Meet the governors of Hadrian Primary School

Mr Jack Brown - Chair of governors

I retired as Director of Housing for South Tyneside MBC in 1994 after 25 years.

a. Governor of Hadrian Primary School for past 20 years, 15 as Chairman.

b. Chairman/Vice Chairman of the Mission to Seafarers in South Shields for past 10 years.

c. Chairman of Gentoo Housing Assoc. in Sunderland.
d  Board member of Arts for Wellbeing who deal with people with mental health problems.

The last Company and the school are negotiating  with staff from the Roman Fort to improve to improve leisure and art facilities on the site-this should improve our application for the Arts Charter mark.

I am also link governor for PE and Health and Safety.

Mr Bryan Blake - Vice Chair of governors

Retired Civil Engineer and Magistrate

Chairman of Finance, Performance and Pay Review Committees

Subject Link Governor – Art and Design, PSHE

Having been a Governor for over ten years, I have grown, developed and improved - alongside the children of this school. My previous knowledge and experiences of working within a large Council’s Technical Department, involved in the professional management and delivery of people’s needs, has helped me to meet the ever changing and challenging requirements of a modern-day school.

As always, the children needs come first. It is my governor’s role and wish that all pupils are given every opportunity to perform to the best of their abilities, utilizing the finest of teachers in an enjoyable environment.

Being a proud Governor, I am aware that it is not by accident that Hadrian Primary School is classified as an “Outstanding” school. It is the result, inter alia, of continuous and dedicated applications towards the management of all resources to meet the highest levels of a demanding “performance-based” education. Ongoing Governor Training has been essential together with careful Staff selection and working with parents and local community.

Likes: Durham Cricket Club, Barcelona FC and walking on the Moors.

Cllr Fay Cunningham - Co-opted

I have been a Governor at Hadrian Primary School for over fifteen years and take great pride in the School's 'Outstanding' OFSTED status.

I am link governor for History.

I am a South Tyneside Councillor for the Bede Ward in Jarrow; am Chairman of Cancer Connections and Low Simonside Community Association, Honorary Secretary of the Mission to Seafarers, Arts for Wellbeing and Jarrow Normandy Veterans and a Board Member of Action Stations and Hindu Nari Sangh.

Mrs Stella Matthewson - LEA Governor

I was a school governor at Marsden Primary School for five years before transferring to Hadrian Primary School in 2015.

I am link governor for Early Years and Literacy and attend Hadrian School each Tuesday morning as a volunteer reading to Year 2.

I am also a Trustee on South Tyneside CVS and I am a volunteer at South Tyneside Cancer Connections.

OFSTED has classed Hadrian as an 'Outstanding' School and the Board of Governors work hard to maintain that category and provide the very best education possible for our pupils.

Mr Abbey Muquith - Co-opted

I joined the governorship of Hadrian Primary School in 2015, as a parent governor. All my children have attended Hadrian School as have I and my siblings, cousins and friends.  Therefore I have a very long and fond connection with the school.

Whilst I have no direct experience in the education sector, my employment history has encompassed many different fields.  These include several years in the civil service, voluntary sector and local government.  I have also been involved in private business, having worked in and run ‘Indian’ restaurants.  Currently I am self-employed.

During my previous employment roles, I have been involved with information, advice and guidance, helping people into training, education and employment.  Therefore over the years I have developed an interest in learning and education.

My daughter and sons have done very well at school, and continue to do so, and we believe this is because of the excellent foundation that was instilled into them whilst they were at Hadrian School. However, the school is not able to do this on its own as it is vital that parents are actively involved in their children’s education, and that both work in partnership for the positive development of the children.

I look forward to playing my part to help the children and school develop as much as they can.

David Newton - Co-opted governor 

Ms Nancy Arthur - Parent governor

Link Governor for School Parliament, Healthy Schools and Early Years.

Elected Parent Governor January 2022. 

Having had children in Hadrian Nursery and Primary since 2016, becoming a parent governor was a fantastic opportunity to increase my involvement with the school. I am excited to explore my role and hope to be a positive force in an already fantastic educational setting. 

I feel my previous roles as a communications and marketing consultant and childcare professional can put me in a good position to make a positive impact in my time as governor. 

Ms Masuma Yesmin - Parent governor

I was honoured to join the governorship as an elected Parent Governor of Hadrian Primary School in January, 2022. I have a close relationship with the school as my eldest two children have studied there, and my youngest two are currently studying there. My lifelong passion is writing and reciting poetry - I am currently writing my first poetry anthology. In my professional life, I am co-director of West World Shopping City, a shopping centre in Sylhet Division, Bangladesh. I am owner of SMARTT Properties. I have also worked in the primary education sector. I am an active participant in voluntary work in my local community, which has included women’s empowerment and domestic abuse schemes. My husband and I are in the process of beginning our first NGO, the Tarik-Shipa Foundation, which aims to ensure there is a clean water source within a 200 m radius in every part of Sylhet, Bangladesh.

Ms Elizabeth Stephenson - Co-opted governor

I was honoured when I was asked to be Governor of Hadrian Primary School in 2018 as I have a direct link with Hadrian, firstly it is the school I attended and currently it is where I live and work on the Lawe Top and in South Shields town centre.

I currently manage Ocean Road Community Centre where we work hard to provide activities around health, social inclusion, education, youth work and social action. We work with a number of partners to develop what we can offer to our local community, Hadrian school is one of the best, and who we have great links with, this helps with my role also as link Governor for Community Cohesion for the school.

Educated to BA Hons in English Literature and Art History and BA Hons in Community and Youth Work I hope to share these skills to benefit the school and children at Hadrian.

Hadrian Primary School is always a thriving and exciting place to visit and the children are always polite and encouraging, and I’m excited to be a part of their journey.

Mrs Lisa Smith - Parent governor

I was elected to the Governing Body of Hadrian Primary as Parent Governor in December 2009 when my eldest daughter was in Year 1.  She has now moved on to Mortimer Community College and my youngest daughter has also.  I took up the post as I was very interested in becoming more involved with the school having been a pupil here myself.  I am link Governor for both Maths and Healthy Schools which fit perfectly with my areas of interest and expertise.

In 2010 I gave up my career as a Management Accountant to run my own business – Fruit to Suit. For a number of years, I trained Year 5 children at Hadrian to operate their very successful healthy tuck shop.  They have raised many hundreds of pounds during that time.

In 2014 I founded Friends of Hadrian to act as a support group for parents and to fundraise for the school.  To date we have contributed over £3000 towards school projects.

Mr Scott Brown - Head teacher

I have been the Headteacher at Hadrian Primary School since April 2006. I have been teaching since September 1994 and have taught in two other schools in South Tyneside. I was also Executive Headteacher of Laygate Community Primary school during the Autumn term of 2013 and continue to be a member of their governing body.

I am driven to ensure that Hadrian Primary School and all those who attend achieve their potential academically and experience the very best opportunities that are on offer.

Mrs Sharon Welch - Co-opted

My involvement with Hadrian Primary School began in 1998 when my eldest son Sam attended nursery here. As he progressed throughout the school my daughter, Amy and second son Matthew, followed him.

I initially volunteered as a parent helper in the infant department, then secured a teaching assistants position in September 2001, and as I furthered my education I specialised in Early Years. In 2006 I achieved HLTA status and was promoted within the school.

I first joined the governing body in 2004 as a parent governor, in 2008 I became support staff governor and I am now a co-opted governor with a link to the Geography and History co-ordinator.

I feel my extensive knowledge and experience of the curriculum and management of the school, from Foundation stage through to upper key stage 2, helps me greatly in my role on the governing body.

Mr John Newton - Co-opted

I currently work for a health and well-being organisation called SportWorks. As National Operations Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead, I am responsible for everything quality related, including delivery, staff development and training throughout the country and I also sit on the Senior Management Team. I line manage the Regional Managers to ensure the standardisation of delivery and customer service are conducted to the highest possible standard. 

Before SportWorks, I enjoyed ten-years of success within charitable foundations of both professional Football and Rugby Union clubs. I am highly qualified with a BSc Hons Applied Sports Coaching and recently obtained an International Diploma in Project Management. My knowledge of the sport and health and well-being sector makes me a great mentor for the development and training of our national staff, providing logistical and strategic support.

Away from work, I am is a big sports fan and enjoy spending quality time with my wife and two children.

Ms Alison Goodall - Staff

I have been a teacher at Hadrian Primary School since 1989. During my time here I have taught every year group from year 1 to year 6. I currently teach year 3. I have held many different roles in the school over the years and I am currently the history and geography co-ordinator, an E.V.C and a member of the senior leadership team.I became a staff governor in February 2020 and i'm hoping my experience will help me in my new role.