Meet The Team
Our Hub Learning Leads
Ellie Burnside
I trained with High Force Education a few years ago and loved my training year; I had wonderful placements and was very well supported throughout. My experience with the SCITT, combined with my classroom experience, has resulted in my passion to support, train and nurture future teachers throughout their studies, placements and job applications. I’m grateful every day that I’m a teacher and strive to inspire the same passion for education in the trainees that I work with. I currently teach Year One and Year Two at Crakehall Primary School and enjoy sharing my passion for the effective delivery of Systematic Synthetic Phonics and early mathematics. I lead Art, Music and Drama across the Synergy Schools federation and feel passionate about how the creative arts can enhance the National Curriculum and foster the children’s love of learning.
Beverley Chapman
Hi, my name is Bev Chapman and I’m the Hub Learning Lead for Teesdale and Weardale, based at Green Lane C.E. Primary School, where I’m an Assistant Headteacher. I trained through HFE SCITT myself (in its very first year!) and I have been involved with it in many different capacities ever since, which I absolutely love. My teacher training year was an extremely happy and positive one and consequently I’m passionate about working with trainee teachers and supporting them in becoming the teachers that they dream of being. My own career began at The Federation of Abbey Schools in Darlington, where I completed my final assessed teaching practice. I had many professional development opportunities there, such as completing Middle and Senior Leadership courses; obtaining a TLR role and I even took fifteen pupils to an International School in China for two weeks! From there I was successful in securing my current position here at Green Lane which, again, I absolutely love. I shall look forward to hopefully working with some of you very soon and supporting you in the paths that your future careers may take!
Paul Taylor
I am the Deputy Head teacher at Sedgefield Hardwick, a position I have held since September 2012. I joined at a very exciting time, with our philosophy of ‘Instil, Inspire, Innovate’ launched soon after. Our journey since then has focused on creating a stimulating learning environment where children are challenged, both academically and socially, and have a real love of learning. Prior to this, I completed my PGCE at the High Force SCITT at Barnard Castle in 2009. Due to this, I have a real passion for teacher training and trying to equip future teachers with the best skills possible to inspire the next generation.
Sarah Jeavons
I am currently Deputy Headteacher at Etherley Lane Primary School and Hub Learning Lead for the Durham Hub at High Force SCITT. I have been teaching since 2005 and have taught in schools in Bishop Auckland since 2015. During my career, I have taught across the full primary age range. During my time teaching in Bishop Auckland, I have always been actively involved in supporting and mentoring trainees from High Force SCITT. Prior to becoming Hub Learning Lead, I worked closely with trainee teachers as a Class Based Mentor and regularly delivered subject-specific curriculum days. Within our hub at Etherley Lane, we provide a positive, supportive environment where hub sessions deliver the knowledge base for trainees and address ethical issues. Hub sessions are tailored for the needs of the trainees within each group and a range of learning opportunities and activities are utilised. Class Based Mentors within our school are experienced in supporting trainees in making links between hub sessions and hands-on teaching in the classroom. As a Hub Learning Lead, I am passionate about teaching and supporting trainees, developing their potential in order to become outstanding practitioners. I am driven by the belief that all children deserve to be taught by the very best teachers and I am excited to have an active role in shaping the careers of future generations.
