Governance
The governing body has a strong focus on three core strategic functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Holding the Head Teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Further information about the structure and responsibilities of the governing body and its committees can be found in the Terms of Reference for committees document (found below).
Terms of Reference for Committees - Wardley Primary School
The governing body consists of a range of governors from the local and school community. The tables below detail further information relating to the Governing Body including attendance at meetings from September 2022 to July 2023.
If you wish to speak with the Chair of Governors, please contact the school office who will arrange for correspondence to be forwarded.
Governor Profiles
Cllr Sharron Potts
Local Authority Governor
My name is Sharron, I have lived in Wardley for 5 years and I’m originally from Pelaw. I love our community and care about where we live. I’m a member of the Wardley Wombles and love going out and litter picking around our local area. I am really interested in our children’s education and wellbeing, after all they are the future. I will do what I can to make things better and resources more accessible for them.
Christine Rae
Parent Governor
My name is Christine and I have been a part of Wardley Primary for the past 12 years with 4 children having attended as pupils. I have background training as a teaching assistant and many of you will have seen my face from breakfast and after school club. This has been my role for the past 6 years and allows me to engage with both pupils and parents on a daily basis.
Recently I have started volunteering within Ks1 helping with supporting groups of children in maths and literacy on mornings and then 1-1 reading interventions on afternoons.
I hope to be a friendly and approachable bridge between parents and teachers which will ensure every child thrives and gains the best they can during their time within the school.
Victoria Arnold
Co-opted Governor
My name is Victoria Arnold and I have been a co-opted Governor since March 2023.
My background is within the Financial Services industry, specifically in the learning, organisational and leadership/people development side. I am now a Learning & Organisational Development Consultant and qualified Coach/Mentor, working with a wide range of clients to support them on a variety of people projects including recruitment, dealing with change and coaching their senior leaders to develop their people. I am experienced in working in heavily regulated environments and managing budgets.
I attend both the Full Governing Body and the Resources Committee. I am also the Link Governor for Safer Recruitment and have been involved in recent school recruitment activity. Although I am new to the role of school governor, I hope that my experience will help me to work alongside the school to ensure the children receive the best possible educational experience in a supportive and nurturing environment. I hope to provide a different perspective, positively challenge and share any helpful insights that can ensure the continued success of Wardley Primary.
I am married with two teenage sons and, whilst I currently live in Hebburn, I lived in Wardley for a few years when my eldest son was small.
Jennifer Wood
Co-opted Governor
My name is Jennifer Wood and I have been a co-opted Governor at Wardley Primary School since March 2020. I’m currently Chair of the Resource Committee and Link Governor, focusing on the core curriculum.
I have a background in Higher Education and currently work at Newcastle University managing several strategic projects and partnerships in data science. Being part of the University has sparked my interest in lifelong learning and being part of the Governing Board helps me to appreciate how important early engagement with the education system can be.
I particularly enjoy working alongside the School, and supporting the staff and pupils to achieve their goals and hope the Board is also able to benefit from my experience and expertise. I’ve lived in the area for a number of years and enjoy being involved with the local community. Alongside the fulfilling role of Governing, I also volunteer at the community allotment at Hertfordshire House.
Catherine Angus
Parent Governor
My name is Catherine Angus and I have been a parent Governor at the school since October 2021. I am new to the role, but I am really looking forward to the experience.
My education and working background are within the Optical Health Industry, I studied a Bachelor of Science degree at Bradford University in Ophthalmic Dispensing with Management for three years. I then qualified as a Dispensing Optician (FBDO) back in 2008. I originally worked in a hight street Opticians but then got the opportunity to work within the eye department at the RVI. My role at work is very varied, it is both challenging and rewarding at the same time.
I have lived in Wardley for almost 10 years, I am married and have two children who both attend Wardley Primary School.
Through my experiences both at work and at home, I hope that I can bring my passion for learning, my enthusiasm and positive attitude to my role as a Parent Governor.
Andrew Moore
Parent Governor
My name is Andrew Moore, I’m originally from South Africa and I’ve lived in Wardley since 1999. We have two children that attend Wardley Primary School, one in either key stage.
I’ve been a parent governor at Wardley Primary School since 2018. in terms of meetings, I attend both the; Full Governing Body and the meeting that has a focus on curriculum standards and safeguarding. I’m also, the link governor for safeguarding. This requires me to have regular meetings with the head teacher to discuss the area of safeguarding.
On leaving school my chosen vocation was to work in finance. In 2001 I was registered blind due to a hereditary gene I knew nothing about. At this point I had to reassess my initial vocation and started a BA Hons in community and youth work at the University of Sunderland. I’ve worked in the voluntary sector for 11 years supporting visually impaired young people through the choice of leisure activities, education and employment. a series of successive redundancies coincided with the time our daughter started nursery making it possible for me to be a stay at home dad.
I enjoy the role of parent governor, as it provides me with the opportunity to have an insight the way in which the school functions both operationally and strategically. I find the role of being a critical friend to the school rewarding through providing constructive challenge during meetings As a parent governor I’m very much looking forward to assisting the school achieving their mission statement for pupils of: explore, discover, succeed. In the event I don’t acknowledge/talk to you during school runs, please don’t think I am ignorant or rude. This genuinely isn’t the case, my remaining sight makes it difficult to identify people. I’m more than happy to chat and talk to people
Alice Brown
Staff Governor
My name is Alice Brown and I was appointed staff governor in October 2022. I am originally from Australia and studied a Business degree before moving to the UK in 2003. I worked in a few different office jobs before deciding to return to University, completing a BA in Childhood Studies and Professional Practice Studies as well as PGCE at Northumbria University. After I qualified, I worked supply for some months before being placed at Wardley Primary School as a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant, where I secured a permanent contract in 2014.
As a HLTA, I work across the whole school and therefore have good knowledge of day to day life within it. I love the variety that my role brings and that I am able to see and teach the children all the way through their primary school life. I am most passionate about Physical Education and think that being active helps children to develop both physically and mentally into well-rounded happy people.
As a member of the support staff team, I feel I bring a unique voice to the table but I am keen to represent all staff and be their voice at our governor meetings.
Rachel Wilkins
Parent Governor
My name is Rachel. I have lived in Wardley since 2014 and my son attends the school. I have been a parent governor at Wardley Primary School since January 2023 and am the link governor for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
I have a background in science, leadership and management, and consultation and engagement. I have spent a good few years working for voluntary and community sector organisations, but I now work for the NHS as a contract manager.
My various roles have given me a wealth of experience in leadership and governance, so I am keen to use those skills outside of work and within my community.
John Barker
Co-opted Governor
My name is John Barker and I have been a co-opted governor at Wardley Primary School since March 2023. I have lived in Gateshead for over 40 years and have a granddaughter attending the school.I also have two other grandchildren who hopefully will be lucky enough to join in the future.
I am a retired Biomedical Scientist working in Pathology at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Gateshead specialising in Haematology and Blood Transfusion for 41 years. During that time I have gained extensive experience in Quality Management at local and national level, helping to introduce government policies and undergo numerous assessments by external bodies. I would like to use these skills to help the school maintain and develop their strategic direction, vision and performance so that all pupils get the best education possible.
Gary Carr
Co-opted Governor
