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. 

Governor Committee Members

Mrs Gayle Foster - I felt very privileged to be elected parent governor at Finchale in December 2015, especially having attended as a child myself and then recently to be elected Chair of Governors.  My daughter has left the school and my son is in Year 3, so I have a vested interest in Finchale for a long time to come. I work part time as an Online Brand Manager, but my background is in performance and people management. 

Mrs Kate Hall - I have been a governor since March 2012. I attended Finchale myself and now work part-time, in the office, as an admin assistant. My three children also 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. In addition to Finchale, I also work part- time as a Client Support Manager for a global consultancy company. 

Mrs Amanda Hopgood - 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 afterschool club available for children at Finchale. 

Dr Vikki Maltman - I have been an elected parent governor since 2018 and I currently serve as the reserve Vice Chair. I have a child in Year 5 and another who recently left Finchale school and feel very passionate about helping the school to continue to provide a safe and encompassing environment for all to learn and grow. I love volunteering to help out on school trips and am involved with the PTA. I am a scientist by trade, specialising in biological and biomedical sciences. 

Mrs Jane Kemp - 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.  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.

Mr Andrew Board - 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 now have a child at 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. 

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

Mr Ron Trickett - I was privileged to be elected a parent governor in 2020. I have son who attends Finchale and my youngest daughter, who has Down's Syndrome, started in Reception in September.

I own and manage a small retail business in Durham City centre and I am responsible for the structuring and organising of day-to-day activities including staff, finances and general admin. I also have experience of running and coordinating small conventions and festivals.

Miss Sophie McKenna - I am a newly appointed parent governor at Finchale Primary School (2022). I have a child that attends Finchale and I have lived on the estate for quite a while now. I am currently a secondary school teacher and have previously been a college lecturer.

Miss Jenny Walton - I am a newly appointed parent governor at Finchale Primary School (2022). I attended Finchale as a child and my children attend now too. I work for the NHS as a Youth Practitioner and I have over 20 years’ experience as a Youth and Community Worker. I also work for a local youth project running various youth sessions which includes a senior youth group, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and Forest Schools.   

Governing Body Meetings 2022 - 2023

Governor Committee Membership 2022 - 2023

Special Responsibility Governors 2022 - 2023

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