Meet the team

Mrs Allan-Grant

Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)

My job is to communicate any additional needs you might have to Teachers and all the Learning Support Staff in school, so that we can all help you to have the best journey through Gosforth Academy as possible! I also help to put any additional requirements you might have in place, such as an extra adult to help you with your learning, a laptop or even a special chair.

3 facts about me:
1. I spent 5 years working in the Police Force in London before I became a teacher which was eye-opening.
2. I spent a year travelling the world about 10 years ago now which was AMAZING. New Zealand was my absolute favourite place and one day I really want to go back there.
3. I have young twin boys that are full of energy and keep me on my toes.

Miss Dodd

Day to day I teach Geography from year 9 to year 13 and I also am an Assistant SENCO here in the Student Support Base.
My favourite topics to teach are the Tropical Rainforest, the Water Cycle and Rivers - I love to learn about the natural world.
My job in the SSB means I am responsible for sorting out any extra arrangements needed for exams such as extra time or help with reading and writing.
I also teach small reading groups in Year 9 and help SEN students across the school.
You'll find me in room 206 but I also have an office down here in the SSB - room 40

Three facts about me:
I like to spend time outdoors: running, walking, at the beach or in my garden
I have a fluffy cat called Pablo
I like to travel - my favourite place is Singapore

Mrs Gillings

My name is Mrs Gillings and you will find me in the same office as Mrs Allan-Grant and Miss Dodd in the SSB.
I teach English and Social Studies and you will see me around the SSB helping students out or running the weekly LGBTQ+ lunchtime club.

3 facts you should know about me:
1. I absolutely love to read - my favourite book of all time is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! I am always excited to talk about the book I am currently reading so if you see me, please ask me what I'm reading! I am also a huge Potter Head so feel free to talk to me about all things Harry Potter related!
2. I love dogs. All dogs. Big dogs. Small dogs. Hairy dogs. Waggy tail dogs. I love them all. I have a dog called Dolly; she's a brown cockapoo and I will gladly spend lots of time talking to you about how wonderful she is! Got a dog? I want to know about it!
3. I once met and partied with a very famous rock band... 🤘

Ali Stanley

Job Role: - Welfare and Attendance Officer

My main role is to provide support to students who may find coming into school difficult sometimes. The reasons for this vary from child to child and my job is to help that child overcome those difficulties so that they can come into school happier and more confident. I often meet with students and their teachers and meet with parents / carers too.

I have 2 dogs, Willow and Oskar and a cat called Tallulah and have built a fishpond so will have fish too.
I love Harry Potter and was supposed to go to Harry Potter World in March for my Birthday, but it was cancelled ☹ I am still excited about going sometime in the future though!
I went to Australia last year and fell in love with a Koala called Gumnut 😊

Jill Bray

My job as a Learning Support Assistant involves supporting students who need help in lessons, and after school at Homework club. I also jointly run Nurture group and the BU group which you might get invited to! When I am not in lessons you can find me in the Student Support Base.

Three facts about me:
1. I would love a puppy, either a Labrador or a Golden Retriever.
2. My hobbies include baking bread and cakes.
3. My favourite lesson is English as it is so interesting.

Mrs McKenna

My job as an LSA is both challenging and rewarding. I spend time in different classrooms helping students understand the work teachers are setting them. I support in a wide range of subjects and my work can vary from solving maths problems to weighing out cooking ingredients to carrying out science practicals to reading a role in an English play. I never quite know what I am going to be doing but it is all good fun.

In my spare time I look after our 3 horses which can be hard work.
My favourite lesson in school is Spanish and I hope to one day be fluent in it.
If I could live anywhere it would be in Diagon Alley at Harry Potters World in America. It is an amazing place.

Mr Bell

Learning Support Assistant

I work with students across years 9, 10 and 11 to help support them in lessons. It could be working with groups of students or individually in certain subjects.

Three facts about me are that I love to play football and snooker, I first visited Newcastle in 2006 before moving here in 2016 and I used to play in a band.

Mr Urwin

My role as a Learning Support Assistant in lessons is to help you understand the work and explain things you are unsure about. Before and after school you can find me in the Student Support Base to help you with homework, reading and writing. I am also a Key Contact for some students who I will meet regularly for a chat.

Three things about me
I have over 30 years' experience in graphic design and photography
I created a local history website that has over 500 pages
I once held the record for Northumberland and Durham Archery Association with the recurve bow.

Mrs Gee

Hi, I am Maxine (Mrs Gee) and I am a full-time learning support assistant. My typical day involves attending a variety of lessons (just like you)! During the lessons I offer my help and support to any students that might need it. Before and after school you can find me in the Student Support Base. I can help you with homework, reading or I am always around if you fancy a chat or need someone to talk to 🙂.

3 interesting facts about me:
I teach dance and fitness classes
I am learning Spanish
I am scared of rats

Mrs Sword

I help manage the ‘Alternative Curriculum room’ (ACR) which is room 034 in the Student Support Base.
This is where students work if they are unable to access a lesson for some reason for example if someone has a broken bone and can’t do PE lessons.

1. I am married
2. I have two grown up sons
3. I love going on holidays overseas

Mrs Penman

Hi, my name is Mrs Penman
Higher Level Teaching Assistant
There are a few things I do to help students. I support in some lessons (especially maths), I am a Key Contact which means some students can have regular meetings with me to chat about how things are going. Before and after school I’m around to help with reading and homework but my main job is to make sure everything is in place for exams and tests for students who need a little bit more help like a computer or extra time.

3 things about me....
I have 2 sons, one of them also works at Gosforth Academy - you might meet him in some lessons!
I love holidays! Whether it’s in a nice hotel or in a tent in a field. My dream is to see the Northern Lights.
I am learning sign language so I can help students who are deaf.

Alison Furness

Hi, I’m Alison Furness and you will find me in the Student Support Base helping with exam arrangements.
On the run up to exams I will be working alongside Mrs Allan-Grant and Mrs Penman making sure you have all you need for your exams.
So, you may see me running around catching up with you for a chat to make sure I have the right information.
If you have any worries about exam arrangements, please come along and see me.
I love sport and music, so if you are involved in any activity i would love to hear about it.
Also, I like spending time doing my garden but most of all I'm known in the Base for my love of CHOCOLATE!
Looking forward to meeting you all.

Christopher Younger

I have always enjoyed working with students' in helping them to learn, achieve and to monitor their wellbeing within school. It's always rewarding to see a student grow in confidence and develop skills in learning and for life.
My hobbies include walking and exploring. I enjoy watching wildlife and historical programmes. I like to draw and paint, mainly landscapes, using acrylic paints.

Sam Taylor

Hello, My Name is Mrs Taylor, I am a Learning Support Assistant. I help support students in lessons and support students with medical needs. I am a key contact for a number of students and have regular meetings with these students to have a chat and see how things are going. I run a Nurture group on a Monday morning which is a drop-in session in the Student Support Base where you can pop along and have a chat and meet new people. If I am not in lessons you can find me in the Student Support base, I can help you with schoolwork, homework or be there if you just fancy a chat.

Three facts about myself
1. I love going on holidays abroad
2. I enjoy spending time with my children and getting outdoors
3. I love shopping

Stephen Carr

Hello, I'm Stephen - I am a Learning Support Assistant, a job that I really enjoy. Every day I attend lots of lessons, where I offer my support and help to students who might need a little bit of extra support. Before and after school you can find me in the Student Support Base, where I can help you with your homework, your reading and writing or if you just fancy a good old chinwag.

Outside of school, I love cycling - my son and I ride on the Manchester Velodrome every year.
Me and my family are learning French - for when we go to France to watch the Tour de France.
When I get time to relax, I enjoy reading.