Principal

Mrs Garbutt

Since graduating from Durham University with a BA in Education twenty years ago, Mrs Garbutt has taught across Primary and Pre-School. She was awarded the National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership. She began her career in Northamptonshire teaching in a number of different schools. Latterly she was Academic Tutor for PGCE students at St John’s, Marlborough, working in conjunction with Bath Spa University training new teachers.  Mrs Garbutt was appointed as Principal of Burbage Primary and Pre-School in September 2019. She believes she has the best job in the world- igniting a passion for life-long learning whilst encouraging every child to be the very best they can be both academically and personally. 

When not in school, Mrs Garbutt loves to spend time with her husband, their three children and Monty the spaniel. She is a keen gardener, enjoys exercise and anything creative. 

Teaching Staff

Mrs Miles – Wrens (Reception)

As well as a passion for teaching and supporting children’s learning and wellbeing, I try to make time in my own life for creative art, especially drawing and painting and to learn new skills. I love to spend my time-off on mini-adventures with my family and friends,  getting into the outdoors as much as possible. You might spot me paddle-boarding on the canal! I read every day and dance as often as I can. However, with a little one, much of my free-time is currently spent playing Lego and pretending to be a character in his stories!

Miss Scruse – Robins (Year 1)

Miss Scruse has been teaching since 2018, having completed her PGCE at Bath Spa University. Before this, she worked in the Early Years sector for over 10 years, completing a degree in Early Education in that time. After completing her honours degree, Miss Scruse embarked on following her dream to teach primary school children. Miss Scruse loves teaching maths and is also a reading enthusiast. She has taught across the Key Stages and loves nothing more than seeing children reach their full potential.

Outside of school, Miss Scruse loves to bake and spend time with her daughter. She is also a huge football fan!

Mrs C Baker – Sparrows (Y1)

Mrs Baker has taught across the primary phase since 1998, in Birmingham for 8 years then Swindon before joining Burbage in 2021. Mrs Baker loves creating a multisensory and varied curriculum where children learn through play, investigation and real life experiences. She believes the classroom should be a positive and caring environment giving children the confidence to learn independently and most importantly, have fun! Mrs Baker’s real passion is for books and she will always find time to read a story.

Outside of school, Mrs Baker loves the great outdoors and can often be found gardening and enjoying the countryside with her husband and two sons. She also loves cooking and of course spends every spare minute reading!

Mrs Wilkins – Sparrows (Y2)

Mrs Wilkins joined Burbage Primary School in September 2021. She loves teaching Maths, writing and PE and enjoys being able to use all the wonderful outside space at the school to enhance learning. When not at school she is kept very busy looking after her two young boys. To relax Mrs Wilkins enjoys running, especially along the canals near home.

Mrs Merritt – Sparrows (Y2)

Mr Evans – Chaffinches (Y3)

Mr Evans returned to the teaching profession a few years ago having spent several successful years as a police officer. He has lived and worked in many countries including America, Germany and most recently Dubai. Mr Evans is passionate about delivering lessons that are engaging, promote independent thinking and develops a child’s resilience. Mr Evans is always looking for more travel experiences from his ‘bucket list’.

Mr Thomas – Kestrels (Y4)

Miss Lopez – Year 5

Teaching is Miss Lopez’s passion, she enjoys seeing the children grow and flourish in life. After finishing her teaching degree in Spain, her home country, Miss Lopez decided to come to England to develop her career and second language.  She loves teaching her native language and teaches Spanish across the school.     

In her free time, Miss Lopez loves to travel, she says, “travelling is the only way that spending money makes you richer as a person by knowing different cultures and traditions”. With a large, close knit family in Spain and missing them daily, Miss Lopez always tries to find time to visit them. Her favourite sport is football and she loves animals.  

Miss Scoot – Kites (Y6)

Mrs Marsh – Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo)

Mrs Marsh loves working with different classes across the school.  She particularly loves teaching science and art and enjoys outdoor learning wherever possible. She mainly works with Kites, Woodpeckers and Wrens and Robin’s classes.

Mrs Marsh started teaching in Wiltshire before moving to Aberdeen where she taught for several years.  She has lived in Holland and Wales and moved back to Wiltshire after having her family. She returned to teaching in 2011. When she isn’t teaching she loves gardening, walking her dog, practising yoga and driving her Morris 1000 called Maud… but not all at the same time!

Teaching Support Staff

Mrs Rowland

Mrs Rowland has always had a fascination in how children develop and learn. She has a Masters in Developmental Psychology from the Institute of Education in London and has previously worked as the Head Counsellor at the International Gymnastics Camp in the USA. She’s a big kid at heart who is passionate about sharing her love of reading and singing with the kids and never misses an opportunity to talk about her homeland Australia.

Mrs S Baker

Mrs Baker is a qualified Teaching Assistant with several years’ experience of working as a TA and Learning Support for children and teenagers with SEND. She has supported children in primary and secondary education. Having lived and worked in Dubai for sixteen years, Mrs Baker returned to Wiltshire in 2019 joining Burbage Primary in March 2021. Mrs Baker enjoys country walks, reading, cooking and now that she is back in the UK – spending quality time with her extended family.

Mrs Kington

Mrs Kington works across the age groups, she has a wealth of phonics knowledge and supports interventions. When not at school, Mrs Kington is usually found cheering on her favourite football team!

Mrs Bull

Mrs Lee

Mrs Lee became a gymnastics coach after leaving school and has spent many years coaching gymnastics, alongside teaching dance. She has volunteered at many competitions including the Gymnastics World Championships held in London. Last year she embarked on a career as a TA after returning from living in Cyprus. During her free time she likes to read and cook, but her most favourite thing to do is spend time playing board games with her daughters on rainy afternoons.

Mrs Freeman

Born and raised in South Africa Mrs Freeman has a great love of the outdoors and, if not out walking with her dogs, she is often found relaxing in the sun, reading a good book. Mrs Freeman started her time at Burbage Primary working within Owls’ Nest and has since moved into the classroom supporting pupils in her role as a Teaching Assistant. She enjoys supervising lunchtime play as it gives her the opportunity to get to know all the wonderful children at Burbage Primary. 

Mrs Dobbs

Miss Davidson

After graduating from her undergraduate degree in July from Newcastle University, Miss Davidson is thrilled to join Burbage Primary School as a Teaching Assistant, the very place where her love for learning began. She is eager to gain hands-on experience before pursuing her Teaching Qualification in Mathematics at Bath Spa in September. She enjoys playing basketball and hockey, as well as exploring her creativity through cooking. Miss Davidson is deeply inspired to give back to the school that shaped her, sharing her fond memories and enthusiasm for education with the children of Burbage.

Wrap Around Care

Mrs Yeates – Owls’ Nest

Coming from an art and fashion background Mrs Yeates spent 15 years in America studying, travelling and working. When not working she enjoys going to art exhibitions, visiting gardens, drawing, painting, reading, gardening and cooking.

Mrs Yeates loves to use her experience, talents and interests to create a fun environment for children staying in Owls’ Nest.

Mrs Appleford – Owls’ Nest

Mrs Appleford has worked at Burbage Primary School  since 2017 and works in Owls’ Nest where she organises lots of fun activities and makes sure all the children have a good breakfast. Prior to working at Burbage Primary School she  worked with adults with learning disabilities where she gained her degree in Health and Social Care and N.V.Q Level 3 in Care.

In  her spare time Mrs Appleford enjoys spending time with her husband and their daughter who keeps them very busy!

Support Staff

Mrs Williams –  School Business Manager

Following many happy years living in the Middle East, Mrs Williams and her family returned to the UK 8 years ago. She enjoys her role as School Business Manager and being able to support Mrs Garbutt in the smooth running of the school and implementing plans to improve the learning and working environment of the children and staff at Burbage Primary School.

When not in Burbage she enjoys supporting her children in all their pursuits and walking her dogs the British countryside.

Mrs Lockwood – Administrative Officer

There is never a quiet moment in our busy school office! Mrs Lockwood is Administrative Officer and works closely with Mrs Watson, our Finance Officer, to make sure we run efficiently.

She runs the Music Lesson arrangements as well as all the communications about trips and events. If you have a question that our website can’t answer, pop into the office and Mrs Lockwood will help!