Jo Suddes

Headteacher

Jo Suddes:

I was delighted to join this school in June 2018 as Deputy Headteacher. Having worked directly with the school in my previous role I saw first- hand the excellent teaching and support that is offered to students in this school.

I am proud to now be Headteacher, working with a fantastic team of staff and students, working together to ensure excellence for all. My previous roles mean I have extensive experience of school improvement across primary and secondary education. I am passionate about teaching and learning and ensuring staff have the best possible professional development opportunities so that we provide high quality learning experience for our students. I take great pleasure working with young people and to see them reach their potential.

Gary Thompson

Deputy Headteacher

Gary Thompson: I am currently in my 13th year at Monkseaton and have been on the leadership team since 2015. I am passionate about education and enabling young people to develop self-confidence, self-worth and the aspiration to achieve success.  Moreover, I am enthusiastic about schools and their communities, believing that as school leaders we are custodians and must take on this wider responsibility with great care. We are positioned to make a genuine and lasting difference to the lives of young people; to equip them with the knowledge, skills and emotional intelligence to grow into well adjusted, confident and successful adults who can navigate the wider world and contribute positively to society. 

Kerry Davison

Assistant Headteacher

Kerry Davison: I have been part of Monkseaton High School Leadership Team for a number of years in a supportive capacity but was Appointed Assistant Head for Pastoral and Guidance in April of 2018. I started at Monkseaton High School in 2006 as a PE Teacher and School Sport Coordinator. Prior to that I worked in two other local secondary schools. Since starting I have undertaken a number of roles including Head of Department, Head of Year and continue to be a School Governor. I am lucky I am in a career where I can make a difference as I believe every child has something to achieve; to ensure that at Monkseaton they get the chance to do this is a privilege. I want our students to feel safe to be who they want to be without fear.

Kathryn Furness

Assistant Headteacher

Kathryn Furness: I am extremely passionate about providing a high-level of professional development for our staff in order to ensure that the teaching and learning our students experience every day is of the highest standard. I have extensive experience of delivering CPD, both in this school and others in the North East, through my role as a Specialist Leader of Education, which enables me to work with staff and students to improve provision. As Assistant Headteacher and staff governor, I continue to be delighted with the progress made by all of our students and am really looking forward to seeing what the next chapter in the Monkseaton High School story has in store.

Sean Hay

Assistant Headteacher

Sean Hay: This is my first year as Assistant Headteacher and I am relishing the opportunity to have a positive impact on our school. I started my teaching career at Monkseaton High School 11 years ago after completing my PGCE at Northumbria University. Since then I have worked as Raising Achievement Leader in PE as well as a Pastoral Raising Achievement Leader in our Sixth Form. I feel privileged to be able to work with young people and help shape their futures. I firmly believe in inclusive education and am committed to ensuring that every individual under my care has a positive experience. Helping a student get to where they want to be, whether that be Sixth Form, college, university or the world of work, is the most rewarding part of being a teacher.

Marie-Anne Dowson

School Business Manager

Marie-Anne Dowson: I began working at Monkseaton High School in April 2020 as School Business Manager. I am responsible for the strategic leadership and management of financial and budgetary functions and also lead the management of the school site and support staff. I have been working in schools for 17 years and have a wealth of experience in managing support functions. I am excited to be at Monkseaton High School, and am looking forward to working with staff and helping pupils to reach their full potential.