Teachers

Teachers

ABOUT THE STAFF

Mr Darbyshire Head Teacher: I first walked through the doors of St Gregory’s in 2005 as a young deputy head who had just turned 30 – full of energy, ideas, and probably a little too much coffee! Over the years, I had the privilege of working alongside two head teachers who taught me so much about leadership and community.

In 2016, I was given the incredible honour of becoming Head Teacher myself. Since then, St Gregory’s has truly become my second home. A lot has changed – new faces, new opportunities, and exciting developments – but one thing remains the same: my passion for this school and its wonderful children.

Every day, I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together. From nurturing curious minds to building a caring, faith-filled community, St Gregory’s is a place where learning and laughter go hand in hand.

Here’s to many more years of growth, joy, and making memories at the school.

Mrs Molyneux Deputy Head teacher & Year 4 Teacher: I’ve been teaching for 22 years and proud to have been Deputy Head at St Gregory’s for the last 9! Before joining this amazing school, I worked in Liverpool, Kirkby and Southport. I’ve helped shape our bespoke curriculum so learning is exciting, memorable and fun!

Music is my passion. I lead Music and started our unique signing choir, learning carols in sign language is magical! Fun fact: I play 5 instruments and love inspiring every child to feel like a star when they perform!”

Miss Crook Reception Teacher: I have been part of the St Gregory’s family since 2013 and I love to create a warm and welcoming learning environment for all the children who walk into my classroom. For me, early years education is all about sparking curiosity and building confidence through play, exploration, whilst providing lots of joy and laughter.

I truly believe every child deserves to feel valued and inspired, so I focus on nurturing their individuality while supporting their social and emotional development. Whether it’s turning a simple activity into a magical learning moment or finding creative ways to engage every child, I’m passionate about making learning fun and meaningful.

Outside the classroom, you’ll often find me creating recipes in the kitchen or keeping active with fitness, both help me bring energy and creativity into my teaching! I love to help little learners take their first steps on their educational journey. Nothing beats the sparkle in their eyes when they smash a goal—it’s like watching tiny superheroes discover their powers!

Mrs Oldham School SEND Champion & Year 1 Teacher: With 23 years of teaching experience and 17 years as SENDCO, I’m passionate about making learning inclusive and supporting every child to reach their potential. I hold a Master’s degree in Inclusion and SEN, and I’m also a qualified specialist dyslexia teacher and assessor, because every learner deserves the right tools to succeed!

I love working closely with families to meet the needs of their children and believe that SEND is not a barrier, but an opportunity to shine.

When I’m not in the classroom, you’ll find me exercising (to help me keep up with my energetic Year 1s!) or enjoying a trip to the theatre.

Fun Fact About Me: I once ended up in the background of a real crime programme....blink and you’ll miss me!

Passion: Inclusion is my speciality, and empowering children and making learning accessible is my goal.

Miss Mair Year 2 teacher. RE and PE Lead: From walking the halls of St. Gregory's as a pupil to leading the way as a teacher since 2009, it really has been a full circle journey for me. 

I have always believed education should be an epic journey. With a Master’s in Outdoor Learning and a love of travel and adventure I aim to bring the spirit of exploration into every lesson. 

In my roles across school I am dedicated to physical, spiritual, and mental development. As PE Lead, I champion fitness and teamwork; as RE Subject Lead, I aim to support the children's understanding of Catholic Values, prayer,  reflection and respect for diverse beliefs; and as Senior Mental Health Lead, I work hard to ensure every child feels supported, understood and ready to thrive.

Away from school I am always chasing adventures. I’ve trekked through wild landscapes, explored far-off places, and even gone scuba diving face-to-face with sharks!

My mission? To help every child grow strong in body, mind, and spirit and to show that life is the greatest adventure of all.

Miss Lewis Year 3 teacher. Science and PSHE Lead: I always knew I’d be a teacher....my sweets were my first pupils, and the jelly babies showed real promise. Before teaching, I worked in recruitment for supermarkets, BAE Systems, and even the police, which explains why I can spot trouble before it happens.

Since training, I’ve loved every minute in the classroom. The children make me smile daily — even when someone glues themselves to the table. Coming back to St Gregory’s after cancer treatment was emotional, and the children’s kindness reminded me how special this place is.

Fun facts:
I’ve lived in Italy and Germany, driven to the Outer Hebrides for fun, plan to visit every Greek island, meditate every day, and I’m unashamedly obsessed with brown sheep.

Mrs Beesley Year 5 teacher. Art, History and Geography lead: I’ve been teaching for over 30 years....long enough to remember when chalkboards were cutting-edge technology! I joined St Gregory’s in 2014 and have loved every minute of it. My passion is art, and I also lead History and Geography, which means I get to combine creativity with exploring the past and the world.

I’ve known Mr Darbyshire since our college days, and it was our shared love of art classes that kept our friendship alive. He’s still an A-star person (though don’t tell him....I’ll never hear the end of it!).

One of my favourite art memories? In college, I once spent three hours perfecting a still-life painting… only to realise I’d been painting the wrong fruit bowl! At least it taught me the importance of observation and a good sense of humour!

Outside the classroom, I’ve thrown myself into countless sporting activities, but hockey has always been my main passion. There’s nothing quite like sprinting down a pitch with a stick in hand, pretending you’re in the Olympics—while secretly hoping you don’t trip over your own shoelaces!

Mr Wilson Year 6 Teacher. Computer & Maths Leader: I’ve spent over 16 years teaching in primary education and feel incredibly lucky to be guiding pupils through their final year at St Gregory's in Year 6.

As the school’s lead for Mathematics and Computing, I’m passionate about making numbers make sense and bringing technology to life in fun, practical ways. I’m known for running a classroom that’s calm, friendly and full of encouragement with sprinkle of humour to keep everyone smiling.

When I’m not in school, you’ll usually find me supporting Preston North End, which has given me plenty of practice in patience, perseverance and staying hopeful: life skills I try to pass on to my pupils every day!