MEET OUR GOVERNORS...
BEDE ACADEMY
Mrs Lucy Cooke
Chair - Bede AcademyAppointed on: 27/11/2018 (Parent Gov):- SEND (Secondary) (interim) / Leadership & Management / EYFS.
Lucy graduated from Staffordshire University with an honours degree in German and History.
Mr Steve Grant
Vice Chair - Bede AcademyAppointed on: 05/02/2021 Responsibility: Safeguarding, CP & LAC (interim) / Healthy & Safety / Stakeholder & Community Engagement (Secondary), including Student Participation.
Having begun his teaching career in South Tyneside, he joined the Emmanuel College English team in September 1993. He has subsequently worked in a variety of roles, particularly related to Pastoral Care. Whilst being a governor at Bede Academy he has actively engaged with members of the community to help build up productive links towards benefitting students.
Rev Ian Flintoff
Local Governor - Bede AcademyAppointed on: 25/11/2020. Ethos & British Values, inlcuding the Personal Development Curriculum / People & Wellbeing
Ian Flintoft has been Vicar of St Bede’s Newsham and St Mary’s Horton since October 2019, and Area Dean of Bedlington Deanery since January 2023. He is also a governor of Newsham Primary School.
Mr James Crowther
Local Governor - Bede AcademyAppointed on: 06/02/2024 (Parent Gov):- SEND (Primary) / Careers Education & Guidance (Primary) / Stakeholder & Community Engagement (Primary)
As a new governor James comes with years of experience in mental health, school leadership, special educational needs, and careers education and guidance. I value personal development and pursue strength through powerlifting and strongman competitions. I am dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities and improving our region’s economy for everyone.
Mr Nick Oates
Local Governor - Bede AcademyAppointed on: 13/10/2023 Sixth Form / Careers Education & Guidance (Secondary) / Finance & Projects
Nick is an entrepreneurial Business Leader, a Chartered Engineer, and Chartered Director with experience within the Energy, Marine and Construction industries. He has over 25 years industry experience, holds an MSc in Engineering from Robert Gordon University, and has won various industry awards including the Institute of Directors, new Director of the Year.
Mr Matthew Milton
Local Governor - Bede AcademyAppointed on: 31/03/2025 Leadership & Management
Matthew is a former primary school teacher with five years’ experience, specialising in Key Stage 1 and Lower Key Stage 2. He led the PE curriculum and brought energy and enthusiasm to the classroom. Now a Principal Consultant in education recruitment, Matthew uses his teaching experience to support schools in finding the right staff.
Mrs Charlotte Webster
Local Governor - Bede AcademyAppointed on: 29/04/2026
Charlotte is a member of the senior leadership team at Christ’s College and was appointed as Assistant Vice Principal in 2021. She is responsible for curriculum development, Y9 pathways and transition, KS4Raising Standards, Pupil Premium, EVC, Assessment oversight (KS3 and KS4) and timetabling. Charlotte is a history teacher.
She has previously worked at Bede Academy from2009-2021, firstly as a Teacher of History, Head of History and then Head of Humanities.
Charlotte is a mother of three children often spending time outdoors exploring the Northeast.
Mrs Lucy Pearson
Chair - Christ's CollegeAppointed on: 10/06/2019 Responsibility: Safeguarding, CP & LAC, Leadership & Management, Health & Safety (Interim)
Lucy is a former pupil of the school. In 1997 Lucy graduated from Bradford University, in Interdisciplinary Human Studies. Lucy then returned to Sunderland where she qualified as a Social Worker.
Mr Nat Ogborn
Vice Chair - Christ's CollegeAppointed on: 06/07/2023 Responsibility: Careers Education & Guidance, Quality of Education& Curriculum (Secondary)
Nat is Principal at Emmanuel College. He began his teaching career in an international school in Kenya in 2008, before working in Walworth Academy in South London for three years as part of the Teach First scheme. He has worked at Emmanuel College and Grace College since 2012 in a variety of roles.
Mrs Susan Dimmock
Local Governor - Christ's CollegeAppointed on: 07/11/2023 Responsibility: SEND (Primary), Quality of Education & Curriculum (Primary), EYFS
After graduating from Leeds University, Sue returned to the North East and taught in Sunderland for 35 years.
Her passion was supporting young children and their families to ensure they had the best start to their learning journey. She managed a successful Day Care whilst leading the EYFS in her Academy.
Sue has also worked as an Assistant Head Teacher.
Ms Eve Hedley
Local Governor - Christ's CollegeResponsibility: SEND (Secondary), Attendance
Eve Hedley is an Education Consultant with over 23 years of teaching experience in modern foreign languages (MFL). Passionate about raising achievement and improving education quality, she has served as a Deputy Headteacher, Advanced Skills Teacher, and Specialist Leader in Education. Eve supports over 50 schools as a PiXL Consultant, focusing on MFL, Teaching and Learning, and Early Career Teachers (ECTs).
Mrs Anneline Dowell
Local Governor - Christ's CollegeAppointed on: 13/11/23 Responsibility: Stakeholder & Community Engagement, Staff Development, People & Wellbeing
Anneline co-founded Hope4Kidz, a charity supporting children and families with special needs. She secures grants and funding, engaging businesses and employees to volunteer. With over 20 years of experience in business start-up services and NHS management, She joined Northeast BIC as a social enterprise business advisor, providing expert guidance and support to social entrepreneurs, CIC’S and charities.
Mr John D'Silva
Local Governor - Christ's CollegeAppointed on: 17/12/25
John has been Priest of Charge of St. Chad’s Sunderland since July 2023, having served his curacy nearby. As part of this role he shares responsibility with other local clergy for St. Thomas Church in Pennywell and its community project Hope4All CIC.
Mr Steve Grant
Local Governor - Christ's CollegeAppointed on: 10/09/26
Having begun his teaching career in South Tyneside, he joined the Emmanuel College English team in September 1993. He subsequently worked in a variety of roles, particularly related to Pastoral Care and student leadership. He has served as a governor at Bede Academy where he has had oversight of safeguarding and health and safety. He has also actively engaged with members of the Blyth community to help build up productive links towards benefitting students.
EMMANUEL COLLEGE
Mr Ross Smith
Ethos link - Chair - Local Governor - Emmanuel CollegeAppointed on: 11/10/2017 Responsibility: Stakeholder and Community Engagement
Ross Smith is Director of Policy at the North East England Chamber of Commerce. He is responsible for the Chamber’s relationship with its 3,000 members in business around North East England, along with overseeing the Chamber’s policy and campaign work.
Mrs Judith Sword
Local Governor - Emmanuel CollegeAppointed on: 15/12/2014 Responsibility: Vice chair - Pupil Premium, SEND
Judith joined the Governing Body of Emmanuel College in December 2014. She has been the Head Teacher of St Paul’s Church of England Primary School for the last ten years and has taught there since 1976.
Dr Jonathan Harness
Local Governor - Emmanuel CollegeAppointed on: 03/03/2021 Responsibility: Safeguarding, CP and LAC
Dr Jonathan Harness is a partner at Glenpark Medical Practice and Chief Clinical Information Officer for the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board.
Mrs Joy Evans
Local Governor - Emmanuel CollegeAppointed on: 03/03/2021 Responsibility: Personal Development
Joy is a Strategic Manager for Protecting Health in the County Durham’s Public Health Team. Joy has worked in a range of Public Health roles since 1998, including children and young people, substance misuse and mental health, working for both the NHS and Local Authority including.
Mrs Gladys Mante-Nyadu
Local Governor - Emmanuel CollegeAppointed on: 15/05/2025
Gladys Mante-Nyadu is an accomplished social work professional with over 18 years’ experience and a strong background in education and leadership. She holds a BA (Hons) in Social Work from the University of Teesside and is currently Practice Lead for the Social Work Academy at Durham County Council, supporting and mentoring newly qualified social workers. Outside of work, Gladys is active in her local church and enjoys running.
Mrs Crystal Hicks
Local Governor - Emmanuel CollegeAppointed on: 09/07/2025
Crystal lives in Whickham with her husband Graham, their twin girls, and their crazy Cocker Spaniel, Steven. She is a Director at Crisis, President of Women in Social Housing, and also serves on the board of the Church of England’s Housing Association. An award-winning campaigner for equality and inclusion, Crystal is passionate about supporting young people and is motivated to help shape the Trust’s work on careers and sixth form development.
Mr Steven Bates
Local Governor - Emmanuel CollegeSteven Bates is the Managing Director of Zebra Wealth Management and Founder of Purpose28. With over 20 years’ experience in financial services and business, he brings expertise in leadership, governance and strategic planning. Steven is passionate about supporting young people to flourish in values-driven education. He is an active member of City Church Newcastle and enjoys football, golf, running and exploring Northumberland’s countryside.
GRACE COLLEGE
Dr Thomas Smyth
Chair - Local Governor - Emmanuel and Grace CollegeAppointed on: 15/06/2023 Behaviour & Attitudes, including attendance
Tom has a BSc in Natural Sciences from Durham University, a MSc in Urban Policy from Northumbria University, and a PhD in the development of Metro Mayors, again from Northumbria University.
Tom also chairs a health care charity, supporting a clinic in Sri Lanka, and is a trustee of an Anglican church in the west end of Newcastle. He is married with two adult children.
Mrs Natasha Tyrwhitt-Drake
Local Governor - Grace CollegeAppointed on: 16/07/2021 SEND, LAC & PP (shared role)
Natasha first came to the North East to train to teach, she quickly fell in love with the place and the people and has lived here ever since. After studying music at the University of Oxford, Natasha moved to Berlin, Germany where she gave recitals and taught music and English as a foreign language.
Mrs Aileen Conlon
Local Governor - Grace CollegeSafeguarding & CP and Leadership & Management
Aileen Conlon has been a senior leader in special education for over sixteen years.
She is currently Head teacher of the Aycliffe Secure Children’s Centre in Durham, which accommodates the country’s most vulnerable and challenging learners.
Dr Jessica Cooper
Local Governor - Grace CollegeAppointed on: 22/06/2023
Jessica has always been very passionate about helping people to discover and embrace their full potential and helping them to identify and remove any blocks that are in their way. Jessica is dedicated to making services, both healthcare and education, more accessible to all, making changes in line with individual needs wherever possible to maximise potential and wellbeing.
THE KING'S ACADEMY
Mr James Ruddock
Chair - Leadership and Management, Community and StakeholdersResponsibility: Leadership and Management Appointed on: 15/07/2021
James Ruddock has worked in education and training since 2002 and has a passion for improving education opportunities for young people in the local area. He has previously served as a governor and chair of governors, with other governing bodies and is keen to be part of The King’s Academy board.
Mr David Branson
Local Governor - The King's AcademyAppointed on: 02/10/2017 Responsibility: Health and Safety
David retired in 2016 after working at Middlesbrough College for 27 years, latterly as coordinator of Health and Safety courses. He has a degree in Law and is also a Member of the Institution of Occupational Health and Safety (MIOSH).
Mrs Elizabeth Idowu
Vice Chair - The King's AcademyAppointed on: 26/09/2023 Responsibility: SEND, PupilPremium & Alternative Provision
Elizabeth Idowu is a Lecturer in Business at Teesside University International Business School. She teaches a number of modules within the Leadership & Human Resources team, having taught modules across all apprenticeship pathways offered within the School, as well as Human Resource, Innovation and Sustainability modules.
Mrs Deborah Child
Local Governor - The King's AcademyAppointed on: 18/05/2022 Responsibility: Safeguarding, Child Protection & LAC
Deborah came to the North East to study Geography at Newcastle University and never left. She spent seven years working with students at Jesmond Parish Church, Newcastle, before taking on a variety of church and community roles including governor at a local primary school in Gateshead.
Mrs Kelly Rowney
Local Governor The King's AcademyAppointed on: 31/3/2025
With her experience, Kelly provides legal knowledge and teaching expertise to the Board of Governors. Kelly is dedicated to continuously learning, currently in the process of completing a PhD. She is currently a Senior Lecturer teaching a range of legal subjects and holds a keen interest in an area of research areas including religion and law, Jurisprudence, Public Law and diversity and inclusivity in education.
Mrs Kay Robinson
Local Governor The King's AcademyAppointed on: 18/3/2025 Responsibility: Careers Education & Guidance
Kay is a primary school teacher and science leader with over 20 years’ experience. She is passionate about education, diversity, and removing barriers to learning. A governor at a local primary school, she champions inclusive opportunities and supports girls in science. With a strong belief in The Kings’ ethos and values, Kay looks forward to contributing to the school’s inclusive culture and future success.
Lisa Oldroyd
Local Governor The King's AcademyAppointed on: 18/12/2025
Lisa is a lifelong Teesside resident, married with two children, and a dedicated public servant with over 20 years’ experience. As an executive leader, she brings governance expertise, a strong track record in transformational change, and a commitment to public accountability. As a school governor, Lisa offers strategic insight, proven leadership, and a passion for supporting her local community, helping create the best possible environment for children to thrive.
TRINITY ACADEMY
Mr Martin Oldknow
Chair - Local Governor - Trinity AcademyAppointed on: 01/08/2014 Responsibility: Health and Safety, Mathematics, Safeguarding Lead
Martin is retired from South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service after a career spanning 30 years. Martin reached the rank of Group Manager (Divisional Officer) and was Head of the Technical Fire Safety department. He has over 15 years’ experience in Fire Safety and Emergency Planning.
Mr Mark Harvey
Local Governor - Vice Chair - Trinity AcademyAppointed on: 17/01/2010 Responsibility: Behaviour & Attendance, Sixth Form & University Links
Mark Harvey has worked for leading global engineering companies and educational providers for over 30 years and has extensive experience in managing state of the art, world class engineering and manufacturing facilities, and engineering processes.
Mr Shaun Holt
Local Governor - Trinity AcademyAppointed on: 03/02/2022 Responsibility: STEM and MFL
Shaun is proud that both his children were educated at Trinity Academy, and he believes in the ethos of the Academy. Shaun works as a recognised expert providing input to UK Government and United Nations initiatives to counter the harmful use of technology.
Mrs Janet Hough
Governor - Trinity AcademyJanet brings valuable professional and business experience to the table. Passionate about education, she actively volunteers and advocates for empowering young people. Her commitment to promoting diversity and excellence is evident in her support for girls pursuing these subjects. With a firm belief in Trinity’s ethos, Janet is driven to contribute effectively to the school’s future success.
Mrs Helen Wilson
Governor - Trinity AcademyAppointed on: 02/12/2024 SEND Link Governor
Helen has worked in the NHS for over 30 years in clinical and management roles. She also has a busy church life, co-leading the music group, Youth band and a bible study group and supporting our oversees church members.
She is passionate about reducing inequalities and enabling children to meet their potential.
She strongly believes in Trinity’s ethos and is driven to support the Academy to achieve excellence.
Mr Andrew Marden
Local Governor - Trinity AcademyAs a new Governor, Andrew brings valuable professional and business experience from a career within the Railway Industry. Passionate about providing opportunities for students in business he has been actively involved in empowering young people, especially in the field of Engineering through Apprenticeships and Graduate Schemes. His commitment to promoting diversity and excellence is evident in his support for female employees pursuing these subjects through leadership and mentoring and he looks forward to working with the Trinity’s ethos.
Hannah Hawkes
Local Governor - Trinity AcademyAppointed on: 09/02/2026
Hannah is a senior leader with 12 years’ experience in the logistics industry, specialising in optimising global supply chains and managing high-performing distribution sites. She is also an Associate Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, teaching apprentices. Passionate about empowering people and driving innovation, Hannah is committed to leaving things better than she found them. She strongly aligns with Trinity’s ethos and is dedicated to supporting the Academy in achieving excellence.
Annika Wells
Local Governor - Trinity AcademyAppointed on: 28/09/26
Annika is a King’s College London graduate with a BA (Hons) in French and brings extensive experience in business, management and education. She spent 20 years running businesses abroad before training as a French teacher in 2012. At Trinity Academy, she has served as Head of Languages and Head of Year. Since retiring from full-time teaching in 2025, she continues to work part-time as a Teaching and Learning Coach.