Governor Pen Portraits

  • Mrs Carolyn Letts

    Co-opted Governor - SEND and Pupil Premium Lead from Nov 2023

    carolyn.letts@swarland.northumberland.sch.uk

    I have recently retired as a lecturer in speech & language therapy at Newcastle University. Over the years, I have carried out clinical work as an SLT, helped to train SLT students and developed research. My particular interests lie with child language development and developmental language difficulties, and this has always involved working with schools and nurseries.

    We moved to Swarland in January 2002, and I have always very much enjoyed village life as well as walking in the surrounding area. I became a member of Newton on the Moor and Swarland Parish Council in February 2021 and part of my role as governor will be to represent and liaise with the parish council.

  • Mr David Hume

    LA Governor (Nov 2023)

    david.hume@swarland.northumberland.sch.uk

    I have lived in Felton since 1985. My children went to school in Felton and Alnwick. Following a career in architecture and teaching, I worked for Northumberland LEA initially as Humanities Advisor and, from 1990 to 2000, as the Head of School Improvement. I subsequently worked as a self-employed Leadership and Management trainer/consultant, working in the education sector from Early Years to Universities, and in the wider public and private sectors. My work took me across the UK, Europe and the Far East. I retired (more or less) in 2012.
    My main personal interests now are my family, music, writing and climbing.
    I hope to bring some of what I’ve learned to support Swarland Primary School. I am particularly interested in the wider, creative curriculum, and in children’s mental health. I believe that small rural schools are ideally placed to offer safe, happy and meaningful opportunities for children, and are at the heart of bringing together local communities.

  • Mr Phil Eastlake

    Mental Heath & Well-being - Co-opted Governor

    phil.eastlake@swarland.northumberland.sch.uk

    I was born in Portsmouth but moved to Northumberland in 1976 and Swarland in 1999. I joined the Board of Governors in 2018.
    Recently retired my career was in genetic analysis e.g. cancer profiling. After running my own company, I had senior roles in a US biotech organisation, travelling extensively, meeting prominent scientists and presenting scientific conferences.
    I have joined the Board of Governors' Finance and Staffing subcommittee and supporting Human Resources.
    Apart from being a Governor, I have other voluntary work as Treasurer of the Swarland Moor Local Heritage Group, helping with writing grants for local history projects and Exeter University. Travel is now for pleasure, I also enjoy birdwatching, playing chess, reading and gardening.

  • Miss Suzannah Knight

    Parent Governor

    My name is Suzannah Knight and both of my children attend/attended Swarland Primary school.
    In my professional life, I have worked with children with additional needs and children with emotional and behavioural issues.
    I would like to use my previous experience to help support the children and their parents/carers in any way possible.
    I feel that the school will continue to go from strength to strength as it is a nurturing environment that helps to build the children's resilience and confidence.

  • Mrs Emma Reid

    Parent Governor

    I’m Emma and I am mum to two children who attend Swarland Primary School. I grew up in the Scottish Borders and now live in Longframlington, after spending a number of years working and living in the Newcastle area. Swarland school reminds me of the village school I attended as a child; I feel lucky that my own children get to experience a similarly small and nurturing primary school during their formative years. As a clinical psychologist I have spent a number of years working with children and adults who experience significant mental health challenges, alongside their families, carers and other professional supporters. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to contribute to the parent voices within the board of governors, whilst offering insight from my professional life within a mental health context.

  • Dr Stephen Hinchliffe

    Co-opted Governor

    I moved from the North West to Northumberland in 1993 and have lived in Swarland since 2001. After some years in academic medicine, I moved into general practice pursuing a training and educational role until my retirement in 2020.
    Over the years I have witnessed the school’s unwavering commitment to its role and feel very fortunate that my family has been able to benefit from it.
    I am confident that the school will continue to flourish as it strives for every child to fulfil their potential to lead a contented life.

  • Mr Rob Woods

    Staff Governor

  • Mr Will Hopkins

    Parent Governor