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Governance
Oxclose Community Academy is overseen by a Local Governing Committee responsible for ensuring the highest standards of teaching and well-being.
The Local Governing Committee is a ‘critical friend’ to the Academy as well as a champion of pupils, teachers and the wider community.
As the Academy is part of the Laidlaw Schools Trust, there is a board of trustees who are responsible for the work of the Trust, including the running of the academies. Further information is available on the Governance section of the Trust’s website. To support the effective operation of the Trust and the academies, the Trust board has established Local Governing Committees for each Academy in the Trust.
Diversity is important to our governing committees and we strive to be reflective of the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for school governors from all areas of our school community. If you are interested in becoming a school governor or finding out more, please contact the Clerk to Governors.
The Governance Administrator can be contacted at governance@laidlawschoolstrust.co.uk, Laidlaw Schools Trust, Suite 2, 3rd Floor, St Nicholas Building, St Nicholas’ Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1RF or 0191 662 2416.
The Chair of Governors is Mrs. Linda Williams and can be contacted via the Governance Administrator.
Details of the Governors at Oxclose Community Academy can be found below:
Tom Williams - Chair
Tom is a teacher with 12 years’ experience in both the state and independent sectors and currently works at the Royal Grammar School in Newcastle. He runs the Physics Partnerships programme, supporting partner state schools by upskilling non-specialist teachers, developing curricula, running academic interventions, and providing opportunities for students with an aptitude in STEM to explore engineering through open-ended, regionally contextualised projects. During his career, Tom has also held roles including EPQ Coordinator, Head of Year, and Assistant Head of Middle School.
Originally from the South East, Tom moved to the North East for university over 20 years ago and chose to make the region his home. He currently resides in a village near Gateshead and maintains strong connections to County Durham.
Tom is passionate about equality of opportunity in education, particularly access to meaningful co-curricular activities that develop transferable skills, raise aspirations, and support the development of the whole person. He also undertakes voluntary roles including Duke of Edinburgh Award Assessor, Expedition Leader, and Cadet Forces Adult Volunteer with the Royal Navy.
Interest and date interest commenced
Nil
Carole Bell - Vice Chair
Interests and date interest commenced
Lambton Primary School (Governor - 26/11/1992)
Joanne Chapman - Parent Governor
Interests and date interest commenced
Sunderland City Council (Councillor - May 2023)
Lesley Harbottle - Local Governor
Interests and date interest commenced
Nil
Anthony Ellison - Associate Governor
Interests and date interest commenced
Laidlaw Schools Trust Employee
Sarah Tishler - Associate Governor
Interests and date interest commenced
Nil
Ken Tonge - Local Governor
Interests and date interest commenced
Nil
Gemma Newton - Local Governor
