Meet the Staff

We are all teachers, leaders and learners in our school.

Mrs Gowland

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!

Mrs Bentham

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.

Miss Hutton

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.

 Mrs Smith

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.

 Mrs Francis

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.

Mrs Johnson

Miss Telford

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.

Mrs Ashford

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.

Mrs Bowery

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

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.

Mr Walker

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.

Mrs Devlin

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.

Miss Robson

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

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

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!!!

Miss Behenna

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 !

Mr Duncan

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.

Mrs Bradley

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.

Mrs Taylor

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.

Mrs Robson

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!

Mrs Ward

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.

Mr Gowland

Mrs Leitch

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.

 Mrs Ingham

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.

Mrs Ainsley

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

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.

Mrs Scott

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

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.

Mrs Egglestone

My name is Mrs Egglestone and I have been an HLTA in Cestria for many years. I work from EYFS to year 6 teaching and supporting PE. I also support in lessons and in small groups. I love my job and the children.

Miss Gowland

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

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.

Mrs Leask

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

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.

Mrs Cutmore

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.

Mrs Brennan

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.

Mrs Egglestone

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.

Mr Wilson

Mr Smith

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.

Miss Starke