Meet the Durham School Staff

Mr E M George, BA (Manchester), MBA

Headmaster

Mr George took up his post as Headmaster in April 2009. Mr George was educated at Durham School and Manchester University where he studied Politics and Modern History, graduating in 1984. After ten years' service in the British Army, Mr George spent the next ten years teaching at Newcastle-under-Lyme School, during which time he was appionted Director of Studies and also gained an MBA in Education Administration. In 2004 he moved to the King's School, Tynemouth as Deputy Headmaster with special responsibility for pastoral issues. Mr George knows the North East very well and, as a former pupil of the School, already has a real affection for Durham School and a strong sense of its traditions.

Mr D W Goodhew, MA (Oxon), PGCE

Deputy Head, Classics

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. In September 2009 he became Deputy Head in succession to Mr Derek Best.

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 R Best, BA (Belfast), PGCE

Senior Master, Head of History

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 became Deputy Headmaster in 1988, a post he filled for 21 years before being appointed Senior Master in September 2009.

Mr MJ Bushnell, BSc (Swansea); PGCE

Head of Boarding

Mr. Bushnell gained his BSc (Hons) at Swansea University. After a year working for the Bank of England he took time out to do a PGCE at Manchester University. His first appointment was at Hartlepool Sixth Form College where he taught for two years before joining Durham School as a teacher of Economics in September 1990. From 1993 until 1997 he was Housemaster of Ferens House (11-13) and from 1997 until 2009 Housemaster of Poole House. He was appointed to his current management post (Head of Boarding) in September 2009.

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.

Mrs Ruth Gardner

Bursar

After leaving school Ruth took up a position in her family’s engineering firm. This was followed by Management Accounting positions in two blue-chip companies. In 2003 she took time out to plan for her second child and before being appointed as part-time Finance Officer at Durham School. In 2008 she gained School Business Manager status and a Diploma in Business Administration from Manchester Metropolitan University. Ruth was appointed Bursar and joined the Senior Management Team in September 2009.

Nicola McCann, DipCIPR, MCIPR

Marketing Director

With over twenty years of marketing experience gained in a top London advertising agency and in the North East charity sector, Nicola joined Durham School’s marketing department in 2001. Promoted to Marketing & PR Manager in January 2009, Nicola was then further promoted to the position of Marketing Director in September 2009. Nicola is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, having passed the CIPR Diploma with merit. Nicola is married to Peter and they have two sons who attend Durham School.

Mrs Susan Langthorne

Events Manager & Old Dunelmian Development Officer

Born in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Sue was educated at Queen Margaret's School, York and St Peter's School, York. She went on to gain a BTEC HND in Hotel, Catering and Institutional Management at the Norwich Hotel School. After spending three years working as a Conference and Banqueting Co-ordinator in London and also back in the North East, she joined the family business as Personnel & PR Officer. Sue then took a seven-year career break to bring her up two children, who both attend Durham School. She returned to work as a Teaching Assistant at Bow, Durham School where she spent six years in the Pre-prep Department. Sue was appointed Events Manager and OD Development Officer in September 2009.

Mr HS Dias, BA (Ulster), PGCE (Oxon)

Feeder School Liaison Officer

Mr Hugh Dias gained his BA in English at Ulster University and his PGCE at Christ Church, Oxford. Prior to joining the English department at Durham School in 1986, he had previously taught at The King`s School, Tynemouth, the Vienna International School and the Kuwait English School. Mr Dias was Housemaster of School House from 1987 until 2003 and President of The Common Room from 1989 until 2004. He was a Governor of Austin Friars School in Carlisle from 1996 until 20004 and is currently a member of the Governing Body of Newcastle Prep School. Apart from his English teaching, Mr Dias is involved in the coaching of a variety of rugby and cricket teams and in writng and producing Drama productions. Mr Dias is also co-author with photographer Philip Nixon of a book entitled "Exploring Solway Firth History".

next event

A-Level Results Publication Day
Thursday, 19 August 2010

More forthcoming events.

recent news

New faces in September 2010
A warm welcome to staff joining us in September

Read more recent news.

photo gallery

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

Testimonials

"I like school because of the fresh air and the small classes, the walking from class to class and games four days a week. I also like the afternoon activities because it’s a time when you can choose what you want to do and have fun. "
Daniel Tiffin (Caffinites, Year 9)