn here each day.

My thirty year career began in a Barnsley middle school (8-13) teaching Physical Education, English and Humanities. From there, I spent the next 19 years in a large Derbyshire primary school where it was designated as a socially deprived area. I was the Literacy and Physical Education co-ordinator, part of the school management team, taught all the ages from Y3 to Y6 and mentor to many young teachers! My next 4 years were spent as the KS2 teacher in a very small primary school near Nantwich, which had a similar organisation to Wincle school with 2 classes (KS1 and KS2). I was responsible for Numeracy, P.E., Science and ICT. During this time, I was asked to be a leading teacher to impart some of my experience and knowledge to teachers in the county.

As I was so happy at my school, it was with a slight feeling of trepidation when I joined the Wincle team, in the summer of 2002. (Mrs Loughlin always comments that I interviewed the school rather than the other way round!) My feelings soon changed, as it is a wonderful school and community and a real pleasure to be part of such a dedicated, hard-working and fun team!

Wincle children are a delight, full of enthusiasm and curiosity for the world around them and I am passionate about nurturing and promoting this love of learning where everyone achieves their full potential in all areas of school life!

I work two days per week in Key Stage 1 and with the Foundation Stage, the Infants class. I am the coordinator for science, music and the Foundation Stage.

I have been working at Wincle School for six years and before that I was the Supervisor at Twincle Preschool. Previous to having my two children I taught in Derbyshire for nine years.

I have always been interested in science and the natural world. After completing a degree in Microbiology and Biochemistry at Sheffield University I went on to gain my PGCE, Post Graduate Certificate of Education, at Manchester University.

I really enjoy working in a small school with such a dedicated staff. I see the school as an essential part of the rural community with great links to the local church. I think we are very fortunate to work within such a wonderful area with such fabulous resources on our door step.

I joined Wincle School in September 2003, as a part-time Teaching Assistant. I completed a CACHE diploma in Child Care and Education at Leek college in June 2003. As part of the course I completed work placements, which included Horton Lodge School (working with Children with severe physical disabilities) and also Wincle School. I have Teaching Assistants level 2 certificate, as part of the course I worked in a primary school in Congleton.

My role is working in Key Stage 2, supporting a child with special needs. I also work in Key Stage 2, assisting the teachers in delivering the Curriculum.

It is a pleasure to work in such a friendly and caring environment and to see the children develop as individuals, both academically and personally.

I first discovered the wonderful village School of Wincle and its rich surroundings in June 2001, when I was employed on a part time basis to work in the capacity of 'Temporary Special Needs Classroom Assistant' in KS2. The adjustment from working in a large junior primary school in Macclesfield town for eight years was challenging at first but rewarding. My career started as a volunteer working with children with special needs with varying disabilities with a particular interest in dyslexia - having a dyslexic child myself. They then actually employed me part time which allowed me the opportunity to gain experience at various other local primary schools - always within the KS2 setting. In 2004 I completed a two year course to gain my CACHE Level 3 Certificate of Professional Development in Work with Children and Young People. In June 2006 I gained my (ECDL) European Computer Driving Licence - a major achievement for me! I currently work every day in KS2 assisting the two teachers, Mrs Loughlin and Mrs Spencer.

I really enjoy working within the whole school supportive family atmosphere at Wincle. Communication with the local community and church enriches the children's and staff's experiences in life. Every child really does matter here and all staff are valued and appreciated equally which makes an excellent learning and working environment.

Since I retired from full-time teaching at Gawsworth School two years ago, I have been able to further develop my interest in the teaching of Art on a part-time basis.

I enjoy seeing children gain confidence in their creative abilities and produce work of which they are proud. Whether or not the children directly use Art in their future lives I believe it is important for them to see how other people have responded to their environment and firmly believe that it develops their open-mindedness to the lives of others.

I teach Art at Wincle and at Whirley School in Macclesfield and also do occasional Art Days in other schools.

I gained my Junior/Secondary Teaching Certificate in Nottingham specialising in English and History. My first teaching position was at Peel Moat Secondary School in Stockport teaching English, History and Games.

I moved from there to Ryles park Secondary School, Macclesfield where I joined the English and History departments teaching the 11-13 age group. In those days Ryles Park was just a girls' school!

I left to have a family and didn't rejoin the teaching profession until my sons started school themselves. My next post was as Year 6 teacher at Brabyns School, Marple. Brabyns is a small private school which acts as a feeder school to the large, private secondary schools such as Manchester Grammar, Manchester High, Withington, Stockport Grammar, Cheadle Hulme and Kings. My main responsibility was to enable as many children as possible to pass the entrance examination for these schools. As there was no selection into Brabyns, this was a significant challenge!

My latter teaching experience has all been working voluntarily with Mrs Loughlin at Upton Priory and then at Wincle, (which just proves she can't be that bad to work with!). I usually work with the Year 6 children utilising my many years' experience in teaching this age group.

I am a parent governor of Wincle School. I also work in the school office for one day per week as an administration assistant. Last (but not least!) I work as a volunteer parent helper for one half day per week in KS2. This involves working with individual children, as well as small groups, on aspects of reading and writing. All this keeps me quite busy, but fortunately I enjoy all my roles within the school community!

I started work as a catering Supervisor 18 years ago at Wincle School. Both my children, Richard and Sarah attended Wincle School, as did my husband!

I did my training through CBS Catering and went to Mid Cheshire College to do a Catering Management course in Nutrition, Practical Cooking, Food Safety, Menu Planning, Health and Safety, Stock Control, Financial Control, Cleaning Schedules, Administration and First Aid.

Food is so very important to keep and maintain health and happiness, and I am passionate about doing this for our children at Wincle.

I strive to get the best quality food I can - fresh most of the time! I am proud to be part of a team that is dedicated and determined to get the best, and do our best for our children - your children!

I was born in Heywood, Lancashire in 1946. I left school at the age of 15 and went into the design side of the textile industry. Having found textiles were going into decline, I started working in the building trade. In 1970, I started working for the Youth Hostel Association (a registered charity), I worked in the Lake District for the first 3 years then moved to the hostel at Cambridge for 6 years, after which we moved to Gradbach Mill Youth Hostel just 4 miles from Wincle. We stayed here for 23 years and then left and moved to Leek.

I have had a long association with Wincle School as our daughter Sandra came here for all of her infant and junior years, (a good start as next year she will qualify as a doctor). I have led an annual walk for the school for 16 years, had a 2 year break but have started it again since working here.

I started working at the school in January 2004. I work part time as caretaker, I also do as much maintenance as I can and I also do the gardening and the grounds. I do enjoy working at school but it is a bit hard as all the other staff are female, men in schools are becoming an endangered species.

My hobbies are cycling which I had had a passion for all my life, like most cyclists I have done the odd bit of racing when I was younger but touring the country is what I like best. My other great passion is walking, mountains, countryside, byways, canals, anywhere as long as it's walking.

On leaving high school in 1983, I went on to Cauldon College to successfully complete the N.N.E.B. Course.

In 1985 I went to take my first job as a children's nanny and have had several posts over the last twenty one years. My current position I have held for the past eleven years.

In February 2001, I had the opportunity to take over from Mrs Gilman as Twincle Supervisor. After several years of committing myself as Twincle Supervisor I had to step down due to family commitments but was glad to take on the role as deputy.

I have watched Twincle grow and flourish to what it is today a thriving, welcoming and friendly pre-school of which I am very proud to be a part.

My name is Verena Breed and I have been the vicar of St. Michael's Church in Wincle since October 2004. My appointment was probably quite a shock to the system as I am the first female vicar and am not even British. The decision to accept the offer of my Bishop to take on this parish was certainly made a lot easier by Wincle School,since we had two children (Jacob and Julie) and our son was due to start school that same summer. Having looked around the school we were thrilled that our children would have such a great village school to go to. Two years down the line they are five and seven years old and are in Year 1 and 2. Needless to say that they are very happy and enjoy their life at school as well as in the countryside.

The link between St. Michael's Church and Wincle C of E Primary is a very good and close one. I go into school once a week to take assembly and I also teach some German. Once a month we have got a family service at the Church which is usually well attended and children of the school will be involved through doing readings, saying prayers or helping with other parts of the service. The children's involvement is very much appreciated by everybody in the parish. Once a year all the children come up to the Vicarage for a Christmas Baking Day and to experience some of the customs we Germans enjoy during Lent and at Christmas, this is always a day which we all greatly enjoy and I am already looking forward to the next one.

My family and I moved into Wincle in 1984 and I became involved as a governor of the School soon afterwards. I am married to Angela and have 4 children -3 of whom attended the School. I am Chairman of my family company in Congleton where my son is the 4th generation of Burns in this very old established Ford Dealership.

James Heald was Chairman of the Governors in 1984 at that time but on his untimely and sad death I succeeded him. We then had a change of vicar in the parish -Rev. David Moir -who eventually took over from me as Chairman. I was re-appointed to the post in 2004 when David retired. It has been a privilege to see the changes and development of the School over this period of time.