Meet the Durham School Staff

Mr D R Best, BA (Belfast), PGCE

Acting Headmaster, Head of History

Mr Best is Acting Headmaster until Easter 2009 when our new Headmaster, Mr Martin George (currently Deputy Head at King's School, Tynemouth) arrives to take up his post in succession to Mr Neil Kern who retired in July 2008. Born and brought up in Northern Ireland, Mr Best studied at Queen’s University, Belfast where he gained a BA (1st Class Honours) in History. After doing his PGCE at Oxford, he started his teaching career at Norwich School where he was Housemaster of the Middle Boarding House. He came to Durham School in 1983 as Head of History and was subsequently appointed Director of Studies. He has been Deputy Headmaster since 1988.

Mrs F M Parker, BEd (Oxon)

Deputy Head (Pastoral), Modern Languages

Educated at Strathearn School for Girls in Northern Ireland and at Oxford University where she gained her degree in French and Sociology, Mrs Parker joined Durham School as a part-time teacher of French in September 1997, becoming full-time two years later. She was appointed Head of Modern Languages in 2003 since when she has introduced Italian and Spanish into the curriculum. In April 2005 she joined the Senior Management Team as Senior Mistress and was appointed Assistant Deputy Head (Pastoral) in September 2006.

Mr D W Goodhew, MA (Oxon), PGCE

Deputy Head (Curriculum)

Born in London, Mr Goodhew gained a first-class honours degree in Classics at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, before training to teach at Nottingham University. He taught at Bancroft's School in Essex and Eton College before joining Bristol Grammar School as Head of Classics in 2000. In 2005 he was appointed Director of Studies at Arnold School in Blackpool from where he joined Durham School in September 2008 as Deputy Head with responsibility for the Curriculum.

Mr G Simpson, ACA, BSc

Director of Services and Development

Born and brought up in the North East of England, Mr Simpson studied at the University of Manchester UMIST where he gained a BSc in Mathematics and Management. A qualified Chartered Accountant, he joined the School in September 2004. Previously he was on the Operating Board of a UK plc, where he was responsible for a number of international manufacturing businesses. Mr Simpson is married with four children - two boys and two girls.

Mr R Thomas, MA (St Andrews)

Director of Marketing

Mr. Thomas was educated at King Edward’s School, Birmingham and St. Andrew’s University where he gained a Joint Honours degree in French and German. After nine years at Chigwell School in Essex where he was a Housemaster for five years, he joined Durham School in 1981 as Head of Modern Languages. In 1983 he was appointed Housemaster of The Caffinites (one of the senior boys’ Houses) – a post he held for sixteen years. He was appointed Senior Master in 1999 and divided his time between Marketing and Modern Languages teaching, until 2005 when he took up a full-time marketing post. Mr. Thomas is married with two grown-up sons.

Mrs A de Lange, BA, MA, PGDip

Chaplain

Mrs Anna de Lange is an Anglican Reader, with a BA in History and Archaeology (Exeter), an MA in librarianship (Sheffield) and a Diploma in Theology (Durham). After a career-break to look after her two children (who are now grown-up and have left home) life took a different direction. She now works voluntarily in her parish church. She served from 1995 to 2000 on the Church of England General Synod and was appointed Chaplain to Durham School in Sepember 2002.

Mr P C Gerrard, BEd Hons (Carnegie)

Director of Sixth Form Studies, Head of PE

Mr. Gerrard was educated at Wirral Grammar School and Carnegie College. He has played representative rugby for Cheshire at U16, U18, U21 and senior levels (Rugby Union) and, as a student, for England Polytechnics (Rugby League). After teaching posts at Dulwich College, Sandbach School and Gosforth High School, he joined Durham School as Director of Sport in 1996. He is now Head of academic Physical Education and was appointed Director Sixth Form Studies in September 2006. In addition to his duties here, he coaches the North of England Under 18 rugby and Newcastle Falcons U18 teams.

Mr R A Muttitt, MA (Dunelm), BMus (Hull), ARCO, FRSA

Director of Middle School Studies (Years 9-11), Head of Music

Born and educated in Shropshire, Mr. Muttitt won a scholarship to the University of Hull where he won many prizes for outstanding performance. In 1987 he won the organ scholarship to St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle and studied at the Royal Academy of Music. He taught in schools in Kent and Essex before moving to Durham in 1994. He is an examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is much in demand as an organist, pianist, conductor and adjudicator. Mr Muttitt was appointed Director of Middle School Studies in September 2006.

Mr T A Davies, BA (Newcastle), PGCE

Director of Lower School Studies, Head of Classics

Mr. Davies was educated at Doncaster Grammar School and at Newcastle University where he gained an Honours degree in Classics. After completing his PGCE, he began teaching in Sheffield and later accepted his first Head of Classics post in Bolton. On relocation to the North-East, he took up the post of Head of Latin and History at Bow School. In 2006 he moved up to Durham School as Head of our Classics Department where he introduced Classical Civilisation into the curriculum at both GCSE and GCE A level. In September 2007 he was appointed Director of Lower School Studies. Mr. Davies is married with two grown-up sons and one daughter.

next event

Senior School Play: A Revue
Saturday, 22 November 2008

More forthcoming events.

recent news

Maths Teacher Qualifies for World Triathlon Championships
Fiona Burnie's stats add up to what promises to be a successful tri in Vancouver next year!

Read more recent news.

photo gallery

See more photos of the senior school in the photo gallery.

Testimonials

"Our son was awarded an academic and a music scholarship. He joined in Year 7 in September 2006 and, after only two weeks, we noticed that his confidence and spirits were lifted. The staff and pupils made him feel very welcome."
Mrs Judith Dawson