Meet the Governors

Our Governing Body is made up of eleven governors whose role is to act as a 'critical friend' to the school. Governors are appointed in a number of ways.
 
At West End First School the Governing Body is made up of two staff governors (the Headteacher and one other member appointed by the staff); three parent governors (appointed by the parents); five 
co-opted governors (appointed by the governing body) and one local authority governor (appointed by Northumberland County Council).
 
For a register of attendance at meetings and a current register of governor interests please see the following pages.
 
Terms of office
 
Governors are appointed for a term of four years.
 
Parent governors are appointed by nomination and election by parents/carers of children currently attending the school. To be nominated as a parent governor the nominee must have a child attending the school at the time of the election. Parent governors may serve out their term of office even if their child has left the school.
 
Co-opted governors are appointed at the invitation of the Governing Body. Co-opted governors are interested parties who may be from the local community or businesses and who will be invited to serve on the Governing Body because of their experience or knowledge from beyond the world of education or because of their particular interest in the good of the school. Co-opted governors may be asked to continue in their role for a further term by the Governing Body.
 
Local authority governors are appointed by Northumberland County Council. Local authority governors may be invited to continue in their role for a further term by the Governing Body with the agreement of NCC.
 
Staff governors are appointed by nomination and election by the current staff of the school.
 
Please see below for the dates of terms of office for governors serving within the last year.
 
Governor                       Term of office                                                Appointed by
 
Tanya Mason                 24-10-18 to 24-10-22                                     Governing Body
Neil Patterson              31-12-16 to 31-12-20  (resigned July 2019)     Governing Body
Karl Green                    31-03-18 to 31-03-22                                      Governing Body
Angela Markham-Lee    1-11-17 to 31-10-21                                          Governing Body
Karen Porter                 1-01-16 to 31-12-20                                        Staff
Jane Bushell                 Headteacher governor                                    Staff
Claire Cheesman           3-11-16 to 2-11-20                                           Parents
Vanessa Foster             3-11-16 to 2-11-20                                           Local authority
Christine Taylor            04-07-18 to 04-07-22                                    Governing Body
Zheen Ramzi                  27-02-19 to 27-02-23                                    Parents
Bronwyn Foster               17-07-19 to 16-07-23                                   Parents

  • Mrs Tanya Mason

    Vice-Chair of Governing Body, Co-opted Governor, Strategic Direction Committee, Resource Management Committee, Responsible for Attendance

    I live in Bedlington and my two children attend West End First School. I have a strong interest in the local area and the success of the school.
    As a parent governor I seek to utilise my personal experience and skills to support the school and help the development of local children by providing great education, in a safe and happy environment.
    I have a degree in Chemistry and I am a manager in a locally based, global pharmaceutical manufacturing company. Within my role I have developed comprehensive skills in the areas of finance, strategic delivery and leadership, along with strong communication skills.

  • Mrs Christine Taylor

    Co-opted Governor, Resource Management Committee

  • Dr Zheen Ramzi

    Parent Governor, Resource Management Committee, Responsible for Safeguarding, Health and Well-being, Arts

  • Mrs Bronwyn Foster

    Parent governor, Strategic Direction Committee

  • Mrs Vanessa Foster

    Chair of Governing Body, Local Authority Governor, Strategic Direction Committee, Resource Management Committee, Responsible for Pupil Premium, Early Years

    I am currently a School Improvement Advisor for North Tyneside Council. I work with teachers and support staff across a range of schools in North Tyneside to offer support and guidance about early years practice. I am also a school development partner, and I work with a range of head teachers and senior leadership teams to offer support and challenge in promoting and securing the best possible outcomes for children. I lead the moderation programme for the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile across North Tyneside and support early years practitioners to make accurate judgements. I plan and deliver central and bespoke training for phonics, early reading skills, observation, planning and assessment, alongside other key areas.
    I have 10 years experience as part of a senior leadership team within an outstanding primary school, (4 years as deputy head teacher, 6 years as an assistant head teacher) and this has allowed me to develop a thorough understanding of the all key aspects and current issues in primary education.

  • Mrs Claire Cheesman

    Parent Governor, Strategic Direction Committee, Responsible for Pupil Voice

  • Mr Karl Green

    Co-opted Governor, Resource Management Committee (Chair), Responsible for Finance, Assessment

    I am currently the Bank Manager of TSB Morpeth. I have worked for the bank for over 30 years and feel it’s important that our local schools have the support of the local businesses and the community to help and support the children to become the best they can be.

  • Mrs Angela Markham-Lee

    Co-opted governor, Resource Management Committee (Clerk)

    I am usually the first person to greet you at the school reception with a welcoming smile. I hold the role of School Business Manager and Co-opted governor.
    I support the Head teacher, staff, parents and children and my role covers everything from budgets to baking!
    As School Business Manager I am responsible for the financial management and administration of the school.
    I love keep fit and holidaying in America. I have held this role for seven years and I love it.

  • Miss Karen Porter

    Staff Governor (Deputy Headteacher), Strategic Direction Committee (Clerk), Responsible for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

    I entered teaching relatively late, when I was 27, having completed a 2 year, school-based PGCE in 1993. I have been passionate about education ever since. Prior to coming to West End I worked for 11 years in the school where I completed my PGCE. This was a very large Primary School in the Docklands area of inner city Hull, which had its challenges. I worked in Year 1, 2 and the Early Years over this time and co-ordinated PE across the school. Before I left I had moved on to take the lead in the EYFS and joined the leadership team. I moved into the same role at West End and have since taken on the role of Deputy Headteacher, and previously SENCo.
    In my spare time I enjoy the outdoors, and particularly, travelling holidays around the world, which include plenty of outdoor experiences. My other hobbies include reading and listening to wide a range of music, which I enjoy going to see live. I also like sports cars, motorbikes and traditional pubs with a log fire and a good pint of cider!

  • Mrs Jane Bushell

    Staff Governor (Headteacher), Strategic Direction Committee, Resource Management Committee

    I have taught in the North East for over thirty years, initially in North Tyneside and then in Northumberland where I was lucky enough to be appointed Deputy Headteacher of West End First School in 2006. I was appointed Headteacher in 2008 following the retirement of my predecessor. I believe that it is the job of the school to make sure every child has the chance to become a confident, thoughtful, considerate, respectful and well-rounded individual who is ready to take his or her place in the world responsibly. I also think that a school should be full of laughter and friendship.
    As a mother of two daughters and wife to a very patient husband I value my leisure time and enjoy spending time with my family at the theatre, sporting events and on holiday.