Meet the Staff

Mrs Balderstone started her headship with the PRU in September 2013. Previously Mrs Balderstone worked in a Barrow secondary school for 13 years before becoming Head of the West Cumbria PRU in 2009. Mrs Balderstone has been a member of the Management Committee since September 2013.

Mrs Kemp has worked at the PRU since 2002. She teaches Personal, Social, Health & Citizenship Education across all key stages. She also teaches GCSE Health and Social Care, Hospitality and Catering, R.E and Wider Key Skills.

Mr Kenny has been teaching Art at the PRU since 2012. 'Art is a great way to express feelings and is very individual to each person. The work we do in Art at the PRU is based on the pupil’s interests and encourages them to explore their ideas in a well equipped and dedicated Art department. Pupils particularly enjoy the opportunity to do 3D work'.

Having previous teaching experience in local mainstream secondary education, the Sixth Form College and college of Further Education Paul has joined the staff with specific responsibility for Physical Education and Maths. Mr Stanway has been an 'associate' member of the Management Committee since December 2013.

Mrs Mawson has worked in the PRU since 2012 with a permanent contract issued in June 2013. Mrs Mawson is responsible for the co-ordination of the Key Stage 2 provision in Newbridge House.

Mr Smith joined the PRU in September 2014 having previous spent 3 years in a similar role in Lancaster. He teaches Maths and Horticulture.

Mrs Atkinson has worked with the Home and Hospital Tuition Service since 2008 and has been responsible for the delivery of education in Kendal Tutorial Centre. Mrs Atkinson’s specialism is ICT and RE and she has completed the NPQH.

Mr Ely has worked for the Hospital and Home Tuition Service since 2010. He is responsible for delivering the Medical Pupil Referral provision in the Furness area. He has taught Science for over 20 years with a specialism in Biology.

Mr Staunton has worked at the PRU since Jan 2010 and is the teacher of ICT and our newly appointed Assistant Head. As Assistant Head Mr Staunton has responsibility for progress and tracking across the service. Mr Staunton has been a member of the Management Committee since December 2013.

Mr.Jones has worked at Newbridge House since 1998. His teaching responsibilities are Science and Outdoor Education. He is the Educational Visits Coordinator.

Having previous teaching experience in a number of mainstream schools, teaching subjects across the curriculum, Mr Ribchester has joined the staff with responsibility for teaching English from September 2014.

Mr Doyle joined the Pupil Referral Service in September 2013. Mr Doyle has previous experience at a local secondary school working with young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. He delivers ICT and PE within the centre.

Ms Robinson has worked in local mainstream schools for over 20 years. Formally a Learning Mentor, Ms Robinson delivers Mentoring lessons to all year groups, and is also a Restorative Justice facilitator.

Mrs Cotton has worked with Special Educational needs students for several years in mainstream settings. Having joined the PRU in 2013 she supports students in subjects across the curriculum and currently undertakes baseline testing with all students.

Mr Mansell has worked at the PRU since 2008. He teaches Food technology and GCSE Practical Catering.

Mrs Croasdale has worked at the PRU since 2006. She teaches Textiles and supports pupils in lessons around the centre.

Ms Oncal has worked for the PRU since 2000, responsible for the delivery of Art and Photography in the Kendal centre and provides one to one student support as well as providing assistance to teachers across the curriculum.

Before starting work at the PRU in January 2014, Mrs Blanshard worked as a PE teacher for 2 years in schools in West Cumbria and in the pupil support department at Walney School. At Walney school she worked with pupils with differing physical , learning and behavioural needs. At the PRU Mrs Blanshard supports PE and PSHEE.

Mrs Neves began working at the PRU in December 2015 and, prior to this, worked for 14 years in primary and secondary settings in the Preston area.

Mr Chatfield has been working with young people since 2001 and delivers a wide range of activities including DJ’ing, Sports, Art, Music, and G.C.S.E. Photography.

Mrs Jacobs works as a school counsellor across the service for two and a half days per week. Counselling is provided, where appropriate, to those students identified as needing additional support in their lives.

Miss Evans has worked at the PRU in a range of administration positions since 1998. Since 2006 she has been the PRU’s School Business Manager and has responsibility for Health and Safety, and Facilities and Finance, whilst also managing the very efficient Business Support team.

Mrs Fisher has been working at Newbridge House since 2009 as a part of the school’s Business Support team. Mrs Fisher is responsible for pupil transport, school dinners, general school liaison and the administration of pupil reports and communications.

Mrs Chesworth started at the PRU in 2016 as part of the school Business Support team, having had a number of years’ administrative experience. Mrs Chesworth has responsibility for management of pupil examinations.

Mr Fell has worked at Newbridge House since January 2003. Mr Fell delivers PE, supports Outdoor Education and is the PRU's Team -teach trainer.

Mrs Evans is responsible for the facilities and also supports the lunch-time and breakfast facilities.

Mr Mark began work in the PRU in June 2016 and, prior to this, had a background in youth work in both paid and voluntary roles.

Mr Chesworth joined the PRU in September 2017 and prior to this has numerous years background in a childcare setting, working with children with social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties.

Mr Bonnett began working at the PRU in January 2018. He is passionate about helping young people overcome their barriers to learning. Mr Bonnett has experience supporting young people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions, Social Emotional Health and Behavioural difficulties and has previously worked in local secondary and private residential schools as a music teacher, learning support assistant and a HLTA.

Mark joined the PRU as an Engagement Officer in January 2018. Mark has come from a sport coaching background working with children and young people for over 15 years, the last five and half years being in a residential setting working with children and young people with social and emotional needs, and challenging behaviours.

Mr Martin has spent the last 15 years teaching and then as part of the Senior Leadership Team at a school for young people with additional needs. In 2017 he moved to a local mainstream school before becoming a Specialist Advisory Teacher for the Local Authority, again working with young people who found mainstream schooling challenging.

Mr Taputu started his career at the PRU in May 2018 in the role of Behaviour Support. Originally Mr Taputu was a mechanic, helping out in his spare time with various youth work in the town. He also enjoys playing rugby.

Miss Bloor began her career in the PRU ten years ago and returned in June 2018 to undertake her current position. Miss Bloor has lots of educational experience including teaching Key Stage 2.

Mrs Armistead worked as a Teaching Assistant at Millom School covering subjects such as languages and business studies, before training as an English Teacher. Once qualified Mrs Armistead obtained a position at Dowdales School and has been teaching for over 10 years covering English, media and History.

Miss Whitehead joined the PRU in June 2019 and is responsible for the facilities of the centre.