Paul Baker
Headteacher
I feel so fortunate to call myself the Headteacher of Gulval School, something I have been able to do since my appointment in 2014. I have a passion for adventurous learning and work hard with my staff team to provide our rich and diverse ‘Adventurous Curriculum’. I am relentlessly positive and believe that anything is possible. I love spending time with my family, up mountains, on beaches and anywhere outdoors. I love the challenge of long bike rides too… Did I mention I became an Ironman in 2018? That’s up there with one of my greatest achievements!
Mrs E Shapland
Nursery Manager
As manager of Gulval Little Learners I have been following my passion of creating enabling learning environments for under 5’s. I have been working with Early Years Children for over 20 years now and I can still say that no day is ever the same! I still go home each day, not only teaching something new but also learning something new too. At home I spend my weekends and holidays with my family, camping and enjoying the great outdoors.
Miss E Robertson
Reception Class Teacher
I am passionate about Physical Education, and I can’t wait to bring my knowledge into Gulval. Outside of school, you will find me on a netball court, either playing or coaching netball! I love driving my yellow car around Cornwall seeing all the amazing places.
Miss E Sherwood
Year 1 Class Teacher
I am super excited to be a part of the Gulval team. I cannot wait to get to know everyone. I am passionate about learning and making learning fun! When I am not at school I enjoy spending time with my family and giving lots of cuddles to my rabbit Monty. I enjoy beach walks and swimming. I love dinosaurs and you can always find Steven the stegosaurus hiding in my classroom, waiting for a hug.
Miss S Warren
Year 2 Class Teacher
I am enjoying my role in Topaz Class working with year 2 children and being a part of the Gulval Team, which I’ve been involved with now for over 10 years as a teacher, a parent and a governor. In my spare time I love sewing, making children’s clothes and spending time with my two young children and my family.
Miss K Wilson
Assistant Headteacher
SENDCO
Year 2 Class Teacher
I am the Year Two teacher at Gulval school and I enjoy leading a passionate Phonics team. I have a real love for reading and enjoy sharing this with the children at Gulval school. I love to keep fit whether it’s on the bike, out for a run or in the gym. At the weekend I like to spend time with my family and friends and will often be found walking or in the sea swimming or surfing.
Miss M Blyth
Year 3 Class Teacher
I am so excited to be a part of the Gulval team and bringing fun, creativity, and lots of laughter to learning in Year 3. I’m passionate about making the classroom a place where every child feels safe and inspired to shine. Outside of school, I love exploring our beautiful Cornish beaches and, in the holidays, discovering new places around the world. I am looking forward to a wonderful year ahead.
Miss T Roach
Year 4 Class Teacher
I am a so excited to be part of #TeamGulval! I am passionate about helping everyone to believe in themselves and their potential and to view learning as a chance to grow. When not in school I can be found at the beach or in the kitchen cooking up a storm! I love reading, tea and Disney films.
Miss L Robinson
Year 5 Class Teacher
Joining Team Gulval marks the start of an exciting journey filled with curiosity and discovery. I love bringing lessons to life and sharing the joy of learning, helping children explore new ideas and grow in confidence. Beyond the classroom, I’m a keen adventurer — often running, hiking, or swimming — and a passionate traveller who enjoys experiencing new places and cultures while appreciating the beauty of Cornwall. I’m looking forward to a fantastic year ahead with Year 5, full of exploration, creativity, and growth.
Miss L Wise
Year 5 Class Teacher
Assistant Headteacher
(Maternity leave)
I am the proud mum of Eddie the school dog! At the weekends, I am currently undertaking house renovations, I do love a bit of demolition. When time allows, I also enjoy travelling the world and ticking off the countries I have visited on my scratch map.
Mr M Yates
Assistant Headteacher
Year 6 Class Teacher
I am thrilled to be part of #TeamGulval and feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to teach Sapphire class and I can’t wait for the exciting opportunities that being in Year Six brings! I have a real passion for maths and hope to inspire others to feel just as positive about it as I do – even when it’s hard to get to the answer! When not at school, you will either find me out on my bike (often cycling to work!), spending time with my family, or out walking my springer spaniel, Alfie.
Miss A Acheson
Teaching Assistant
Gulval School is a fantastic environment to be in – for staff as well as children! I am surrounded by fantastic role models for these amazing children and I am honoured to be a part of the team. When I am not working at school, I am a director (including work for the National Theatre Connections festival), actress (including work for Disney and National Geographic) and creative practitioner for the Minack Theatre. I am also leading/developing ideas with the Golowan or ‘Mazey Day’ team to include more exciting things for young people at the festival! I love all things creative and am thoroughly enjoying supporting these wonderful children on their journeys.
Mrs N Bond
Early Years Practitioner
I have been working in Little Learners for quite some time now, seeing the children learn and develop from starting with us through to school is so rewarding. As the Pre school Lead I have a real passion for well being and literacy and feel it’s something all children thrive from in their early years. I love watching them grow and when they move on, seeing their confidence grow over the fence in school! In my spare time I’m quite often at the beach or in the sea, my absolute favourite place to be with my children.
Ms A Bressington
Early Years Practitioner
I have worked with children and young adults for nearly 30 years, firstly at Penzance Gymnastics for 22 years and then at Gulval Little Learners. Each day brings a different challenge and I still believe I have much to learn. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family, playing lots of tennis, walking and Gig rowing.
Miss W Carpenter
Teaching Assistant
I feel lucky to be part of #TeamGulval! Everyday is different and there is always an opportunity to make a difference no matter how small. I have been a Teaching Assistant for about 4 years now and a parent of the school for longer. There is a lot of passion and every member of our team really does care and that inspires me to do better everyday. I have a passion for dance and yoga and to be able to share that with the children and watch their skills and confidence grow is a real privilege. When I am not in school I love spending time with my family and exploring this beautiful county.
Mrs P Davies
Associate SENco
I love being part of an amazing team of people and that my job is so diverse. In a day I can be working with our school animals, supporting a child with a communication need or providing a child with emotional support. I love that each day is different. When I am not at school I enjoy walking my dog with my family and running.
Mrs L Davy
Teaching Assistant
I’ve worked at Gulval school for over 10 years and I love the many different challenges my job brings. I especially enjoy helping children explore their creativity and I am particularly passionate about displays and Mazey making. When I’m not at school I like to explore local historical sites, make jewellery and watch my daughters swim.
Miss K Daw
Teaching Assistant
I’m a dedicated teaching assistant with a passion for supporting children in their learning and development. I love creating a calm, encouraging environment where every child feels valued and confident to be themselves. Whether I’m helping one-on-one or assisting across the classroom, I aim to make learning feel both accessible and enjoyable. I’m proud to be part of Gulval School, where every day brings new opportunities to help children grow and thrive. Outside of work, I enjoy relaxing with music and getting lost in a good book. These personal interests help me stay inspired and bring fresh energy into the classroom every day.
Mrs Katie Dean
Administrator
I am proud to be part of the team at Gulval School in administration, where I enjoy supporting both staff and families to help the school run smoothly each day.
Outside of School, I love spending time with my family, who are at the heart of everything I do. I have a real passion for baking and enjoy getting creative in the kitchen , as well as crafting and making things by hand.
Miss T Fitzpatrick
Teaching Assistant
I’m delighted to be part of #TeamGulval! It’s so rewarding to work with children each day, sharing and helping with their learning. I am passionate about making sure every child feels seen, valued, and able to thrive at school. I love integrating storytelling and creativity in the classroom, making learning come alive! Outside of school, I love living by the sea, walking, swimming, and spending time on the beach, especially with our lovely dog! I love to travel and feel very lucky to have visited some amazing places around the world, always looking forward to the next adventure. I’m a big music lover and have recently taken up line dancing, which has been great fun.
Miss C Gadney
Teaching Assistant
(Maternity leave)
I am so lucky to work with such lovely children and colleagues here at Gulval School and feel very proud to be part team Gulval. Working with children is such a rewarding job and there’s never a dull day. When I’m not in school I enjoy sea swimming, walking with my new puppy Pablo, and spending time with my friends and family.
Mrs E Hing
Teaching Assistant
(Maternity leave)
I am very lucky to be a part of team Gulval, working alongside some fantastic and dedicated work colleagues. Seeing children grow from strength to strength in their learning and achieving their personal goals is fantastic. Everyone at Gulval School brightens my day. In my spare time I enjoy listening to a variety of music, reading a good book, spending time with my cat Maggie, and going for walks on our family farm.
Mrs L Leeds
Deputy Manager
I am the Deputy Manager at Gulval Little Learners. I started working here in 2015 and I love it! Being able to watch the children grow and to watch their characters develop is an amazing thing to be part of. The added bonus is being able to watch their learning journey continue by seeing them join Gulval School and still being able to say ‘Hello’ to them each day. My happy places are in the sea, on the beach, walking my dog and spending time with my family.
Mrs S Markham
Teaching Assistant
I have been part of Gulval School for eleven years both as a parent and a member of staff! I love being a part of the children’s learning journey, watching them grow and then progress as they move up through school. I feel lucky to work with such a dedicated team where no two days are ever the same. When I’m not at school I love spending time with my family, walking my dog, socialising with friends and most of all spending time on our beautiful Cornish beaches.
Miss S Morse
Teaching Assistant
I’m so excited to be part of #TeamGulval. I absolutely love ICT and PE. I can’t wait to help everyone learn, grow, and shine as their fabulous selves at Gulval School! ✨
When I’m not in the classroom, you’ll definitely find me on the side of a football pitch coaching, cheering, analysing the game, or celebrating the big moments.
Football is a huge part of my life, and I love bringing that same energy, teamwork, and passion into school every day.
Mrs L Murley
Teaching Assistant
It is great to be working at Gulval school with a dedicated and enthusiastic team. I love watching the children grow in confidence and ability as they learn.
Outside of school I love working on my allotment and garden and spending my time with my family which includes my three grandchildren.
Mrs Penny Nicholls
Senior Administrator
I have worked at Gulval School for many years, a child once even asked me if I lived here! My job is very varied bringing something new every day. I find working with my friend Mrs Smith extremely rewarding as we work as such a close team. When I do eventually go home I like to spend time with my family, walking my dog and looking after my beautiful grandchildren.
Miss L Parsons
Early Years Practitioner
I’ve been working at Gulval Little learners for some time now and really feel at home in a beautiful setting. I qualified as an Early Years Practitioner and have attended many courses along the way to create an enabling environment for all.
It’s very rewarding seeing children grow and learn through their learning development with us. It’s also amazing to be a part of their confidence, ready for their next adventures throughout their school years. In my spare time I really enjoy outdoor activities with my two children , family walks and holidays.
Mrs J Roberts
Teaching Assistant
I feel so lucky to be part of #TeamGulval. As a teaching assistant you have the opportunity to make a difference everyday, it really is the most rewarding job. In my spare time I love spending time with my 3 beautiful children. You will mostly find us on the beach (regardless of the weather!) walking our dog Bonnie or attempting to bake, however my daughter is far more successful than me at this!
Mrs Andrea Smith
Administrator
I have been very fortunate to work at Gulval School for the past 16 years and I feel lucky to work so closely with Mrs Nicholls! Within the office there is no ‘I’ in team and we always work together to achieve our goals. In my spare time I love travelling and walking my dog but most of all having fun with my family and friends.
Miss H Swanepoel
Teaching Assistant
As a teaching assistant at Gulval, I’m proud to support the classroom and help children grow and succeed. It’s incredibly rewarding to see their confidence and curiosity develop every day, and I’m so happy to be part of Team Gulval! In my free time, I enjoy staying active, getting creative with art, and going on lots of walks with my dog, Casper.🐾”
Miss C Sweetman
Teaching Assistant
I’ve enjoyed working at Gulval School since my (grown-up) children were pupils here and can’t quite seem to bring myself to leave! No two days here are the same and, in 15 years, there hasn’t been a dull moment. When I’m not making things and trying not to get covered in paint at school, I’m doing the same at home!
Miss E Hart
Teaching Assistant
Having been a parent at Gulval school for the last 14 years, I now feel incredibly lucky to be employed as one of the Thrive practitioners. Thrive is an important part of our school ethos and I offer emotional support both in class, during lunch and through 1:1 or small group sessions. Outside of school I love reading, singing and spending time with my own family.
Mrs R Taylor
Early Years Practitioner
I’m so happy to be a part of this amazing team. I love working in Little Learners supporting the children to grow and flourish. Every day brings new and exciting challenges and achievements in such a fun environment. When I’m not in school I love to swim in the sea and spend time with my husband and 2 children.
Mrs D Wallis
Teaching Assistant
I am super excited to have joined Team Gulva where everyone can enjoy the delightful, happy, stimulating and caring environment that Gulval provides. I value spending time with our younger children and feel most privaleged to be able to help and support them thrive as they embark on their exciting school journey. I especially love reading, baking, enjoying the great outdoors with my family on our farm and spending time with my cat slippers.
Master Eddie Wise
#TeamGulval Therapy Dog
Woof Woof! I’m Eddie Wise and I’m the school therapy dog. I love seeing everyone’s smiley faces and enjoy relaxing on my bed listening to my favourite story Supertato! When I am not working, I enjoy sitting at the table with my human friends and I like to play fetch at the woods. Hope to see you soon for a cuddle!
