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.

David Newton - Co-opted governor Vice Chair of Governors 

Mrs Shafia Hoque - co-opted

Having previously been elected as a parent governor in 2018, I am excited to rejoin the Board now as a co-opted governor. I have a long standing connection with Hadrian Primary School; I attended the school myself and am familiar with the community and families that it serves.

My background in teaching and governance has allowed me to gain valuable knowledge, experience and insight into education and wider issues. I look forward to supporting the Board and school in maintaining their excellent standards. 

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, along with my siblings, cousins, and friends. Therefore, I have a very long and fond connection with the school.

Although I have no direct experience in the education sector, my diverse employment history spans several fields. I have worked for many years in the civil service, voluntary sector, and local government. I have also been involved in private business, managing and running ‘Indian’ restaurants and takeaways. Currently, I am self-employed.

In my previous roles, I have been involved with providing information, advice, and guidance, helping people access training, education, and employment opportunities. This experience has developed my interest in learning and education over the years.

My daughter and sons have done very well at school, and we believe this is due to the excellent foundation they received at Hadrian School. However, the school cannot achieve this alone; it is vital that parents are actively involved in their children’s education, working in partnership with the school for the positive development of the children.

I look forward to playing my part in helping the children and the school develop to their fullest potential.

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 have been a Governor at Hadrian Primary School since 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 continue to 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.

We are in the process of building a Youth Centre attached to the Centre and our aim is to provide additional activities within youth work, youth activities, sports and holiday clubs, where we with the exceptional school staff team can support the children of Hadrian to flourish and develop in their extra curriculum activities. 

With my interests and education is English and Art I hope to continue to pass on my skills and experience for these subjects.

I am also a member of St Stephens Church and welcome all and any involvement and learning we can assist with about the church and local history. 

Mrs Lisa Smith - Associate 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 is now in her final year at University! 

I took up the post as I was very interested in becoming more involved with the school having been a pupil here myself.  During my tenure I have been a link governor for Maths, Healthy Schools, Staff CPD and school website. 

In 2014 I founded Friends of Hadrian to act as a support group for parents and to fundraise for the school. 

In 2021, following a change in my own career, I stepped aside to become an Associate governor.  I remain actively involved, especially with the Finance and Resources committee, where I hope my insights as CFO of a multi-academy Trust are helpful.

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. My current role in school involves me covering classes from Foundation Stage through to Year 6, teaching many different subjects.

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 links to both the Geography and History co-ordinators.

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 am currently the National Operations Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead at SportWorks, a health and well-being organisation. In this role, I oversee quality assurance, programme delivery, staff development, and training nationwide.

Prior to joining SportWorks, I spent ten successful years working with charitable foundations associated with professional Football and Rugby Union clubs. I hold a BSc Hons in Applied Sports Coaching and an International Diploma in Project Management.

Outside of work, I am a passionate sports fan and enjoy spending quality time with my family. I am currently the link governor for Maths and Computing.

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 4. I have held many different roles in the school over the years and I am currently the history a co-ordinator, an E.V.C and a member of the senior leadership team. I became a staff governor in February 2020.