Mary Ann Fulcher was born in Blyth in 1892, her parents having originally come from Suffolk, and went on to train as a teacher at Darlington College of Education, Vane Terrace, Darlington. On 1st February 1921 she took up the role of Headmistress of the Stannington Sanatorium School, as role she held for over 32 years before her retirement on 18th December 1953. Before she took up her long-term role 4 women had preceded her as headmistress in the 7 years the school had been open, namely Margaret Phipps, Amelia Dickinson, Eleanor Ann Mode, and Maggie Evelyn Green.

During her time she would have taught hundreds of children and witnessed a great number of significant events, not least the transition to the NHS in 1948. She was also part of the large relocation to Hexham during WWII and would have continued to run the school from the Hexham Hydro. Her work and dedication were formally recognised in the 1951 New Year's Honour List when she was awarded and MBE for services to the school. A report by the School Inspector reflects this feeling:

"The Head Mistress, who has almost completed her thirtieth year of devoted service to the school, has never allowed the isolation of the premises or the specialised character of her work to cut her off from the main stream of educational interests. She shows close acquaintance with modern school practices & recent literature. She is a capable organiser in a complex field, maintains a good sense of proportion, leads her staff well, & imbues them with her inflexible regard for good standards of work. Her relations with the children are good, and she has equal regard for the needs of the youngest & the oldest. Her personal integrity, courage and humanity are pillars of support to the school."

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