THE first day in class can be daunting for pupils - but it is easy to find your way around Richard Coates School.

When bakery lessons are on the timetable, pupils look no further than the classroom of Mrs Cooke.

If it is science, Mr Bunce and his Bunsen burner can be found in the laboratory. And when it is time for woodwork, they cannot miss Mr Clogg in the workshop.

Children feeling under the weather get the treatment they need from school nurse Ms Payne.

Trish Cooke, 39, has been teaching home economics at the school, in Ponteland, Northumberland, for the past five months.

She said yesterday: "I get teased about my name with references to cookies and cooking, but funnily enough I never really thought about the link to my name before I started work. The kids love it."

Dr Stephen Bunce, 31, has been teaching science for five years. He said: "I had it all the time when I was a kid at school. I usually say, 'wow, that's the first time anyone has ever said that to me'.

"For a time at school I was called 'Bunce the dunce', so anything is an improvement."

Stuart Clogg, 46, has been hammering away in the workshop for the past 12 years. He said: "It makes it easier for the kids to remember my name - so they can't use the excuse of being lost."

Ms Payne is currently absent, with a broken arm.