Associate Teachers

Sophia Amoroso

I am a new Associate Teacher at West Hill Primary Academy. Prior to joining, I completed my teacher training at Canterbury Christ Church University. I am excited to use and develop my teaching knowledge throughout the academic year in key stage one. Before university, I was a swimming teacher for a couple of years where I worked with all ages and abilities, including SEND. I have also volunteered in two nurseries and a summer camp. I look forward to supporting the students development throughout the academic year. 

Siobhan Basten

Gill Bates

I have worked a Temple Hill Primary Academy, formally known as Temple Hill Primary School, for 26 yrs as a Teaching Assistant , now know as an Associate Teacher.   I joined West Hill Primary Academy in September 2017 and really enjoying being part of this school community. 

Stephanie Bellew

I started working at West Hill Primary School in May 2015.

I have had the pleasure of supporting classes as a TA in reception, year 3, 4 and 5.  In my spare time I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends. I am also partial to a bit of glamping!

Jo Blake

I have been at the school for 10 years working in classes from reception to year 4. All have different challenges and rewards. On a Monday I assist Miss Berry and Mrs Honour with an afterschool club - gardening club. This is great watching the children using their science knowledge and curiosity to build on their gardening skills.

Zoe Bungard

I joined West Hill as an associate teacher in late 2016 after working and volunteering in nurseries and schools with children of all ages and needs. I enjoy seeing the children use their imagination to think outside the box within their learning as well as encouraging reading. In my spare time, I am involved within Girl Guiding.

Denise Dalton

I have worked at West Hill since 2006, first as a volunteer and then as a Midday Supervisor.  After gaining my Teaching Assistant qualification, I have worked mainly in KS1 as a TA.  I really enjoy working with the children, watching and helping them progress through the years.

Nicola French

I have been working at West Hill since 2014, after working at nurseries and schools with children of all ages. Currently I am working in KS2 as a teaching assistant and really enjoy the challenges that help the children develop at a very important stage of their learning.  In my spare time I enjoy walking, visiting galleries, museums and exhibitions.

Madalina Feraru

I graduated from University of Craiova - Romania in 2004 with a BA(Hons) degree in Physical Education and Sports.​I have worked in education for the last 3 years, following a successful career as a professional Volleyball player abroad.

I joined the amazing team of West Hill Primary Academy in September 2018 as a 1:1 and  sports coach and later on in November ,I had the opportunity to start a new role in KS1 as an Associate Teacher. I spend all my spare time with my two beautiful children and share my passion for sport with them.

Aislinn Gray

I joined West Hill Primary Academy September 2017 as an AT, after completing my level 3 Early Years Diploma. I have previously worked in a private Nursery working with children from the ages of 3 months to 4. I have also volunteered at other schools, preschools and nurseries. I am currently working in Reception, and enjoying teaching the children new things on a daily basis. As well ad working full time, I am completing my Early Years Foundation Degree at Greenwich University. Once I have completed my full degree, I hope to take my PGCE to become a NQT.

Janice Greatorex

I have been a Teaching Assistant since 2002, moving to West Hill Primary in 2007, working first as an SEN TA, and now as a classroom TA.  I work mainly in KS1 and I enjoy watching the children grow in confidence as they learn.

Claire Jeeves

I have two children who attend our lovely school and currently work as a Teaching Assistant. Before being employed at West Hill I was a stay at home parent for six years. Prior to having my children I worked for Kent Children's Social Services for over 2 years assisting children and families. I found the work very rewarding as well as  being very complex at times. Prior to working for Social Services I worked as a PA for various large construction companies for over 11 years. I really enjoy my role as TA in the classroom and find it very rewarding seeing the children progress and gain confidence in their learning.

Sita Minhas

I have worked at West Hill since 2014 as an Associate Teacher. I am currently working in key stage 2 and I enjoy working with children and helping them to reach their potential.

Michelle Mundy

Rita O'Leary

I joined West Hill Primary as a volunteer in 2016 working with the year 3 team. I am now employed as an associate teacher working in year 1. I was the service support manager for inclusion at Pimlico Academy in London working with years 7-13 for 9years. I then moved onto primary school working at Belvedere junior school. I really enjoy working with children and watching them grow in confidence to become independent learners.

Madalin O'Shea

I joined West Hill Primary Academy in September 2020 as an Associate Teacher. I had previously been volunteering at West Hill in KS1 whilst completing my level 2 Teaching Assistant qualification. I am currently working towards gaining my level 3. I have always wanted to work with children in a school setting and now my own children are getting older it has given me the chance to follow this career.

Charlton Murphy

Hilary Pitzey

After almost 5 fabulous years at Temple Hill Primary Academy I started 2019 by moving over to join the amazing early years team at West Hill. I recently graduated from Greenwich University and am the proud owner of a first class BA Hons degree in Early Years (which I may have bored all my friends and family to tears over showing off about) but I’m still in disbelief myself! I absolutely adore working within the early years and am proud of my role helping to lay the foundations for each child’s future learning journey. 

Chelsey Shakespeare

I started at West Hill Primary in 2016 as a 1:1 Teaching Assistant. Before this I completed a degree in Special Educational Needs at University of St. Mark and St. John. In my spare time I enjoy seeing friends, especially travelling to see friends from university. Also, I love spending quality time with family.

Emma Shand

I have worked at West Hill Primary Academy since the beginning of October 2018. Before this I worked for Kent Police as a PCSO for 11 years and spent lots of time within schools in Dartford, Working closely with the teachers and parents.  I am really looking forward to the new challenge ahead and am excited to be working at West Hill.   

Karina Skieve

I’m very delighted to join the West Hill team as an Associate Teacher in Reception. Previously, I worked at a pre-school for almost five years and volunteered at a local school. I have gained a CACHE Level 3 Diploma, at the present time I’m doing a Teaching Assistant Level 3 Qualification. The most rewarding part of working with children is seeing them develop their confidence and happiness. 

I spend most of my time with my family, my husband and my three lovely children and I also share my passion for travelling.

Charis Thorne

I'm Miss Thorne and I joined West Hill Primary Academy as an Associate Teacher in April 2019. I really enjoy supporting the children in their learning, helping them to reach their full potential every day, and encouraging them to become the best versions of themselves as they grow. I am also part of the team at the West Hill Chill Club, where I can be found most mornings and evenings drawing with the children, reading stories to a group, or running around the playground in a game of football! 

Sarah Turner

I have worked with children since 1995 as a senior nursery nurse and the last 8 years as a teaching assistant, mainly for year 6 in north east London. I also worked in photography in the music industry in my spare time. I have a qualification in dealing with dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties. My interests lay in music, art, history and antiques.

Carla West

Since officially joining the wonderful West Hill team in May 2018, I had been volunteering with the school in all key stages. Prior to West Hill, I worked in the travel industry which gave me opportunities to visit various destinations worldwide and work in the beautiful Cannes, France in Event Management.

During my volunteering, I quickly learnt that I wanted to be in the classroom working with children and be part of the rewarding experience teaching can give.  Therefore, I embarked on my next career path into education. I have just gained my Teaching Assistant Level 2 qualification and currently working on my Level 3 Diploma yet still looking at other qualifications past my diploma.