Meet the team

Emily Dunn- Nursery Teacher

Having taught primarily in Key Stage 1 for the majority of my teaching career, I was lucky enough to be placed in Reception at Hillcroft in 2022 and from there a love of Early Years developed for me. This wonderful opportunity was entirely inspiring, it unlocked a real passion for me and cemented that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my time as a teacher. Working with our youngest children is an absolute privilege, and it is truly a magical experience supporting all children within the cohort to achieve their personal best at the start of their learning journeys.

I became Early Years Phase Lead at Hillcroft at the start of 2023, and am currently undertaking an National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership, due to be completed in 2024 to develop my skills as a leader within Early Years further.  Hillcroft Nursery is truly a fantastic place to work, with an excellent team of nurturing and skilled practitioners that I am privileged to work alongside.

Cornelia Cooper-Beirne- Nursery Key Worker 

Early Years has been a lifelong passion of mine and I firmly believe that excellent early education supports children to achieve their own personal best, not just in the early years, but throughout their school career and beyond. I completed my NNEB diploma in 1997. As part of my Nursery Nurse training I spent a year at Hillcroft, before then going on to work in a variety of different settings. I was very excited to return to Hillcroft in 2007, and I have been happily here ever since.

In 2020 I was fortunate enough to start my Thrive training, and becoming a licensed Thrive Practitioner has supported my passion for nurturing and developing the mental wellbeing of all children.

Hillcroft is a really special community and it's one I feel privileged to be a part of.

Vicky Mitchell- Nursery Key Worker

"If you can dream it,  you can do it." Walt Disney. For years I always wanted to work with children, but when is a good time to change your career? I had my son and decided to take the plunge and throw myself into an Early Years qualification.

Here I am nearly 5 years later as a level 3 Early Years Educator. I started working in a private Nursery as an apprentice and have been working in Hillcroft’s Nursery since 2022. I'm very lucky to be surrounded by amazing colleagues who have so much experience between them. I am proud to be part of the Team that achieved Outstanding in our Ofsted visit last year and am privileged to be part of our children’s learning journey here at Hillcroft.

Emma Gillam- Nursery Support Assistant

Whilst having only joined Hillcroft Primary School this academic year it has always been a passion of mine to work within a school environment, especially as a learning support assistant in Nursery.

I feel really privileged to be working with such a strong, experienced and helpful team and feel proud that I am working within a school which has had an Outstanding Ofsted report.

Knowing I am making a difference to the children in early years and being able to help and guide them on the start of the journey in education is a very special feeling and hugely rewarding.