Structure of Governing Body

School governors are people who want to make a positive contribution to children’s education. They come from all sections of the community and all walks of life. Some governors are elected by parents and staff, some are appointed by the Governing body, the Local Authority or the North Tyneside Learning Trust. The Governing body has 3 core strategic functions:
 
  • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
  • Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils; and the effective and efficient performance management of staff
  • Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent
The Chair of Governors is Ms Leanne Clay.  The Vice Chair is Mr Neil Willis. 

The Governing body consists of fifteen Governors and we currently have 1 Foundation and 1 Authority governor vacancies
Governing Body Information 2021/2022
Governing Body Committees 2021 / 2022
 
The Governing body meets every half term and has five committees who look at issues such as monitoring the school’s finances, pay and staffing matters, the quality of teaching and learning, attainment and progress data, performance management, buildings maintenance and development.
Governing Body Information 2020/2021
Governor Profiles

  • Mrs Helen Bruce

    Headteacher

  • Mrs Leanne Clay

    Chair of Governors

    I am Leanne Clay and I am an Assistant Headteacher at a local high school. I was previously a parent governor and was newly appointed as Chair of Governors in January 2019. I'm the Vice Chair of the Governing Body and I am involved in the performance management of the Headteacher.

  • Ms Andrea Tarran

    Co-opted Governor

    Hi I’m Andrea Tarran and I have been a governor for 8 years. I’m an experienced teacher in Year 4 and I’m KS2 co-ordinatior and numeracy subject leader.

  • Mr Neil Willis

    Co-opted Governor

    As a biology graduate I started my working life as a marine biologist which brought me to the North East many years ago. I later qualified as a secondary science teacher at Newcastle University teaching and moving into middle and senior school leadership for the next 17 years. As a STEM education consultant I supported department improvement along with a wide range of other education based contracts. I currently work for the North East Local Enterprise Partnership leading work across the region in bringing industry and education closer through meaningful engagement. I hope that my skills and experience can contribute to supporting our excellent staff in ensuring all our children achieve their potential in a stimulating learning environment. I have two boys one who is currently in the school and it is a wonderful opportunity to be able to actively participate in their education.

  • Mrs Kerry Williams

    Parent Governor

    I am Kerry Williams. I am a parent governor and now in my second term of office on the Governing Body. I am a member of the Finance and Staffing Committee and the Standards and Curriculum Committee.

  • Miss Debbie McGregor

    Staff Governor

    I am Debbie McGregor and I have worked at Appletree for 6 years. I am currently a teacher in year 1 having previously worked in both Nursery and Reception.

  • Ms Caroline Tindell

    Foundation Governor

    I am very happy to be joining Appletree Gardens as a governor, appointed through North Tyneside Learning Trust. After completing my degree in Human Resource Management, I went on to do my PGCE with North Tyneside SCITT in 2007. I was then lucky enough to spend 10 years as Teacher, Key Stage Lead and Assistant Head Teacher in a wonderful North Tyneside School. With three energetic sons of my own, my teaching career has changed pace for the meantime and I feel that becoming a governor will enable me to draw upon the knowledge, skills and experience I have built over the last decade whilst continuing to learn and develop in a profession that I love. I look forward to making a positive contribution to the Appletree Gardens community.

  • Mrs Claire Wedderman

    Co-Opted Governor

    I have worked as a regional manager at Education and Employers for the last 4 years and I have been proud of the great progress we have made in the service since it began. An important aspect of my work involves the ability to communicate at all levels to ensure I provide a high-quality service to the schools, volunteers and businesses I come into contact with on a daily basis. Prior to this I have worked for two other charities and as a Science Teacher.
    I have a firm belief that I have the right blend of experience and values to represent local families appropriately. Becoming a school governor will enable me to support the school, the staff, and the community at large. This is a wonderful opportunity to be able to give something back and one that I take extremely seriously

  • Ms Victoria Parry

    Co-opted Governor

    I am Victoria Parry and I joined the Governing Body in September 2018 as a Co-opted Governor. My background is in teaching all sciences at KS3 and Physics and Biology at KS4. Previously I have co-ordinated with the University of Cambridge on hosting Physics students as part of their degree course. I helped initiate and form a Primary Science Partnership: a partnership of a College and 7 local primary schools, funded by the Ogden Trust. This involved organising and running a science evening open attended by over 200 primary children and setting up a ‘Science Club box’ to be shared between primary school. A box containing instructions, equipment and background information for a half term’s worth of science activities.

  • Mrs Caroline Cross

    Parent Governor

    I'm Caroline and I'm married with two children. My seven year old is in Y3 and my 5 year old is in Reception at Southridge.

    I am originally from the East Midlands and moved to Newcastle in 2007 to read English at the University of Northumbria and then completed my PGCE at Nottingham University. I left teaching whilst I was pregnant with my second daughter to take up a role with Puddle Ducks and I then worked for them as both a swimming instructor and an administrator until April 2018.

    I am currently taking a career break but volunteer as a befriender for Age UK, listen to Class 8 read weekly and spend a lot of time walking our dog. I am also a keen bridge player, love going to the theatre and seeing live music.

    Whilst not currently working in education I am extremely interested in keeping up to date with developments and policies and am likely to return to education in some capacity in the future.

  • Mr Sean Foster

    Foundation Governor

  • Mrs Katie Oates

    Parent Governor

    I’m Katie Oates and I have two children at Appletree – since they joined the school, I have been impressed with the caring and nurturing ethos of the school and the dedication shown by staff to ensure every child has a positive learning experience. I have lived in Whitley Bay most of my life and I now own a local business delivering cooking classes to children. Before starting my business in 2016, I spent 14 years working as a teacher in a variety of schools including Primary, Middle and schools for children with SEND, with SENDCO roles in two Middle Schools. I hope that my teaching and business skills and experience will mean I can make a positive contribution to the Governing body at Appletree.