Meet the Staff

Hello, I’m Mrs Gowland and it is my absolute pleasure to be Head Teacher of this fantastic school. Before I was a teacher I was an ice skating instructor – so one of my favourite times is taking the Y6 children to Whitley Bay Ice Rink for their end of year treat. I am so proud when I watch our children grow and develop; it just seems to happen too quickly!

Hi, I’m Mrs Bentham and I have the honour to be Deputy Head Teacher at our super school. I love playing the cornet in a brass band and have enjoyed performing in lots of interesting places across the country, my favourite being the Royal Albert Hall.

Hello, my name is Miss Hutton. I’m pastoral lead at Cestria and I am based in the main school office. In my spare time I enjoy watching my children play football, going to the cinema and catching up with friends.

Hello my name is Mrs Smith and I work in the main office, I have worked here since 2008. I love my job and enjoy watching the children starting school in reception, then cry every year when they are all grown up and leave us in year 6. When I am not at work I can usually be found at a football ground somewhere watching one of my two boys playing.

I’m Mrs Francis. I’ve joined the team of Lunchtime Supervisors at Cestria Primary School after working as a qualified Nursery Nurse Practioner and Afterschool Assistant for many years. I really enjoy encouraging all children to have fun and help them to achieve their goals. I like going away in my caravan and on holidays with my family and I have a passion for anything to do with cats.

Hi my name is Mrs Johnson. I’ve recently started working at Cestria. I’m passionate about supporting all children and helping them succeed. I’m currently based in reception class. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and camping in the Lake District.

I am really enjoying working as a lunchtime supervisor, the kids always make me smile! Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my own son and being outdoors.

Hi I’m Mrs Ashford and have recently started working at Cestria as a Lunchtime Supervisor. I’m previously from a finance background but have plenty experience working with children, having four grown up children of my own. I am really enjoying this new role. In my spare time you can see me around a football field supporting my youngest son and walking my little Scottie dog Rosie.

Hello I’m Mrs Bowery and I’m the Year 4 Apollo class teacher. I like my classroom to be a fun and friendly place where children can learn and grow. I am a passionate Sunderland fan and love going to the games! In my spare time I like to travel and explore with my family.

Mrs McGee. I have been teaching at Cestria since 1997. I have taught every year group. I am the person who is predominately responsible for the assessment and teaching of Maths in year 6. Cestria was my primary school many years ago and olive green walls were the main characteristic that I can remember. Fortunately that is not the case today as I work in bright and attractive surroundings.

My name is Mr Walker. I moved up to County Durham from Yorkshire and joined Cestria in 2013. I love interacting with the children and always try to make school fun as well as educational. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family as well as any type of physical activity such as going to the gym or going for a swim.

I work with the children in KS2 which I thoroughly enjoy. When I am not at work I like reading, going to the gym and spending time with friends and family.

Hi my name is Miss Robson. I have worked at Cestria since 2010. I love teaching as no two days are the same and every day offers new opportunities to inspire young children. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my two young children and running.

Mr Wilkinson. Before I got into teaching I was a professional footballer at Leeds United, with my career being cut short through injury. I retrained as a teacher and it’s the best decision I made. I enjoy seeing the progress the children make on a daily basis, it’s very rewarding. In my spare time I have a passion for sport and you’ll probably find me at the Stadium of Light on a Saturday afternoon.

Mrs Wright . I have been a teacher for many years. I have taught in Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. I love working with the children and then watching them grow and flourish as they continue their journey through school. At the weekend I enjoy getting out and about exploring the countryside with my family – often on 2 wheels!!!

Hello I am Miss Behenna. I have been a teacher at Cestria for quite a long time now. I have a great passion for observing wildlife in their natural habitat and I enjoy bringing my sense of adventure to my classroom to ensure the children are actively involved in the learning journey. My favourite children’s author is Roger Hargreaves who wrote the Mr Men series. One or two may be found in my room !

I have a real passion for developing learning experiences for all children. Also as a governor I enjoy having the opportunity to further promote the ethos and values of the school throughout the wider community.

I have moved to Cestria after teaching KS1 in Newcastle. I enjoy teaching all subjects and like to see children exploring as they learn. In my spare time I make the most of living near the coast and often spend time at the beach and keeping fit.

Hello! My name is Mrs Taylor. I love working with all ages and particularly enjoying teaching English and P.E. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family being outdoors whenever we can. Equally I can also waste a whole day shopping at the Metro Centre.

I am part of the Senior Leadership Team, as well as teaching in Year 3 and Reception, I also lead Early Years. I love walking my dog Penny, and spending time with my little boy, out in the countryside. I also enjoy watching films and reading, my favourite author is Roald Dahl

Hello my name is Mrs Ward. I am enjoying working in Reception and sharing my love of reading. In my spare time I like to go for walks along the beach and watch my favourite football team Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light.

Hi! I’m Mr Gowland based in year 3. In my spare time I am often with my friends, visiting new places and adventuring, or having endless conversations about football.

Hello I’m Mrs Leitch. I have been a teaching assistant at Cestria since 2008 and worked across both KS1 and KS2 as well as EYFS. My favourite thing about my job is seeing the children grow and develop as they progress through school. I have two children and in my spare time I enjoy cooking, Zumba and days out with my family.

Hello my name is Mrs Ingham. I am a teaching assistant at Cestria Primary School, I am currently in Year 3 and love working outdoors with the children. I have 2 lovely children and a dog that we love to take on family walks.

My name is Mrs Ainsley. I have been at Cestria since 2005. I have worked in both KS1 and KS2 supporting small groups and individual children. I love my job and seeing how the children flourish and reach their full potential. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and walking my two dogs.

Mrs Morrish. I am a teaching assistant and I have worked with children for 17 years. I have worked in Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 in different settings, counties and countries! I love working with children and bringing out the best in each and every one of them

I am currently working with the Early Years and I love sharing the children’s achievements and development through this important stage in their life. In my spare time I enjoy running and keeping fit.

Miss Shaw. I have worked at Cestria for a number of years and have worked in all areas of the school. I enjoy helping children in all year groups to do their best and enjoy their time at school.

Hi, I am Mrs Egglestone, a HLTA in year 5. I have been supporting in Cestria for 20 years, working in both Key stages. I am very passionate about helping children to learn and grow. I love my job. I work in the class and support In small groups. Outside of work I have 2 children and 2 grandchildren who I spend as much time as possible with.

Hello my name is Miss Gowland. I support groups of children and classes in KS1. I love bringing subjects to life using ICT. In my spare time I enjoy going to the match to watch Newcastle United.

Mrs Holland. I have been employed at Cestria since 2006. I currently work in Year 3. In my spare time I enjoy baking, gardening and going on lovely walks with my dog.

My name is Mrs. Leask and I’ve worked at Cestria since 2005. I am an HLTA and my role involves supporting children, helping them to access all areas of the curriculum, so that they can reach their full potential. I really enjoy seeing the children grow and flourish. In my spare time, I love going out for meals, doing word puzzles and spending time with my gorgeous grandchildren.

Mrs Cowan. During my time at Cestria I have worked across both KS1 and KS2. I work with small groups of children and teach Art and DT. My hobbies include Gardening, Floristry and Art. I especially enjoy Cross Stitching.

Hi my name is Mrs Cutmore and I teach PE. I have been coaching sport for many years and have a passion for Health and Well Being. This comes from my background in Public Health as a Sport and Physical Activity Officer for various Local Authorities. I love to see children progress and thrive through sport and learning about physical and mental wellbeing. When I am not at work, I like to spend time with my family especially my three children, playing and coaching Netball and riding my Horses.

Hello I’m Mrs Brennan, I’ve worked with children for over twenty years in the Education sector in various roles but mainly in intervention. I am thoroughly enjoy working here supporting small groups and individuals in Y5. My hobbies are reading, music, sketching, walking and socialising with family and friends.

Hi, I am Mr Wilson and I am very excited to be starting my first year as a teacher having previously worked at Cestria as a teaching assistant. I have worked here for 5 years now across both Key Stages. My favourite subjects are Maths and PE.

I’m Mr Smith, a former pupil of Cestria Primary School. I currently work across KS2 working with small groups of children, teaching Maths and English. My favourite subjects with school are Maths and PE.

I am currently working in Year 3. I love dancing, painting and being positive. I really enjoy working with children and always try to make them smile

Hi my name is Mrs Brewis I have worked at Cestria Primary School for many years in different roles. I am currently working in Year 2 as a Teaching Assistant. I love my job and find it very rewarding. In my spare time I enjoy being with my family and dog.

I have worked at Cestria for a number of years now and I love being with the children during their lunch time break. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, keeping fit and socialising with friends and family.

Hello my name is Mrs Gibson. I started working at Cestria as a Dinner Lady when my daughter was in Reception. Now I work on a morning at the main door and I love welcoming everybody into school. My hobbies include reading, cooking (and eating), knitting and visiting places. I don’t like having my photo taken!

Hi, I am Mrs Brown. I have four boys of my own and a grandson. I love to watch my youngest son play fo

I have worked at Cestria Primary for many years now and love my job. It is a pleasure to come to work each day and spend time with the children.

I am enjoying working as a Lunch time Supervisor at Cestria. My hobbies outside of school are spending time with family and friends.

I have worked as a lunchtime supervisor at Cestria since 2003. I love spending lunchtimes with the children, they really cheer me up. Most of my holidays are spent in the lake district walking. I also enjoy going on shopping trips with mother and three sisters.

Hi I’m Miss Ludlow. I’ve been at Cestria as a dinner nanny since both my children were here – a long time ago!! I love going for walks and doing quizzes!

Pen portrait to be added

Hello, I am Mrs Whiteman and I enjoy working as a Lunchtime Supervisor. Outside of work I love to bake and spend quality time with my children.