Dave Johnson
Director of Sport

Dave graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 1999 with a BSc/BSc in Physical Education/Education, following a successful career in industry. He recently undertook a MA in Sports History and Culture which he completed in 2009. Dave started his teaching career at Langdon School in East Ham, a specialist Sports College, before taking up a position as Head of Department at Warwick Park School in Peckham. He moved to The Royal Docks Community College, Canning Town in 2002, before taking up the position of Director of Sport at Benfield in January 2003. He has worked professionally as a football coach and has coaching qualifications in a wide variety of sports.

Malcolm Munro
Sports Centre Manager

Malcolm was appointed as Centre Manager in April 2004 having previously worked for three years as Facility Manager of The Parks Leisure Centre in North Shields. He has worked in Leisure for 18 years and started off his career as a Lifeguard at Center Parcs. Delivering high quality customer service is of huge importance to him and he continually strives to improve the facilities and opportunities at Benfield. Always one to listen to customer feedback he can be contacted directly at [email protected].

Miss Caryolyn Wood
Dance Curriculum Leader & PE Teacher

Miss Wood's career began in 1995 when when she embarked on a HNC Sports Coaching Course at Moray College in Elgin, Scotland. In 1996 Miss Wood attained a BA (hons) in Physical Education with Sport and Dance development (QTS). Whilst studying for her degree she worked part time as a lifeguard and swimming teacher. Miss Wood spent a summer in the USA at a childrens camp. Her current role at Benfield is Dance Curriculum Leader as well as teaching PE. She is also responsible for organising the out of school hours learning.

Miss Jill Stacey
Sports Leadership Development Office

Jill graduated in July 2009 with a Leeds Metropolitan University Honours Degree in Applied Sports Coaching Science, whilst completing her degree she worked for both Newcastle City Council’s Football Development Scheme and Newcastle United’s Foundation where she coached football to young people across the North East. Jill started work at Benfield in September 2009 as a Sports Leadership Development Officer which involves delivering the Sports Leadership Courses. As well as having Football coaching qualifications she has also completed Level 1 Coaching certificates in Cricket, Rugby and Basketball.

Mr Anthony Smith
Sports Leader Coordinator

Tony has work at Benfield School since 2008. His current role in the P.E. department is Sports Leader Coordinator this involves working with the sports leaders to assist them in coordinating their activities and to provide any advice and support they may need to fulfil their course requirements. Tony has completed a BSc Honours degree in Sport & Exercise coaching science at university of Teesside along with various coaching awards, these include level 1 and 2 in football, level 1 in basketball, indoor rowing, athletics and basic skills training. He has coached football throughout the north east for the last 4 years and has also coached in America for 3 months

Mr Edward Baty
LDA Lead Tutor

Ted qualified as a Physical Education specialist from Bede College, Durham in 1973. He taught in middle schools from 1976 to 1990. He was County Tennis Coach and Development Officer from 1990 to 1991 before returning to P.E. teaching at Shiremoor Middle School. Ted was then the Head of Year and Head of PE at Stonelaw Middle School in Cramlington from 2001 to 2004. He was then seconded as Active Schools Officer with Northumberland Sport in 2003 before being appointed as a Physical Education consultant by Northumberland CC in 2005. Ted currently works as an SSCo at Heaton Manor School as well as being the Lead Tutor for Newcastle LDA based at Benfield School. The Lead Tutor works in partnership with other members of the LDA in planning, organising and delivering CPD opportunities to support schools in their delivery of high quality physical education.

Mr Ian MacIver
Head Of Physical Education

Mr McIver graduated from Moray House Institute of Education, Edinbugh, in 1995 where he received a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education Teaching. Since then he has taught at Portree High (1995 to 1996) and Ashington Sports College (1996 to 2001). He has also received a variety of coaching awards in Basketball, Tennis, Volleyball and Football.

Mr Keith McGowan
Deputy Curriculum Leader of Physical Education

Mr McGowan graduated from Bangor University, Wales in 2000 where he received a BSc (hons) in Sport Science. He then worked as a fitness consultant in Belfast for 4 years where he also became a lead instructor in Circuit Training and Boxercise®. Following this in 2004 Mr McGowan completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (QTS) at Durham University which was upgraded to a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (QTS) in 2009. His first teaching post was in Gilesgate Sports College in 2005 where he taught for 3 years before moving onto Benfield Sports College in 2008. Mr McGowan was promoted to Deputy Curriculum Leader of PE in January 2009 and is also the competition co-ordinator for the school. He is a lead coach with North Tyneside Badminton Centre and has a wide variety of Level 1 and 2 coaching qualifications.

Mr Tom Doyle
Swimming Coach

Mr Doyle worked for Newcastle City Council for over 14 years. In 2001 Mr Doyle decided on a change of career and decided to take his lifeguard exams. From there he soon gained his swimming teaching qualifications in level one and two. Mr Doyle started work at Benfield in 2005 as a swimming coach. As well as teaching swimming at Benfield he coaches at various schools around the city and is a lifeguard and rookie lifeguard trainer.

Mrs Emma Ronteltap
Sports Leadership Development Officer

Emma graduated from Liverpool Hope University College in 2001 with a BSc (Hons) degree in Health and Physical Recreation and a level two fitness instructor qualification. She then spent two years travelling the world whilst working as a fitness instructor onboard cruise ships. In 2003 she moved to Holland where she lived for five years, during this time she initially worked in a hotel as a housekeeping supervisor while she learnt the Dutch language, once fluent Emma gained employment teaching PE and English at the Scheepvaart en Transport College in Rotterdam, where she went on to gain her BVE qualification, a Dutch teaching certificate. In 2007 Emma started work at Benfield as Sports Leadership Development Officer developing, promoting and teaching Sports Leadership Courses.

Mrs Helen Pringle
PE Teacher and BEST Co-ordinator

Mrs Pringle completed her training at Bedford College of Physical Education between 1968 and 1971 where she gained the Cambridge Certificate of Education. She began her teaching career in 1971 at Walbottle East County Secondary School (now Walbottle High School). She left there in 1978 to have her family and returned to teaching on a supply basis in 1986. She worked at Kenton Comprehensive, Throckley Middle School and Sacred Heart. In 1987 Helen joined the staff at Benfield Comprehensive School where she continues to teach now as well as manage Benfield's BEST scheme. Her role as BEST coordinator involves providing a link between the BEST pupils, their coaches, teachers and parents. Helen also mentors the pupils to assist them in balancing their sporting and academic life.

Mrs Margaret Perry
Badminton Development Officer

Margaret Perry was appointed Benfield Badminton Development officer in November 2001 and later employed by the school in February 2004. She played her early years in the Sunderland and Shields Leagues then moved north to play in the Northumberland league. She played for the D.S.S. from 1980 taking the teams to the Premier League and Regional Club Championship Cup Final as well as representing Northumberland at second team level. Mrs Perry Qualified as a Coach (Part 1) in 1995 and immediately started working with the county junior squads, and later became squad manager, building the squads from 40 children playing to 140 children playing on a regular basis. She was also squad leader of four, of the seven groups. She ran the Newcastle School's Tournaments and the Northumberland Junior restricted events, targeting all age groups and changing traditional formats to maximise playing opportunities for all. On the development side she has undertaken hundreds of school visits to promote Badminton to school children. She has coached Benfield to the position of County Champions on four consecutive years at two separate age groups as well as making the National Schools Finals with two age groups over the last four years. She was elected to the Northumberland County Executive, and has played an active roll in promoting Badminton throughout the city. She assimilated to a level two coach in 2005, and became County Welfare officer and is a qualified First Aider.

Mrs Stephanie Murray
P.E. Teacher and School Sports Coordinator

Stephanie studied Performing Arts at University her degree also included Physical Education where she took sports Physiology, Psychology, Anatomy and Comparative studies. She gained her teaching status through Sunderland and San Diego State California University with Physical Education and dance development QTS in 2006. Stephanie is a highly experienced Choreographer and has worked with many companies preparing students to perform and compete at many levels of Dance, she has worked in several youth centres on community dance projects and has led several sport and dance workshops for children aged 3 to 18. Stephanie has worked at Benfield School as a P.E. teacher since 2007 and in 2009 she took on the additional role of School Sports Coordinator for Benfield. Stephanie has worked professionally as a dancer and Netball coach and has coaching qualifications in a wide variety of sports.