The Team

Karen Wavish

Quality of Education EYFS and Year 1

I joined the Reception team in September 2020.

I have been an Early Years Lead since 2008 and have a particular interest in developing children’s literacy skills. I have enjoyed supporting local schools to develop their Early Years practice in my role as Local Authority moderator.

My grandparents owned a sweet shop and barbers in Carterton many years ago and then moved to a house just round the corner from Queen Emma’s!

Yazmin Goodgame

SENDCo

I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to teach from Reception to Year 6 in our school community. My passion lies in nurturing healthy habits in children, both mentally and physically, ensuring they are equipped with the tools they need to thrive in and out of the school setting.

Recently, I completed a master's degree in psychoanalysis, which has deepened my understanding of mental health and its crucial role in education. This new knowledge has enhanced my practice, particularly in my role as the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). In this role, I am dedicated to advocating for our children with special educational needs, supporting them to reach their full potential across both Finstock and Queen Emma’s Primary School.

As the Mental Health Lead, I am committed to promoting a positive, supportive environment where all children can flourish, ensuring their well-being is at the heart of everything we do.

Victoria Musson

Director of Education

Alan Armstrong

I have been teaching since 2012, since completing my training at Oxford Brookes, initially in Oxford before moving to Cambodia for a year, followed by teaching in Spain before returning to England joining the team at Queen Emma's in 2020. Over my teaching career I have taught from year 1 to year 6, as well as adult learners, giving me a wide range of experience of all areas of the curriculum.

My goal as a teacher is to ensure that all of my class feel motivated to develop their knowledge and skills, and feel comfortable in their learning environment. My favourite subjects to teach are Maths and Art, so I always try to combine them to produce exciting work whenever possible.

Outside school I enjoy travelling, cycling, swimming and spending time with my wife and two young children.

Frankie Crouch 

I have been teaching at Queen Emma's since 2013. In that time I have taught in every year group (including EYFS) and am now in Years 4 and 5 (Enhanced Pathway). Before joining the team at Queen Emma's, I worked in an international school in Beijing, as well as another local school in Witney. I feel very fortunate to be spending my days teaching such enthusiastic and fun young people, and am thankful every day that I love my job. As a teacher I always strive to make children excited about coming to school, that they are engaged purposely in their learning and that they know their potential. I have a passion for sport and aim for all children to participate and engage in sport in primary school. I currently lead the Sport across the school, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to access high-quality PE lessons, extra-curricular activities and Inter-School competitions.

Jenny Gustafson

I completed my teacher training at Oxford Brookes University in 2022. Having spent some time at Queen Emma’s as a student teacher I was delighted to be starting my teaching career here. It’s important to me that children enjoy learning and I strive to ensure that they feel happy and comfortable in my classroom. I am enthusiastic about science and love to give children opportunities to get involved in practical investigations. Art and PE are my other favourite subjects because it’s a joy to inspire children to be creative and live active healthy lives. Outside of school I enjoy spending time in my garden, keeping fit and doing outdoor activities with my family.  

Katie Hempstock

Hannah Legge-Geuter

I love the privilege of working with children and have been fortunate to work at a range of schools in Oxfordshire, including small village and large city schools. My first degree is in English Literature and I am particularly passionate to pass my love of reading on to the children I teach – I love seeing this spark ignited as it is a lifelong skill. I am currently teaching UKS2 at Queen Emma’s which I am thoroughly enjoying!

Eden Southey

Having grown up in Witney and completed my final university placement at this school, it seems quite fateful that I am starting my teaching career at Queen Emma’s, with a KS1 class. I graduated from the University of Brighton in 2021 with a passion for bringing music and languages into the classroom and, like some of my own most inspiring teachers, can often be found singing my way through the corridors! My goal as a teacher is to foster children’s confidence: confidence to show off their potential and confidence to make mistakes and learn from them, which is what learning is all about. 

Cathryn Taylor

Business Services Manager

I joined Queen Emma’s in September 2009 on a 9 month Administrative Assistant contract to cover maternity leave, but I loved the school so much that I have never left! I am now the Business Services Manager across the Primary Schools, working for The MILL Academy, having completed the CSBM in May 2018. I am very proud to be part of the amazing team at Queen Emma’s and have enjoyed developing links with other schools in The MILL. My aims for the future are to continue to support the schools on their journey to becoming the best they can be and I am excited about being a part of the story.

Carol Abberley

I have worked at Queen Emma’s Primary School as a Learning Support Assistant for several years. I have seen many children grow into themselves achieving goals they only dreamt of.  Their look of delight, amazement of what they had have just discovered and wonderment to learn more, gives me encouragement and a need to develop myself in this role.  Working in most areas of the school has deepened my understanding of developmental needs and shown me where my strengths are.  I feel proud to be a part of this dedicated team.

Amanda Cox

I started working at the school in January 2005, and I have had a variety of roles since then. I started as an SEN teaching assistant, then I went on to be a Home School Link Worker, which was followed by a role as Community Engagement, Health and Mental Health Co-Ordinator. I am currently working in our Pathway class and I continue to enjoy supporting our children throughout their time at Queen Emma's. 

Sam Godfrey 

I have worked at the school for several years and am currently based in Lower Key Stage 2. Over the years I have seen lots of children go from Foundation right through to year 6. I have also been on several residential visits, which are enriching to pupils and adults alike. 

Niki Olive

I am a qualified Nursery Nurse, this qualifies me to work with children from 0-7 years old. I also hold the certificate for the National Association of Maternal and Child Welfare. My first job was working with disabled children. I then went on to work in a nursery. Whilst bringing my stepsons and two sons up, I was a registered child minder. Then I was a supervisor at a preschool. I have been at Queen Emma's for approximately 20 years; working in Foundation class is such a rewarding job. The progression the children make in their first year is amazing to see. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren.

Mark Williams

I joined the Queen Emma’s team in September 2020. I have been working in primary schools since 2015, mainly as a one to one teaching assistant in Key Stage 1. I have also worked one to one with a visually impaired pupil and learnt how to read Braille, which is one of my favourite achievements from my time  working in education.