Staffing

Mr J Murray Principal BSc (Hons), Bristol; PGCE Roehampton IHE

Mr Murray has been the Headteacher at the Catholic High School since September 2004. He is a Chemistry graduate and teaches Chemistry and Science. Mr Murray has a daughter and two sons who have all attended the school. His daughter has just qualified as a barrister, while the older son is studying Medicine and his younger brother has just completed Sixth Form. He has been a teacher at schools in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire before moving to Chester; previous posts have included being Head of Sixth Form at the John Bentley School, Calne, and Head of Science and Curriculum at St Benedict’s, Cheltenham. He was Headteacher at St Benedict’s for six years prior to joining The Catholic High School, Chester.

Mr Murray is also an enthusiastic musician and singer, playing guitar, saxophone and the ukulele, and he sings with the Ellesmere Port Music Society choir. He supports Sunderland AFC, loves Airfix kits, riding his bike and reading historical novels. He is a parishioner at St Clare’s, Lache.

Mrs M Nordmann Head of School, BA (Hons) Lancaster, PGCE Manchester

Mrs Nordmann specialised in Physical Geography at University and this still remains her main interest within the school curriculum. Currently she teaches KS3 Geography and AS/A2 Travel and Tourism which is a course she has built up both here and in her previous school. Mrs Nordmann moved to The Catholic High School in 2006 as Assistant Head. Prior to this she was Assistant Head at another Chester school. Currently her focus is KS3 and she is developing teaching and learning at school to move the school towards Outstanding. She is married with one son who attends one of our partner primary schools.

Ms U Mort Assistant Headteacher – Achievement and Curriculum, BA Hons History (University of Manchester), PGCE (Manchester Metropolitan)

Ms Mort taught History at a variety of grammar and comprehensive schools in the south east before moving back to the northwest in 2010 to take up her second assistant headship at the Catholic High School, Chester. Here her main responsibilities are raising achievement and curriculum development. Ms Mort is totally committed to improving student attainment, raising aspirations and unlocking potential.

Ms Mort specialised in British Political History at University. Since then she has taught various courses at GCSE and A level, as well as the International Baccalaureate. Ms Mort current interest and area of expertise is German and Russian History 1870 to 1945.

Mr N Cross – Assistant Headteacher, BSc (Hons) Physical Education, Sports Science and Geography – Loughborough University. PGCE Physical Education - Liverpool John Moores University

Mr Cross teaches Physical Education including A2 Sports Psychology and KS3 Geography. He has taught at several schools in the North West and overseas; previous posts have included being Assistant Head of Upper School at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys and more recently he was Head of PE and Health at St Bede’s College in Christchurch, New Zealand. Mr Cross joined The Catholic High School in 2009 and has been Head of Year for students in years 9, 10 and 11. His main responsibility is for the pastoral welfare of all students, ensuring that there are no barriers to students achieving their full potential. Mr Cross is a keen sportsman, playing cricket and rugby and he is also a very keen skier.

Mr T Wilson Assistant Headteacher - LLB Hons (Liverpool John Moores University, LLM (University of Liverpool), Bar Vocational Course (Manchester Metropolitan University), MA History (Merit) (University of Liverpool), PGCE (University of Chester)

Prior to commencing work as a teacher and joining the Catholic High School in 2015, Mr Wilson qualified as a Barrister and worked in the legal profession for a number of years. Alongside a Master’s degree in Law, Mr Wilson also has a Master’s degree with merit in History, specialising in the twentieth century. As well as teaching History, Mr Wilson teaches Politics at A Level and specialises in British and American politics. Mr Wilson is a Gold Accredited Teacher Ambassador for Parliament after being selected from teachers nationwide to complete an Educational Training Programme at Westminster. Within the field of History, Mr Wilson’s areas of interest are Nazi Germany as well as the political history of Britain and Ireland. Mr Wilson has a passion for local history and has collaborated with the University of Chester in several research projects in this area as well as educational development and progress within History with an article due to be published this year. Alongside other colleagues, Mr Wilson co-ordinates the Schools Communication Teams and Anti-Bullying Ambassadors. Outside of school, Mr Wilson is interested in all sports especially football and plays the trumpet in a swing band.

Mr S Gauller Assistant Headteacher – Resources and Company Secretary to the Chester Catholic Academies Partnership. MA Human Resource Management, Chartered FCIPD

Mr Gauller leads on all business support activities for the school including HR, administration, finance, facilities, health and safety and ICT whilst supporting the Head teacher in the provision of business leadership, management and high level strategic and operational support. Before joining the school in 2006 he enjoyed a 20 year career path within the Utilities sector in both the engineering field and corporate office. Mr Gauller is keen sportsman, recently completing UK Ironman, and is married with two young children.

Teaching Staff from September 2018:

Year Leader of Learning: YLL

Curriculum Leader of Learning: CLL