Governors

Welcome to our Governors’ section.

Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories,
responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.

Governing Body’s Annual Statement

The Issues faced and addressed by the Governing Body over the last year were:

  • Understanding changes to and preparation for Ofsted inspection and responding to its recommendations
  • Continued to ensure that the Head Teacher and SLT were supported in their roles
  • Attended key assemblies and events across the school year
  • Took part in monitoring of teaching & learning through ‘Book Looks’ and moderation activities
  • Changes to School Self Evaluation and Development Planning
  • Investigation and decision making regarding term time holiday requests

The impact of the Governing Body on the school was:

  • Governors knowledge of data and assessment systems enables Governors to provide further support and challenge to school provision
  • The pupil survey confirmed that children feel safe, enjoy school and the experiences they have in lessons and feel that they are taught well.
  • As a result of Governors clarifying stakeholders views, Governors are very clear in being able to support school to determine next steps of development.

Structure of the Governing Body and Committees

Chair of the Governing Body – Mrs. K Hindhaugh

Vice Chair of the Governing Body – Mrs. K Finley

For correspondence to the Governing Body/Chair of Governors, please use the school’s contact details but clearly mark for the attention of the Governors / Chair of Governors and if appropriate mark Private and Confidential.

Mr. Sean Waller

Co-opted Governor

I am passionate about education and the important role it plays in shaping the future of young people. I am eager to contribute my skills and experience to support the school in its strategy and vision, to ensure that the children at Spring Gardens Primary School receive the best possible opportunities to learn and thrive in all aspects of school life.

I currently working as a government lawyer, having previous experience working in the field of human rights, public healthcare and mental health related matters. I have two young boys who attend the school and have lived in the local area for several years.

Mrs. Kylie Finlay

Co-opted Governor (Vice Chair)

I am currently a Business Management Partner for Newcastle City Council, supporting the Workforce & Development and Public Health Directorates. I have a background in Adults and Childrens Social care, with extensive contract management, commissioning and quality monitoring of health, care and education services. I have a good knowledge of Ofsted, Risk Assessments and Strategic Planning.

As a former pupil of Spring Gardens, I am grateful for the opportunities the school gave me, and am keen to support the school in preparing its students to become happy, healthy and successful adults.

At home I am a Mam of two and dog Mam of one little cavapoo – Stanley! I am excited for this opportunity as a Co-opted governor, to support the school, the teachers and the governors moving forward.

Mrs. Kate Hindhaugh

Co-opted Governor (Chair)

I have been a Governor at Spring Gardens since 2023 and currently focus on Safeguarding, SEND and Health and Safety for the school. I wanted to be a school governor to give back to my local community and to support the school as it transitioned to become part of the multi-academy trust and beyond.

My hope for the school is that we offer every child a positive and equal experience with us and that our pupils go on to achieve the very best they can.

Outside of my role as a governor I am a PR and communications professional with over a decade of delivering marketing strategy. I have worked across various industries including technology and software, professional sport, pharmaceuticals and health and social equity – specifically focused on the regional delivery of the holiday activity and food programme and workforce development for the NHS.

Mr. A Ingram

Co-opted Governor

I bring over fifteen years’ experience in primary education, spanning classroom teaching, senior leadership and, most recently, teacher training at university level. My career began with a Human Nutrition degree at Northumbria University before training as a teacher through a PGCE at Newcastle University. Since then I have taught and led in a range of settings, from an international school in Thailand to primary academies across the North East, including a year as Associate Vice Principal at Kings Priory School in Tynemouth.
Throughout my career I have specialised in English and literacy, leading whole-school reading and writing provision, and I have always had a particular focus on ensuring that provision for children with SEND is embedded within curriculum planning to ensure all children can access learning and thrive.
I now work full-time at Northumbria University, having been seconded and subsequently appointed to support the university’s Initial Teacher Education programmes. My role focuses on English and writing pedagogy across BA and PGCE courses, and I help lead on BA1 placement. I am also completing my National Professional Qualification for SENDCOs (NPQSENDCO), which I will finish next month, alongside ongoing work developing SEND-focused curriculum materials.
Outside education, I am a keen runner, and I enjoy vegan food, meditation and travelling with my young family. I am looking forward to bringing this breadth of experience — across classroom practice, school leadership, and teacher education — to supporting Spring Gardens as a governor.

Miss. R Littlefield

Staff Governor

Governor Category of Governor Term of Office Appointed / Elected by Position
Mr. T Jones Ex officio (HT) n/a Ex-officio Headteacher
Miss. R Littlefield Staff 05.03.24- 04.03.28 Staff
Mrs. K Hindhaugh Co-opted 1.03.24 – 29.02.28 AEB Chair
Mr. M Masters Parent Governor 31/8/26 – 30/8/30 Parents
Mrs. K Finlay Co-opted 10.12.24-09.12.28 AEB Vice Chair
Mr. S Waller Co-opted 10.12.24-09.12.28 AEB
Vacant Parent Governor
Governor Any personal relationships with staff members in school or within the governance structure Business & Pecuniary Interests Indirect Interests Attendance at Full Governing Body meetings (2025-26)
Mrs. G Robinson No No No 4/5
Mr. T Jones No No Staff N/A
Mrs. L Golightly No No No 1/5
Ms A Perry No No No 3/5
Mr. J Robinson No No No 2/3
Miss. R Littlefield No No Staff 5/5
Mrs. K Hindhaugh

Mrs. K Finlay

Mr. S Waller

 No

 

No

No

 No

 

No

No

 No

 

No

No

 3/5

 

5/5

5/5