Jill Hutton
Head Teacher
Jill Hutton has been headteacher at Bensham Grove Nursery School since September 2024, sharing the role with Sue McElrue. Jill came to Bensham Grove on secondment in January 2024 as a teacher in our 3-5 provision, bringing with her over two decades of experience leading early years practice in a Gateshead primary school. She enjoyed her time with us so much she jumped at the chance to stay!
Jill works Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and uses Tuesday’s to catch up with family life, particularly enjoying the chance to take her own children, William and Rosa, to and from school.
Jill is particularly passionate about trauma informed practice, play and offering children opportunities to plan and lead their own learning through a plan, do, review approach to curriculum delivery. Jill is our Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Sue McElrue
Head Teacher
Sue came to the Nursery in 2023, working as the SENCO and Early Years teacher in the 3-5 provision. In September 2024 Sue stepped into a job share headship with Jill and has been instrumental in sharing her previous experience as a headteacher, Senior Lecturer for Early Years at Newcastle University and Head of an Early Years Initial Teacher Training provider. Sue did several educational placements to Denmark offering CPD opportunities for trainee teachers and Early Years leaders from across the North East. Her passion and ambition is rooted in creating an exemplary indoor and outdoor environment that supports children to learn and play and have the opportunity to enhance their childhood experiences. Sue is our Designated Safeguarding Lead.