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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.co.uk, 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:
Chikezie Okike
Chair of Governors
Peregrine Solly
Local Governor
Prior to his involvement with the Laidlaw Schools Trust and The Children’s Foundation, Peregrine worked for two of the North East’s leading Companies: Vickers plc (later BAE Systems plc) and Scottish and Newcastle plc. His role for both companies took him all over the world and gave him a fascinating and unrivalled experience working across different cultures and different organisations. Peregrine still consults for a number of start-up companies, helping them to develop their businesses internationally. Although he had not been directly involved in education before joining the Trust, Peregrine grew up in a school, his brothers both teach, and he is married to a teacher. He fully supports the Trust’s aim of improving the opportunities and life chances of some of the most disadvantaged children and young people in the North East of England.
Andrea Crawshaw
Local Governor
I am a now retired CEO and Executive Headteacher. I feel that the skills, experience and knowledge that I have gained as a teacher, parent, senior leader, headteacher, executive headteacher and CEO will be useful to make a positive contribution to children’s education at Sedgefield Hardwick Primary Academy.
I understand the key role that governors have and should play in schools, having worked with and in governing bodies for over 20 years. The role of a governor is not to run the school nor to become involved in the operational aspects of leading a school, but to work with and to support the Headteacher and leadership team to set the vision, ethos and strategic direction, to hold the headteacher to account for educational performance and to oversee financial performance.
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.