Phil Grice – Chair of Governors

I have worked in Education for over forty years. My experience includes: a primary school Head Teacher for 28 years: Head of a Special Needs department in a secondary school: an Education/Business Partnership adviser: a Local Authority support officer: a School Improvement Partner and Inspector.

I am also a grandfather with three grandsons all of who have been pupils at East Boldon Infant School.

In 2012 I was delighted to be asked to stand as a community Governor of East Boldon Infant School. About 12 years later I had the honour to be elected the Chair of Governors.

Building upon our existing and well recognised very good practice I am confident that, working alongside a very well led school leadership team, the Governors will continue to provide high quality education for all pupils.

 

Trish Imrie – Vice Chair of Governors

I have been a school Governor for the past 25 years, starting as a parent governor when my three children attended East Boldon Junior School. For the past 12 years I have been the Vice Chair at East Boldon Infant School where I have supported school development and acted as a link governor between the Infant and Junior School. I have had many different roles and responsibilities but currently support safeguarding, health and safety and attendance within school.  At times, I have taken the role as Chair of Governors when needed.

Being an active member of the local community means I have the opportunity to build relationships with parents and other professionals which supports my role as Governor.

I have a passion for ensuring the children have the very best experiences of school life and I work closely with the school family and wider community to achieve this. In collaboration with the Headteacher and Chair of Governors though regular meetings, I work to develop opportunities for children to thrive and meet their potential.

 

Lisa Holt – Head Teacher

I have worked in Infant education for nearly 23 years. 12 of these years have been at East Boldon Infant School, where I began as Deputy Head Teacher, before making the leap into Headship in 2016.

I am very passionate about Infant education and giving children a happy and positive start to their learning journey, so that each individual reaches their true potential.

As our motto say “Together everyone achieves more” and we truly believe that. I am very proud of our special school which holds the high expectations that we strive for everyday because of the team within it. With the support of our dedicated staff, governors and parents we will continue to aim for the very best outcomes and opportunities for our children.

 

Eileen Thompson – Co-Opted Governor

I first became a Governor at East Boldon Infants in 1992 when my daughter was in Reception and I now have three grandchildren who have benefitted from the happy, safe and stimulating environment of our school.

I am now retired, but my professional background is in Property Law and Local Government. I worked in the Legal Department at South Tyneside Council for 36 years. I love fell walking, swimming and going to the Gym (not so much). I am Link Governor for PE in school which is so rewarding, seeing our children’s physical fitness, dexterity, co ordination and team working skills develop so well.

Being a member of the Governing Board has certainly changed since 1992 but what hasn’t changed is the commitment and desire of everyone in the school to provide the best environment for our children to learn, develop, be happy and achieve their best.

 

Rachel Henderson – Parent Governor

I am delighted to be part of East Boldon Infant School’s Governing body as a parent Governor. I joined the governing body to support the school to be the best that it can possibly be for the benefit of our children. I feel privileged to work alongside a team that is passionate towards making a positive impact to the lives of our children.

My background includes over 15 years of working with children and young people. I have been a Secondary School Teacher for 13 years where I have predominately worked as a PE Teacher and within a leadership role. As a parent myself, of a daughter in year 1 and another who will join the school in 2027 I am fully committed to ensuring we provide our children with the best possible start and foundation for a happy and healthy life.

 

Amy Stoddart – Co-opted Governor

I have been involved as a governor of East Boldon Infant School for almost 4 years, initially as a parent governor and now as a co-opted governor. I have over 20 years of teaching experience in a variety of educational roles within SEND schools in local authorities in the north and south of the country.

I currently use my experience as the SEND governor for the school and enjoy visiting the school and talking to the staff and the pupils and finding out what they have been up to. I believe that all pupils deserve high quality teaching and the infamous SEN Code of Practice quote; Every Teacher is a Teacher of SEND. Hopefully I am able to support the school in delivering this effectively and most importantly in making the educational experiences of all pupils a happy one.

 

Rebecca Higgins Co-opted Governor

I have been a governor at East Boldon Infant School since my oldest daughter was in Reception, and I was invited to take on the role of Community Link Governor due to my strong ties with the local community. My involvement with the school goes back even further, as I have been an active member of the East Boldon Schools PTA for many years, even before my children started school!

Outside of school, I also run Friends of East Boldon Park, another local community group, so I’m naturally connected with a wide range of people and initiatives in the area. Becoming a governor felt like a natural step, and it is something I really enjoy.

I am incredibly proud to be part of East Boldon Infant School. Both of my children attended, and they have now moved on to East Boldon Junior School. Being a governor gives me the opportunity to support the school and its wider community in a meaningful way.

 

Claire Hoy Co-opted Governor

I am proud to serve as a Governor at East Boldon Infant School, bringing with me experience both as a school governor and as an educator. Throughout my career, I have led and supported initiatives in curriculum development and pupil learning, with a strong focus on creating engaging and inclusive educational experiences for all learners.

I consider it a real privilege to contribute to the education of young learners, and I am passionate about ensuring every child receives an inspirational and meaningful start to their educational journey. I hope that, through my experience and passion, I can support this wonderful school in achieving its aims and its efforts in continuing to provide the very best for its pupils.

 

Joan Atkinson LEA Governor

As a retired councillor for Cleadon and East Boldon I continue to support East Boldon Infant School as a governor serving more than 20 years on the board.

My children flourished at the school and I want that for all pupils; to achieve their best in a nurturing environment. I appreciate arts and culture in my life and love to see how dedicated the school is to excellence in the teaching and creative expression of subjects to spark young minds to engage, learn and to enjoy.

 

Billy Sowter – Parent Governor

I currently work for HMRC and hold the position of chairman at North Shields Hockey club. As a father of two children, I am passionate about their education, their mental health, and the steps we can put in place to give them the best possible future. My role as governor is to support the school, in key areas, to aid pupil development, learning and to ensure all pupils reach their full potential.

 

Helen Kelly – Parent Governor

I have been a parent governor at East Boldon Infants since 2023, when my son was in reception. My daughter is due to begin the Infant School in 2025 and I look forward to continuing my role during her time as a pupil at this fantastic school.

I am a paediatric speech and language therapist, with experience of primary and early years, supporting language and literacy skills as part of a whole school approach, as well as experience with children with complex needs. I am happy to offer my time to support continued development and excellence across the Infant school, believing in the importance of this for both my children, as well as the local area.