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Meet the Team

Find out about the First Class team below, who they are, what they do and more importantly what they look like!

Directors & Founders

Lesley, together with co-Director Steph, founded First Class Supply back in 2004. With a background in sales and national account management, she specialises in the finance and management side of the business. With over 30 years of experience in education recruitment, Lesley has been instrumental in establishing First Class Supply as the leading independent education recruitment agency in the North East.

Lesley Robinson
(Founder and Managing Director)

Steph, alongside co-Director Lesley, founded First Class Supply in 2004, bringing her extensive expertise in HR and customer service management to the business. With a background in patient liaison management within the NHS, she has developed a deep understanding of people-focused recruitment. With over 30 years of experience in education recruitment, Steph leads the HR, Compliance, and Safeguarding functions, ensuring the highest standards across the organisation.

Steph Boulton
(Founder and Managing Director)

Education Consultants

Julia has been an integral part of First Class Supply since 2008, bringing extensive knowledge and expertise to our team. Over the years, she has worked across all areas of the business, becoming a key leader within our consultancy team. With a deep understanding of the needs of both schools and supply staff, Julia excels at perfectly matching supply staff to roles, ensuring a seamless and successful placement. Her commitment to quality and attention to detail help maintain the highest standards in recruitment and service.

Julia Pollock
(Managing Consultant)

Kate has been with us at First Class since 2015, and has a wealth of experience in educational recruitment. With an excellent understanding of supply across the North East, she is an integral part of everything we do at First Class Supply. She’s known for building strong relationships and always matching the right teacher to the right school. As a dedicated parent, she brings genuine passion and commitment to the field of education.

Kate Hall
(Senior Education Specialist)

Prior to joining First Class Supply Gayleen worked in SEN schools for 15 years, most recently as a Data and Examinations Officer. This background has given Gayleen an amazing understanding of SEN which she utilises to match the right person to a schools specific needs. Gayleen’s substantial school administration experience is a real benefit in understanding what’s important to our partner schools.

Gayleen Gray
(Education Specialist)

Zoe specialises in relationship building and connecting the right people with the right opportunities. With a background in recruitment, training, product design and sales, she confidently presents ideas, builds partnerships, and supports people throughout their journey.

Zoe Blenkinsop
(Education Specialist)

Finance Team

Dionne is First Class Supply’s fantastic Finance Manager and a Director of the company, overseeing all financial operations with expertise and precision. With over 25 years in the accounts sector, she ensures that payroll runs seamlessly for our supply staff and that invoicing is handled efficiently for schools. As a vital member of the management team, Dionne’s dedication and financial acumen keep everything running smoothly.

Dionne Clark
(Director and Finance Manager)

Jonny joined First Class back in 2010 as an apprentice to help with the admin side of things. After securing a permanent role, he has taken charge of all things IT-related and excels at upgrading and maintaining our bespoke software system. He is also Dionne’s right-hand man in the accounts department and an integral part of the First Class team.

Jonny Carr
(IT & Accounts Consultant)

Admin Team

Jemma has been with First Class since 2012, and is integral to the smooth running of everything to do with the office admin, resourcing, training and events management side of things. She stays on top of the ever-changing safeguarding and compliance legislation within education recruitment. With a solid background in recruitment before specialising in educational recruitment, Jemma brings a wide depth of knowledge to the many facets of her role.

Jemma Jobson-Muir
(Admin Manager)

Sam brings over 13 years of experience in quality assurance within the care sector, where she developed strong foundations in compliance, attention to detail and people-focused service. Now working in education recruitment, she applies those same principles to help schools and educators find the right fit. Sam is committed to delivering a professional, responsive, and supportive service to both schools and supply staff.

Sam Binks
(Registration Coordinator)

Pam has been an essential part of our team since summer 2017, ensuring supply staff are registered seamlessly and all compliance standards are met—something we take great pride in. With a wealth of experience from her previous role in school administration and finance support across local secondary and primary schools, Pam brings invaluable knowledge and attention to detail. Her dedication helps us maintain the highest standards in education recruitment.

Pam Heron
(Registration Coordinator)

Our Educational Advisors

Nichola has nearly two decades of leadership experience as Headteacher of West Walker Primary School. After a year as a Lead SCITT Mentor supporting trainee teachers, she joined First Class Supply in September 2025, bringing invaluable insight into schools, teaching and staff development.

Nichola Draper

Ann is the former Head Teacher of Wallsend Jubilee Primary School. She has worked with us since 2017, Ann liked our ethos, and the team, so much she couldn’t wait to join us as an education advisor on leaving school! Her warm and welcoming manner puts all those who come to join us at ease.

Ann Thornton

Rachel is a highly experienced education professional and former headteacher, bringing invaluable knowledge and leadership to our recruitment team. She plays a key role in interviewing supply staff, ensuring we connect the best educators with the right opportunities. Rachel also represents us at schools and education conferences, strengthening relationships within North East education.

Rachel Woods

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What others are saying about us...

We have used First Class Supply for some time now. I find that the service we receive is outstanding.

The staff in the office are very professional, helpful and approachable. All the Teaching Assistant's provided by First Class Supply have been excellent and we try and keep the same staff for consistency whenever possible.
Karina Winton
We've just had Ofsted in and obviously the compliance stuff is mine to talk through. As soon as I mentioned we don't use anyone other than First Class, the inspector just nodded and mentioned your verification forms, which I showed her a copy of & said what actual evidence we check against. She already knew who you were and the thorough checks you do.
Nikki Willis
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