Our Governing Body

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 Taylor has been a governor of Cestria Primary School since 28.10.2004, joining the Governing Body when both her children attended the school . Rachel was Vice Chair until 2019 when she was appointed as Chair. Rachel has held senior management roles within Education and the social housing sector since 1998 and has several professional qualifications including Chartered Public Finance Accountant.

I have been involved with Cestria since 1983 when my own children were pupils at the school. I initially worked with a number of parent groups and then joined the parent teacher association before becoming a parent governor. I have remained on the governing body since and was chair until 2019, and am now vice chair. I now have grandchildren at Cestria and have seen many changes and improvements over the years as the school has continued to go from strength to strength.

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.

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 am a senior commercial solicitor working in the global power generation industry. As a former pupil of Cestria, I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to become a co-opted governor at the school a number of years ago. During my time as a governor, my own daughter has since become a pupil of Cestria. It is a pleasure to see first-hand how much the children love their school and I feel very privileged to be involved with the governing body.

I have worked in Chester-le-Street Schools since 2011, firstly as an Extended Services Co-ordinator across 17 schools and now as a Business Development Manager at Park View School. My job role allows me to work closely with Cestria Primary on transition, raising additional funding and developing enrichment projects. I have always admired Cestria Primary School and was lucky to secure a place for my child to attend in 2018. I am delighted to be a governor and I’m committed to supporting the governing body in ensuring the continued success of Cestria Primary.

I am Erin Chapman and newly appointed Parent Govenor at Cestria. I have three children at the school, aged between 7 and 10 and I am a former pupil of Cestria. I am delighted to have the opportunity to offer support to the school, parents and families. I am employed as a Public Health Nurse so ensuring all children have the best start in life with equal opportunities is important to me. At home, I enjoy a busy family life, which is very often on the side-lines of a football pitch!

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.

I am a busy working Mum of two children, one in senior school and one in primary. Having attended Cestria Primary School myself as a child and having had two children attend Cestria I am passionate to represent on behalf of the parents and of course the children, who are the ethos behind everything Cestria aims to achieve. I know from both personal experience and from being part of the governing committee that Cestria is an amazing school at the heart of a very special community here in Chester-Le-Street, which strives to provide an enriched learning experience for all children who attend.

I have been employed at Cestria since 2006. In my spare time I enjoy baking, gardening and going on lovely walks with my dog.

I am Natalie Costello and I am delighted to join the Board of Governors at Ceatria Primary School as Parent Governor. I am married with two children, both of whom attend the school. I have worked at Durham University for over 16 years, primarily as an Accountant, and for the last six years as a Senior Manager of Administration and Finance having that broader more strategic focus. Outside of work I enjoy lots of family activities, holidays and running – I’ll be running my third GNR this year. Cestria Primary has been extremely welcoming, even before my son attended, fondly remembering the pre-application visit with Mrs Gowland and the interaction she had with my son then. Ever since my children have attended, I am blown away by the breadth and depth of activities they do, always encouraging learning but using enjoyable means. I hope to bring challenge and new ideas to the board in order to help to maintain the extremely high standards already in place. I am keen to ensure the head teacher and all staff members feel fully supported so they can maintain their hard work and commitment to the school and children.