The staff of Cedars School of Excellence are committed to delivering the best possible education. Please feel free to contact any member of staff by email.
Alison Speirs
Mrs Alison Speirs is the Head Teacher of Cedars School. Mrs Speirs founded the school in August 1999 with Miss Mary Black. A graduate of Jordanhill College of Education with a qualification in Primary Education, Mrs Speirs also has a BA in Education and Sociology. In addition she has a post-graduate diploma in special educational needs.
Email: as@cedars.inverclyde.sch.uk
Fraser Speirs
Fraser Speirs is Head of Computing and IT at Cedars. He holds a BSc in Software Engineering and an MSc in Computer Science from the University of Glasgow.
Fraser Teaches Computing Science at National 4/5 and Higher. and is responsible for all aspects of IT at Cedars.
Email: fs@cedars.inverclyde.sch.uk
Jenny Oakley
Jenny Oakley is the Head of Guidance and teaches Art and Drama in the secondary department. She has a BA (Hons) in Community Arts and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Strathclyde. In addition she has an Artist Teacher post graduate diploma.
Email: jo@cedars.inverclyde.sch.uk
Rosalind Creighton
Rosalind teaches English in the secondary department at Cedars. She has an M.A. (Hons) in English language and literature from the University of Glasgow and a Postgraduate Certificate of Education from the University of Strathclyde. After 10 years of teaching in the state sector, Rosalind came to work at Cedars in 2008.
Dr. Lesley Rankin
Lesley Rankin teaches English and French at Cedars school, and is also responsible for some aspects of SQA liaison and administration. She has an M.A. (Hons) in French, an M.Phil. in fin de siècle literature and art, and a Ph.D. in French, all from Glasgow University. She completed her Postgraduate Certificate in Education at the University of Strathclyde, and taught in the state sector before coming to Cedars.
Email: lr@cedars.inverclyde.sch.uk
Emma Rukin
Emma Rukin is Head of Social Studies, responsible for teaching History, Geography and Modern Studies. She also teaches Secondary Music and coordinates the Broader Curriculum programme. Emma holds a BA Hons in Ancient History from Durham University and a Post Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education from the University of Leeds.
Emma teaches Middle School, National 4/5 History and Modern Studies and Higher History and Modern Studies.
Email: er@cedars.inverclyde.sch.uk
Andy Creighton
Andy teaches Mathematics at Cedars. He has a B.Eng. (Hons) in Chemical and Process Engineering and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Strathclyde. Prior to teaching at Cedars, Andy taught for 11 years in comprehensive secondary schools.
Andy teaches Middle School, National 4/5 Maths and Lifeskills Maths and Higher Maths.
Email: ac@cedars.inverclyde.sch.uk
Lorna Speirs
Lorna Speirs has a BA (Hons) in Information and Business Administration. She qualified in 2002 and went on to do a Post Graduate Diploma in Primary Education at the University of Glasgow. Lorna has been teaching at Cedars School since 2008.
Jennifer Offord
Jennifer Offord As a graduate in Applied Biology Jennifer worked for a number of years as a Biomedical Scientist in Clinical Chemistry. She has worked in Gartnavel Hospital as well as Health Care International (now The Golden Jubilee) and Inverclyde Royal Infirmary. Latterly she worked with a small Biotechnology company before coming into teaching in 2000 when she obtained her PGCE. Before joining Cedars she taught Biology at Castlehead Secondary School in Paisley. She teaches Science, Laboratory Skills and up to Advanced Higher Biology in the school. She is Deputy Head and is also responsible for Eco Schools and Health and Safety.
Email: jmo@cedars.inverclyde.sch.uk
Elaine Black
Elaine Black has a B.Ed (Hons) in primary education and a post graduate diploma in early years. Elaine graduated in 2000 and has worked in both nursery and primary education. She joined Cedars School in 2005 and is responsible for primary timetabling, continuity in early years, prize giving and the house system.
Email: eb@cedars.inverclyde.sch.uk
Andrew Jewell
Andrew Jewell teaches in the upper primary at Cedars. He graduated from Strathclyde University in 1997 with a B.Ed(hons) in primary education. He has worked in Cedars school since its opening in August 1999 and is responsible for the upper primary stage and primary-secondary liaison. Since the advent of our 1:1 iPad programme he has also been made an Apple Distinguished Educator and Professional Development Consultant. He plays guitar and piano and has been jointly responsible for writing many of our successful musical dramas.
Email: aj@cedars.inverclyde.sch.uk
Owen Atkinson
Owen Atkinson has a B.Ed (Hons) in Primary Education and a Post Graduate Certificate in Primary Physical Education. Owen graduated in 2001 and gained experience in teaching the various stages of primary through his employment with Inverclyde council before joining Cedars in 2008. Owen has a responsibility for developing primary mathematics and coordinating the school's Physical Education programme.
Kristeen Bell teaches Biology, Chemistry and General Sciences in the secondary department at Cedars. She has an B.Sc (Hons) in Environmental Sciences. After completing her Postgraduate Certificate in Secondary Education she taught both in the state sector and at Cedars School.
Email: kb@cedars.inverclyde.sch.uk
Mandy Stinglhammer teaches French and English at Cedars School. She has studied English and Modern Languages and has an MA (Hons) from Glasgow University in French and German language and literature, and also a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. She has taught at Cedars since its inception. Up until 2008 she had also been teaching French part time for 16 years in a large comprehensive school in North Ayrshire.
Email: ms@cedars.inverclyde.sch.uk
Elaine McKenzie-Smith
Elaine McKenzie-Smith graduated as a Chartered Physiotherapist from Queen Margaret College, Edinburgh in 1983. She worked in various hospitals within the NHS for 10 years before setting up and running her own successful private practice in Greenock for a further 7 years. Elaine then took a career change and became an employee of Struthers Memorial Church. She is responsible for all financial matters relating to the school and is also responsible for purchasing all gift and book product for the churches book/coffee shop on West Stewart Street. She also gets an outlet for her hobby of soup and home-baking through the coffee shop! All financial matters should be addressed to Elaine.
Email: ems@cedars.inverclyde.sch.uk
Rebecca Crosby
Rebecca Crosby currently teaches music, choir, and jointly runs Cedars School of Music along with Mrs Sutherland. She has a Ba (Hons) in Business and Information Management, and has worked in Cedars for over 10yrs.
She is a grade 8 pianist, violinist, and plays the guitar. She is an accompainist and soloist instrumental performer, and has many years experience in leading choirs.