Governance

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Sedgefield Hardwick Primary 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.

Full annual reports and audited accounts can be found on the Laidlaw Schools Trust website.

Details of the Governors at Sedgefield Hardwick Primary can be found below:

 

Scott Gooding

Chair of Governors

Leadership, Finance

Scott studied Geophysics at the University of Leicester. He worked offshore for four and a half years as a Seismic Data Processor at Svitzer Ltd and Veritas CGG. In 2002, Scott left the industry to spend two years travelling around the world, which included two spells with Raleigh International as a Project Manager in Ghana and Deputy Expedition Leader in Costa Rica. On his return to the UK, Scott spent two years working for Hartlepool Borough Council as their Emergency Planning Officer, reviewing and updating the civil emergency plans for dealing with nuclear, chemical and natural emergencies around Teesside’s numerous industrial sites. Scott returned to offshore engineering in 2007, working with CTC Marine as a Geotechnical Engineer whilst studying part-time at Newcastle University for an MSc in Geotechnical Engineering. In late 2011, Scott joined Geomarine to help expand their consultancy services, progressing to Business Unit Director. In 2017, Scott joined DeepOcean UK as a Project Manager. Scott has two children at Sedgefield Hardwick, is married to Jo who he met in 1998 whilst taking part in voluntary work at Canterbury Cathedral.

Michael Watkiss

Vice-Chair

Personal Development

I have been a store manager for Sainsbury's for 17 years and opened the store here in Sedgefield. I was overwhelmed by the support I had from the local community, particularly Sedgefield Hardwick School. I was previously Chair of Governors at a primary school in North Yorkshire and when this vacancy arose, I saw this as an opportunity to give something back and be part of an enthusiastic, dedicated team who always put children’s needs first. I am married with two teenage daughters and enjoy walking and skiing.

Paul Taylor

Personal Development, Finance

I am the Headteacher at Sedgefield Hardwick, a position I have held since September 2022.  Previously, I was the Deputy Headteacher from 2012, joining at a very exciting time, with our philosophy of ‘Instil, Inspire, Innovate’ launched soon after. Our journey since then has focussed on creating a stimulating learning environment where children love to learn. Prior to this, I completed my PGCE at the High Force SCITT at Barnard Castle in 2009. My first 3 years in teaching were at Ox Close in Spennymoor, before moving to Sedgefield Hardwick.

Sarah McPhie

Co-opted Representative

Behaviour & Attitudes

 

Gemma Firmin

Co-opted Representative

Quality of Education

I work in ITT (Initial Teacher Training) and I am passionate about supporting trainee teachers as they begin their journey in today’s challenging, exciting but accountable role as a primary school teacher. Prior to this, I was the ITT  Lead at High Force Education SCITT based at Green Lane Primary, Barnard Castle.  Before that, I taught for 6 years across Key Stage 2 with additional Teaching and Learning Responsibilities. I thoroughly enjoy teaching science and I am currently the science tutor for HFE and a SLE for primary science with a National Teaching School.

John Close

Co-opted Representative

Behaviour & Attitudes

I qualified as a teacher in 2009 and was appointed as a Reception teacher in a Darlington primary school. During my seven years of employment at that school, I taught in Reception for four years, Year 1 for two years and Year 2 for one year. In 2014 I was appointed Assistant Head Teacher with responsibilities for the EYFS and KS1.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed teaching in KS1, I am most interested and passionate about Early Years. I was appointed Assistant Head Teacher at Sedgefield Hardwick Primary School in 2016, with responsibilities for the EYFS. Since Septmeber 2022, I have been the Deputy headteacher and I am very proud to work at such a progressive school. 

Natalie Jemmeson

Parent Representative

Lead Safeguarding Governor

Behaviour & Attitudes

 

Andrew Smyth

Parent Representative

Personal Development

 

Thom Brooks

Co-opted Representative

Quality of Education

 

Andrea Crawshaw

Co-opted Representative

Leadership 

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.