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Our Staff Team

There are no employees in our school who have a gross annual salary and benefits of £100,000 or more. 
Mrs Louise Nealings

Head Teacher, SENDCo and Designated Person for Child Protection (DSL)

I Joined the St Charles’ team in 2012 as Deputy Head Teacher. I have taught in catholic schools for over 23 years and have been a senior leader for 12 years. I have recently trained to be a Catholic School Inspector and have enjoyed spending some time working for Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust this year, as well as leading our wonderful school team.

The children in school already know my favourite subjects are Maths and Science. Before completing my PGCE, I studied Medical Physics at University and I hope to inspire lots of children to think about careers in these fields.

I have an interest in supporting pupils with additional needs in school and I love watching children overcome barriers and achieve things they never thought were possible.
I enjoy running outside of school and did you know I used to be an Irish Dancer?
I am really proud to be part of such a wonderful school community and leading this amazing team.

Mrs Kaye Binney

Deputy Head Teacher and Designated person for Child protection. Currently on maternity leave

I have been teaching for 12 years and became part of our amazing school family in 2016.
With a love for maths and science and after watching too much CSI on television, I studied Forensic Chemistry at university. This drives my passion for STEM at St Charles’.
Outside of school I love to stay active on my Peloton, go running and go to bootcamp when I get the chance. I also keep active walking my two very naughty dogs, Frank and Crumpet! In the school holidays I love to travel with my family and explore new places in the world.
Did you know my signature dance move is the worm?
I think St Charles’ is an incredibly special place to be and I am delighted to be part of the warm, welcoming team

Miss Rebecca Thomas

Senior Leader, Deputy Head Teacher, DSL and Year 6 Class Teacher

I have been a part of the St Charles’ community for 4 years teaching in Key Stage 1 and 2 and I am currently teaching in Year 6.
My favourite subjects are Humanities, English and Maths which I love to teach. I also love reading, especially fictional stories. My current favourites are Pig Heart Boy by Malorie Blackman and Skellig by David Almond.
As the children will know, I am very competitive and love playing sports. In my spare time I love to play netball. I love singing too…unfortunately for the children!
I feel very lucky to be a part of the St Charles’ community of staff and pupils, it's a very special place to be.

Miss Abigail Micklethwaite

Assistant Head Teacher, Key Stage 1 and Early Years Leader, DSL and Reception Teacher

I am the Early Years Leader here at St Charles’ and have been teaching for 9 years. I studied a BA Honours degree in Early Primary Education at Northumbria University. I love teaching and have a passion for teaching the youngest children in our school.
I have taught in Early Years as well as Year 1 and Year 2 across my teaching career. It is wonderful watching children learn, especially learning to read and write in Early Years. Within school, I lead phonics as I have a passion for developing children’s early reading skills. I love watching children succeed and have a feeling of pride when they read their first words and first stories! I spend lots of my evenings reading and really enjoy mystery stories.
I love spending time outdoors, going on long walks, not so long runs, and I especially enjoy spending time in our Forest School. I have an older brother and two sisters, one of which is my twin! She is older than me by ten minutes.

Mrs Sarah Bertenshaw

Nursery Class Teacher

I have been teaching for 8 years now and I joined the St Charles’ team last academic year. I am a music specialist and studied music at university before training to be a teacher. I absolutely love teaching music and you will often find me singing in the classroom or playing my flugel horn!
Leading the choir at St Charles’ is one of my favourite things to do and I am looking forward to putting on lots of performances next year!
I enjoy running outside of school, although I am not quite as fast as Mrs Nealings or Mrs Ambrose! I also play in a brass band twice a week and we put on many concerts across the region and even take part in national competitions.
I love working at St Charles’ and I feel very lucky to work with such wonderful colleagues, pupils and families every day. I am very excited about 2022-23 - I know it is going to be a fantastic year!

Miss Olivia Cowan

Year 1 Class Teacher

I will be joining St Charles’ in September after completing my PGCE, which has been both insightful and rewarding. Over the course of the year I have enjoyed seeing the children develop whilst making lessons fun and engaging. I can’t wait to have the opportunity to do the same for the children at St Charles’.
My favourite subjects are Art and Science. Before completing my PGCE I studied photography and prior to that I worked as a dental nurse. Outside of school, I like to keep active with activities such as running, while also maintaining my hobby of photography.
I’m excited to be joining such a great team and look forward to getting to know everyone over the coming year.

Mrs Rachel Hague

Year 2 Class Teacher (currently on maternity leave)

I completed my teacher training at St Charles’ with Carmel Teacher Training Partnership in 2017-18. This will be my fifth year working at such an amazing school!
At university, I studied Early Childhood Studies and then went on to work as a nursery nurse. I really enjoyed my job but, I wanted to explore! So, I moved to Italy and worked in Milan teaching English for 2 years. This was an amazing experience and I like to visit my friends who are still living there today.
Outside of school, I really enjoy going for walks especially along the beach so I can get an ice cream. I like to go camping and exploring the outdoors; hiking up mountains or paddle boarding.
I have worked in Year 5, Year 3, Year 1 and now I have the chance to work in Year 2 and I am so excited!

Mr Daniel Gray

Year 3 Class Teacher

Being a new member of the St. Charles’ team, I’m really looking forward to meeting you all and taking part in the many exciting events and clubs in and around school.
Having originally trained in finance, I completed my PGCE at Northumbria University in 2017 and I have been teaching in KS2 ever since. My favourite subjects are Computing, Geography and Maths. I aim to make my lessons fun and engaging so I hope we all enjoy learning and exploring lots of new topics together across the year.
Outside of school, I spend lots of time with my dog, Luna. If she’s not lying on the sofa with me, you’ll probably find us out on a walk at the coast.
One of my passions is photography and being outdoors. Over the past years I have had a few of my pictures published in newspapers, sold calendars, and had images recreated by local artists.
I am looking forward to getting to know your school family.

Miss Laura Greatrex

Year 4 Class Teacher

Originally from Cambridgeshire, I fell in love with Newcastle when I moved to the city to study English Language and Literature at Newcastle University. My favourite places are the Quayside and the coast.
I have just finished my teacher training with Sacred Heart and I was lucky enough to be put on placement at St Charles’. I have learnt so much from the incredible team and inspirational children at St Charles’ and I am very excited to become a full-time member of the team.
During my placement at St Charles’, I have taught in Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3. I am really looking forward to moving up with Year 3 in to Year 4 in September.
Outside of school, I enjoy baking, reading, running and going to the gym.

Mr Michael Smart

Year 5 Class Teacher

I have moved with my family to the North East, having spent fourteen years teaching at primary and secondary schools in Essex. I taught French and Spanish at secondary level for seven years before making the switch to primary, where I have really enjoyed teaching a broader range of subjects. My favourite subjects are Languages (obviously) and Maths, but I also love teaching English – particularly grammar!
In my free time I love reading and I’m very into sport – I especially enjoy playing badminton and tennis. I also love football and I’m a keen Arsenal fan (who hasn’t yet forgiven Newcastle FC for beating us in the penultimate match of the season!). Music is another big passion of mine. I play the piano and cello and enjoy singing too - I used to sing in Chelmsford Cathedral choir as a youngster.
I am very excited to get started at St Charles’ because I was hugely impressed when I visited you in the Spring. I’m also looking forward to discovering all that the North East has to offer!

Mrs Emma Mills

Year 2 class teacher (maternity cover)

Miss Emily Salter

Teacher / HLTA

This is my fourth year as a member of the St Charles’ family. I have worked across the school in different roles, including my recent role as Forest School Leader. I am really excited to deliver Forest School sessions and develop our site in the next year.
I am also in charge of the school library and I love hearing all the children’s book recommendations – I wish I had time to sit and read them all! I studied Geography at University so I am particularly fond of that subject. However, I also enjoy teaching art and being creative, even if I am not that good at drawing.
Outside of school I am a Girl Guide member, being a Rainbow Leader which I love. I have been in Girl Guides since I was 7 as a Brownie.

Miss Elizabeth Hamer

HLTA

Having grown up in Manchester, I moved to the North East for university and loved it so much that I have been here ever since! I attended Newcastle University, where I studied English Literature and completed an MA in Modern and Contemporary Studies.
I worked as a Teaching Assistant for nine years before moving to France, where I lived in Paris, teaching English and attempting to learn French. I came back to Newcastle in January 2020 and joined the St Charles’ team that September. I have been lucky enough to work in all year groups and get to know all of our amazing children.
I lead the school council and I am looking forward to working with them again next year.
Outside of school, I enjoy reading, singing and performing in local theatre groups.

Mrs Tracey Ambrose

School Business Manager

Mrs Jane Phillips

Administration Assistant

Fr Michael Weymes

Parish Priest

Mrs Emma Clasper

Teaching Assistant

Miss Rebecca Doyle

Teaching Assistant

Miss Megan Cranney

Teaching Assistant

Ms Kali Kaur

Teaching Assistant

Mrs Karen Mitchison

Teaching Assistant

Mrs Nazma Khanum

Teaching Assistant

Mrs Leanne Walsham

Teaching Assistant

Mrs Angela McCabe

Teaching Assistant

Mrs Christine Shuttle

Teaching Assistant

Mrs Lea Cavina

School Cook

Mr David Pouton

Caretaker