Ma Goudie went to Westoe Secondary School until 1923, when she attended Armstrong College, University of Durham.

She gained an aegrotat BA in 1926 (after reading for honours in English and Latin Literature), which she followed with a year's course resulting in her gaining her Diploma in the Theory and Practice of Teaching, and her Board of Education Teaching Certificate.

She immediately went, in 1927, to Stanhope Road Senior Girls' School, until she moved to the South Shields Boys' High School in September, 1943.

After four years, in August, 1947, she crossed to the Girls' High School.