Meet our Team

• Mrs N Horlor

  Headteacher

  Natalie Horlor is the Headteacher at Anker Valley Primary and has worked in education since 2004. During this time, she has taught across the primary age range from Early Years through to Year 6 and has developed teaching and learning and curriculum as part of a senior leadership team. Having grown up in Tamworth, Natalie describes becoming the headteacher as her ‘proudest achievement so far’ and is dedicated to providing all of the Anker Valley children with the opportunity to shine and succeed as part of their exciting learning journey. 

• Mrs M Hamblin

  Executive Headteacher

  Maria Hamblin is CEO of the Fierté Multi-Academy Trust. Maria is also a National Leader of Education, supporting school improvement nationwide. Following a career as a Sister in Intensive Care, she started teaching in 2009 and has held leadership roles for over five years including positions of Headteacher and Executive Headteacher. In leading a group of schools, Maria believes passionately in the power of working as one entity; advancing education for the public benefit with a shared moral and legal purpose. Maria continues to work with an external consultancy in supporting schools both at a primary and secondary level and is passionate that the Trust will continue to work with other Trusts in the region and beyond to ensure that Fierté remains an outward facing organisation, maximising every opportunity to collaborate and strengthen partnerships for the benefit of all.

• Mrs A Free

  Kestrels Class Teacher

  Andrea Free is the Kestrels class teacher at Anker Valley. Since qualifying in 2006, she has taught across all age ranges from Nursery through to Year 6. Over this time, Andrea has taught in both one form and two form entry schools in Staffordshire. She has been a member of a senior leadership team and worked as a regional trainer for the local authority. As an experienced class teacher and a parent to two young children, Andrea strongly believes that the formative years of schooling are amongst the most important as a child’s initial experiences of school set the scene for future years. She is therefore looking forward to getting to know Anker Valley’s children and families, as they start on their exciting learning journeys.

• Mrs J Sweeney

  Herons Class Teacher

  Jade Sweeney is the Herons class teacher at Anker Valley. Since qualifying in 2015, she has taught within an inner-city school in Wolverhampton, teaching across years 1, 2 and 3 and spent time as a middle leader for English. Jade has gained a wealth of knowledge and understanding of how to support children with SEND and EAL during her teaching career and carried this expertise with her to the Fierté Trust last year, when she joined the Key Stage 1 team at one of our trust schools. Jade is looking forward to making valuable contributions as Anker Valley grows, supporting all children’s needs and inspiring them to excellence.

• Mrs L Williams

  Kingfishers Class Teacher

  Lisa Williams is very excited about joining the team at Anker Valley. She has worked in schools for 15 years supporting EYFS to KS4 as a teaching assistant, before qualifying as a teacher. She enjoys watching as children develop a love for learning and sharing in their celebrations of those ‘lightbulb’ moments. Lisa has a passion for supporting children in developing their confidence and expressing themselves in many different ways but particularly through performing arts within after-school clubs. She is looking forward to helping the children be the best they can be during their journey into KS2.

• Mrs A Herrick

  Dragonflies Class Teacher

  Abbie Herrick is thrilled to be joining the Anker Valley team as the class teacher in Dragonflies. Since qualifying in 2016, she has taught children predominantly in EYFS, in inner-city schools in Luton and Birmingham. From these experiences, Abbie has gained skills in teaching children with SEND and EAL needs from disadvantaged backgrounds. She has loved seeing these children grow personally and academically, and being able to provide them with experiences they may not have otherwise received. Abbie believes that school should be a place where children can feel safe and happy so they are able to learn, have fun and become the best person they can be. She is extremely excited to get to know the children and their families as they embark on the beginning of their learning journey at Anker Valley Primary Academy.

• Miss S Garrett

  Teaching Assistant

  Sarah Garrett is delighted to be joining the team at Anker Valley Primary Academy as our Kestrels and Kingfisher's teaching assistant and is bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and specialised experience in many areas. In her previous role within the Trust, she has provided one to one support for SEND children and has ensured that all within her care learn in a joyful and supportive environment. Sarah has worked in education since 2008, predominantly in reception and years 1 and 2. She has gained a wealth of knowledge and completed qualifications including her Level 3 in Childcare and Education. Sarah is deeply passionate and caring and sees every day as a learning day and is currently training to be a forest school leader. She is looking forwards to striving for excellence alongside the children, as part of the Anker Valley family.

• Miss S Murrell

  Teaching Assistant

  Shauna Murrell is a teaching assistant in Herons. She has worked within early years for four years and achieved a level 3 in Early Childcare as well as a Bachelors Honours Degree in Early Childhood Studies. She has gained knowledge and understanding of how to support children with different needs and wishes to continue to build her skills and experiences with the children at Anker Valley. Shauna cares for the children as she would for her own and supports them along their learning journey by meeting their needs and inspiring them to be the best they can be.

• Miss I Stacey

  Teaching Assistant

  Isobel Stacey is a teaching assistant in Dragonflies. She joined Anker Valley in 2022 on work placement while completing her level 3 child care and early years qualification at Sutton College. Isobel loves working with children and being part of the Anker Valley family. Isobel is also a qualified swimming teacher and lifeguard, and has worked for a local swimming school for the last 4 years.

• Miss H Elliott

  Office Manager

  Heidi Elliott is the Office Manager at Anker Valley Primary and will be a warm welcoming face for you and your child. Promoting kindness and developing a comforting and happy atmosphere is what she consistently strives to achieve. Having worked in retail for the last five years, Heidi has developed essential skills in customer service, providing excellent communication skills, whilst maintaining a professional and supportive demeanour. Heidi is looking forwards to starting a new career in education and will be on hand to answer any questions that you may have.

• Mrs C Wheeler

  Catering Assistant/Lunchtime Support

  Claire Wheeler is the Catering Assistant/Lunchtime Support at Anker Valley Primary and helps prepare the healthy, home cooked meals that the children enjoy at lunchtime.

• Mrs M Wootton

  Nursery Supervisor - Our Pride Our Joy

  Michelle Wootton supports learners in Our Pride Our Joy Nursery, and our before and after school club at Anker Valley Primary.

• Miss V Harvey

  Nursery and Care Club Assistant - Our Pride Our Joy

  Miss Harvey supports learners in Our Pride Our Joy Nursery, and our before and after school club at Anker Valley Primary. (Currently on maternity leave)

• Mrs S Maxted

  Nursery and Care Club Assistant - Our Pride Our Joy

  Samantha Maxted supports learners in Our Pride Our Joy Nursery, and our before and after school club at Anker Valley Primary.

• Miss K Notley

  Nursery and Wrap Around - OPOJ

  Miss Notley supports in Nursery and the before and after-school club at Anker Valley.

• Miss E Wallace

  Before and After School Club - OPOJ

  Miss Wallace is the manager of the before and after-school club at Anker Valley.

• Mrs M Smith

  Before and After School Club - OPOJ

  Mrs Smith supports the before and after-school club at Anker Valley.

• Ms M Zemanova

  Before and After School Club - OPOJ

• Mrs D Tuohy-Hewitt

  Nursery Manager

• Miss L Spencer

  Cleaner

  Miss Spencer is the cleaner at Anker Valley.

• Astro

  School Dog

  Astro is our school dog. He lives in the office and loves to greet people when they arrive at Anker Valley. His favourite part of the day is when the children bring their amazing work to show to him.