Safeguarding Team

Marla England

Families Support Manager & Designated Safeguarding Lead/SPOC

Rajinder Kaur Gill

Headteacher at Oakfield

Lively, enthusiastic and passionate is how I would describe myself. My name is Mrs Kaur Gill and I have been teaching at Oakfield since 2008.

I come from a large family of which many are also teachers.

As much as I love working with children, I also enjoy watching and playing sports such as netball, cricket, volley ball and football (I am a Man U supporter) as well as travelling and socialising with family and friends. To find out more, come visit me in my classroom where you’ll see humour, happiness and hard-working children! I am also a Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Jill Gosbee

Deputy Headteacher

I joined Oakfield in 2014 after a very enjoyable and productive four years at our partnership school, Temple Hill.

I am looking forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead as I take on my new role overseeing the curriculum!

In my (limited!) spare time, I indulge in my favourite hobbies: going to the cinema, eating chocolate and enjoying the occasional glass of wine! I am also a Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Julia McCloskey

Assistant Headteacher

After studying and graduating with a First Class Honours degree in St Mary's University College, Belfast, I joined Oakfield in 2014 as an NQT. I thoroughly enjoyed working in Year 4 and Year 2 as Year Group Leader and KS1 Maths leader. In 2018, I embarked on a new opportunity in a one-form entry new school, which brought with it the opportunity to train as a SENCo through Canterbury Christ Church University. Throughout my time there, I was also appointed as Deputy Headteacher. Shortly after I returned from maternity leave, I sought a familiar yet exciting and new adventure in Oakfield once more.  It is lovely to be back and to see those who I've taught in the past come back to visit and hear about their success! I have a passion for pugs (my wardrobe is full of pug scarves and dresses) and working with children with SEND. I find my job incredibly rewarding and it's amazing to see the progress and confidence grow in the children I work alongside. 

Layla Priddy
Head of Year 6

I have been working at Oakfield for five years now, and you will currently find me working as Year Group Leader in Year Six.

I graduated from the University of Kent in 2010 with a degree in English Language and Literature. Before joining Oakfield I was lucky enough to work in a variety of different industries, such as retail, advertising, tv production and journalism. However it was my experience working within a primary school that I enjoyed the most. I wanted a career that had meaning and purpose, which is why I decided to complete my School Direct teacher training. I am also a Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Claire Jenkins - EYFS Leader

I can safely say Oakfield Primary has been a big part of my life for many years now – please feel free to come and ask me how and I will bore you with all the history! But for now, I would like to say I am very excited to have joined the school as Assistant Head for Early Years.

I have worked supporting Families and their children for over 15 years now since completing a Bsc Psychology Hons degree; specialising in Early Years since 2008.

I gained a National Qualification in Integrated Centre Leadership before being awarded Early Years Qualified Teacher Status and then Early Years and Key stage 1 Qualified Teacher Status.

I love learning myself and enjoy sharing this love and enthusiasm for learning with our children in the Early Years classes.

I have two daughters who attend Oakfield and so I really do have an invested interest in supporting the whole school to grow and develop to provide excellent provision for all children.

In my spare time I love horse riding, especially jumping, and looking after our pets with my girls. We have horses, dogs, sheep, cats, ducks and a chicken. Oh and some gold fish too! I love being outdoors and am a trained Forest School Leader.

I come to Oakfield with my animal companions…. Winnie and Fig – the Guinea Pigs and three Giant African Land Snails, Buster, Gary and Carla. I have to say the names were given to them by my previous class long before I came to Oakfield so no reference to Mr Ratcliffe!

I look forward to getting to know all the children and parents/ carers, over my first year here!

Gemma Rutherford
Assistant Headteacher

Hello again! My name is Mrs Rutherford and I am very excited to be returning to Oakfield after teaching at a school in Bexley. In 2011, I joined Oakfield as Miss Hemsley and thoroughly enjoyed my two years teaching in year 3 and 4. Whilst I’ve been away, I have led history and geography in a large primary school and I am very excited to return as an Assistant Headteacher in charge of the Curriculum!

I am passionate about Oakfield’s Learning Journey: I cannot wait to see the growth of our historians, geographers, scientists, musicians, athletes, artists, designers, linguists, computer engineers, sociologists and provide experiences that unearth the talents that the children didn’t even realise that they possess! I am also a Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Karen Thomas
Assistant Headteacher

I started my teaching career in 1996 in the rolling hills of Wales working in a residential school with children with severe challenging behaviour and learning difficulties.  It was there that I developed my passion for working with pupils who respond to a more creative way of thinking.  My interest in behaviour and my passion for championing those whose voices are not always heard, or understood, has led me on a very interesting and fulfilling path during my career. Creativity and compassion are my strengths, and in times away from school, I can be found either in the kitchen baking and decorating celebration cakes for willing recipients, bringing my vision to life in my garden and rooms of my first owned home, or spending time enjoying all that Kent has to offer either with friends, family or supporting a special young man with SEN. I am also a Designated Safeguarding Lead.