At Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary School we have an excellent, highly-skilled team that works diligently every day to put our children at the heart of everything we do. Each member of the team takes on a variety of roles in school to ensure each pupil benefits from:
- a varied, robust and challenging curriculum,
- a variety of extra-curricular opportunities,
- wellbeing support,
- SEND support,
- opportunities to use their pupil voice
- access to dedicated paediatric first aiders, and
- access to reading opportunities and homework support.
Meet our team to learn more about them and about their roles and responsibilities in school…
Leadership
Mrs D. Cross- Head Teacher; SENCO; Subject Ambassador - RE, SMEH, Well-being & RSHE, Safeguarding & Child Protection, SEND, CPD, Educational Visits, Looked After Children, GDPR
Hello, I am the very proud Head Teacher and have been a member of the Senior Leadership Team since 2013 when I became the Deputy Head Teacher having taught as a Class Teacher for ten years.
I became the Head in September 2020, right in the middle of the Covid Pandemic which was a real challenge. I absolutely love my job and wouldn’t want to work anywhere else. I am so lucky to be surrounded by an amazing team of people who are dedicated and committed to our school.
Outside of school, I love spending time with my many animals. My favourite activity is working with horses and I am lucky enough to have two of my own at the moment. Morgan is a retired ex-race horse who is now 29 years old! He retired a few years ago when I got a young Welsh Mountain pony. Ollie is currently being trained for dressage and together we have won many in-hand showing competitions and ridden classes. The other love of my life is Griff – my Labrador who is best friends with Morgan and I love taking him on long walks.
Teaching Staff
 | Mr. C. Storey- Opal Learning Zone & Amethyst Learning Zone Teacher; EYFS Co-ordinator; EYFS Team Leader; Subject Ambassador - EYFS, Art & Design Hi everyone, I am Mr. Storey and I started teaching at Stanhope Barrington C of E in September 2020. I have been teaching for seven years working across County Durham helping children to flourish in their learning environments. I find teaching extremely rewarding and relish the daily challenges, which make it such a unique career. Outside of school, I have three children, two little girls and a little boy. We spend our time exploring the local surroundings and enjoying quality time together. In my spare time, I try (sometimes) to keep fit by playing football and cycling. |
 | Mrs S. Howes-Jones -Sapphire Learning Zone Teacher; KS1 Team Leader; Subject Ambassador - Literacy, Music; Thrive Practitioner Hello, my name is Mrs Howes-Jones and I have worked here at Stanhope Barrington for many years. I have worked all over the school, taking on new challenges and engaging children in their learning journey. I am enthusiastic about learning and believe that every child should have the opportunity to shine. I get great pleasure from seeing children achieving and thriving in their learning environments. I am the Ambassador for both Music and Literacy and I have a real passion for reading and encouraging children to have a love of reading. In my role of Thrive practitioner, I support children to learn about their feelings and emotions and help them to regulate and understand what is happening inside them. I see this as a real privilege to be able to support them to grow as young people. On a weekend, I enjoy going for walks with my son and husband in our beautiful local area. I also enjoy keeping fit and spending time with my close family and friends. |
 | Mr. J. Clarke - Ruby Learning Zone Teacher; Subject Ambassador - Computing, Modern Foreign Languages Hello everyone, I’m Mr Clarke and I initially came to Stanhope Barrington as a supply teacher but I liked it so much I made it permanent in 2021. I studied English Language at Northumbria University then ever since I have worked in schools across County Durham and Darlington for nearly 10 years. I worked as a teaching assistant and did work with school sports before training to be a teacher. I really enjoy working with children, getting to know all the different characters and getting to see all the impressive progress they make. I like that no two days are ever the same. I have a son who helps me keep up with what is trending and popular with primary children and enjoy him sharing his hobbies and passions with me. I enjoy watching and playing sports, and try to keep fit playing football and American football. |
 | Mrs. A. Green- Emerald Learning Zone Teacher; KS2 Team Leader; Subject Ambassador - Numeracy, Assessment I am Mrs Green and I currently teach three days per week. I worked at Stanhope Barrington since 2015 and I have taught right across the school. I love planning lessons that are fun and engaging and always enjoy creating an environment where children are happy and enjoy coming to school. I studied English and History at DeMontfort University in Leicester and then completed my PGCE at Northumbria University after working in London for a number of years. At home I have two little girls who keep me very busy. We love to go for walks with our little dog Toby and enjoy exploring the amazing countryside we have around us. |
 | Miss A. Hunter-Purvis- Emerald Learning Zone Teacher; Subject Ambassador - Science, P.E. Hi, I am Miss Hunter-Purvis and I have worked at Stanhope Barrington since 2014. I have taught in quite a few year groups across the school. I am currently teaching in the Emerald Learning Zone and I am the STEM Ambassador in school. I love getting to know the children throughout school, their individual personalities and seeing them flourish in different aspects of school life. I hope children remember me for being a bubbly, welcoming teacher and I hope that everyone in my Learning Zone enjoys coming to school. I did a Sports Science degree at Northumbria University. I then did my PGCE to become a teacher. I compete in Jiu-Jitsu and have achieved my brown belt. I also enjoy running, boxing and watching sports like Formula 1 and rugby. At home, my daughter Nina keeps me on my toes. We enjoy going for walks, doing gymnastics and swimming together. |
 | Miss K. Hepple- Diamond Learning Zone Teacher; Subject Ambassador - Humanities (Geography & History) Hello, my name is Miss Hepple and I currently teach the Diamond Learning Zone. I have a very keen interest in history and geography and am the Humanities Ambassador in school. I enjoy teaching upper Key Stage 2 as I get to see each individual progress throughout their time at primary school and help support their transition to secondary school. I completed a three-year Primary Education degree before joining Stanhope Barrington in 2019. I have a great passion for football and was scouted to play for Sunderland girls when I was younger. I enjoy going for walks and spending time with my friends. |
Classroom Assistants
 | Mrs. Jayne Humble- TA - Opal Learning; Amethyst Learning Zone Zone I was born in Weardale and now live in Cowshill with my husband and two daughters. In addition to my work at Stanhope Barrington, I help to run the family haulage business. Previously, I worked as a Lunchtime Supervisor. I also worked in Scamps for two years while training for my level 3 in Childcare. |
 | Mrs. Joanne McArdle- HLTA - Opal Learning Zone; Amethyst Learning Zone My name is Joanne McArdle and I have worked at Stanhope Barrington for many years. I began in nursery and worked as part of the team. To progress my career further I then took on the challenge of working in Year 1/2 where my knowledge and skills have developed. To enhance my qualifications to a higher level, I became a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) which is beneficial to me and the school. I am married with two children and my hobbies include walking, reading and being creative. I love laughing and smiling, too! |
 | Miss Hannah Batson - TA - Opal Learning Zone; Amethyst Learning Zone; After-School Co-ordinator |
 | Ms. Sarah Ingwersen- TA - Opal Learning Zone; Amethyst Learning Zone; Website Administrator I have had the privilege of working with both children and young people over the course of my working life including as a summer camp counsellor and camp director; as a wetland conservation coordinator at a major zoo; as a tutor, and in other school-based educational roles both in the UK and Canada. I enjoy working at Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary School because the entire team shares one focus: to help every child to reach their full potential. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, sculpting, felting, painting, swimming, reading and hiking. |
 | Miss Lauren Wilkinson- TA - Opal Learning Zone; Amethyst Learning Zone; Diamond Learning Zone I have recently joined Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary School as a Teaching Assistant but previous to this I worked in Scamps Nursery. I have just finished completing my Foundation Degree and I am now studying towards my top-up degree in Education and Training. Outside of school, I enjoy swimming, socialising with friends and shopping. |
 | Mrs. Corrina Heslop-Stead- HLTA - Sapphire Learning Zone; Ruby Learning Zone; Mental Health Ambassador I live in Weardale with my husband and two children. I have wanted to work with children since the age of seven. With this in mind, when I left school I attended college where I obtained my NNEB (Nursery Nurse) certificate. I have since obtained my HLTA qualification. After leaving college, I went to work abroad for two years with an English holiday company where I worked as a Head Nanny in the hotel crèche. On returning to the UK, I worked in a Day Nursery. I then achieved my lifetime ambition of working with primary/nursery aged children. I have worked with all age groups whilst at Stanhope Barrington, from nursery to Year 6 and have enjoyed them all. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, singing, swimming and spending time with my family. |
 | Mrs. Christina Davies - TA - Sapphire Learning Zone I joined the Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary School as a Teaching Assistant in September 2019. I find working with children very rewarding. I live in Witton-le-Wear with my husband, daughter and little dog called Peanut. Outside of school I love spending time running and walking, visiting the Lake District and have a passion for reading. |
 | Mrs. Sarah Geraghty - Shewan -1:1 |
 | Mrs. Andrea Parvin- HLTA - Ruby Learning Zone; Emerald Learning Zone: Diamond Learning Zone; Mental Health Ambassador Hi, I’m Mrs Parvin and I was born and raised in Stanhope. My role at Stanhope Barrington is as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA). I Support children in Key Stage 2, mainly in Emerald Learning Zone but I also support children in Ruby and Diamond Learning Zones. I am passionate about my work and love what I do. I like making people feel comfortable in my presence. I am finding this skill especially helpful while training to be a Thrive Practitioner. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children. I love to bake and try new recipes. Relaxing with a good book after a busy day helps me to unwind. |
Non-teaching Staff
 | Mrs. Dianne Wilson – School Secretary I have worked at Stanhope Barrington since April 1999. I love my job and although I don't have direct contact with the children all the time, I love to help out whenever I am asked. I have always loved children and to see them grow from first coming to nursery to the end of Year 6 is amazing. After all the years I have worked here I now see children of former pupils coming through school and it is lovely to see these families have stayed in the Dale. Stanhope Barrington has been a big part of my life as this was my school as a child. My two children came here and I was working here before my youngest left. So, you can say I've been coming here my whole life. I have a lot of contact with parents and it is nice to get to know new people when they come to live in the dale. We have a great team at our school and that makes it much easier for me to do my job. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren. |
 | Mrs. Grace Hutchings – Caretaker I have worked at Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary School for many years. I started working as a cleaner in 1991 and I have worked as a lunchtime assistant during that time, too. I loved being outside with the children in the summer playing skipping games and rounders. I became the school caretaker in 2000. I especially enjoy my work as caretaker as I keep our school safe, warm and clean for both students and staff. Outside school I take pleasure in my family and my pet collie, Zeus. |
 | Mrs. Claire Emerson - Admin Support; Lunchtime Supervisor Hello, my name is Claire and I am a Lunchtime Supervisor and Admin Support worker. I live in Stanhope with my husband and two children. Previously, both of my children have attended Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary School. In my spare time I love to go for walks with my dog, Dexter. |
 | Mrs. Catherine Porter - Breakfast Club Supervisor; Lunchtime Supervisor I have always lived in the Dale and I am pleased to be working in the same school that I attended many years ago. I enjoy looking after the children both as a Lunchtime Supervisor and at Breakfast Club. |
 | Miss Clare Witton - Breakfast Club Supervisor; Lunchtime Supervisor; Cleaner Hello, I am Miss Witton. I started working at Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary School in 2011 as a cleaner and a Lunchtime Supervisor. I have lived in Stanhope all of my life and I have two daughters. |
 | Mrs. Gillian Craig -Lunchtime Supervisor My name is Gillian and I'm a Lunchtime Supervisor at Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary School. I live in Stanhope and I have a son that attends this school. |
 | Mrs. Joanne Ward - Lunchtime Supervisor |
 | Mrs. Elaine Hunt - Lunchtime Supervisor I moved to Stanhope when I was 10 and attended Stanhope Barrington. I am married with four children, all former pupils of Stanhope Barrington. I have worked in a variety of roles and am currently a Lunchtime Supervisor. In my spare time I enjoy making Christmas crafts to sell at local markets. Together with my family, we care for many animals including: chickens, pigeons, a rabbit, guinea pig, fish and a dog. We have an allotment and enjoy growing fruit, vegetables and flowers. |
 | Mrs. Lynn Uren - Cook |
 | Miss Jamie-Leigh Hugill - Kitchen Assistant |
 | Mrs. Carol Lyons - Cleaner I started working at Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary in 2017. My hobbies include baking, gardening and walking my border collie, Skye. |
