Starting in Year 7
Hello New Year 7!
I hope you are all as excited as we are to know that you will be joining our Sir William Robertson family.
To ease your nerves there will be a lot of support from everyone here to help you with your transition into secondary school. Firstly, your Primary School teachers will tell us all about you – what you are good at and what you need to work on - and then the Head of Year 7 will either come and visit you in your school or will meet you on an online Teams call. This will take place in May/June before you start in September.
After this you will know all you need to know about starting at Sir William Robertson, and then you can look forward to spending the day with us on your transition day in July. On this day you will meet your new Base Tutor, our Heads of House Team and you will also sample some lessons. Most importantly, you will meet all of your new friends. There will also be an Induction Evening to give your parents a chance to meet your Base Tutor, find out some more information about the school and there will also be an opportunity to buy your uniform.
When you start with us in September you will have a second transition day where we welcome just Year 7 back into school on the first day of term. This gives you a chance to meet more friends, your new teachers and you also get to try the delicious food in our school canteen!
Everything you need to know will come out to Primary Schools initially and then shortly afterwards to parents, so please do not worry – more information will be coming to you!
Our pastoral team (Heads of Year, Heads of House and Base Tutors) are listed below.
We look forward to welcoming you very soon as you begin all of the exciting experiences and opportunities we have planned for you at Sir William Robertson!
Parents
If your child is due to join us in September 2025, we realise that you may have many questions and need information to prepare for the big day. Once you have accepted your place at the school, New Starter Packs are sent out directly via email. In the meantime, please explore our website to learn all about SWRA! Place2be.org.uk also has lots of helpful information to make the transition from primary to secondary as smooth as possible. Should you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact us on 01400 272422.
Information for Parents/Carers of New Pupils
HEADS OF YEAR - 2024/2025
Mrs Mower
Mrs Mower
Head of Year 7
About Me...
House – Attenborough (THE BEST!! – Just saying!)
Subjects taught – PE but currently a non teaching HOY
How long have you taught at SWRA – I joined the PE team at SWRA in 2011 so I have been here for 13 years!
Past School/s – A good mix! I worked in Portsmouth for my NQT year, then moved to Somerset. After a couple of years there I joined the PE department at KGGS. Prior to SWRA I worked in a middle school in Milton Keynes! (I am very settled now though).
Studied At – The University of Luton and Leeds Metropolitan University.
Favourite...
Movie: Hmm… The Shawshank Redemption, The notebook and most action movies.
Childhood Book: My go to books were anything Roald Dahl.
Colour: Teal – I mean green – Go Lancer!
Drink: Pepsi max or a nice cup of tea.
Food: Ferrero rocher (or just give me a jar of Nutella and a spoon).
Sports: Hockey, Rounders & Dance (when I could…now I walk and swim).
Some Other Stuff...
Hobbies: Zumba and re-learning French
Pets: My Geoff! A labradoodle. He is still a puppy but getting so big!
Dislikes: Rudeness, dishonesty, not trying your best and mushrooms!
Interesting fact/ talent? I have played hockey for South Yorkshire, danced in Bristol city centre for a Christmas lights switch-on, played Netball against the U21 Canadian National champions in Toronto (aged 31) had 4 knee operations and have I mentioned that I am the Head of the best House ever – Go Lancer!
Miss Breward
Miss Breward
Head of Year 8
About Me...
House – Attenborough
Subjects taught – I’m a non – teaching Head of Year
How long have you taught at SWRA – Since September 2022
Past School/s – Lincoln UTC for 8 years and then SWRC
Studied At – University of Lincoln – Psychology with Clinical Psychology
Favourite...
Movie: Top Gun & Top Gun 2 and I also love any kind of psychological thriller!
Childhood Book: All of the Roald Dahl.
Colour: GREEN 😊
Drink: My morning coffee, with a shot of caramel! Also ice-cold water
Food: A roast dinner, all day every day!
Sports: I used to do A LOT… but not so much anymore! Would love to get into Reformer Pilates
Some Other Stuff...
Hobbies: I love going to the beach as much as I can
Pets: Two cats; Waze & Odyssey
Dislikes: Unkindness, celery & cucumber and being late!
Interesting fact/ talent? I am a black belt in Taekwondo, I also competed in the national cheerleading championships when I was younger 😊
Mrs Jones
Mrs Jones
Head of Year 9
About Me...
House – Robertson
Subjects taught – Year 6 Primary so all of them! Also, KS3 English.
How long have you taught at SWRA – Since Jan 2024
Past School/s – I’ve worked mainly in primary schools but my last job was at SRPA
Studied At – Sheffield Hallam University – Psychology & Criminology
Bishop Grosseteste University – PGCE
Favourite...
Movie: Midnight in Paris – I love Paris and the 1920s!
Childhood Book:I used to enjoy all the Goosebumps stories
Colour: Green
Drink: Iced cold water, iced latte or peach iced tea – anything super cold really with lots of ice!
Food: Pizza (but proper pizza oven pizza!)
Sports: Rugby and Snooker (which is a sport and I love it!)
Some Other Stuff...
Hobbies: Paddleboarding and cooking
Pets: A cockapoo called Bonnie. She’s the best!
Dislikes: Frogs
Interesting fact/ talent?
I have lived in 13 different houses.
I can recite the alphabet backwards really fast! I’m not sure it’s really a talent but most people say it’s not easy so I figure it can be my talent. Try it and let me know!
Miss Walker
Miss Walker
Head of Year 10
About Me...
House – Seacole House
Subjects taught – Psychology (GCSE and A-Level)
How long have you taught at SWRA – Since April 2024
Past School/s –
Sir Robert Pattinson Academy
Giles Academy
Studied At –
Kesteven and Sleaford High School for Girls
University of Northampton
Bishop Grosseteste University
University of Huddersfield
Favourite...
Movie: Matilda (the original and the musical)
Childhood Book:Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Colour: Pink
Drink: When I’m pretending to be healthy: water
Food: Italian food (the more garlic and cheese the better!)
Sports: Horse riding, but to watch, Rugby
Some Other Stuff...
Hobbies: Sleeping
Pets: 2 cats: Oreo and Dodger
Dislikes: Unkindness
Interesting fact/ talent? Very proudly born in Wales 😊
Mrs Brewin
Mrs Brewin
Head of Year 11
About Me...
House – Seacole.
Subjects taught – Physical Education
How long have you taught at SWRA – I started SWRA in September 2000
Past School/s – Wythenshawe St Pauls Manchester. Lincoln Christ Hospital School
Studied At – West Sussex Institute of Higher Education (Chichester University)
Favourite...
Movie: Bridget Jones
Childhood Book: I like reading the news
Colour: Green, ooops
Drink: Vimto
Food: Crisps and Dips
Sports: Running/ Cycling
Some Other Stuff...
Hobbies: Running, cycling and just sitting watching the TV
Pets: None I’m allergic
Dislikes: Marmite peanut butter. Who decided to ruin peanut butter?
Interesting fact/ talent? Played Lacrosse for Rochdale. Worked in Mallorca for 6 months.
YEAR 7 BASE GROUPS - 2025/2026
MrS FRANCIS
Mrs Francis
Base Group 7A
About Me...
House - Attenborough
Tutor Group – 7A
Base Room – R2
Subjects taught – Business and Enterprise
How long have you taught at SWRA – 7 years
Past School/s – Robert Pattinson Academy, North Hykeham and Huyton Arts and Sports centre for Learning, Liverpool
Studied At – University of Ulster, Magee and Liverpool John Moores
Favourite...
Movie: Anything Disney!
Childhood Book: The BFG by Roald Dahl
Colour: Pink
Drink: Tea
Food: Indian
Sports: Football
Some Other Stuff...
Hobbies: Running
Pets: Don't have any!
Dislikes: Marmite
Interesting fact/ talent? I have three children : Kristian, Samuel and Aoife
Mr ginniff
Mr Ginniff
Base Group 7B
About Me...
House – Windrush
Subjects taught – Science
How long have you taught at SWRA – 6 Years
Past School/s –Will Rob through and through!
Studied At – Bishop Grosseteste University
Favourite...
Movie: Tokyo Drift
Childhood TV: Arthur
Colour: Blue
Drink: Fanta
Food: Burger
Sports: All except Golf!
Some Other Stuff...
Hobbies: Cars
Pets: Scared of Animals
Dislikes: The cold
Interesting fact/ talent? I've played football in Cyprus
Miss dunne
Miss Dunne
Base Group 7C
About Me...
House – Attenborough
Subjects taught – Mathematics
How long have you taught at SWRA – 1 Year
Past School/s – LSST and Branston Academy
Studied At – The Open University and the University of Birmingham
Favourite...
Movie: Kung Foo Panda
Childhood Book: Flat Stanley
Colour: Green
Drink: Tea
Food: Crisps
Sports: Horse Riding
Some Other Stuff...
Hobbies: Horse Riding
Pets: Horse and Cats
Dislikes: Heavy Rain
Interesting fact/ talent? Lived in nepal when I was a teenager
Mr reed
Mr Reed
Base Group 7D
About Me...
Tutor Group – 7D
Base Room –
House – Attenborough
Subjects taught – Le Français
How long have you taught at SWRA – 5 Years
Past School/s – Winterhill School (Rotherham) and Samworth Church Academy (Mansfield)
Studied At –University of Nottingham
Favourite...
Movie: Avengers Infinity War
Childhood Book: Captain Underpants and the attack of the Talking Toilets
Colour: Blue
Drink: Coca Cola (not diet or zero)
Food: Chicken (Nandos)
Sports: Football - Come on you Spurs!
Some Other Stuff...
Hobbies: Playing football - i'm a goalkeeper and reading comic books
Pets: I used to have a dog
Dislikes: Green food and Arsenal
Interesting fact/ talent? I can speak Spanish, German and Dutch (a bit)
Miss franklin
Miss Franklin
Base Group 7E
About Me...
Tutor Group – 7E
Base Room –
House – Windrush
Subjects taught – Science and Health and Social Care
How long have you taught at SWRA – 15 Years
Past School/s – Robert Pattinson
Studied At – Bishop Grosseteste College
Favourite...
Movie: Terry Pratchett
Childhood Book: Terry Pratchett
Colour: Dark
Sports: Swimming
Some Other Stuff...
Hobbies: Cooking
Pets: Cats
Mrs weston
Mrs Weston
Base Group 7F
About Me...
Tutor Group – 7F
Base Room –
House – Seacole
Subjects taught – English, A Level English Literature and Media Studies
How long have you taught at SWRA – 10 Years
Past School/s – I have taught at SWRA for the last 10 years!
Studied At – Queen's University Belfast and BGU
Favourite...
Movie: Muriel's Wedding
Childhood Book: Roll of Thunder, Hear me Cry
Colour: Red or Leopard Print!
Drink: Diet Coke
Food: Vegetable Curry
Sports: Football
Some Other Stuff...
Hobbies: Running and reading but not usually at the same time!
Pets: A black and white cat called Miss Elizabeth
Dislikes: Narrow-mindedness and littering!
Interesting fact/ talent? I love kareoke!
Miss miller
Miss Miller
Base Group 7G
About Me...
Subjects taught – Geography
How long have you taught at SWRA – 5 years
Past School/s – I trained at Brookfield Community School and Wingfield Academy and have been here ever since!
Studied at: Queen's University Belfast and University of Sheffield
Favourite...
Movie: Forrest Gump and Singin' in the Rain
Childhood Book: Too many to choose just one...Looking for JJ, Noughts and Crosses and The Hunger Games
Colour: Blue
Drink: A good 'cuppa' (tea)
Food: A Roast Dinner with lots of Yorkshire Pudding
Sports: Dancing, Yoga and Swimming
Some Other Stuff...
Hobbies: Travelling to new places, walking the dog, arts and crafts, reading and watching films and box sets
Pets: An orange roan Cocker Spaniel called Rupert
Dislikes: Mayonnaise
Interesting fact/ talent? I drove a motorhome across the USA from San Francisco to New Jersey.
Miss scorror
Miss Scorror
Head of Seacole House
House Background...
Mary Seacole is famous for her work in the Crimean War as well as being a famous businesswoman. She was a female doctor who could cure illnesses with local herbs and medicines and set up hotels as well as shops throughout her life. Mary first travelled to England in 1821 when she was just 16 years old! In the 1800s, it was considered unusual for a woman to travel alone. However, Mary was very independent and ended up writing a book about all her solo travels called Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands. This became the first-ever autobiography published by a free black woman in the British empire. Teachers and students privileged enough to be in Seacole are kind, ambitious and creative!
About Me...
Subjects taught – Drama and Dance
How long have you taught at SWRA – 3 years
Past School/s – I was taught at Walton Girls High School which is now Walton Academy before going on to Walton Sixth Form to study Musical Theatre, History and Psychology. I then went to Blackpool School of Arts where I achieved my BA(Hons) in Musical Theatre accredited by Lancaster University. This was followed by my PGCE accredited by Leeds Beckett University.
Favourite...
Movie: The Notebook
Childhood Book: Aldophus Tips by Michael Morpurgos
Colour: Yellow (obviously – specifically Mustard Yellow)
Drink: Salted Caramel Iced Frappe (from McDonalds on a nice summers day)
Food: Roast Dinners and chocolate!
Sports: Dance, tabletennis and swimming are the sports I love doing myself!
Some Other Stuff...
Hobbies: I am part of two amateur dramatic societies and I love to bake/cook! Also a massive fan of the TV series Friends!
Pets: Allergic to all animals with fur with I REALLY want a tortoise.
Dislikes:Fruit (I still eat veg so it’s okay)
Interesting fact/ talent? I can do the moon walk and I used to work at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom!
Mrs Dowding
Mrs Dowding
Head of Windrush House
House Background...
After World War II, Britain had lots of gaps in the labour market: more people were needed to work in lots of vital jobs, especially as manual workers, drivers, cleaners and nurses in the brand-new NHS. People were encouraged to move to Britain from the Caribbean and they travelled here by boat. The biggest and most famous of these boats was the Empire Windrush, which brought 802 migrants to the UK, mostly from Jamaica. The arrival of the passengers was major national news and has become a symbol of Britain becoming a multicultural society. The majority of the people on the Windrush settled permanently in the UK, becoming an essential part of our society.
I am proud to be the head of Windrush House because this famous boat made our country more diverse and its people gave so much to their new country, having a fantastically positive impact on their communities – which is just what I want everyone in my house to aspire to do.
About Me...
Subjects taught – Maths and I’m also the leader of Careers & Work Experience
How long have you taught at SWRA – Since September 2020
Past School/s – I’ve taught at primary and secondary schools and even a nursery, in Lincoln, Scunthorpe, London and Germany!
Studied At – Open University, Bromley Schools Collegiate, University of Warwick & University of Lincoln – Maths & SEND Education
Favourite...
Movie: iRobot
Childhood Book: Tom’s Midnight Garden, by Philippa Pearce
Colour: Purple
Drink: Water
Food: Vegemite
Sports: I used to be a ballet, tap and jazz dance teacher, so I love to dance. My favourite sports to watch are Formula 1 and football (COYG!)
Some Other Stuff...
Hobbies: I’m a leader in Girlguiding and also enjoy travelling, languages, going to church, dancing and playing the flute.
Pets: Two cats: Stoffel (very lazy) and Puggle (serial mouse-catcher!)
Dislikes: Nuts and swings
Interesting fact/ talent? As a child, I grew up in Australia.
Mr Costello
Mr Costello
Head of Robertson House
House Background...
Sir William Robertson, born and raised in Welbourn, is the only soldier in the history of the British Army to have risen from the lowest rank to the highest rank of Field Marshall.
About Me...
Tutor Group – 7A
Base Room –
Subjects taught – Physical Education
How long have you taught at SWRA – 15 years
Past School/s –Trained at SWRA in 2004-2005 then taught at Central Sports College (now called Priory Ruskin) for 4 years before coming back to SWRA.
Studied At – Millersville University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Favourite...
Movie: All the Rocky films and Remember the Titans (Any films with sport in!)
Childhood Book:Half a Team by Michael Hardcastle (a fiction book about football)
Colour: Blue
Drink: Squash
Food: Cereal, bananas and pasta with meatballs!
Sports: I love every sport! (Football, judo and boxing are my favourites)
Some Other Stuff...
Hobbies: Playing sport and watching sport (especially Middlesbrough Football Club!)
Pets: None
Dislikes: Bad manners
Interesting fact/ talent? Represented England at Kickboxing and I’ve got Black Belts in Kickboxing and Judo.
Miss Graves
Miss Graves
Head of Attenborough House
House Background...
Attenborough House is named after the British broadcaster, biologist, natural historian and writer, Sir David Attenborough. He is best known for presenting documentaries about animal and plant life on planet Earth, and is an advocate for environmental causes, such as increasing biodiversity, switching to renewable energy and mitigating climate change. Those students and staff who are fortunate to be in Attenborough House are adventurous, inquisitive and passionate!
About Me...
Subjects taught – PE
How long have you taught at SWRA – 5 years
Past School/s – SWRA is the only school I have ever taught at!
Studied At – I went to KGGS as a student, and then went to Loughborough University where I studied Sports Science and Management, followed by my PGCE in Physical Education. I then completed my Masters there alongside teaching at SWRA.
Favourite...
Movie: Mary Poppins
Childhood Book: Anything by Jaqueline Wilson
Colour: Green obviously!
Drink: A nice cup of tea
Food: I love food, but there can only be one winner – chocolate!
Sports: Badminton, dance and netball are my favourite to do myself, but I love watching gymnastics and athletics, and I love teaching rugby and trampolining!
Some Other Stuff...
Hobbies: Hiking, camping and baking
Pets: None of my own, but our family dog is called a sprocker spaniel called Oakley.
Dislikes: Horror movies, shopping and coffee
Interesting fact/ talent? I was one of the Torch Bearers ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games!