Our Governors

Governors are a voluntary body of people who guide and support the strategic direction of our school. They are members of our school community and their contribution to the running of the school is highly valued.

The Governing Body

The governing body is made up of:

• 6 Parent Governors
• 1 Staff Governor
• 1 Headteacher
• 1 Local Authority Governor
• 7 Co-opted Governors
• 1 Associate Governor

The role of the governing body is a strategic one; its key functions are to:

• Set the aims and objectives for the school
• Set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
• Set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
• Monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
• Be a source of challenge and support to the headteacher (a critical friend)

Meet Our Governors

Meet our Governors.  If you would like to speak to any of them or if you are interested in becoming a school Governor, please enquire at the office. 

Name: Mrs Gayle Foster Position: Chair of Governors/Co-opted Governor Responsibilities: Chair of Governors, Assessment & Data, Achievement, Pupil Premium Committees: Finance, Head Teacher Performance, First/Pay Review, Personnel Date Appointed: 18th October 2015 Term of Office: 4 years, end date 27th February 2028 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interest: None declared Meetings Attended 2022/2023: 95%

I have been Governor at Finchale since 2015, and Chair of Governors from 2021. Having attended the school myself, many years ago, seen my eldest child through to Secondary school and with my youngest child in Key Stage 2, I feel very privileged to be part of its leadership team. In my day-to-day life, I am the Practice Manager of a local veterinary clinic,  therefore my key interests lie in people management, performance management, strategy, mental health and wellbeing. 

I have been a governor since March 2012. I attended Finchale myself and have also previously worked part-time, in the office, as an admin assistant. My three children came to Finchale and have now moved on to Secondary school. During their time at Finchale, I spent a number of years on the PTA as treasurer. I work part- time as a Client Support Manager for a global consultancy company. 

Name: Miss Natalie Ward Position: Headteacher Responsibilities: Headteacher Committees: Curriculum & Standards, Finance, Personnel, Premises & Grounds Date Appointed: 1st January 2025 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interest: Headteacher Meetings Attended 2022/2023: N/A

I joined Finchale Primary School in January 2025 as Headteacher and I am incredibly proud to lead such a wonderful school community. Prior to joining Finchale, I worked in a number of schools across an 18-year career, including as an Assistant Head and Deputy Head Teacher, as well as supporting schools across the North East as a Maths Mastery Specialist. I am passionate about ensuring that every child at our school receives the best possible education and is well-prepared for the next steps in their school life and beyond. I value the work of the Governing Body in supporting our school and providing strategic direction so that our school can be the best that it can be.

Name: Cllr Amanda Hopgood Position: Local Authority Governor Responsibilities: Committees: Appeals (chair), Finance Date Appointed: 13th February 2006 Term of Office: ends 27th February 2028 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interest: Director of CKC, Trustee at another school, Local Authority Meetings Attended 2023/2024: 40%

I became a governor in 2006 and I, my family and both my children attended Finchale. I was a mortgage advisor and am currently a County Councillor representing the Newton Hall ward. Along with two other governors, I set up and oversee the running of Canterbury Kids Club which is the before and after-school club available for children at Finchale. 

Name Mrs Jane Kemp Position: Co-opted Governor Responsibilities: RSHE, RE Committees: Appeals, Curriculum and Standards, Personnel, Premises and Grounds (Chair) Date Appointed: 12th November 2025 Term of Office: 4 years, ends 11th November 2029 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interest: None Declared Meetings Attended 2023/2024: 90%

I was appointed as a parent governor in 2018 and I enjoy supporting the school. I attended Finchale as a child and my sons both came to Finchale and have now moved on to Secondary school and Sixth Form.  I have been an active member of the PTA for the last 4 years and enjoy helping with activities. I have worked in Children's Services in Gateshead (Youth Offending Team) for the last 18 years.  I am also a respite foster carer for children with disabilities.

Name Mr Andrew Board Position: Co-opted Governor Responsibilities: Health & Safety Committees: Appeals, Premises and Grounds Date Appointed: 5th July 2023 Term of Office: ends 13th July 2027 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interest: None Declared Meetings Attended 2023/2024: 80%

I was appointed a co-opted Governor at Finchale in 2019. Finchale holds great sentimental value for me as I attended many years ago and my child went to the school. I manage a local family business where my responsibilities include health and safety in a high-risk environment. My experience and specialisation in this field can be utilised to help ensure Finchale is a truly safe environment for all. 

Name Mr Kevin Wills Position: Parent Governor Responsibilities: Website Committees: Curriculum and Standards, Finance, Headteacher Performance, First/Pay Review (Chair), Premises and Grounds Date Appointed: 11th February 2020 Term of Office: ends 25th February 2028 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interest: Parent Meetings Attended 2023/2024: 89%

I was honoured to be elected as parent governor in 2020. A commissioned officer in the RAF since 2005, I have a daughter who attended and a son who currently attends Finchale. An active member of the PTA, I am always keen to get stuck in and contribute to the school, helping staff, pupils and the whole community wherever I can.

Name Mrs Rachel Ellis-Jones Position: Parent Governor Responsibilities: Maths Committees: Curriculum & Standards Date Appointed: 19th April 2024 Term of Office: 4 years, ends 18th April 2028 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interest: Parent Meetings Attended 2023/2024: NA

Name Mrs Sarah Patrick Position: Co-opted Governor Responsibilities: Music, Art Committees: Curriculum and Standards, Personnel Date Appointed: 19th March 2024 Term of Office: 4 years, ends 18th March 2028 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interest: None Declared Meetings Attended 2023/2024: N/A

Name Ms Gemma Tock Position: Parent Governor Responsibilities: SMSC, Wellbeing Committees: Premises & Grounds Date Appointed: 2nd April 2024 Term of Office: 4 years, ends 1st April 2028 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interest: Parent Meetings Attended 2023/2024: N/A

Governor Committee Members

Our Diversity Statement

At Finchale, as a school, we recognise that a diversity of thought, voices, and perspectives is essential to good governance and the effective running of any organisation. We regularly collect and hold diversity information from our governors, and depending on current data, we can use this to;

• target recruitment to address gaps in experience and diversity
• develop and adapt practices to ensure full participation
• prioritise training and awareness-raising in identified areas
• address potential 'blind spots' by seeking wider advice and perspectives on current and upcoming opportunities, challenges and risks. 

Governing Body Meetings 2024 - 2025

Governor Committee Membership 2024 - 2025

Special Responsibility Governors 2024 - 2025

Staff and Governors met to talk about their roles, responsibilities and interests prior to doing a "learning walk" around school. They visited all classrooms and each teacher gave a short introduction to their own area as well as talking about our key priorities reading, maths and writing. All staff, teaching, support, admin and school leaders answered questions from Governors who not only enjoyed the tour but also got a very good understanding of what a meaningful, broad and balanced curriculum we have in school. They also learned more about how our key priorities are addressed in each class. Governors then stayed in school to undertake training about their role in the Ofsted Process which was led by our Education Development Partner.      

Attendance at Governor Meetings

Register of Governor Interests