Staff and class structure

Our school is a large Primary school in the heart of Bristol. Having expanded to three form entry to support the 'baby boom' we are now reducing our pupil admission number back down to 60 per year group. There are currently 500 children in the school.

We are split over two very nearby sites, Elmgrove and Cotham Grove.  Elmgrove houses our youngest children, in Reception and Year 1.  Cotham Grove houses our Years 2 to 6 pupils.

Senior Leadership Team

Emmeline Smith: Interim Head Teacher

I joined Cotham Gardens in 2013 and was appointed Interim Head Teacher in Sept 2023. Alongside Headteacher duties, I am responsible for standards and monitoring, am the school’s Mental Health and Well-being lead, responsible for attendance and will continue my previous role as English lead. I am also a member of the safeguarding team. In a previous life, I was a freelance musician and enjoy singing and playing the piano in school. When I'm not teaching you can usually find me either watching Bristol Bears, running, mountain biking, or cooking and feasting.

Seth Insall: Deputy Head Teacher (CG) and Safeguarding Lead

I  love working in this friendly, supportive community. I originally trained as an infant teacher in Liverpool but since arriving at Cotham Gardens have taught across key stage two and served on the leadership team. I currently lead on safeguarding, and am responsible for leading on pastoral, behavioural and family support work in school, assisted by our two Learning Mentors. I am based at Cotham Grove and coordinate day to day operations on this site. I work Monday-Thursday. Out of school I love football, walking and travelling to new places.

Lucy Welsford: Deputy Head Teacher (EG) and SENDCO

I have been at Cotham Gardens Primary School for 16 years. I am Deputy Head teacher the school’s special education needs and disabilities coordinator. I manage day to day operations at Elmgrove but am closely linked to both sites. I am also a member of the safeguarding team, working fours days per week (not Thursdays). Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my children and trying to cook new recipes (some work out better than others!).

Alex Jarman: Assistant Head Teacher

As well as being a Y4 teacher and year group coordinator, I am responsible for supporting children in receipt of Pupil Premium funding. I also head up the Equalities and Diversity strand of our school improvement plan. It's always difficult to describe yourself, so I will just quote something a pupil said to me recently- "Not all heroes wear capes, Mr Jarman- some of them wear tank tops." My hobbies are sighing and frowning (and watching Bristol Rovers).

 Jack Jarman-Davis

Jack is a Y3 teacher and year group coordinator. He is also the school’s maths lead and assessment coordinator. Jack forms one third of the teaching and learning team, alongside Miss Ali and Ms Smith