‘Lucky to have her’ - Teaching assistant marks 30 years with Epinay School in South Shields

Staff at Epinay School, on Nevinson Avenue, in South Shields, have honoured a teaching assistant who has marked 30 years of service at the school.

Denise Newbrook’s career at Epinay started back in 1994 when she joined the school as a nursery nurse.

Fast forward three decades and she is still working hard at the school in her current role as a High Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) for children with ASD and other complex needs.

Chris Rue, the headteacher at Epinay School, presented Denise with flowers during a school assembly on Friday, May 10, as a way of thanking her for all her work over the years.

When speaking to the Gazette, Chris highlighted how value Denise is to Epinay School and the how important the role is that she plays within the teaching team.

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He commented: “Denise is an experienced teaching assistant who has gone through various headteachers, restructures and the relocation during her time at Epinay.

“When we moved to our new site, she was promoted to a Higher Level Teaching Assistant meaning that she is one of our most experienced teaching assistants at the school.

“She is there to support other members of staff, especially younger staff who are just coming into their teaching careers, as well as covering lessons and supporting teachers.

“Denise very much has the ‘Epinay ethos’ imbedded into her which makes her a lovely role model to have in school.

“We are very lucky to have her at Epinay and here is to the next 30 years!”