We are delighted to introduce our skilled and experienced staff team.

Miss Hazlewood: Interim Associate Principal & Butterflies Class Teacher (YR), DSL

Miss Hazlewood has joined St James as our Lead Teacher and Early Years Lead after recently moving from London. Miss Hazlewood is now responsible

for the day to day running of St James as the Interim Associate Principal.

Mrs Elizabeth Underwood: Executive Principal

Mrs Underwood is the Executive Principal for the Simmons Hub which is for St James CofE Primary and Nursery School and Okehampton Primary School.

Miss Dart : SENDCo, DDSL and member of our SLT, DDSL

Miss Dart joined St James in September 2020 from a school in Exeter and comes to us with a wealth of experience, having been a teacher, a Subject leader, a SENDCo and an Acting Headteacher in her past roles.  Miss Dart leads on SEND across St James as well as PHSE and RSE.

Mrs Sparshatt: Assistant SENDCo

Mrs Sparshatt has moved from another local primary school to join the St James team and to support Miss Dart. She has a wealth of experience in SEND and specialises is Social, Emotional and Mental Health.

Mrs Pengelly - Administrator, DDSL

Mrs Pengelly joined St James in September 2021 as our full time school Administrator and she is the main person who will greet you with a huge smile when you come into our front office.  

Mrs Luscombe: Hedgehogs Class Teacher (Y1)

Mrs Luscombe has joined St James in January 2024 and is currently working full time in our Year 1 class, Hedgehogs.

Mrs Hardwick: Cover Teacher 

Mrs Hardwick has joined St James from another local primary school and is currently teaching part time across all classes.

 Mrs Stevens: Lead Teacher and Foxes Class Teacher (Y2), DDSL

Mrs Stevens has joined St James as a Lead Teacher and Foxes class teacher, she has joined us from another local school and brings a wealth of experience to the St James team.

Mr Garvie: Sports Coach and Foxes Class Teacher (Y2)

Mr Garvie has joined St James in October 2023 as the schools Sports Coach and also works part time in Foxes class. Mr Garvie is excited to join the St James team and offer a wide range of sporting activities for the children.

Ms Devine: Woodpeckers Class Teacher (Y3)

Ms Devine joined St James in September 2019. She has extensive experience throughout EYFS, KS1 and KS2 and has also supported learners with SEND. Ms Devine is teaching full time in our Y3 class .

Miss Genduso: Owls Class Teacher (Y4)

Miss Genduso joined St James in September 2023 and is teaching full time in Owls (Y4) class after recently qualifying as a teacher. Miss genduso has done work placements in other trust schools and is really excited to be working at St James.

Ms Brennan: Buzzards Class Teacher (Y5)

Mrs Kopec has joined us from another school in May 2023 after recently moving to the area and will be teaching full time in our Y5 class, Buzzards.

Mrs Scott - Foundation Stage Lead Practitioner

Mrs Scott joined St James in September 2022 and works full time in our Nursery class, Caterpillars. Mrs Scott brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our youngest learners. 

Mrs Redding: Teaching Assistant

Mrs Redding joined St James in March 2021 and works full time in Foxes, our Year 2 class.  Mrs Redding joins us with a degree in Primary education and a range of experience leading extended school provision.

Miss Simmons: Level 3 Foundation Stage Practitioner

Miss Simmons joined St James in March 2021 and works full time in our EYFS working with both Nursery and Butterflies.  Miss Simmons joins us from another Devon Primary School and has spent many years as an outstanding local Childminder.

Mrs Norris - Teaching Assistant

Mrs Norris joined St. James in June 2022 and works in KS1 with Miss Floyd.  She is a trained Forest School Leader and will be running our Forest School from September 2022.

Mrs Hubber - Teaching Assistant

Mrs Hubber joined St. James in June 2022 and works full time in our Reception class, Butterflies.

Mr Daniel - Teaching Assistant

Mr Daniel joined St James in September 2022, having previously been a Teaching Assistant in another local school and then spending some time working in the Premises team at St James.  Mr Daniel works full time in our KS2 classes, supporting children's learning across the week.

Mrs Webber - Teaching Assistant

Mrs Webber joined St James in September 2022, having previously been a Teaching Assistant in other local Devon schools.  Mrs Webber works full time in KS1, supporting children's learning across the week.

Ms Mills - Teaching Assistant

Ms Mills joined St James in December 2022, having previously worked as a Teaching Assistant in another local school. Ms Mills works four days a week, supporting the children's learning across the school.

Miss Dodd : Teaching Assistant

Miss Dodd joined St James in March 2023 and works full time in our Caterpillars class, supporting our youngest learners.

Ms May: Teaching Assistant

Ms May has joined St James in September 2023 from another local primary school. Mrs May is supporting in our Year 1 class, Hedgehogs.

 Mrs Perrott - Teaching Assistant

Mrs Perrott joined St James in January 2023 as an MTA and has now changed her role to become a teaching assistant, Mrs Perrott works full time and supports children from a range of year groups.

Miss Porter: Teaching Assistant (Y2)

Miss Porter has joined the St James team in January 2024 and has moved from another school in the trust. Miss Porter is working part time in Foxes class.

Mrs Sweeney: Teaching Assistant

Mrs Sweeney has joined St James in January 2024 as a full time Teaching Assistant. Mrs Sweeney has had a lot of experience previously working in other schools and is very excited to join the St James team.

Mrs Stacey - Kitchen Assistant 

Miss Stacey joined St James in September 2019 as an MTA and became a Kitchen Assistant in September 2021.  She helps prepare and serve up the children's dinners everyday with a big smile!

Mrs Hensberg - Kitchen Assistant 

Mrs Hensberg joined St James in January 2022 as an MTA and became a Kitchen Assistant in October 2023. Mrs Hensberg helps prepare and serve delicious meals to the children everyday.

Mrs Rickwood - Meal Time Assistant (MTA)

Mrs Rickwood joined St James in September 2021 from another local Devon school and supports the children across the school whilst they are eating their lunches.  

Mrs Espin - Meal Time Assistant (MTA)

Mrs Espin joined St James in November 2023 and supports the children across the school during lunch times.

Ms Stephens - Meal Time Assistant (MTA)

Ms Stephens joined St James in April 2024 as an MTA where she supports children across the school at lunch time.

Mrs Button - Parent Support Adviser

Greta Button is our Parent Support Adviser who offers support to our families one day a week with a range of advice.  If you would like to know more about what Greta can support your family with, please speak to a member of our Office staff.

Mr Morgan - Premises Manager

Mr Morgan is the Premises Manager for St James and is based here two days a week, where he oversees the maintenance of the St James site.

For information about the governing body of the school, please visit our governors page.