Westgate Primary 18

Governance

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Westgate Hill 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 Westgate Hill can be found below:

Laura Robb

Chair of Governors

I came to Newcastle in 1994 as a student and have lived here ever since. I now have a husband, who works in Sunderland, and 2 boys, who are both at secondary school. I have been a governor for nearly 8 years at West Jesmond Primary. I have really enjoyed being involved with this school, but now that my boys have moved on, it’s time to get involved in a different school in the city.

While being a governor, I have learned a lot about how education works and where Governance can really make a difference. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in at a new school and helping develop and grow the school to best serve the needs of all its diverse pupils and their families.

Sophie Atkinson

Vice Chair of Governors

Sophie is an Audit Senior Manager for Deloitte LLP, having completed her chartered accountancy training after graduating from Durham University in 2010.

Sophie’s day to day role is to act as an independent advisor to both multinational and regional corporations on their financial processes and financial records.

She has a keen interest in education, having completed a Mathematics teaching course at university and work experience at a primary school.

Furthermore, she has been involved in the community for junior chess in the North East, acting as a secretary for the Northumberland Junior Chess Association and assisting with running local tournaments.

In her spare time, she is a new mum to her young daughter and tries to fit in the odd game of tennis.

Zita Ali

Parent Governor

Zita was elected as Parent Governor in July 2019. Originally from Portugal, Zita has lived in the UK from a young age. Starting her career in restaurant management, Zita is now self-employed and manages her time between family and her work. Prior to becoming a Parent Governor for Westgate Hill Primary Academy, Zita was part of a Parents Group for Ashfield Nursery. Part of her role included organising fundraiser events, which enabled the school to provide pupils with unique enrichment experiences. Zita currently has three children attending Westgate Hill Primary Academy and is passionate about pupils reaching their true potential.

Hannah Williamson

Associate Governor

Hannah is a Headteacher at Acomb First School in Northumberland. Prior to beginning her teaching career, she worked as a volunteer teaching English in Sri Lanka for one year, which gave her her first insight into working with children who have English as an additional language. Hannah has worked in teaching for 14 years in the North East and within that time has had the opportunity to be a Leading Maths teacher for Newcastle Local Authority, a Deputy Headteacher in Sunderland, and she continues to be a regular lecturer at Durham University on both the Primary BA and PGCE courses.  She has taught across the Primary phase and in Key Stage Three. Her career has always been dedicated to working in areas of high deprivation in order to make a significant difference to children, which is why she is strongly committed to working within the Laidlaw Schools Trust. Hannah has a real passion for teaching and learning and is completely committed to ensuring every child is provided with the best education.

Bernard Clark

Local Governor

Bernard Clark is a qualified teacher. Bernard has very recent experience as a specialist adviser for a school improvement team in the north of England following a secondment from his role as assistant headteacher in a large 11-18 comprehensive school. Before that, he was a subject leader for modern languages and director of specialism. He also has particular expertise in the sixth form.

Paula Ferreira

Parent Governor

Originally from Portugal and relocated to Newcastle in 2004. Paula is a fully qualified Shiatsu and Holistic  therapist, who speaks three languages: Portuguese, Spanish and English. Paula is married with three lovely boys, all currently at Westgate Hill Primary Academy.

Paula joined as a Parent Governor in May 2023.