My name is Richard Healey, Primary Executive Headteacher for the Blackdown Education Partnership, and part of my role is to have oversight of all new primary schools joining the Trust. I am thrilled to be Headteacher of Orchard Grove Primary School, overseeing the growth and progress of the school in its early stages. I combine the role with being Headteacher of IKB Primary school, where I am currently based, and where Orchard Grove children is based for a period of the 2023-24 academic year whilst awaiting completion of their new school build. Opening and leading a brand-new school is something I have experience in from my time at IKB and I am looking forward to bringing all my knowledge and understanding of this to ensure that all Orchard Grove children, families and community members have the best beginning to their school life, setting them up for a journey of lifelong learning.

I’m Clare Strange, the new Business Manager of Orchard Grove School. I’m really excited to be part of this amazing new project. I’m looking forward to meeting and getting to know all the children and parents that will be part of our new school community. As a parent myself, I understand how exciting, yet daunting, the school process can be, so I will be doing whatever I can to help the process run smoothly and efficiently; answering any queries parents may have. The chance to be part of a brand-new school is a fantastic opportunity, both for myself and all the pupils that will attend Orchard Grove Primary School.

I'm Miss Woodley and I'm thrilled to be the Reception Class Teacher at Orchard Grove. I have taught across Reception and Year 1 for five years and I am really excited to be part of this wonderful opportunity of opening a new school.

I am an enthusiastic and creative teacher and I love to help children to learn through exciting experiences and play. 

I joined The Castle School as a teacher of ICT and Computing in 2004. In 2022 I began my position as SENDCo for Isambard Kingdom Brunel Primary School. I am delighted to be working in the SENDCo role for both IKB and Orchard Grove Primary Schools.

I am passionate about all children receiving an inclusive and ambitious education. Early identification of need is key; therefore, I work closely with the children, school staff and parents to identify any barriers. Once a need is identified an assess, plan, do, review cycle will be started, with parental involvement at every stage. I work collaboratively with outside agencies and school staff to ensure appropriate adaptations, support and interventions are catered to the children’s needs.

My name is Helen Mac Connell, and I am Chair of Governors of Orchard Grove Primary School. I am proud to be part of this exciting project, being involved from the planning stage through to opening. I have been a governor at The Castle School for the last few years. However, I have been a parent at The Castle School for the last fourteen years as my four children have attended the school, and my youngest is still there.

I have a background in education having been a primary school teacher and Deputy Headteacher before having my family. I am Chair of Governors of St George’s Catholic Primary School in Taunton and have been a governor there for many years. I have been a trustee of St George’s Pre-School, Taunton since 2013 and was part of the steering group for planning, building, opening and now managing the Pre-School.

As Chair of Governors of Orchard Grove School I will strive to build on the excellent foundations already laid down by the Castle Partnership Trust in their schools. I will work hard to fulfil their aim, for every child who becomes part of the school to achieve, belong and participate. My ambition is for every child to be supported to reach their full potential, in a caring, nurturing, stimulating environment, and for each child to make the most of all that primary education has to offer, preparing them for the next stage in their lives, and the transition to secondary education.

I joined The Castle School in September 1998 as a Newly Qualified Teacher teaching Geography. I became SENDCo of the school in September 2011 and was appointed SENDCo of the Trust in 2019.

I am responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Trust SEND Strategy, ensuring that any barrier that may exist for a student is removed, and that all students are given their best opportunity to succeed and reach their goals.  To ensure this happens one of the key strands of the Trust SEND Strategy is ensuring early identification of need for all students, therefore I look forward to the Trust expanding and welcoming the students at Orchard Grove to ensure that this continues.