Meet the Staff

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.
	Mrs. A. Green- Acting Deputy Head Teacher; Emerald Learning Zone Teacher; KS2 Team Leader; Subject Ambassador - Numeracy, Assessment I am Mrs Green and I am currently teaching four days per week in the Emerald Learning Zone. I have worked at Stanhope Barrington since 2015 starting in KS1. I love planning lessons which are fun and engaging and always try to create an environment where children are happy and enjoy coming to school. At home I have two little girls who keep me very busy along with our little dog Toby. We love going for walks and exploring the amazing countryside around us. My favourite place is the beach!
	Mr. C. Storey- Opal Learning Zone & Amethyst Learning Zone Teacher; EYFS Co-ordinator; EYFS Team Leader; Subject Ambassador - EYFS, Art & Design, Design Technology 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.

Teaching Staff

	Mrs S. Howes-Jones -Sapphire Learning Zone Teacher; KS1 Team Leader; Subject Ambassador - Literacy, Music; Thrive Practitioner Currently on secondment 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.
	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 Currently on secondment 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 I have worked as a Teaching Assistant at Stanhope Barrington since 2019. I love working with children and my specialty is in working with and supporting children with additional needs. I have three children and a beautiful dog called Teddy.
	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 I have worked in the school as a Lunchtime Supervisor since 2008. I love my job as I love working with children. I have lived in Stanhope all my life and attended the school myself. I have two sons who have also attended the school.
	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
	Ms Zoe Yurek - Kitchen Assistant Hi my name is Zoe. I was born in Lancashire and lived there until I retired from my role as a Children's Learning Disability/Autism Nurse specialising in behaviour. I moved to Weardale 2 days before Christmas 2020 with my horse Charlie and dog Ebony. Ebony is quite famous as she was interviewed with me for newspapers and live on the radio for her contribution as a therapy dog. I also enjoy lots of creative crafts including pottery, crocheting, painting/drawing, sewing and needle felting.
	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.