Meet our Governors

Julie Robson trained as a teacher at Durham University and during the course of her career taught in a range of primary and first schools in inner city, urban and rural locations. For the final twenty five years of her career she held two headships, the first at a rural first school in Northumberland followed by the second in a suburb of Newcastle.
During her career she held posts of responsibility for art, music, English and assessment as well as staff development and safeguarding.
Julie retired in 2017 and became a governor at Acomb in 2018. Made Chair of Governors in 2021 she has a wealth of experience to bring to the role having been a governor of four different schools. She is committed to pursuing excellence in education and ensuring that all children become enthusiastic learners and achieve their potential.
Julie is a member of all committees.

Sophie's son is in Year 1 and has had a happy first two years at Acomb First School despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic. Her family really appreciate the friendliness and warmth of staff and children and love the outdoor, creative learning the school offers.

Sophie's work has given her experience of collaborating with schools, volunteers, young people and communities across the North East, providing access and learning within arts and heritage. She also spent a year working as a teacher in Tanzania.

Our children deserve to be supported to grow into the person they wish to be. As a parent governor, she will strive to ensure Acomb First School remains a vibrant part of our community, nurtures and supports each of our children and continues to progress.
Sophie is part of the Resource Management Committee.

Kate is a serving Headteacher in Newcastle upon Tyne and a parent at Acomb First School. She was appointed to the role of Parent Governor in role in November 2016. She currently sits on the Resource Management Committee and is designated Governor for children with SEND. She lives in Northumberland with her two young children and husband. She chose Acomb First School for her children because it offered nurture and genuine care for individuals alongside high expectations and a broad and rigorous curriculum offer.

She became a governor in the hope she could offer support and challenge to the school. She is committed to working with fellow governors and the school Leadership Team to help support positive change in order to ensure the children at Acomb First School achieve their potential and are given the very best educational opportunities.
Kate is a member of all committees.

Trevor became a Governor in 2018 after retiring from working in the Construction Industry. He started his career as a civil engineer constructing roads and bridges , progressing over 50 years to Executive Director of a medium sized Company.

He has 3 grandchildren attending Acomb school and his daughter-law (who was a Parent Governor at the time) asked him to help with the school budget. Prior to becoming a Governor he did not appreciate how precarious school funding was.

Today’s education is very different from his children’s and he now appreciates how hard teaching staff work.
Trevor is Chair of the Resource Management Committee.

Fiona S. Baker is a Teaching Fellow in the School of Education at Durham University. Her PhD is in Education. She created impact through her study of Assistive Technology for students with dyslexia. For almost two decades she developed teachers to practice in UAE government schools at primary level. Originally qualified to teach Key Stage 3, she has taught at all levels of Education in the UK on short-term teaching contracts. Her areas of focus are the Early Years, EAL and Special Needs. She is invested in the holistic development of children, especially as related to those who are adopted or living in care; engaging children in learning and raising achievement.
Fiona is part of the Quality of Education Committee.

Louise is currently Head of UK Operational Human Resources for an engineering firm with sites across the UK. She has extensive knowledge and experience of employee relations with an ability to motivate, challenge and influence at all levels as well as being passionate about developing people to achieve their full potential.

Louise has lived in Northumberland for the last 10 years and has been a parent at Acomb since 2019. She is impressed by the determination the school has to succeed and wants to use her skills and experience to assist the school in continuing to positively move forward to achieve its goals and build on the progress of recent years. She is committed to contributing to Acomb as it carries on the delivery of high-quality education in a nurturing and inclusive environment to enable every child to flourish and move on to the next stage in their educational journey in a confident manner.
Louise is part of the Resource Management Committee.

Beverley trained as a teacher at Newcastle University and has taught in a variety of primary, first and middle schools.
During her career she held positions of responsibility in literacy, assessment, drama, science, art, technology and IT. As deputy headteacher her roles included designated safeguarding officer and mentor for trainee teachers on in school centred initial teacher training.
After moving to Hexham, Beverley worked part time with Hexham Youth Initiative before retiring from teaching in 2020.
She is committed to ensure we make Acomb the best school it can be for all its children.
Beverley is part of the Quality of Education Committee.

Jo works at the Department for Education in Portfolio Management and Strategic Engagement. Prior to this, Jo was a primary school teacher for 15 years and worked at two schools in the North East of England. As a teacher she had responsibility for the arts, assessment and English as well as being a Key Stage leader and member of the school leadership team.

Jo is a keen musician and is a member of Westoe Brass Band. She is the band’s Flugel Horn player and their band manager too!

Jo became a governor as she is passionate about young people’s education and the opportunities that can bring. She strongly believes that every child has the right to a quality education and the potential to achieve their very best.

Robyn studied English Literature at Northumbria University before completing her teaching degree at Sunderland University. She started her career as a teaching assistant before becoming a teacher and working across all primary phases. Over the years she has been responsible for areas including English and Early Reading, Geography, History and Computing as well as being a Key Stage Leader and a member of school leadership teams.

Robyn is passionate about supporting the Acomb’s vision to support the children to grow into confident and resilient learners with a lifelong love of learning.