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Governance
BackThomas Walling Primary Academy is overseen by a Local Governing Body responsible for ensuring the highest standards of teaching and wellbeing. The Local Governing Board is a ‘critical friend’ to the Academy as well as a champion of pupils, teachers and the wider community.
As the Academy is part of the Laidlaw Schools Trust, there is a board of trustees who are responsible for the work of the Trust, including the running of the academies. Further information is available on the Governance section of the Trust’s website. To support the effective operation of the Trust and the academies, the board has established Local Governing Bodies for each Academy in the Trust.
Diversity is important to our governing boards and we strive to be reflective of the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for school governors from all areas of our school community. If you are interested in becoming a school governor or finding out more, please contact the Clerk to Governors.
The Governance Administrator can be contacted at rebecca.mayo@laidlawschoolstrust.com, Laidlaw Schools Trust, Suite 2, 3rd Floor, St Nicholas Building, St Nicholas’ Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1RF or 0191 662 2416.
Details of the Governors at Thomas Walling can be found below:
Stephen McCready
Chair of Governors
Steve is a civil servant working for the Government Digital Service (GDS), a directorate of the Cabinet Office. His role at GDS is to help other government departments to develop their digital and technology strategies, and to ensure that investments in this space are in line with wider government strategy and standards. He has worked in the technology arena for the majority of his career, having previously worked at Newcastle University within the Computing and Library Services, and at IBM where he held a number of senior roles throughout the UK. Apart from Steve’s professional interactions with the education system, he is married to a teacher and has a daughter in the primary school system in Northumberland. Steve is committed to the Trust’s aims of improving the opportunities and life chances of children and young people in the North East of England.
Violet Rook
Local Governor
Violet is a retired registered Nurse and Midwife who worked for 20 years in hospitals and then in the community. She became a part-time lecturer and commenced employment in a number of local colleges teaching health topics and food hygiene.
She gained a BSc. Hons from the Open University in 2001 and also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Development at Masters Level. She was the northern representative for the Association of Open University Graduates for seven years until 2014. She was re-elected in 2019 and was a Director for two years. She was an officer of the Newcastle Governors Association, and a member of the Local Authority Educational Appeals Panel and the Children and Young Peoples Scrutiny Panel, and was a Director of the National Governors Association.
She tries to combine health and education, encouraging community participation by all citizens, being a local Parish Councillor and a Healthwatch Champion and a Governor of the North East Ambulance, and a Governor of Newcastle City Learning.
Violet keeps up to date via webinars from the Royal Society of Public Health, of which she is a Fellow and has been an invigilator and examiner. She gained a qualification from the Parliamentary Outreach sector and is a Registered Trainer, and also stood for Parliament in 2015. She believes in Life Long Learning and endeavours to encourage aspirational ideals via being a School Governor and for each individual to reach their full potential.
Lisa Payne
Local Governor
Lisa has spent her whole career as a civil servant. She has had a wide range of jobs during this time, including meeting with customers to solve any problems they may have, working closely with Ministers to develop national government policy and ensuring the services the government delivers provide value for money. She currently has a role as a Product Manager developing government digital services, which make it easier for people to interact with the government.
Lisa studied English at Lancaster University and was the first member of her family to go to university. She strongly believes in social mobility and that every child should be supported and encouraged to aim high and achieve their dreams.
Outside of work, Lisa enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, walking and practising yoga for well being.
Jill Cullen
Associate Governor
I am a Deputy Headteacher working within Laidlaw Schools Trust and based at Westgate Hill Primary Academy. I gained a BA (Hons) in Education at Durham University and have over 20 years experience working in Primary Schools. Currently, I have responsibility for Teaching and Learning, Foundation curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage. I am also working across the trust to support other leaders in developing these areas in their schools. I am very passionate about children's Early Years and ensuring that every child gets the best possible start to their education. I believe the earliest years of a child's life are the foundation for future life chances and achievement and we must drive towards making sure this is offered.
In my spare time I enjoy anything involving music! I love musicals and am a keen pianist, playing piano at any given opportunity! Making sure musical experiences are available for all children in schools is also one of my priorities. Learning to play a musical instrument has so many benefits; building confidence, enhancing memory and developing cultural capital!
I am dedicated to supporting Thomas Walling Primary Academy as they continue developing excellent provision for our pupils.
Kelly Turnbull
Parent Governor
My name is Kelly (She/Her, They/Them). I’m a Parent Governor. I have two children attending Thomas Walling Primary Academy. I work part time as a Civil Servant. SEN and mental health are very important to me.