Mr Matt Hawley
Headteacher
Before arriving at Debden in September 2019, Matt spent 6 successful years in senior leadership roles in schools in London and Dubai. Matt holds an MA in Education Management from King's College University in London, in addition to an undergraduate degree in English. Matt was drawn to Debden by its warm, nurturing sense of community and the commitment to meeting the needs of each individual child. Outside of school, Matt enjoys spending time with his family and is a (long-suffering) supporter of Leeds United!
Mrs Sarah Bailey
Deputy Head/ SENCO/ Year 3-4 Teacher
Sarah has been a key member of the Debden team for a number of years, firstly as a class teacher, before becoming a senior teacher, and then our Acting Deputy Head. Sarah is also our SENCO, and has a passion for supporting children with special educational needs. Sarah has obtained the National Award for Special Educational Needs which forms part of her Masters, and has recently qualified as a School Mental Health Leader. Outside of the classroom, Sarah enjoys running, skiing and surfing- when she gets a chance to return to the Devon coast!
Mrs Holly Caparelli
Senior Teacher/ EYFS Leader/ Reception Teacher
Holly has experience of working in both EYFS and KS1 classrooms. Her passion for early education and learning through play has led to her to where she is now, as Early Years lead at Debden Primary Academy. Holly was drawn to Debden by its nurturing ethos and opportunities to enhance Early Provision, giving children opportunities to learn through play, exploration and challenge. Her competitive nature lends well to Sports lead and she looks forward to helping Debden to success in local schools sporting events. Outside of school, Holly enjoys cooking and spending time with her family, especially long walks on the beach with her dog, Colin.
Mrs Jenny Hatch
Year 1 Teacher
Before joining Debden Primary Academy, Jenny spent ten years teaching in London. She has experience teaching across Key Stage One and Two and has undertaken a variety of middle leadership roles during her teaching career. She enjoys learning about the past and exploring the world, so this makes her well-suited to her role of Humanities Lead at Debden. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, including trips to the coast and long walks. She also loves travelling and learning about new cultures.
Mrs Pen Hopkinson
Year 1 Teacher
Miss Sarah Douglas
Year 2 Teacher
Mrs Becky Auty
Year 2 Teacher
Mrs Chloe Barden
Year 4-5 Teacher
Chloe joined the Debden team in September 2023. Prior to this, Chloe was a class teacher at our sister school at Great Chesterford for 8 years, where she had advanced from her original position as a learning support assistant. Chloe is really passionate about Art and has taken up the role as our Art and DT leader. Outside of school, Chloe enjoys supporting her children in their sporting endeavours, baby-sitting her new niece, and walking her dog Reggie!
Miss Heather Rowe
Year 5-6 Teacher
With a passion for patient, high-quality teaching, Heather was drawn to the friendly and nurturing environment at Debden Primary Academy. Living locally in Debden Green, she has experience teaching in the area across both Key Stages. Heather has a BA (hons) degree in Ancient History and a postgraduate certificate in education. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys painting, horse riding, reading and looking after her many pets!
Mrs Rebecca Adams
Teaching Assistant/Midday Assistant
Mrs Maria Barca
1:1 Learning Support Assistant/Midday Assistant
Mrs Sarah Cameron
Learning Support Assistant
Before working at Debden, Sarah worked as a legal and sales and marketing secretary for two local firms. To fit in with two young children, she retrained as a playgroup leader working at local playgroups. Sarah has been a teaching assistant for over 20 years, gaining experience in most year groups but returning to her passion, early years, about 16 years ago. Sarah enjoys spending time with her family and walking her dog, Ozzi.
Mrs Sarah Clark
Learning Support Assistant/Midday Assistant
Mrs Elaine Cox
Learning Support Assistant
Elaine joined Debden in 2003, first as a Midday Assistant, then as an LSA in 2004. Elaine has worked in years 1,2, and 3, but especially enjoys supporting children in phonics in year 1 and 2. Prior to moving to the area, Elaine travelled with her husband as an Army wife, living in Germany, Hong Kong and Northern Ireland. Now settled in Saffron Walden, Elaine enjoys nothing more than spending time with her family and taking long walks with Boycie, her black labrador.
Mrs Maria Day
Learning Support Assistant and Catering Assistant
Mrs Kathy Dixon
Learning Support Assistant and Learning Mentor
Kathy joined Debden in 2016 and is Frog's Class LSA in addition to providing SEMH support throughout the school. Kathy is a qualified Level 3 Forest School Leader and is proud of how caring all the children are to each other when they are in the woods. In her free time, Kathy can be found walking in the fields with her dog, gardening and doing yoga.
Miss Charlotte Gardner
Learning Support Assistant
Mrs Jo Hoskins
Learning Support Assistant
Jo joined Debden school in 2022, after leaving her previous career in banking derivative operations some years ago to raise her family. Whilst raising her four children, she volunteered for various roles in schools including, “reading with dogs” as part of Pets for Therapy. Through the experience of working in schools Jo knew she would like to do this when returning to work and now loves being part of the Debden School family. She enjoys travelling and socialising as well as long walks with her dog Kara.
Mrs Lauren Raven
Teaching Assistant/Midday Assistant
Mrs Sally Dale
Office Administrator
Sally joined Debden in 2005 and worked as an LSA for 12 years, mainly in Kingfisher Class. She has been in the office for a couple of years now and job shares with Mrs Arundell. She thoroughly enjoys the work as she now gets to know the parents as well as the children. Sally has travelled the world as an Army wife for 27 years, but is now settled in Thaxted, where when not at work, she loves walking her border collie Nala, singing in a local choir and during the long winter evenings, crocheting blankets for her family to snuggle up with.
Mrs Jo Arundell
Office Administrator
Jo arrived at Debden in 2005 and worked as a Teaching Assistant for 12 years. Jo is now in the school office as an office administrator. Prior to Debden Jo owned and ran a restaurant in Saffron Walden for 10 years having returned from 6 years living in the sunshine in Tenerife. Jo loves the nurturing ethos of the school and how well we get to know our children as individuals. Outside of school Jo enjoys family time and indulging in her passion for cooking.
Mrs Jen Andrew
Catering Manager
Before joining Debden September 2018, Jen worked as a Catering manager in a large Infant School in Ripon, North Yorkshire for two years. Jen started out as a Chef after further education, working in 4-star hotels around the UK for many years and qualified in catering and hotel management. Jen was drawn to Debden because she loves working in a small caring school with children who are kind to each other and passionate about learning. Outside of school, Jen has been part of the Army community for 13 years, living in 4 different postings throughout the UK. Jen’s hobbies are walking with her two dogs and supporting the Rugby Union teams England and Harlequins. She also enjoys travelling, long & short haul, experiencing other cultures and history.
