LJ Ross introduces real-life hero Laura Liddell, Headteacher of Bloemfontein Primary School

Laura Liddell, Bloemfontein Primary School

Meet some real-life heroes in my series of special interviews with people who represent the spirit and heart of the North East of England. 

Laura Liddell is the proud Headteacher of Bloemfontein Primary School in County Durham. As Headteacher and governor, she ensures that the children in her care receive the best possible education and have fun whilst learning. 

In this interview, Laura tells us about her favourite spots to visit, her favourite North East shops, and more…

Tell us about your work at Bloemfontein Primary School. What do you love about the school and its pupils?

I have had the honour of being Headteacher at Bloemfontein Primary (affectionately known as ‘The Font’) for six and a half years.  We are a small village school in an ex-mining town and are an integral part of the community.  I thoroughly enjoy working with my Font families and always appreciate how supportive they all are.  The children are a delight and definitely make the school an exciting place to be.  I am also fortunate to have an amazing staff who work brilliantly as a team and are always willing to embrace my new ideas! As a school, we aspire to provide as many experiences as we possibly can – children learn while having fun!  We go camping, skiing (when COVID allows us again), trips, provide forest schools and even have our very own pizza oven.  Bloemfontein has beautiful school grounds where we maximise opportunities for outdoor learning.  Our latest addition to ‘The Font’ is two gorgeous goats who are joining the rest of the kids in January 2021.

I agree – the community spirit has been heartwarming to see, and a reminder that there are an awful lot of good people out there! How about outside of school? Is there one place you always like to visit that you would recommend to others?

I love to visit the coast, no matter what the weather.  I enjoy hot days on the beach cooling down in the sea and equally love cold, blustery days when we have the beach to ourselves.  My definite favourite is Druridge Bay and we have spent many days enjoying the dunes, bodyboarding in the sea, kicking a football around and warming up with a hot chocolate in the cafe.  

What a lovely gesture, but then that’s very much in the spirit of the people of this area. The North East is packed with history, myths and legends, songs and folklore. Do you have a favourite song or verse that you associate with the area?

As a teenager I grew up in Washington, Tyne and Wear very close to Lord Lambton’s land and a fast, sledging hill locally named ‘Worm Hill’.  The whole legend of the Lambton Worm always interested me and I have enjoyed retelling it to children I have taught and my own two boys. 

It has to be: Whisht! Lads, haad yor gobs,

An Aa’ll tell ye’s aall an aaful story

Whisht! Lads, haad yor gobs,

An’ Aa’ll tell ye ‘boot the worm

Favourite North-Eastern slang? What does it mean?

‘Splodging’ – it means paddling or splashing in water.  

That’s very kind of you to say, and it’s been a pleasure to work with your school and with the Greggs Foundation! However, I think it’s nothing in comparison with the inspiring work that you do every single day, and that your team of teaching and other staff do and have done for the children of Bloemfontein.

As a final question, Laura, can you tell me what makes you smile?

I enjoy spending time with my family, whether it’s going for a walk, a trip to the beach, cooking a meal together or getting beaten at Monopoly!

That sounds like the perfect weekend! Thank you for joining me, Laura, and special thanks to Kate Baguley, who helped to coordinate this interview.