Meet the Staff

Here is a list of our current staff structure and their roles and responsibilities:

Headteacher

Mr Shawn Laws (Executive Headteacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Subject Leader for Science and Physical Education)

It is a huge honour to be the Headteacher at Witton le Wear Primary School. I took up my role in September 2022 and am working hard to bring a lot of exciting changes to the school.

I love stories, my favourite author as a child was Enid Blyton. I loved taking part in adventures of the Famous Five or climbing the Faraway Tree in the ‘Enchanted Wood’.

I love my role, bringing new and exciting developments to the school is fantastic, but first and foremost I am a teacher and spending time learning with the children in school is what gives me the greatest pride.

Away from school, I love sports and keeping fit. I do a sport called triathlon which involves swimming, cycling and running. I am really keen to help all of our children develop an active and healthy lifestyle, so I aim to ensure there are always lots of sporting clubs and activities available and everyone gets the opportunity to take part.

Teaching Staff

Teaching Assistants

Miss Catherine Forsyth

Miss Leisha Jones

Non Teaching Staff

• Mrs Lynn Docherty (Caretaker)
• Miss Helen Taylor (Kitchen Staff)
• Miss Emma Seymour (Kitchen Staff)
• Mrs Clare McKimm (Lunchtime Supervisor)
• Mrs Lorraine Thirling (Lunchtime Supervisor)
• Miss Leisha Jones (Lunchtime Supervisor, Breakfast Club & WASCLS supervisor)
• Miss Courtney Varley (Senior Office Administrator)

Staff Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Mrs Sophie Foster: Nursery & Reception, EYFS, SENCO.
• Mrs Rebecca Redfern: Year 1 and 2, Literacy Leader, Computing, PD, E-Safety, Educate & Celebrate
• Mrs Becky Kasner-Wood: Year 5 and 6. Maths, MFL, Geography, History, DDSL

Staff / coordinators always work upon areas for school improvement and development as a whole team in order to share expertise, and to try and ensure consistency and progression of approach with developments, initiatives, and aspects of teaching and learning.

All teachers within school are paid in line with national guidelines. Currently within 2024/2025 academic year, we have no staff or members of the school leadership team that have a gross annual salary of £100,000 or more.