Governors
School governors are volunteers, from a wide variety of backgrounds, who have an interest in influencing education and improving outcomes for the children in their local community. Governing bodies are accountable for school performance, curriculum and budgets, for setting school aims/policies and for planning the school’s future direction. Governing bodies are also broadly responsible for ensuring schools provide a good quality education for, and encourage development in, all pupils. Find out a little more about our Governing Body....
Bill Muir (Chair of Governors)
I worked in the Civil Service for many years then I became a primary school teacher in Newcastle for 25 years then I worked part time for an education union. I have been involved with environmental education and health and safety in education for many years holding both local and national positions.I have been a school governor in Newcastle for 48 years and have been involved with nine schools ranging from primary, secondary and special. Of those nine schools I have been Chair of six of them. I am proud to say that I have been a governor of Canning Street Primary School for twenty three years.For many years I have been involved with community groups such as local history groups, resident’s associations and children’s play associations.I have two grown up children and five grandchildren.I have always believed that a good education will set you up for life and that it is vital that we give our children the best education possible.
Angela Makepeace (Vice Chair)
I have been in Education, in particular schools, since 1974, first as a Teacher, then as a Senior Manager. I became an Adviser in Hartlepool organising training for Schools, Cluster, Governors and Headteachers both locally and nationally. Presently, I am the Local Authority Adviser for Newly Qualified Teachers in Primary, Secondary and special school in South Tyneside. Having been a Governor at Canning Street Primary School since 2001, it is my aim to support the vision of the Governing Body and the staff, in School, to ensure consistently high standards are maintained for all our children.
Kathryn Herron (Headteacher)
I started my career in a small school in South Tyneside and gained experience teaching throughout Key Stages 1 and 2. I moved to Canning Street in 2006 as Key Stage 1 Phase Leader. I later became Deputy Head and then gained my current position of Headteacher in 2018.
Canning Street is a very special and unique school. I am extremely proud of our wonderful children and love working alongside our talented and dedicated staff.
Louise Cook (Deputy Headteacher)
I joined Canning Street as a KS1 teacher and have enjoyed every moment here. I have worked at Canning Street for ten years and am passionate in our shared aim of improving our children's lives. I am proud to have been part of the changes the school has made over the years and am continually impressed by the dedication and commitment of the staff.
Peter Thomson (Foundation Trust Governor)
I have been a Governor of the school for so long I can barely remember when I started. I was appointed as a Local Authority representative when I was elected to the City Council as Councillor for the Elswick area in 1984 and they still haven't got rid of me; even though I stopped being a Councillor over 10 years ago. I have worked in theatre, community arts, community development, arts and mental health, and as a consultant. Originally trained as a teacher, I retain a keen interest in education and in the very special challenges Canning Street School has always faced. I am currently Governor lead for Early Years in the school and continue to live within the school's catchment area.
Jill Lyall (Co-Opted Governor)
I trained and then worked as a nurse in Durham. I specialised in Intensive care and worked on the Intensive care and coronary care unit for several years. After getting married and having children I moved to Newcastle. My children attended Canning Street Primary School where I volunteered in school and was elected as a parent governor. I have now worked in the school as a Special Needs Support Assistant for several years and I have continued to be part of the Governing Body, I am currently an Associate governor and serve on several committees for the Governing body.Through serving the Governing Body I am committed to continuing to raise standards in the school and as a result raising expectations for all pupils who attend Canning Street and helping them to achieve their potential.
Clare Swales (Co-opted Governor)
Having trained at the University of Newcastle, I began my career in Primary Education in 1984, as a Year 1 class teacher in South Tyneside. Following teaching and Deputy Head posts in two schools, I became Head Teacher of a school in the same local authority.
I later became Head Teacher of a school in County Durham, and retired from that post in 2021, after many very happy years working with children and taking great delight in watching them flourish.
It is a privilege now, to be a governor at Canning Street Primary, to work with, and support, such wonderful staff and children. I am passionate about helping to give our children the best start in life possible!
Katrina Brown (Staff Governor)
Originally from North Yorkshire, I moved to Newcastle to study French and Business Studies at Northumbria University. After graduating with a First Class Honours degree, I spent two years teaching English as a foreign language in France across several schools. Having thoroughly enjoyed this experience of teaching, I decided to return to Newcastle to train as a primary school teacher and joined the Canning Street Primary School team as a teacher in Year 5. I am very proud to work in a school which is so committed to ensuring the very best for children.
Margaret Dover (Co-opted Governor)
My experience of governance comes from a variety of headteacher roles. I started teaching in 1983 as a maths teacher at Walbottle High School and then joined the Hospital Teaching Service, teaching across the curriculum to all ages. I led that service before becoming headteacher of Newcastle Bridges School. After retiring I took on the roles of interim headteacher at a special school in Redcar, Newcastle's pupil referral unit ( now Mary Astell Academy) and a special school in Middlesbrough. I have many years of experience of working with the full range of special needs, behavioural difficulties and mainstream pupils. I have also worked closely with academies on policy and the process of opening new Free Schools. I am an active person who runs frequently and have a large family including nine grandchildren, so am very busy but very happy!
Kerrie Hood (Co-opted Governor)
I have enjoyed a long and successful career as a primary school teacher and head teacher, having retired from my last post in Gateshead in the summer of 2023. I now work for the Department of Education in a role that centres around the delivery of special educational needs. I have lived in Newcastle for most of my life, and in fact I attended Canning Street school as a little girl in the 1970s when the school was housed in a wonderful, early Edwardian building built in 1903. I credit my lifelong interest in teaching and learning to those happy years I spent at Canning Street where I was inspired to learn from many wonderful teachers from an early age. I am delighted to now serve on the governing body and to assist in ensuring that Canning Street remains a place where children can build their ambitions and achieve their dreams.
Canning Street
