Meet Our Staff

With a strong foundation in academia and a passion for empowering others, Miss Greinig is a respected leader at Abbey School. She holds a BA Honours degree in Geography and further pursued her education with an MSc in Policy Research from Bristol University.

Having been a dedicated educator at Abbey School for over a decade, Miss Greinig has taught a diverse range of subjects. Throughout her tenure, she has held various crucial roles, including Head of Safeguarding, Head of Health and Safety, Head of Pastoral Care, and, since September 2015, the Y6 form teacher. Her extensive experience and deep knowledge of Abbey School make her an invaluable asset to our community. Notably, she has introduced innovative initiatives such as a touch-typing program and the school’s traffic light behavior system, both of which have had a lasting positive impact on student development.

Recognized for her exceptional skills and dedication, Miss Greinig was honored as the national recipient of the First Aid Trainer of the Year award. Additionally, she has led groups of Abbey School children to achieve regional and national victories in first aid competitions, showcasing her commitment to fostering well-rounded excellence in our students.

At Abbey School, our ultimate goal is to cultivate happy and socially responsible individuals who contribute meaningfully to society. As Headteacher, Miss G is entrusted with the task of guiding our students in all aspects of their development, instilling in them the confidence to navigate any challenges that come their way. A testament to this commitment is the inclusion of all Year 6 students in a Civic Award program, akin to the junior version of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. This comprehensive approach, along with the myriad achievements and experiences gained in their final year of primary school, equips our students for a smooth transition to secondary education.

With her wisdom, kindness, and genuine love for children’s growth and development, Miss Greinig is a pillar of leadership at Abbey School. Under her guidance, our students flourish, building a strong foundation for their future success

After gaining a BA in Primary Education and a BSc in Early Years Development at Bristol, I returned to Torquay and taught both KS1 and KS2. I joined Abbey School in 2007, initially in the nursery and following the birth of my own son, returned to teach Y1 and I now teach in the reception class.

As Reception Class teacher, my job is to ease the transition from Nursery to the main school. I focus on developing the children’s confidence and independence, and ensuring that they feel comfortable and happy within the larger school environment. The progress children make during this year is very exciting –it’s an amazing year to teach! The Foundation curriculum introduces a variety of subjects and topics, encouraging children to build self-belief and initiative. At this stage much of this is achieved through songs, games, and practical multi-sensory activities, rather than formal written work.

Interest, enthusiasm, a desire to have a go, and an enquiring mind will give the children a firm launch pad from which to begin their educational journey.

Staying close to home, I opted to complete my teaching degree at Plymouth University where I specialised in Early Childhood Studies. My degree has enabled me to focus on the knowledge, skills and understanding to teach children and explore how children learn and develop. During my time at Plymouth University, I was fortunate enough to complete a summer teaching placement in Finland. This opportunity allowed me to experience a whole different education system where I was able to adapt my teaching to help pupils achieve their full potential from what I had learnt.

I am delighted to begin my teaching career at Abbey School, where independence is strongly encouraged so children can become responsible for their learning, which is a skill I believe is required throughout life. Year 1 is full of exciting opportunities where the children build upon their knowledge from their reception year through new topics and the National Curriculum.

I am originally from Hertfordshire and moved to Torquay having completed my first degree in music at Dartington College of Arts. I then relocated to Cheltenham for a year to study PGCE at the University of Gloucestershire. Over the past ten years I have gained experience at state and independent schools including St Margaret’s Academy and Clayesmore Prep in Dorset. Particular interests in education include music and English as well as improving motivation and confidence in the classroom which was the focus of my master of education degree. My main ethos is to encourage children to reach their full potential in a safe, productive and positive learning environment where they are allowed to learn from their mistakes and grow as learners.

I am tremendously excited at the prospect of working at Abbey School, a setting where there is as healthy a spotlight on the arts and humanities as there is academic rigour. The idea of lifelong learning is important to me (having studied for a masters degree whilst working full time) as the role of educators is to be researchers and learners as well as teachers. I look forward to the ongoing CPD opportunities offered to Abbey School as members of IAPS. In my free time I enjoy exploring Devon with my family and dog, singing with a local choir and visiting friends and family all over the country. My most enjoyable activity is, of course, spending time with my 7 month old daughter Evie, who will also be joining us at Abbey School.

After gaining a BSc in Marine Biology at Newcastle University and completing a number of conservation projects coupled with teaching English to the local people in Madagascar, The Comoros and Brazil; I moved on to complete my PGCE in Secondary Science at Reading University.

Throughout my teaching career I have taught in a number of contrasting schools enabling me to develop my teaching and thus progress the social, emotional and academic needs of my pupils. I started my career teaching Science from Year 7 to 13 and working as Head of Year 8. This was followed by a position as Head of Science in a special needs school. I believe in making my teaching challenging and engaging whilst promoting an ethos of intrigue and resourcefulness in my pupils to discover education for themselves; preparing them for a lifetime of learning and discovery.

I promote outdoor learning where suitable and prior to teaching I worked for an outdoor education company. I enjoy scuba diving, kayaking and obstacle races and completed my Gold Duke of Edinburgh whilst at school myself. I value the skill set one can develop with outdoor learning and advocate the progression of such skills in my teaching.

Following my first degree from Exeter University, BA (Hons) in Creative Writing and Sociology, I went on to gain a Distinction in my PGCE in Primary Education from Marjon. I started my teaching career in Cornwall and moved to Abbey School in January 2013. Initially I taught Year 1, and am delighted to now be the Year 4 teacher. Children in Year 4 are well on their way to becoming independent learners, and my role is to encourage, challenge and support them in that. I personally have loved all of my learning experiences and believe that education should be ‘not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire’. My aim is to inspire a love of learning and a healthy curiousity in the children I teach.

Alongside teaching, I am also currently completing my Level 4 training as a counsellor and enjoy helping children develop their understanding of both themselves and others.

I gained a BA (Hons) in Business Communications and spent seven years teaching English in Japan. This motivated me to return to the UK to complete my Primary PGCE at Bath Spa University. I have had a wealth of experience and adventures teaching in Somerset, Jordan, Slovakia, Kent and now very happily, in Devon.

I believe in challenging children to be the best that they can be, providing opportunities for inquisitive minds and teaching from a global perspective. I aim to build confidence through encouragement and support and to make school a happy experience, which will provide a lifelong love for learning.

I completed my BA in Geography at Middlesex University and as education is my passion I immediately trained as a teacher at the Institute of Education. From there I taught geography at schools in challenging areas of inner-London, with a focus on raising standards. I gained a wealth of experience as head of department and faculty, initially in teaching and then also in training student and Newly Qualified Teachers. Subsequently I was invited to train student teachers on the PGCE course at Middlesex University.

In 2007 I paused my career to have my children and having a family gave us the impetus to leave London and relocate in Devon. Abbey School was very much a factor in our decision to choose to live in this region. My children have thrived at Abbey School and we have all thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the school community. Having ignited my interest in the primary sector of education by volunteering for a year, I was initially appointed by Abbey School on a short contract to support Year 6 and am now delighted to be the class teacher of Year 6.

During my teaching career I have worked in a variety of roles in the primary sector including Class Teacher, Language Support Teacher, and County Advisor for Reading and Language Development. Additionally I have been employed as a BEd lecturer teaching art and craft at Middlesex University and also an Educational Development Tutor to NNEB students at Kensington and Chelsea College.

I have taught at Abbey School since 2005 and enjoy each day and the exciting teaching opportunities that working with primary aged children affords. I believe that all learning should have real purpose and a curriculum that challenges and excites children, at whatever academic or maturity level, leads to self-confidence, a pride in achievement, a positive attitude to learning and behaviour and above all, promotes maturing, independent learners.

In recent times I have transferred from classroom teaching to taking on the role of peripatetic Speech and Drama teacher, additionally supporting the spoken and drama part of the literacy programme in each year group in the school, which is such fun! It is wonderful to see children blossom in confidence as they learn to express themselves, first in the safe environment of their class, then in front of an audience in such as our regular teatime concerns, and eventually to receive critical appraisal from an external adjudicators in festivals and LAMDA exams.