Head Teacher
Paul Barnfather
Telephone: 01429 224965
Paul has worked in education for over 25 years delivering alternative education to those pupils deemed at risk of exclusion or who have an EHCP, Paul has been at Hartlepool School since it opened in 2007 joining as a Teacher / Tutor and as an Interventions manager. Paul is now Hartlepool Schools Head Teacher
Level 5 ILM
HND Business IT
Safer recruitment in education
Assistant Head Teacher /SENco
Craig Davies
Craig has over 17 years’ experience in specialist/SEMH provisions.
Craig delivered English lessons at Cambian Hartlepool School over seeing the English department before becoming the schools Assistant Head Teacher in September 2025.
Craig qualified as a SENCo in 2020 and has since developed extensive expertise in statutory SEND systems, trauma-informed practice and emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA).
PCGE
Pastoral Manager / School Administrator
Zoe Cousins
Zoe has worked with the company since 2009, starting at Hartlepool school supporting Administration and a Teaching Assistant, which then led on to a Pastoral Manager.
Administrative role within school is still over seen by Zoe.
Level 4 ILM
Diploma Level 3 In Children’s and Young Peoples Services
Level 3 Teaching Assistant Diploma
NCFE Level 2 Business Administration.
Maths/Science Teacher
Johnathan Finnegan
Telephone: 01429 224965
Johnathan qualified in 2004 and worked as a primary school supply teacher in various schools throughout the region. Johnathan joined the organisation on a part time basis in 2008 which became a fulltime position in Sept 2008.
Johnathan is the Maths and science co-ordinator for the Hartlepool school.
NCFE Level 2 Understanding Autism.
QTS
English Teacher
Lee Phoenix
Lee qualified as a Teacher in 2017. Since qualifying Lee has worked in Alternative Educational Provisions for young people who are struggling within a mainstream setting. Lee has taught English and PE across schools he has worked at and has joined Cambian Group in 2022 as an English teacher.
FDSc Fitness Instruction & Sports Massage
BSc (HONS) Sports Science (Applied Exercise Science)
PGCE – Professional Graduate Certificate in Education
Safeguarding Level 1
IT/PE/Humanities Teacher
Katie Jane Cook
Katie has over 10 years experience working alongside outreach workers, social services and schools.
She has successfully ran numerous community projects within educational settings over the years.
Katie is a qualified ESL (English as a second language) teacher, teaching children/adults from all around the world.
She joined the Cambian Group in the summer of 2022.
BSC Hons Degree in Criminology & Sociology
TESLO Teaching Qualification
Mental Health Awareness Level 2
PHSE / Food Tech Tutor
Kirsty Owen
Kirsty has previous experience working with Young People in the community before starting her job as a Residential Childcare worker within a Cambian Children’s Home in 2018.
Kirsty left the residential home to join Hartlepool School as a Teaching Assistant in 2020.
Kirsty now delivers Food Tech & PSHE at Cambian Hartlepool School.
BTEC Diploma in Health & Care
Level 3 Tutoring
Art Teacher
Georgina Russell
Georgina graduated university in 2020 with PGCE.
Georgina worked in a mainstream provision in London before starting Hartlepool School as an ART Teacher.
Teaching Assistant
Behreez Brown
Behreez started her career supporting Adults with disabilities before coming to Cambian Hartlepool School as a Teaching Assistant, Behreez supports students in subjects they find more challenging to achieve their true potential.
Behreez is currently studying a Level3 Teaching Assistant course.
Level 3 Professional Policing
Level2 Public Services
Governance Board
Termly Governance Board meetings are held at Cambian Hartlepool School to ensure that the management of the school is closely scrutinised and held to account in all areas of responsibility.
The agenda comprises of:
✓ Voice of the Child - student feedback
✓ Head Teachers Highlight Report outlining achievements and challenges and progress against school improvement report
✓ Outcomes for Children and Young People - Care
✓ Outcomes for Children and Young People - Education
✓ Outcomes for Children and Young People - Therapy
✓ Commercial Performance
✓ Staffing and Personnel
✓ Estates Report
✓ IT report
The Governance Board contain key individuals from outside and within the school who attend this meeting each term and parental and staff feedback is always welcomed.
Staff enjoy working at the school and feel well supported by leaders and the proprietor. The school manages workload effectively, contributing to a positive and collaborative working environment.
- Ofsted Report 2025
