Meet the Governors 

I have been Chair of Governors at Eslington Primary School for more than twenty years, it being my very first school as a school governor. Since I first joined Eslington, I have also been a governor at Bede Community Primary School and Furrowfield School but am now only involved with Eslington.

I am an accountant by profession and, before retiring in 2014, was the Finance Director for Berghaus Ltd for nearly twenty years. During my career I have held many and various management positions and have therefore gained a wide breadth of experience across many different fields.

I do have a broad knowledge of management and many aspects of business, including logistics, administration, strategic planning, but my main specialism is finance, and I can use that in a school context to support the Head Teacher in running an effective and financially efficient school.

Having been involved with Eslington for so long, I am passionate about the school and about how much the staff care about the disadvantaged children who attend the school. They all ensure that the children receive the highest quality of all aspects of education and do not miss out because they have experienced social, emotional, or mental health issues. The school and staff provide a safe, caring environment in which all the children are encouraged to achieve the best they can and are prepared as far as is possible for the next steps in their education.

I am a retired local GP and guidance writer for NHS Primary Care, now working in a rural mission clinic in Gambia for 6 months each year.

My interests include teaching health care, walking and cooking.

My focus areas as a governor are safeguarding, wellbeing, behaviour and website governance. I am part of the Resources Committee.

I love to see people reach their full potential — academically, emotionally and spiritually. Eslington Primary School provides such a safe and caring environment for this to take place. It is a privilege to be a part of what they are doing.

I have been a Governor at Eslington Primary School since it first opened in 2001. I was elected as a Councillor in 2006 for Gateshead Council and have close links with the local community. I love being a Governor at Eslington and things have certainly changed over the last 23 years. I love the caring and nurturing ethos of the school and the belief that every child can reach their full potential through receiving the highest quality of education. The support the children receive from the Head, teachers, support staff and governors is unwavering. There is always a wonderful, warm atmosphere when you visit the school.  

I have three grandchildren, who I’m very proud of. My grandson has Down Syndrome and autism which has given me an in-depth insight into the joys and challenges of living with a disability. My passions are my grandchildren, my dogs, and going away in our motorhome!

I have been a Governor at Eslington Primary School since November 2023. My previous job role was School Business Manager at Furrowfield School during the Eslington and Furrowfield Schools Federation.

My experience and specialisms are managing Staffing/Safeguarding, School Budget, Health & Safety, Premises and Data Protection. 

My interests are travelling and reading. 

I believe that all children should receive the highest quality of education regardless of special needs, and they should have the opportunity to achieve and fulfil their ambitions in life.

I have worked at Eslington Primary School for 4 years. I currently work on our Hazel Road site as a class teacher. I nominated myself to become staff governor as I am interested in understanding the background mechanics of what makes our school such a fantastic place to be.

My main interests are around Autism and Sensory approaches to support learning and behaviour alongside SEMH and ADHD.

I am part of the Learning and Achievement Committee and the Safeguarding Committee. This is to develop and support the governing body with experience from within the classroom.

I wanted to be a Governor at Eslington as I am committed and interested in the future of Eslington Primary School. I am dedicated to our children’s future; and endeavour in ensuring Eslington can provide children with the best learning experience possible.

I have been a school Governor for over 13 years, commencing with Furrowfield Secondary School and then with Eslington Primary School while our two schools de-federated. I am currently Vice Chair of Governors at Eslington and take great pleasure, along with all other governors in assisting our Headteacher, Mrs Richards, in achieving the best possible educational and emotional results for our children who are beginning their first and often unsteady steps in education and preparing then for the often difficult step up into secondary education.

In my previous role as an Electrical Engineer, I worked for many years in Central Africa and the Middle East for electricity supply organisations. After leaving engineering in 1994 I became one of the first McDonalds franchisees in the UK. I currently operate eight McDonalds restaurants in the Newcastle area employing over one thousand, mainly young people, for many of whom it is their first job after leaving school. Some of my employees have been with me for over 30 years and like being a school governor it’s so rewarding to see pupils and employees grow and mature as they begin their journey through life.

Outside of work and school, I support the finest football club in the North East where I’m far too often a disappointed season ticket holder!

I have been a Governor for around 12 years. Previously as Staff Governor at Furrowfield School and currently Safeguarding Governor at Eslington Primary School.

It is a privilege to be a part of the school life working alongside the children and the fantastic staff team, who put in many hours of hard work and sacrifice over the school year.

My background is varied, I have worked in the engineering industry and also in the finance sector. I then ventured into education as a classroom assistant and eventually ended my working life as Deputy Head of Care at Furrowfield School.

My main interests are my grandchildren, football, travelling and trying to make people smile.

I am delighted to be appointed a Parent Governor at Eslington School which my youngest son attends and I look forward to meeting as many of the parents, teachers and governors as I can during my tenure.

I have been a Civil Servant for around 25 years working in various Government departments and hope some of the skills and experience I have gained during this time can be put to good use in this role.

I am proud father to 4 children aged between 10 and 34, the eldest of whom also attended SEN schools in Gateshead, which means I have experience of the issues faced by families of children with additional educational needs. My other two children also attended schools in Gateshead and went on to obtain University degrees.

I am a firm believer that each and every child should be given every opportunity to attain their potential, in which ever field that may be and are encouraged to make the most of those opportunities. I have seen at first-hand how my son has flourished in the school.

In my spare time I enjoy running (alright jogging) and have taken part in 10 Great North Runs and three Kielder Marathons. I also enjoy fishing.