Staff

Anne Bullerwell has been at St Cuthbert's since 2005. She was Deputy Headteacher until 2013 and then was appointed Headteacher in 2013. Before joining St Cuthbert's, she worked as an Assessment and Literacy Consultant for Newcastle Local Authority. Her first teaching post, after graduating from Bretton Hall (University of Leeds) with a Bachelor of Education (Honours in English), was in Wombwell Oakfield Junior School which she began in 1996. After two years teaching there, Mrs Bullerwell was appointed as an Advanced Skills Teacher and in 2002, she completed her National Professional Qualification for Headship. Mrs Bullerwell lives in Consett and is married to David whom she met in 1985. They have two children together, Connor and Jack. In September 2022, Mrs Bullerwell was asked by BBCET to take on the temporary role of Executive Headteacher at St George's Catholic Primary School in Lemington which she is thrilled about.

Lucy Clarke has worked at St Cuthbert’s as a Class Teacher and now she is the Deputy Headteacher. She previously studied at Northumbria University and gained a joint Honors Degree in Policy & Procedures and Early Years Education. She's had a range of jobs and life experiences which have included working as an insurance receptionist, a childminder, a road safety teacher, a literacy support teacher and a special needs teaching assistant all leading to working as a primary teacher. My husband is John and we have been married since the dawn of civilisation. We have 2 adult children Lily and Bex and two amazing grandchildren called Sam and Grace.

Carolyn Ferguson has been at St Cuthbert’s since 2002. She graduated from the University of Sunderland with a Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education. St Cuthbert’s was her first teaching post as a newly qualified teacher and she was appointed Assistant Headteacher in 2015. Mrs Ferguson lives in Newcastle with her husband and 3 children and dog. Mrs Ferguson has a great interest in the local area and loves spending weekends and holidays exploring with her family.

Lindsey Roberts has been at St. Cuthbert’s since 2011. She was appointed Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator in 2016 and gained the National Award for SEND Coordinationin 2017. Before joining St. Cuthbert’s, she completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Northumbria University in 2010. Her first job in a school, after graduating from Newcastle University with a Bachelor of Science (Honours in Psychology), was at Kenton School as a Learning Support Assistant and Moderate Learning Difficulties Coordinator. Mrs Roberts lives in Gateshead with her husband, David, and their two sons, Max and Jake.

Kelly Graham has been at St. Cuthbert’s since 2008. She first began working in the school as a volunteer which led to her gaining a position as a Teaching Assistant. She was an Early Years Teaching Assistant for 9 years across both Nursery and Reception. She then trained as well as working full time and gained a BA (Honours) Degree in Early Years with The Open University and is now a full time Nursery Teacher. Both of Kelly’s Daughters attended St Cuthbert’s. Outside of the classroom, Kelly loves walks with her Chihuahuas Rocco and Loki, going to the cinema and especially travelling when she gets the chance!

Lucy Marley started her teaching career at St Cuthbert’s over twenty years ago. She has taught Early Years, KS1 and KS2 children and was a Leading Literacy Teacher within Newcastle LA before qualifying to be an Advanced Skills Teacher. In her Advanced Skills Teacher role, she spent a day each week supporting teachers in other schools. When having her three children, who are now 11, 15 and 17 years old, she taught part time at St Cuthbert’s. In her spare time, Mrs Marley enjoys playing netball and watching her children play their favourite sports too.

Anna Haighton has been at St Cuthbert's since 2014. She first began working in a school after completing a BSc Hons in Psychology from Newcastle University, after which she spent a year as a Teaching Assistant in Cardinal Hulme Secondary School in Gateshead, working with children with special educational needs. Anna always knew that her vocation lay in teaching and she decided to pursue a career in Primary Education. She completed a PGCE, again at Newcastle University in 2005. Her first teaching role was in Swalwell Primary in Gateshead in a Year 4 class, then the year after she moved to St Mary’s in Whickham where she taught in Year 2, Year 1 and then part time after the birth of her son, Ben, in Reception Class. Her daughter, Alice started at St Cuthbert’s in 2013 and just one year later, Anna started in her post in Nursery. She later moved into Reception Class and now teaches in Year 1. Anna leads on PSHE, and Mental Health and Well-being is a major part of her role. She lives in Kenton and is married to Paul Haighton who she met in 2006. Their two children, Alice and Ben, both attended St Cuthbert’s.

Alasdair Bright joined the team at St. Cuthbert’s in 2012 and has since taught across Key Stage 1, Lower Key Stage 2 and Upper Key Stage 2. Originally from Leeds, Mr. Bright relocated to the North East in 2006 in order to study at Newcastle University. Thereafter, he began working in a variety of different roles in primary schools throughout Newcastle, combining this with a long-standing role as a support worker for adults with severe learning difficulties. In 2011 he completed his teacher training and has taught in primary schools ever since. Alongside teaching, Mr. Bright is a keen follower of Rugby League, Football and Athletics; he recently ‘retired’ after many years playing Rugby. He loves getting out and about in the North-East and beyond and enjoys camping trips with his friends. Alasdair met his wife, Daniela, in 2010 and they live together in the Newburn area of the city with their twins, Heidi and Angus, two cats, Leroy and Dev Alahan and their dog, Frida.

Jenny Hacking has been a teacher at St Cuthbert’s since 2003. Before joining St Cuthbert’s, she studied for four years at Liverpool John Moore’s University and graduated with a Bachelor of Education. Mrs Hacking lives in Wallsend with her husband Paul who she met at university in Liverpool. They have two boys together, Jack and Leo. In her spare time, Mrs Hacking can usually be found cheering her sons on at a football match and enjoying walks along the beautiful Northumberland coastline.

Quenten Dodds has been a member of staff at St Cuthbert's since 2015. He started his teaching career later than most. Prior to retraining on a PGCE course to become a primary school teacher, Mr Dodds worked in sport from development to management, coaching to personal training. He graduated from Northumbria University in 1998 with a BSc Sport Management degree. Whilst studying, he worked in retail and had a variety of roles in high street shops. After completing his studies, Mr Dodds travelled to Illinois to coach soccer to children underneath the umbrella of Chicago Fire and the MLS. During his career, Mr Dodds has worked with and for both Middlesbrough FC and Sunderland AFC. He has participated in and still enjoys most sports especially horse racing, football and athletics. Mr Dodds was married in 2012 (Olympic Games in London year) and has two children.

Sarah Sneezham has been at St Cuthbert’s since 2018. She graduated from the University of Northumbria with a Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education in 2016 and then worked as a Supply Teacher across EYFS, KS1 and KS2 in a range of schools and settings across the North East of England. After completing her NQT year, Mrs Sneezham joined St Cuthbert's in 2018. Mrs Sneezham lives in County Durham with her husband and dog Buddy. She enjoys exploring new places, reading and watching rugby.

Lauren has been at St Cuthbert’s since 2022. She graduated from Northumbria University with a Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education in 2021 and then worked as a Supply Teacher across EYFS, KS1 and KS2 in a range of schools and settings across the North East of England. Lauren is currently completing her second year as an ECT at St Cuthbert's.

In her own time, Lauren likes to build Lego sets, go for country walks, attend too many fitness classes and dancing.

Anne Fisher has been working as a Teaching Assistant at St Cuthbert’s for over 20 years but prior to starting employment in the school, she did voluntary work as a parent helper in her own children’s classes for several years. Mrs Fisher has always loved learning anything to do with Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (GPS) and language-learning in general – ever since she was inspired in that direction by her excellent Year 5 teacher at primary school and later by various Modern Language teachers at secondary school. In 1977, Mrs Fisher came to Newcastle University to embark on a 4-year degree course in German which included a year living and working in Hamburg in Northern Germany – this was an amazing experience for Mrs Fisher and gave her so many opportunities to immerse herself in the language. After graduating in 1981, Mrs Fisher trained as a secondary school teacher and began working in Bedlingtonshire Community High School in Northumberland where she worked for 3 years. It was during this time that Mrs Fisher married her husband, Phil, whom she had met at university and they went on to have 4 children who are now all grown-up. As well as having a love for languages and travelling in Europe, Mrs Fisher is also a keen sports fan and enjoys watching and listening to live football, rugby, cricket and tennis matches at every opportunity.

Emma Green left school in 2016 and moved to Los Angeles in January 2017 to volunteer for a non-profit organization working with children, young people and families in housing projects in the heart of LA. Once returning to Newcastle Emma started at St Cuthbert's in November 2017.

Mrs Gail Gregson has been at St Cuthbert’s for twenty years. Before that she worked in advertising as a Research Data Analyst. She achieved Diplomas in Childhood Studies, Special Educational Needs and Physical Fitness. She then graduated with a Bachelor of Education (teaching and working within schools and the community) and also obtained a Higher Level Teaching Assistant status. Outside of school you may find her either walking her gorgeous dog, Monty, running or in the gym.

Sue Hagan has been working as a Teaching and Learning Assistant at St Cuthbert’s for over 12 years and is a qualified Teaching and Learning Assistant Level 3. Sue has many different jobs within school including the Year 4 TA and Special Needs TA - delivering interventions across KS2. Sue helps to run the After School Club and owns St Cuthbert’s Playgroup and has an Early Years Level 4 qualification. Sue started her career working as a Children and Young Peoples' Officer for Newcastle City Council and lives at home with her fiancé, her German Shepherd and cats. She loves to spend time at her caravan sited on the Northumberland coast.

Mrs McBride is a Teaching and Learning Assistant. She loves working at St Cuthbert's and enjoys longs walks with her family.

Rachel joined St Cuthbert's in September 2022.

Kathryn Reid has worked at St Cuthbert's for over 20 years starting as a special needs assistant. Over the following years her job title changed to teaching assistant (for many years in Year 6), Higher Level teaching assistant teaching maths in years 5 and 6, SEND support to the SENDCo and data lead supporting the Head Teacher. From working full time Kathryn now works part time working with both the SENDCo and the Head teacher. She is married with three grown up children, two of whom went to St Cuthbert's and also three grandchildren, two who currently attend the school.

Susie Ruane is the Facility Supervisor. She has worked for Newcastle City Council for 20 years and she also works as a Lunchtime Supervisor at St Cuthbert’s. She lives in the bungalow on site. Previously she has worked at The Nunsmoor Centre and Montague Community Full Service School as a Facility Supervisor. She is married to George, they have a son Adam and a daughter Chantell. Before moving to Kenton she lived in Newbiggin Hall. When she left school she gained an NVQ Level 2 Certificate in working with animals and business studies.

I started working at St Cuthbert's in 2014 working in early years. In my spare time I love spending time with my husband, son and dog. We love trips to the beach, countryside and going to different parts of the country camping. I also have a passion for photography, wildlife and love to take my camera out with me when I am exploring.

Melanie Slater has been a Teaching Assistant at St Cuthbert’s since 2009.She has worked across all year groups in the school. Mrs Slater’s role currently consists of Special Educational Needs, Speech and Language and working as an Early Years Teaching Assistant. Mrs Slater studied her BA Degree with Honours in English Studies at Sunderland University. She has 3 children aged 14, 8 and 7 whom have all attended St Cuthbert’s 2 of which are still there. She loves spending time with her family and boxer dog Bentley.

Louise started her working life in the travel industry, working for British Airways and later for American Express as Senior Corporate Travel Advisor. Throughout this time Louise volunteered with a local youth charity working with 12 – 18 year old. The volunteer work lead to a career and country change for Louise when she accepted a role in the UAE on a national citizenship program where she worked for a number of years. Louise joined the St Cuthbert’s team officially in September 2019 as a Teaching Assistant in KS2 and is currently the Year 5 teaching assistant.

Denise joined St Cuthbert's as a Teaching and Learning Assistant in September 2022.