Our staff

2026-27

Senior Leadership Team

Executive Principal - Alison Ashcroft

Vice Principal - Lianne Vickers

Assistant Principal: Behaviour and Culture - Chris Lamming

Assistant Principal: Curriculum -  Andrea Brown

Upper Key Stage Two Phase Leader- Ed Helliwell

Lower Key Stage Two Phase Leader: Ella Hemery

Key Stage One Phase Leader - Claudia Challis

Early Years Phase Leader - Louise McMaster

Senior Leader: Ben Hyde

Phonics Lead: Emma Clements

SENCO - Claire Middlemore

Office Team

Hayley Anderson(Office and Finance Manager)

Joanna Douglas 

Annie Hobbs

Early Years Team

Pre-school Teacher Acorn Class teacher: Samantha Duckett and Emily Holden

Level 3 Practitioners: Hannah Brett, Rachel Spencer 

Learning Support Assistant: Julia Watkins

Reception Teachers: Louise McMaster (Hazel Class) and Hannah Dray (Cherry Class)

Learning Support Assistants: Hayley Gage, Di Bradley, Jayden Dwight and TBA

Key Stage One Team

Year 1 Class Teachers: Emma Clements (Beech Class), Rea McMordie(Maple Class) 

Year 1 Learning Support Assistants: Daisy McDonald, Zuzi Ziman

Year 2 Class Teachers: Claudia Challis (Rowan Class), Bella Mills (Willow Class)

Year 2 Learning Support Assistants: Laura Patterson, Salina Chalise

Key Stage Two Team

Year 3 Class Teachers: Olivia Elliot/ Andrea Brown (Chestnut Class) and Chris Lamming (Sycamore Class)

Year 3 Learning Support Assistants: Lucy Taylor, Margaret Xavier

Year 4 Class Teachers: Elle-Mae Paterson (Birch Class) and Ella Hemery (Elm Class)

Year 4 Learning Support Assistants: Tina Bone, Michelle Sagoo, Bethany Scane

Year 5 Class Teachers: Caroline O' Brien (Alder), Ben Little  (Ash)

Year 5 Learning Support Assistants: Katy Watson, Gemma Smith

Year 6 Class teachers: Ben Hyde (Oak Class), Ed Helliwell (Cedar Class)

Year 6 Learning Support Assistants: Sally Foster, Kate Smith

PPA cover: Cara Sullivan and Molly Chalmers

Family Support Worker: Alex Wright

Behaviour Support Learning Mentor: Cathy Venes 

Lunch time supervisors:

All Learning Support Assistants also have a lunch time supervisor role.

Catering Staff: from Fresh Start

Breakfast Club staff: Di Bradley, Zuzanna Ziman, Jayden Dwight

After school club is run by TA Sports Stars  please see extended hours for more details.

Caretaker: 

Cleaners: From Calor Cleaning

Our Senior Leadership Team

Alison Ashcroft - Executive Principal - DPA and Sires Hill Primary Academy

Alison Ashcroft is our founding principal and so has been leading the school since it opened in 2016.  A highly experienced leader (17 years of headship, 27 years of school leadership and over 30 years in primary education) who has led DPA through two inspections - both of which were graded as outstanding in all areas. As Executive Principal, Alison leads across both DPA and Sires Hill Primary Academy and is present in both schools across the week. Alison is dedicated to ensuring the best possible education for every child. Alison has been teaching within the Didcot area for the last 26 years, and ensures that the curriculum and wider provision remains relevant for children of today. 

Lianne Vickers - Vice Principal 

Lianne Vickers is the Vice Principal of DPA and has been with the school since 2021. Lianne has great experience in leading special educational needs and is now supporting DPA's SENCo, having previously held this position herself.  Lianne is also the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the school. Lianne has been teaching since 2012 and has worked within the Abingdon partnership before moving to DPA.  Working alongside the Principal, Lianne brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the school.

Chris Lamming - Assistant Principal

Chris has worked at DPA since 2018 and alongside his leadership role for behaviour, leads English across the school.  Chris has written a bespoke English scheme which has really transformed writing in the school over the last few years.  Chris has been teaching since 2012. 

Andrea Brown - Assistant Principal

Andrea has worked at DPA since it opened in 2016 and has helped shape its development from the very beginning. Andrea leads mathematics across the school and is also responsible for our Early Career Teachers.  

Ben Hyde - Senior Leader 

Ben started his teaching career at DPA when he joined the school in 2017.  Alongside his teaching role, Ben leads PE ensuring that we participate in as many competitions as possible. He is also responsible for Pupil Premium and for induction of our new staff – ensuring that the quality that we expect of every member of staff is upheld as new members join. Ben leads assessment throughout the school.