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Oxclose Road, Washington, Tyne And Wear, NE38 7NY

0191 691 3940

office@columbiagrange.org.uk

Columbia Grange School

Little Steps, Big Aspirations For All

Meet the Governors

Our governors page is currently being updated, please bear with us, while we make the necessary changes.

 

Chair of Governors (06/10/21)

Mike Bones

(Safeguarding/Child Protection/L.A.C & P.L.A.C and Environment)

My name is Mike Bones originally from North East Lincolnshire area, with a happy, go lucky, you can do anything if you put your mind to it attitude,

When I was 19 I left home joined the army and never looked back, I settled in North East of England in 2001 and I have worked in the Recruitment and Transport industry ever since.

I have been a Co-Opted Governor at Columbia Grange School since December 2015, I have sat on both finance and Personal committee’s for several years and have had the honour of being the Chair of Governors from September 2020.

Head Teacher

John Lines

Columbia Grange is my second special school headteacher post, one of the many appealing factors around joining is the very committed governing body. I have worked in education and autism since 1996 and although I have experienced a lot I'm still happy to learn. I am a governor for another local school. Away from school, I am a father to two boys, one teenager and one young adult. My main weekend interests are football and cycling, although I have just rediscovered a love for model kits. I enjoy DIY and motor vehicle engineering. My favourite TV shows are Strictly Come Dancing, Mastermind and University Challenge.
I am at my happiest when I see others- especially pupils being happy and engaged in an activity they enjoy

Vice-Chair (06/10/21)

David Howe

(Pupil Premium)

More information to follow ...

Deputy Head

Rosie Walker

I have had the pleasure of been Deputy Head of Columbia Grange since 2004. As Deputy I have been part of the dedicated team that has seen the school grow and become the outstanding provision it is today.

In the 20 years I have been at Columbia Grange I have been determined to ensure that the best possible outcomes can be achieved for all our pupils by working as a team with pupils, parents, staff and governors.

Derek Freeman

(Communication)

I am Derek Freeman and I have been a Governor of Columbia Grange and its predecessor Wellbank for almost 20 years part of this time as Chairman for 8 years.

I joined the Rotary Club in Washington with whom we had some existing links and built up from there.

I have been involved in much entertainment with the children including days out at Hall Hill Farm and Flamingo Land , Beamish Museum and courtesy of Fenwick's, we used to visit their Christmas windows and receive gifts from Santa for the children.

I have been Chairman of the Finance Commitee for the last 10 years and look forward to navigating the school through it's next phase of development.

I have lived in Washington for over 30 years with my wife and 2 daughters.

Terry Goulding

(Teaching and Learning)

I’m a retired IT Manager, married for over 50 years, and apart from my governmental duties my main hobbies are golf and music. Music-wise I play drums to performance level and guitar to bedroom-strummer level (ie: quite badly!) and I am active in helping the children engage in music performance activities both within school and in the various inter-school concerts throughout the year.

Harry Trueman

Local Council Governor

More information to follow ...

Dawne Taylor

 Staff - Finance and Premises

I have been a member of Columbia Grange staff since we opened in 2003. I am a class based senior HLTA and have worked in all areas of school including early years, key stage one and two. I have been a staff governor for over eight years and I am committed to providing a happy, safe and nurturing environment for our pupils to achieve their potential.

I have a passion for the outdoors and within school promote outdoor enrichment. I organise class sessions within our amazing school ground including ‘Outdoor classroom day’ a worldwide event which happens twice a year promoting outdoor learning. I run parent and carer training sessions sharing ideas for exploring the outdoors with their children and I am part of the Friends of Columbia Grange committee helping to organise fundraising events in school including disco’s, afternoon teas and Christmas fayres.

Julie Hickin

I am retired from adult education working with adults with SEN and being DSL for over 10 years. 

I am currently working as a Health Advisor for the NHS answering 111 calls, which is a part time role with maximum satisfaction helping others. 

I’ve been a governor at Columbia Grange since October/November 2021 and am looking forward wars to getting stuck into the role more in the coming months. 

Veronica Sweeting

(Parent - SEND)

I  am passionate about raising autism awareness and acceptance within our local community.  This resonates with me as a mum of two of the most beautiful, kind and caring daughters, both with a diagnosis of autism that presents differently and requires bespoke strategies to support them as individuals. 
Furthermore, driven by my own experience as a SEN parent I am proud to be part of our school governing body. This experience will not only enable me to share my experiences but also to learn from the whole community. I will be an advocate for children with SEN and ensure all our children receive the support they need and help maintain the schools already high standards

Dawn Dobson

(Parent)

Hi everyone, I'm Dawn. I've been a parent governor here at Columbia Grange for over a year.  My son has been a pupil here for 4 years.  I became a governor so I could  see what makes our school so fabulous.  During my time as governor I have gained a whole new perspective into the work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure our children receive the highest quality, tailored education that best suits their individual needs. The dedication and commitment to learning from all of the staff here is second to none. In my role as governor I attend meetings to discuss any issues affecting the school and our children and brainstorm ideas and suggestions on ways we can improve our school.