Meet the Team
Not sure who you need to speak to? See below for all staff members, their roles in school and a little bit about them:
Our Staff

Mrs J Thompson
Head Teacher
I am so excited to be appointed Head Teacher at Kelvin Grove. I previously worked here as Deputy Head for 3 years and I love working in our vibrant school with our amazing children. I am a maths specialist but am also committed to developing creativity in school to engage and excite our children. I strive to build close partnerships with parents and carers and will always make time to hear any concerns you may have. If you would like to speak to me, drop in or call the office to arrange.

Mrs E Baker
Deputy Head/Y6 teacher
I’m excited to become part of the Kelvin Grove family and I already feel very welcome. I have been teaching for over 15 years now and I’m looking forward to working alongside the rest of the amazing staff and with the community to continue to make this a successful school. In my spare time, I love to bake, (well my name is Baker) travel and run (you’ll often see me huffing and puffing around a parkrun). My favourite subjects are maths and French, but I love to learn alongside the children, so I enjoy the challenge of learning something new every day.

Mrs C Saukuru
School Business Manager
Finance and Budgeting, HR, Health & Safety and Premises.
Bula! (boo-lah) There are not many places in the world where the International Date Line actually touches land. My island home, Fiji, is one of those few places where you can stand on the international date line. I am proud to be a part of our Kelvin Grove family because our school is so diverse, inclusive and vibrant. I like to travel, learn different cultures and watch rugby.

Mrs C Cunningham
School Business Manager
I love working in our vibrant, multi-cultural school environment here at Kelvin Grove. As part of my role I look after staffing and Human Resources, the school budget, our premises, suppliers of goods and services, policies, procedures and funding. In my free time I love cycling, running, swimming and travelling.

Mrs J Phillips
Family Support Worker
Coming soon

Mr C Ytreoy
Receptionist/ Administration Assistant
I have been at Kelvin Grove since 2015 and thoroughly enjoy working at the school. I relish the hectic and busy atmosphere of the school office, it’s all go some mornings! In my spare time I like reading, listening to old LP records and spending time with my family. I look forward to welcoming you to Kelvin Grove Primary School.

Mrs K Beacom
Receptionist/Administration Assistant
I have been working at Kelvin grove since 2021 and love working at the school. It is a really busy school and has a wonderful atmosphere. In my spare time I love to read and enjoy going for walks weather permitting. I look forward to welcoming you to Kelvin Grove Primary School.

Mr G Bell
Site Manager
Coming soon

Miss J Chilvers
Pastoral TA/Family Support Worker Assistant
Coming soon
TEACHERS

Mr M Davidson
6D
PE Lead
Year 6 teacher
I have been working at Kelvin Grove since 2021 and love being part of this busy, multi-cultural school. My favourite subjects to teach are maths, science and PE. As PE and extracurricular lead, I have a real passion for getting children active and providing them the chance to try a large range of different sports and activities. In my spare time, I enjoy playing sports, walking my dog in the great outdoor and listening to music.

Mrs Burn
3S
Accelerated Reader Lead
Year 3 teacher
I have been teaching at Kelvin Grove for over six years and I have enjoyed every minute. I am currently teaching in Year 6 and I love the challenges this year group faces. My favourite subject to teach is history; I love learning about the past. Outside of school, I enjoy shopping, eating out, but most importantly, spending quality time with my husband and little boy.

Mrs R Stokes
4S
Year 4 teacher
I have been teaching for just over 4 years now with experience in both KS1 and KS2. I am currently teaching year 5 and love it! I enjoy teaching Maths and Science the most as I enjoy watching the children grow in knowledge and confidence when they overcome different challenges in these areas; personally, I am interested in learning Spanish in my own time. I try to lead a healthy lifestyle by going to the gym or hiking in the Lake District with my dog Moose (weather permitting of course).

Miss K Fisher
6F
Senior Leadership
Key Stage 1 Phase Lead
Year 6 Teacher
Coming Soon

Miss G Holden
4H
SENDCO
Year 4 teacher
I have been teaching for over twenty years from Nursery through to Key Stage Two. I enjoy travelling and have spent time teaching in Germany. My hobbies are dancing and I love learning new art and craft skills at evening classes.

Mrs M Bell
3BM
Year 3 teacher (Paired with Mrs McAree)
My name is Mrs Bell. I am currently teaching in Year 3 and have taught in Nursery, Year 1 and Year 2. I have been teaching for 5 years. I love watching The Great British Bake off and trying the recipes myself. Also I love travelling, enjoying eating in different restaurants and trying new foods. I have recently had a little girl who is a delight and keeps me busy most days.

Mrs L McAree
3BM
Year 3 teacher (Paired with Mrs Bell)
I have been teaching at Kelvin Grove for over 12 years now and have been privileged to work with wonderful children in all year groups throughout Key Stage 1 and 2. I love watching the children I teach enjoying their learning, growing in confidence and being proud of their progress and achievements. I spend most of my spare time being kept busy by my gorgeous little boy. I also enjoy getting outdoors and exploring new places, reading and socialising with family and friends.

Mrs Y Akram
Reception
Senior Leadership
Key Stage 1 Phase Lead
RE Lead
Mental Health First Aid Team
Reception teacher
I have been teaching for over 16 years across schools in Gateshead and most of my teaching experience has been gained in EYFS and KS1. My Primary School teacher inspired me to become a teacher and since then it became my dream. I am passionate about teaching, and most of all watching each and every child develop in confidence. When I’m not at school, my two little children keep me very busy! I enjoy listening to music and eating food from a range of cultures.

Mr B McManus
2M
Year 2 teacher
My name is Mr McManus and I am the current Year 2 teacher. I am new to teaching after previously working as a coach, but have quickly grown to love the Kelvin Grove values and our whole-school ethos. I love any and all sports, and keep myself busy on holidays abroad.

Miss M Chambers
1CL
Year 1 teacher (Paired with Miss Lawson)
As a child I attended Kelvin Grove and feel very lucky to have returned as a teacher. I have worked here since September 2000, during which time I have taught Nursery, Reception and Year 1. I love teaching and my favourite subjects are History, Geography and Art.
I have three children who keep me very busy! We love visiting historical buildings, museums, art galleries and going for woodland walks together.
In the rare moments I get to myself I like to read historical fiction and mystery stories, whilst putting my feet up and enjoying a large cup of coffee.

Miss Lawson
1CL
Year 1 teacher (Paired with Mrs Chambers)
I have been teaching in Kelvin Grove for 3 years now & I love being part of such a supportive team. I am currently teaching in Year 1 and have also taught in Year 2.
I was previously a teaching assistant for 4years, which inspired me to become a teacher.
I enjoy teaching Science, as I love to watch the children learn and grown through investigation.
Outside of school I like to spend time with my fiancé & little boy, we love to go on adventures outdoors.

Mrs L Bridgewood
1B
Year 1 teacher
I have been an Early Years and Key Stage One teacher for over 14 years, working across a number of schools in Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland. I love working at Kelvin Grove Primary School. The school has a fantastic ethos, a great team and fantastic pupils! Their hard work and support for each other is brilliant to see. I have a real passion for teaching children and encouraging them to reach their full potential.
Outside of work, I love spending time with friends and family. I enjoy weekends with my husband and 2 sons: at the cinema, on bike-rides and at our local beaches – my favourite place! I also love dancing, and regularly attend classes in my spare time.

Mrs J Huggins
Reception
Senior Leadership
EYFS Lead
Reception teacher
I have been a qualified primary school teacher for over twenty years, with the majority of my teaching being in KS1 and Early Years. I have also worked with children who have complex needs, as well as teaching in a KS1 and KS2 autism unit. I enjoy watching football and following the Grand Prix.

Mrs B Hann
Nursery
Art and DT Lead
Mental Health First Aid Team
Nursery Teacher
My name is Mrs Hann and I’m the Nursery Teacher with the best job in the world. I’ve been teaching for 12 years and Early Years is my true vocation. I’m very passionate about supporting all children to reach their full potential and giving them the best possible start to education. I love creating an environment that is magical for the children to play, learn and develop. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and listening to live music, reading and going to the theatre.

Mrs N Scott
5L
Year 5 teacher
Coming soon

Mrs S Groussin
4H
Year 4 teacher
Coming soon
HLTAs

Miss J Clark
HLTA
PE Lead
PPA cover
Coming soon

Mr P Grainger
HLTA
Music Lead
PPA cover
I work with children across our wonderful school from Nursery to Year 6. I am passionate about music, I teach music across the school, run the Key Stage 2 Singing Club, and lead singing assemblies. When I’m not teaching I enjoy spending time with my family, listening to music, playing video games, and playing the guitar and ukulele.

Mrs C Reynolds
HLTA
Computing Lead
Coming soon
Teaching Assistants/Nursery Nurses

Miss L Melvin
Y5
Coming Soon

Miss T Tonnessen
Y6
I have worked as a Nursery Nurse/Teaching Assistant for over 28 years now. I have worked in almost every year group in the school – except Year 3! I enjoy my job enormously and I especially like working in Kelvin Grove with all of the magnificent children we have here. Outside of school, I like to read, walk and spend time with my family.

Mrs E Harrison
Y5
I have been a member of Kelvin Grove for 31 years, firstly as lunchtime staff then as a teaching assistant. My children and grandchildren all attended Kelvin Grove as pupils, I have worked in all year groups in key stage 2 and enjoy working with the children, helping with their learning. Outside of school I spend lots of time with my grandchildren, I also like reading, walking and socializing with friends.

Mrs C Scott
Y4
I have been a Teaching Assistant at Kelvin Grove for just over 12 years now and love my job enormously, helping children grow in confidence to achieve their goals.
Outside of School, my favourite place is a beach – summer or winter – where I have many adventures with my energetic Grandchildren and my crazy Border Collie, Nellie!

Mrs J Bowers
Year 2
Coming soon

Mrs P Smith
Year 3
Coming soon

Miss H Neale
Year 1
Coming soon

Mrs T Farooq
Year 3
Coming soon

Miss J Byers
Reception
Coming Soon

Miss K Brown
Nursery
I have been a Teaching Assistant at Kelvin Grove nursery for almost 3 years. I absolutely love working with children. I am very passionate about giving them the best start to education and love teaching and nurturing the children and watching them grow. Prior to this I was a child care assessor working with students from different early years settings. I enjoyed teaching and I enjoyed sharing my knowledge and experience with in early years. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and experiencing new things with my little boy. I very fortunate to be working for such a wonderful school with fabulous children.

Miss S Smith
SEN support
Hi my name is Miss Smith. I support children with additional needs across the school. I have worked at Kelvin Grove since 2012 and recently started a role as a SEN teaching assistant and Nursery lunchtime assistant. In my spare time I like to read and go out walking with my children.

Miss E Chambers
SEN support
Coming soon

Miss J Sanderson
SEN support
Coming soon
Lunchtime Supervisors

Mrs Hovells
Supervisor

Ms Snaith
Supervisor

Mrs Gow

Mrs Parmley

Miss Brown

Mrs Davison

Ms K Burns

Ms C Burns
Other staff
Kitchen Staff
- Miss D Thirlaway
- Mrs L Keenan
- Mrs L Madden
- Mrs J Trainer
Cleaners
- Mr W Cockburn
- Mrs J Cairns
- Mrs N Latimer
- Miss L Powton