Governors

What is a school's Governing Body?

The Governing Body works in close partnership with the Headteacher, staff and the Local Authority. Whilst the Headteacher is responsible for the day to day running of the school, the governors are involved, for example with such things as curriculum, health and safety, safe guarding, school buildings and finance. It ensures the school functions well and maintains the proper range of academic and social objectives. The Governing Body works as a team with shared responsibilities. The Governing body is there to be a ‘critical friend’ who can provide the right balance between supporting and challenging the performance of both the Headteacher and the school ensuring that the school is delivering good education for all the children and providing value for money.

Governing Body Members 

• Parents elected by other parents with children at the school.
• The Headteacher.
• Staff members (teachers and support staff). 
• Governor appointed by the local authority.
• Other people chosen by governors, co-opted onto the governing body, who have the
  relevant skills to support the school achieving its strategic aims.

The role of the governing body is a strategic one, its key functions are to:

• Set the aims and objectives for the school.
• Set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives.
• Set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives. 
• Be a source of challenge and support to the Headteacher (a critical friend). 

Meet Our School Governors

Name: Vickie Allen

Position: Head Teacher

Responsibilities/Committees: Collaborative governance

Date Appointed:  1st September 2015

Term of Office: Start Date 01.09.2015

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Governance roles in other educational institutions: Shilbottle Primary School

Email: vickie.allen@seahousesprimary.com

Name: Caroline Bradshaw

Position: Chair of Governor

Responsibilities/Committees: Collaborative governance

Date Appointed:  10th December 2025

Term of Office: Start date 05.06.25 End date 04.06.29

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Email: caroline.bradshaw@seahousesprimary.com

Having been a secondary school teacher of History for over 20 years, I am passionate about education and the development of young people. I moved to Northumberland in 2019 and am now self employed. I was very impressed with the caring and nurturing and aspirational culture and ethos of Seahouses Primary School and I was keen to be involved. The staff have the students wellbeing at the heart of everything they do. I very much look forward to being a part of the Seahouses Primary School community.

Name: Gary Parnaby

Position: Vice Chair

Responsibilities/Committees: Collaborative governance

Date Appointed:  28th March 2022

Term of Office: Start date 28.03.22 End date 27.03.26

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Email: gary.parnaby@seahousesprimary.com

I am currently the Headteacher of Northburn Primary School based in Cramlington which also has a support base working with children with additional needs.  Prior to this I was Headteacher at Shilbottle Primary within the Alnwick partnership which was when I began working alongside the team at Seahouses Primary.  Having worked closely with both the staff and children I then became a Governor and I am currently Vice Chair.  I fully appreciate the challenges small coastal school face and fully support all the excellent work at Seahouses to overcome these.  During the several years work with Seahouses they have always been at the forefront of educational developments and are inspirational to others.  During my spare time I enjoy travelling and yoga.

Name: Katie Neale

Position: Staff Governor

Responsibilities/Committees: Collaborative governance

Date Appointed:  15th April 2024

Term of Office: Start date 15.04.24 End date 14.04.28

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: EYFS/ KS1 Teacher, 2 children in school

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None Declared

Email: katie.neale@seahousesprimary.com

Name: Peter Johnson

Position: Associate 

Responsibilities/Committees: Collaborative governance

Date Appointed:  13th November 2025

Term of Office: Start date 13.11.25 End date 12.11.29

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Email: peter.johnson@seahousesprimary.com

Name: Rachel Adkins

Position: Co-opted Governor

Responsibilities/Committees: Collaborative governance

Date Appointed:  24th September 2025

Term of Office: Start date 24.09.25 End date 23.09.29

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Email: rachel.adkins@seahousesprimary.com

Name: Megan Adams

Position: Parent Governor

Responsibilities/Committees: Collaborative governance

Date Appointed:  5th November 2025

Term of Office: Start date 05.11.25 End date 04.11.29

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Email: megan.adams@seahousesprimary.com

Maintained School Governance Guide