In loving memory of Mrs. Dowen

Mrs Dowen had a very long association with Cofton. As a well-respected childminder (with an OFSTED grading of Outstanding), she used to drop off and collect children here, for a number of years, more than 25 years ago. Both of her children also attended Cofton from Reception to Y6.

Mrs Dowen began working as a voluntary learning support assistant, back in 2007, then became employed, later that year, working in Y4. From 2008 -2014, she supported in Y6, with Mrs Dudt, and, since then, as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), ably supporting many staff (and pupils) in Y5 and 6, including Mr Bentley, Mr Setchell, Ms Chohan, Mrs Andrews, Mrs Fleming, Mrs Wall, Mrs Gallagher, Mrs Beesley and many others.

Mrs Dowen was a truly outstanding HLTA, being extremely conscientious, kind and caring - she always went well above and beyond to help anybody and everybody she could (with a big smile too!). In addition, she supported many residential experiences, over many years, joining in with all kinds of activities - climbing, go karting, travelling on a zip wire, mucking out stables, herding sheep etc.. Mrs Dowen genuinely loved her vocation, touching the lives of countless children, parents, carers and staff - many of whom were close friends. She will be very much missed, but fondly remembered, by the Cofton Community.

Our thoughts, and we're sure yours too, are with Mrs Dowen's family at this saddest of times for them.

There is an online page set up, in memory of Mrs Dowen, for donations to an incredible charity, 'Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer', if anybody would like to donate. Gift Aid can be applied if you give consent and you're an income tax payer.

In memory of Mrs Dowen