Governing Body Information

Our Governing Body

The governors at Golden Flatts have a very important role in our school community, and it is important that parents and carers know who are representing them and their children. If you are interested in finding out more about the work of the governing body, or would like to become a governor, please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs Sharpe.

The DFE sets out the purpose of the Governing Body;

• The purpose of the governing body is to conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement. Its three core strategic functions are:
• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
• Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

 Meet the Governors!

Mrs Sue Sharpe, Executive Headteacher
(Portrait by Cameron, age 7)

Hello, my name is Sue Sharpe. I became Headteacher Golden Flatts Primary School in September 2006. I left Golden Flatts in September 2017 to become the Headteacher of Lynnfield Primary School. When the schools federated in December 2018 I became Executive Headteacher and work across both schools in the federation.  I started my teaching career in Billingham in 1992. However, I have mainly taught in Hartlepool and have worked at Rift House, Brougham and Golden Flatts. Prior to my appointment at Golden Flatts I spent 6 years working as the Deputy Headteacher of Brougham Primary School. As a class teacher I taught from nursery to Year 6. I am very committed to ensuring that we cater for the needs of all of the children in our care and I have been the special educational needs coordinator at three different schools.

I am passionate about children’s learning and ensuring that all children in our federation achieve their very best. Ultimately we want them to be happy, assured, independent young people ready to start on their next stage of education with self-confidence, knowing that they are fully equipped to take on new challenges and be successful.

I have three children of my own. My youngest child is at primary school and my eldest children are at secondary school. As you can imagine life outside of work is very busy and I don’t get a lot of free time! As a family we love to go walking and we often spend Sundays out in the country side exploring new places.

Mrs Maxine Newbury, Head of School, Golden Flatts
(Portrait by Sophie, age 10)

Miss Kate McIntyre, Deputy Headteacher, Lynnfield

Hello, my name is Kate McIntyre. I became Deputy Head Teacher of Lynnfield Primary School in April 2014.  From being a very young child I have always wanted to be teacher.  I started my teaching career in Kirby Lonsdale in a boarding school in 2001.  After that, I worked in Middlesbrough, Stockton and now in Hartlepool. As a class teacher I have taught from nursery to Year 6. I am passionate about children believing in themselves to be the best that they can be! I believe that education must give children the skills and knowledge for their futures but also support them having a healthy growth mind-set that enables them to be resilient and ultimately successful in whatever they choose to do. I have two children of my own; both are now in secondary school.  Life is very busy but we find the time to do activities as a family and visit out favourite places such as Whitby and the Lake District.

Mr Alan Shillaw, ***
(Portrait by Coral, age 10)

I am married with 4 children and have lived in Seaton Carew nearly all my life. I and my children attended Golden Flatts Primary School and I have been a Governor for 10 years and Chair of Governors for almost 2 years. I feel very passionately about giving our Golden Flatts pupils the very best start in their education and providing them with the skills and confidence to realise their potential.

Mrs Vicky Folland, Co-opted Governor
(Portrait by Evie, age 7)

Hello I’m Vicky Folland
I’m a co-opted governor at Golden Flatts primary school, part time driving instructor and busy Mam of two, both of my children attend Golden Flatts primary school.
I approached my daughter’s teacher when she was reception class to ask if I could become a governor as I had previously been a governor at her nursery school.   I wanted to be a governor to find out more about the runnings of the school. I love being a governor and find it very rewarding and especially love the visits into school to see what the children have been up to.
A lot of my spare time is spent taking my children to lots of after school activities and walking our dogs.  I’m also the secretary of my daughters dance school committee.  We all love spending time as a family making crafts, watching films and reading books

Mrs Pauline Sotheran, Co-opted Governor
(Portrait by Lucy, age 9)

I worked as a Business Manager for 24 years in a Secondary school, and I am now retired.  I became a Community Governor for Golden Flatts Primary School in 2014. My reason for being interested in becoming a governor in a Primary school was to become familiar with the differences and/or similarities of running the business side of both types of schools i.e. the budget, the premises and personnel,. This then gave me the opportunity to be able to contribute if and when necessary. Even though I am now retired I am still very interested in the education of young people and the different ways the teaching staff use to guide and enhance these children’s futures by giving them the best possible opportunities.

Miss Kim Wrigglesworth, Staff Governor

I’m a staff governor and I teach in year 2 at Lynnfield Primary school. After leaving college I attended Northumbria University and got a degree in English literature and journalism, after getting my degree I worked at JD sports for 6 years as floor manager before finally training to be a teacher! Being a governor is a massive bonus to my role and I thoroughly enjoy being part of both sides of the education field. I am fully committed to both roles and look forward to being part of the new  federation to ensure the children of both schools get the best possible education.  I do not have any children (yet) but I do have 2 cats which keep me busy enough! In my spare time I love to read and spend time with family and friends.

Mrs Janet Henderson, Local Authority Governor
(Portrait by Emily, age10)

I have spent the majority of my working life in education albeit in the further education sector initially as a lecturer and progressing to a senior management role.  In addition for a period of time I was a part-time Ofsted Inspector.  My interest in and passion for education has always been to motivate and help students to reach their full potential regardless of age or background.  I understand the pressures staff are under and the need for support and training.  On retirement I wanted to retain my link with education and as I have 2 grandchildren my interest in primary education motivated me to become a school governor.  On a personal basis I love to travel, spend time with my family and friends and be able to do all the things I never had time to do when I was working full-time.

Mrs Carolyn Collins, Parent Governor

Mr Frank Reid,

My name is Frank
I was born in Scotland and moved to Hartlepool when I was 11 and still at primary school, in Hartlepool I attended Elwick Road Secondary Modern School. I have an identical twin, and his name is Bill. I joined the Army at 15 as soon as I left school. I was a Football Referee and Assistant Referee. I am the Image Editor for JPIMedia in the Northeast of England and in charge of photographic at the following newspapers, Sunderland Echo, Hartlepool Mail and Shields Gazette, I photograph Sunderland, Hartlepool United, Newcastle United and Durham County Cricket Club as well as other sports.  I am married and have 3 daughters No.1 is a Teacher at Lynnfield, No.2 is a Solicitor in Teesside and No.3 is a Radiographer at North Tees Hospital. When not at work I photograph Sumatran Tigers, Western Lowland Gorillas and Snow Leopards for various endangered big cat Breeding Centres and Zoos. I am Vice Chair of Governors at Manor Community Academy and Dyke House Sports and Technology College, part of Northern Education Trust, with a special interest in Safeguarding and Discipline.

Mr Graham Slimings, Associate Governor

Hi, my name is Graham Slimings and I’m an Associate Governor for Lynnfield and Golden Flatts. I was born in Hartlepool and still live within walking distance of Lynnfield school. I have 2 grown up daughters who are off travelling the world and loving what they do. I was asked to become a governor at Lynnfield School because of my job.I have worked for over 20 years helping hundreds of schools all over the North East, to understand all the data they collect on each and every pupils in school; assessment, attendance and behaviour.
I joined Lynnfield School because, after helping so many schools from a distance, I wanted to help at least one school up close. After years of studying data on thousands of pupils over many years I know that, no matter what your background, if you work hard and make the right decisions along the way, you can achieve your potential. My hope is that by working together we can do this for every pupil in our care.

Mrs Elaine Collins,

Hello my name is Elaine Collins and I have been a Governor at Lynnfield School for many years now. I originally joined the Governing Body as a Staff Governor. Then I became a co-opted member and am now an associate member of the Newly Federated Governing Body of Golden Flatts and Lynnfield Primary Schools.
I have worked at Lynnfield School since 2004. I am currently a HLTA in Leo’s, the 2 year old provision attached to Lynnfield School.
I am a parent and grandparent and very passionate about ensuring that all children have the best childhood they can have. I also strive to support, in the best way I can, children and their families to ensure that they become well rounded individuals.

Mr Abdelmenem Abobghala

Hello, my name is Abdelmenem Abobghala. I am qualified at undergraduate level in Electrical Electronic Engineering, I hold a Master’s degree with distinction in Engineering Control System and Instrumentation from Huddersfield University, and recently I have completed my PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Huddersfield Institute of Railway Research. I am also very knowledgeable in the area of mathematics, having taught the subject voluntarily from 2006 to the present in Libyan schools both in Libya and the UK, and for private students at undergraduate and Master’s level.
Regarding my specific knowledge in the area of railway engineering, my PhD has involved the modelling of railway systems in Vampire and Matlab/Simulink. Having spent around eight years working in a power station I have gained practical experience in operating, testing and commissioning equipment such as generators, transformers, gas and steam turbines, heat recovery steam generators and distillation power plants. All of this was managed through the central control room and locally.
While working at the power plant I also regularly supervised several universities students who visited to undertake projects and learn about the industry. During my time working at the power plant in the 2011 Libyan revolution, myself and a team of around ten others volunteered to run the power station (which normally has a staff of around 300) for a period of five days.

Mr Chris Simmons,

I am passionate about the provision of equality of access to first class teaching and learning for all young people, and have done everything I can to support this.
1966-1996 secondary school teacher
1996-2011 secondary school Administration Manager
1969-2005 Founder and Musical Director Hartlepool Youth Choir
1974-2008 British Federation of Young Choirs Board Member and Vice Chair
2005 Admitted as an Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Hartlepool for service to music education
1996-2009 European Federation of Young Choirs Board Member (President 2003-2006)
2006-2015 Councillor HBC (inc. Lead Member Children’s Services and Chair Children’s Services Committee)
2007-2018 LA Governor Lynnfield School
1996-2019 Governor West View Primary
2015-2019 Ad Astra Academy Trust V. Chair of Trustees West View Project – Trustee and V. Chair West View Advice and Resource Centre – Trustee and Treasurer Hartlepool Young Musicians’ Trust – Chair of Trustees Hartlepool Schools’ Forum – Governor Rep.
I have been married to Maureen for 52 years. We have three daughters, eight grandsons and two great grandsons in our family.

Register of Governors’ Interests 2017-18

Governing Body Dates 2016-17

Register of Governors’ Interests 2016-17

Golden Flatts Committee Structure Nov 16

Register of Governors

Golden Flatts Committee Structure Nov 15

Instrument of Government 2015

Governor Training Record