Meet the Team

Mrs F Hearn - Temporary Phase Leader

I am a Primary school teacher of 8 years, 5 years in EYFS and presently in Year 1. Prior to this I was an LSA for over 12 years in a local school. I am passionate about Literacy and have led Talk4writing and writing across the school from EYFS to Year 6.

I am delighted to be interim leader of EYFS as we look to drive the unit forward, providing opportunities for all our pupils to explore, be curious, whilst happy and safe in an amazingly positive, nurturing environment. My ultimate goal is to make learning irresistible, so that our pupils develop a life-long love of learning, with the confidence, resilience and motivation to set themselves high expectations and aspirations, for us to support and develop. EYFS is where my heart lies and building strong relationships with pupils and their families is key to my teaching. I believe we are a team and together we can work to make this first step into full time education, the very best it can be. 

LLB (Hons) Law, Level 3 Teaching Assistant, PGCE Primary Education, NPQLL

Mrs A Mains - Temporary Phase Leader/Class Teacher

Hi, I'm Mrs Mains and I am a teacher in Early Years at Kings Priory School.

I have been part of the KPS family since September 2014 and it has been my pleasure being part of each and every one of my pupils' learning adventure and supporting them in their ambitious, educational endeavours. 

My passion lies in the creative arts, as my after school pursuits include film making, drama and graphic design. 

In school, I love all subjects but have a particular passion for mathematics, and enjoy using tangible, practical methods to support children with developing deeper understanding of number, in particular, recognising the importance of every day routine in strengthening mathematical understanding.

BA (Hons) History, MA Heritage Management & PGCE Primary Education 

Mrs S Collier - Class Teacher

My name is Mrs Collier, and I have been teaching at Kings Priory School since 2014. 

I have a true passion for working with all age groups and feel very lucky to working with our youngest pupils in Reception. I feel it is a real honour sharing your child’s first year at ‘big school’ with them. Supporting your child, giving them a sense of belonging and community underpins my pedagogy as every child is unique and we should embrace and celebrate this.

As well as teaching Reception I am also the Phonics and Early Reading Lead, enabling success for all children and inspiring a lifelong love of reading is something I truly value.

When I am not teaching I enjoy going to the gym, especially weightlifting! Another favourite past-time of mine is camping, embracing nature and the great outdoors, although I must admit to being afraid of cows!

My qualifications are:

NNEB Certificate in Childcare and Nursery Nursing, Level 3 Teaching Assistant, BA (Hons) Early Primary Education and NPQ for Senior Leadership

I look forward to working together with you as partners in your child’s journey through Kings Priory School.

Mr S Gannon - Class Teacher

I obtained my PGCE from the North Tyneside SCITT, specialising in Early Years and Key Stage 1. I am particularly committed to Early Years Education given the formative effect it can have on a child’s ongoing educational journey. Having obtained my first degree in German and a subsequent Masters in Translation Studies I am passionate about language, oracy and broadening children’s experience of the world. Through my initial teacher training I have also become interested in the mastery approach to mathematics and the solid grounding with which it can equip children for their future maths education.

Mrs L Ord - Learning Support Assistant 

I have worked in education for the last 18 years. Over that time I have acquired specialist knowledge of developmental trauma, attachment theories and dissociation.

I have worked across EYFS and key stages one and two. I work 1:1 with neuro diversity and children presenting with ASD, ADHD and dyslexia. I believe I present as a consistent, secure, familiar

and nurturing figure, giving every child a solid foundation in which to engage in understanding, calmness, grounding and emotional regulation. I consider each child’s social and emotional well being

To be of the utmost importance.

My philosophy is that each child is seen as an individual and encouraged to develop and grow to fulfil their own unique potential.

Mrs S Kuzlak  - Learning Support Assistant 

Hi, my name is Mrs Kuzlak and I am a Learning Support Assistant at Kings Priory School. My journey in education began in 2020 during lockdown. I didn't start out working with children, in fact the path that led me to my career is fairly different. My background has always been in Accountancy/Business/Customer Services. Redundancies and home tutoring my son during COVID 19 inspired me to retrain to be a Learning Support Assistant. I just knew then that I wanted to work with children. During my time here at Kings Priory School, I started out whilst training as an Out of School Assistant and Lunchtime Supervisor, where I worked alongside pupils from EYFS to Year 8. Since completing my Level 3 Diploma I have supported children across KS1 and KS2 both in the classroom, 1-2-1 and lead intervention groups for phonics and reading. Currently, I have the privilege of working in EYFS Reception where I support across all 3 classrooms. I teach and lead my own phonics groups, support literacy and maths topics within the classroom and as part of the children's outdoor learning as well as small reading groups, speech and language and nurture groups. Whilst keeping the 7 key features of effective EYFS practice at the forefront. 

My approach to education is educating the 'whole' student. I offer support, encouragement, and kindness to young people whenever possible. Leading by example! I enjoy seeing young people succeed in their own personal milestones and take pride in the work I do. I believe a nurturing approach to learning addresses the impact of a pupil's social environment on their emotional wellbeing, their social skills, and how ready they are to engage in school and the wider community. 'Every child is a unique child who is constantly learning and who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured'.

I have definitely found my niche working within EYFS, I especially enjoy teaching phonics and watching the children progress to implement this into their reading and literacy within Talk4Writing. Sharing stories with the children and sprinkling them with new words is always a joy! It is such a magical time for the children in so many areas of the EYFS framework. I love being outdoors with the children, especially Forest School, helping children to develop lifelong skills using natural resources - camp fires, building dens, insect identification and plant dying to name a few. I love evaluating the risk/benefit for the children and providing them with opportunities to explore new activities.

Favourite Book: Room on the Broom and The Colour Monster

Favourite Rhyme/Song: Wind the Bobbin Up and Sleeping Bunnies

Early Years Child Development Training, NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning, NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Customer Services, (AAT) Association of Accounting Technician - Foundation, Intermediate and Technician Levels, NVQ Level 1 & 2 Business Administration

Mrs T French - Learning Support Assistant 

I have worked with children for 34 years in a number of settings with children from aged 1-12 years. I qualified in 1990 after completing a NNEB diploma. The majority of my employment was spent working as an early years practitioner for the Local Authority with children and families in crisis with in the Surestart Centres across North Tyneside.  In that time I have completed lots of training courses, a diploma in the EYFS and a range of other CPD specific to learning difficulties. 

I started working at Kings Priory School in 2020 where I have worked in Reception and in year 1 working 1-1 with children that have additional needs.

Mrs S Corcoran  - Learning Support Assistant 

Ba (Hons), PGCE

I qualified as a primary school teacher  in 1995 and have taught mainly in Reception and Nursery classes.  After living abroad for a short time with my family, I worked as a supply teacher until taking up this role at KPS. I adore working in our amazing Reception classrooms with our very dedicated team and love to see our children grow and develop.

Mrs H Evans - Learning Support Assistant 

I love my job as a Reception LSA, everyday is full of play, fun and learning.  It’s a privilege and a joy to support the children’s  growing independence at the start of their journey through school.

I have a very gentle, caring personality and it’s very important to me to  teach the children about the values of friendship, inclusion and kindness; this message is intrinsic to all the different activities I am involved in within the Early Years classrooms.  I am passionate about teaching phonics and gain enormous satisfaction from seeing the huge amount of progress in both reading and writing.  

Before working in schools I was an interior designer and it’s a pleasure to encourage the children with their arts and crafts.  I live locally and I’m often out walking my dog, it’s always lovely to bump into our children and to stop for a little chat.