Orchard Park Community Primary School

Meet the Team

Senior Leadership Team

Mr Robert Fisher - Headteacher

I am delighted to have been appointed as the new headteacher for Orchard Park Primary School in September 2024 and I am very much looking forward to getting to know all our pupils, parents, carers and staff. I have been a teacher for 24 years across Suffolk, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire in a variety of settings. I was at my last school for nearly 11 years, 8 of them as deputy headteacher, and I am looking forward to building an equally long and successful relationship with Orchard Park. From my experience I know that a successful and happy school depends on all of us working together. As parents and carers, you make an important contribution to your children’s achievements, and I’m excited to build on the relationship between you and the school. I will be available on the gate before or after school on most days, so do please say hello. You’re also welcome to contact me via the office to arrange an in-person meeting.

Mrs Lucy Steggles - Deputy Headteacher

Becoming a teacher was always an aspiration of mine. Supporting children to grow, learn and achieve their full potential is a position I feel privileged to be in. I believe all children should receive a high-quality education, a range of engaging experiences and be inspired to flourish in their future lives. I successfully completed my degree in BA (Hons) in Primary Education, specialising in English, before starting my teaching career in London. After teaching across the primary years and leading a range of subject areas, I relocated to Cambridge and was fortunate to join the team at Orchard Park Community Primary School as Deputy Headteacher. Since then I have continued my own studies, completing my National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership. As part of my role, I support high-quality teaching and learning across the school, lead on assessments and currently sit on the Governing Body.

Mrs Victoria Coe-Hales - Deputy Headteacher

Inspired by my own primary school teaching, I have always been passionate about nurturing children with the aim of helping them to develop into happy, respectful and well-rounded individuals, equipped to make a positive contribution to our world in the future. After studying Fine Art at Kingston School of Art, I gained valuable experience in a variety of nursery and secondary schools, as an Art Teacher for Camp America and most memorably, as a teacher in Ghana. I then completed a PGCE at Bedfordshire University before undertaking my first professional teaching role in a large Cambridgeshire primary school. I was fortunate enough to be appointed as English Lead and Year 6 Teacher at Orchard Park, starting in September 2013. Since then, I have taught across the entire age range and been a member of the school’s Senior Leadership Team for 7 years, as Phase Leader, Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher. Prior to my recent maternity leave, I achieved a National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership, focusing on driving up the standard of our pupils’ writing through the explicit daily teaching of rich vocabulary.

Mrs Nicky MacColl - Assistant Head and Year 3 Teacher (Grasshoppers)

At the earliest opportunity, I found myself working in schools and developing my interest in education. From volunteering with children’s clubs as part of my Duke of Edinburgh Award to working in a school in Kenya as part of my GAP year, it confirmed my desire to support and encourage children on their journey through education. After gaining a BA (Hons) in Education (specialising in science) at Roehampton University, I started my teaching career in schools in Hampshire. Some years later, I made the move to Cambridge and have worked in Orchard Park ever since. I have a keen interest in Math, Science and PE and am always looking for opportunities to engage and inspire both the children and adults within these areas.

Teaching Staff

Mrs Cara Gilhart - Inclusion, well-being and EYFS Lead

Gaining a BA hons in Health, Welfare and Social Policy, I subsequently gained my teaching qualification from Cambridge University. Working specifically in early years as a leader, fuelled my passion for delivering quality first teaching for the very youngest children in the school, setting the foundations for a love of learning. Here at Orchard Park, we place mental health and wellbeing at the core of our ethos. Following on from gaining a qualification in Counselling and Emotional support, my role now is to offer pastoral support for pupils and families to ensure best outcomes for all. Our coordinated approach to improve pupils’ emotional health and wellbeing leads to their readiness to learn.

Mrs Claire Fletcher - Nursery Teacher (Caterpillars)

Early years education is my passion. Enabling children’s natural curiosity through exciting and stimulating activities is my strength and to me is the core of early years. I have worked in early years for 20+ years and have a wide range experience across the sector. I enjoy the daily diversity my job brings, challenging the children and encouraging them to develop confidence to try new things. Seeing a child’s face light up as they succeed in something they have been finding hard to master, is the best feeling. I have a love of being outdoors and am passionate about outside learning.

Mrs Hannah Van Tonder - Reception Teacher (Ladybirds)

After gaining a Master’s degree in Developmental and Educational Psychology from University College London, I discovered my passion for early years education and went on to complete my teaching qualification. My experience of working in early years enabled me to appreciate that every child has their own strengths and interests, and we must cultivate these curiosities in order to inspire a life-long love of learning. Each day I have the privilege of seeing children excited to experience new things and become confident, resilient learners.

Miss Leila Gray - Year 1 Teacher (Butterflies)

When my children started school, I began working as a teaching assistant. I enjoyed the job, but really wanted to teach. I spent the next few years studying with the Open University whilst continuing to work and raise my family. After gaining my honorary degree in Natural Sciences, I worked in a local secondary school for a year before doing my Post Graduate Certificate in Education, specialising in 3-7 years, at the University of Cambridge. I have honed my teaching practice over many years, teaching Early Years and Key Stage One. I have particular interest in teaching reading skills and using the outdoor environment to enhance children’s learning experiences. I feel very privileged to work with children, supporting them to reach their potential and instilling a love of learning.

Mrs Jess Parker - Year 2 Teacher (Bumblebees)

Having graduated with a BA (Hons) in Primary Education, I joined Orchard Park at the start of my teaching career working within lower key stage 2 and later moving to work in key stage 1. I have a passion for learning not only inside the classroom with the children but also in my own professional development as I am currently working towards achieving my NPQLBC. I am a staff governor, the art and design subject lead and the history subject lead for the school. The unique local heritage of our school makes this job incredibly enjoyable because we are so fortunate to have a wealth of history on our doorstep which inspires our pupils and the local community.

Mrs Aimée Day - Year 4 Teacher (Beetles)

Miss Amber Hadley - Year 5 Teacher (Fireflies)

Mrs Naomi Whitworth - Year 6 Teacher (Dragonflies)

Following my MPsy (with study in Europe) in Psychology and PGCE from the University of Manchester, I pursued a career in teaching. Helping children have that lightbulb moment when learning just “clicks” is why I enjoy my job so much. I have over 15 years of experience teaching in Greater Manchester and Cambridgeshire. Outside the classroom, singing in choirs and playing in Cottenham Brass Band has helped me develop my skills for leading the school choir. My time living in France, as well as studying language teaching in Paris has been invaluable in developing my role as Languages Subject Lead.

Mrs Julie Gray - Key Stage 2 Support Teacher

Having graduated from Homerton College Cambridge, with a B.Ed. Hons, I have spent my entire teaching career in primary schools in and around the city. I have been an Acting Headteacher, a Deputy Headteacher and SENDco as well as a class teacher. I am now privileged to be working with individuals and small groups of children in Year 6 at Orchard Park.