Our School

Senior Leadership Team

Click on the pictures below to read the biographies of the Senior Leadership Team and learn a bit about them!

Michael Wright Headteacher Find out more

Michael Wright Headteacher

Michael Wright became Headteacher at FSD in September 2024. He graduated in History from Durham in 2001 prior to training to be a teacher. He has worked in schools across the North East since then in a variety of different roles. His one aim is that every child should enjoy the best possible education they can, regardless of background, so that they have as many options as possible open to them as they enter adulthood. Every child has the right to feel safe, to learn and to be happy and Michael sees his primary role in making sure this is true for every single child at FSD.
Jane Rayson Deputy Headteacher Find out more

Jane Rayson Deputy Headteacher

Jane Rayson has been Deputy Headteacher at FSD since January 2018. She studied English with history at the University of Sunderland and started her teaching career in 1998. Prior to this Jane worked as a civil servant for two years (with some part time DJ work!) whilst waiting to start her PGCE at Newcastle University. Jane originally started teaching at FSD in 1999, eventually becoming Head of English and Assistant Head. She left to pursue a challenge in a different school in 2010 but returned to Fram in 2015. She tweets as @janerayson and occasionally writes a blog entitled The Notebook. Jane is an avid reader and regularly posts about books she has read.
Helen Machin Deputy Headteacher Find out more

Helen Machin Deputy Headteacher

Helen Machin is proud to have been a part of FSD since September 2005, first as a teacher of RE and sociology, then as deputy and curriculum leader of the Social Sciences Directorate before becoming an Assistant Headteacher in January 2018 and then a Deputy Headteacher in September 2023. Helen is originally from Cambridge but moved to the North East to attend Newcastle University where she studied religious studies before completing a PGCE at Durham University. Helen has taught many subjects but in recent years is known mostly as a psychology teacher and loves to combine this with educational thinking and cognitive science. Helen tweets at @helenmachin23 and is passionate about all things Teaching & Learning, cognitive science and CPD.
Louise Lutynski Assistant Headteacher Find out more

Louise Lutynski Assistant Headteacher

Louise started her career as a PE teacher at Prudhoe Community High School and enjoyed 7 years at the school before joining FSD in 2014 as Director of Sport. She studied Sports Science at Manchester Metropolitain University before returning to the North East to complete her PGCE at Durham University. Louise has been appointed as Assistant Head from September 2021 with the focus of raising achievement across KS3 and 4 and closing the attainment gap. Passionate about the power of physical activity and the benefits it can bestow upon people’s lives, she is determined to expose young people to as many different sporting experiences as possible in the hope that they will engage in lifelong participation. Once a county level sportswoman in a number of sports including hockey and football, these days you’re more likely to find her paddle boarding (or trying to) at Cullercoats Bay.
Kate O'Neill Assistant Headteacher Find out more

Kate O'Neill Assistant Headteacher

Kate joined FSD in January 2021 as Assistant Headteacher. She has a degree in history, specialising in the History of Medicine and Science, and then achieved a PGCE in 2008 from Durham University before going on to complete a Masters in Education in 2011. Kate has worked in numerous schools in the North East as a history teacher. Teaching history has always been a passion and she enjoys sharing and presenting new ideas with other teachers around the country. Kate spent a year in Canada, teaching and travelling, before returning to the North East and enjoying a role as Head of Year in the Sixth Form at King Edward VI School in Northumberland.
Wendy Pattison Business Director Find out more

Wendy Pattison Business Director

Wendy Pattison has been the Business Director at FSD since July 2014. Wendy started her career working for Sunderland City Council where she worked as a buyer in the Corporate Procurement Team, and then progressed to leading a team of school financial management advisors supporting schools throughout the LA. From there, Wendy became the Business Manager for five years at Sandhill View School, before moving in to the academy sector at FSD. Wendy also delivers training for local authorities across the region to support their Governor Training Programmes, a role she relishes.
Fran Ward Assistant Headteacher Find out more

Fran Ward Assistant Headteacher

Fran Ward has been Assistant Headteacher overseeing student development at FSD since September 2017. He studied history and politics at Durham University before training to become a teacher and taking up a post at Framwellgate Moor Comprehensive School as the youngest member of staff in 1995. He has previous experience as Head of History and Head of Sixth Form in the school and is rapidly moving towards being the longest serving staff member. He has an avid interest in sports, representing Ireland at schoolboy level, although more of a watcher than a player these days.
Leeanne Mersh-Roberts Deputy Headteacher Find out more

Leeanne Mersh-Roberts Deputy Headteacher

Leeanne joined FSD in 2007 after starting her career as an RE teacher in York. She has been the Head of Sixth Form since 2017 and was previously responsible for RE in the school alongside being a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE). Leeanne was appointed Assistant Headteacher in September 2020 with responsibility for the sixth form and primary transition, and took up the post of Deputy Headteacher in September 2023. She has a degree in Theology and Religious Studies and teaches RE and sociology. Leeanne is known by her students for her fascination of the history of the papacy and has a collection of related memorabilia bought for her by her students over the years.
Michele Osborne Director of Safeguarding Find out more

Michele Osborne Director of Safeguarding

Michele Osborne joined FSD in February 2022. Michele studied geography at the University of Northumbria and has achieved a Masters degree in Social Sciences. Before joining FSD, Michele had over 18 years’ experience working within pastoral care across a range of schools within the North East. Michele has spent a number of years as a Senior Learning Mentor, Year Leader and also as a Pastoral Manager at a specialist provision for students with SEMH needs. Michele is also a Safeguarding Governor at a school in Newcastle which is a role she particularly enjoys. In her spare time, Michele enjoys spending time with her family and travelling.