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. There is currently a Parent Governor vacancy. 

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 and as well as attending myself many years ago and I  have a child at Finchale Primary School at the moment.  I am a parent helper, which I thoroughly enjoy, and am also currently an active member of the PTA. I work part- time as a Finance Director for a consultancy company of which I am also a part- owner. I have recently been appointed Vice Chair of Governors.

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 4 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 one of our sons is currently at Finchale, whilst our other son has 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 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, will hopefully join the Finchale Family in the future.

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.

Mr John Fairbairn - I am a newly appointed governor (2021). I have lived on the estate for almost 43 years. All four of my children have attended Finchale Primary school. My four grandchildren have also attended, two of whom are still in school.

I spent nearly 40 years in construction, firstly as a chartered quantity surveyor and latterly as a design and build manager for a construction company, until I was made redundant 10 years ago. I am also involved as a trustee of a charity in Africa and am the circuit Property Steward for the Methodist church in Durham. I enjoy walking, watching rugby and getting away in the caravan. 

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.

Dr Hannah Barraclough - I am a newly appointed parent governor (2022). My son attends Finchale and I'm hoping my daughter will join in September 2022. My husband attended Finchale so we have a long standing family connection to the school. I am a qualified Clinical Psychologist and therefore passionate about educating and promoting positive mental health and wellbeing. I run my own independent psychology practice providing support to individuals, teams and businesses across County Durham.

Miss Jenny Walton - I am a newly appointed parent governor at Finchale Primary School (2022). I attended Finchale as a child and my daughter is currently in Reception class, my youngest will hopefully be joining her in September this year. 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