Jeremy Bell

Job title / organisation: Retired

Length of time as a governor: Since Oct 2008

Governor role: Foundation Trust Governor

Committee involvement: 

Vice Chair of Governors

Chair of Admissions Committee

Finance & Resources Committee

Pay Review Panel

Headteacher Appraisal Panel

Link Governor: Reading

Link Governor: Gosforth Schools' Trust

SIP Working Group: Reading

Background information: 

 A retired diplomat with almost two decades of involvement in the state education system.

What you hope to bring to the governor role:

Drive where change is required. For my school, a continuation of our holistic approach to learning - to emphasise sports, music and drama, as well as pure education.

Main interests/hobbies:

 Travel, sport and international affairs.

 

Dave Bronsgeest

Job title / organisation: GP, Medical Director for Derwentside Primary Care Network

Length of time as a governor: Since May 2023

Governor role: Parent Governor

Committee involvement: 

Curriculum & Pupil Performance Committee 

Link Governor: SEND / Child in Care (CIC)

Background information: 

I am a senior partner in our GP surgery and Medical Director for Derwentside Primary Care Network. My oldest son is currently in Year 6 in GCMS, my youngest is joining GCMS next year.

What you hope to bring to the governor role:

In my clinical work, I have a passion for a personalised hollistic patient centred approach. My experience in leading and managing our business as well as my experience in my role as Clinical Director can be useful in my contribution as parent governor. All my work requires adaptive, collaborative working and decision making in a NHS system that is under constant strain, not dissimilar to the working environment in an educational setting.

Main interests/hobbies:

As a family, we have a keen interest in sports in general (particularly competitive swimming, Formula 1 and running). We love to travel - making our holidays into little adventures by combining activities with experiencing local people and cultures. My personal passion lies in skiing, running and I have recently started Taekwondo.

Max Davey

Job title / organisation: Coming soon!

Length of time as a governor: Since July 2026

Governor role: Co-opted Governor

Committee involvement: 

Coming soon!

Background information: 

Coming soon!

What you hope to bring to the governor role:

Coming soon!

Main interests/hobbies:

Coming soon!

Stephen Davies

Job title / organisation: Coming soon!

Length of time as a governor: Since September 2025

Governor role: Co-opted Governor

Committee involvement: 

Coming soon!

Background information: 

Coming soon!

What you hope to bring to the governor role:

Coming soon!

Main interests/hobbies:

Coming soon!

Chris Haves

Job title / organisation: Data Manager, Smart Multi-Academy Trust

Length of time as a governor: Since June 2021

Governor role: Co-opted Governor

Committee involvement: 

Co-Chair of Curriculum & Pupil Performance Committee

Link Governor: Digital Technology

SIP working group - Remote learning

Background information: 

I am an experienced education data analyst who has worked in the education sector for 16 years. This includes working with both maintained and academy schools in roles that have included school performance analysis, population forecasting, data protections, IT and finance.

What you hope to bring to the governor role:

I hope that my experience in working in the education field will allow me to understand and support the school in a diverse range of areas

Main interests/hobbies:

I enjoy cycling (as much as time allows!), gaming (including owning several vintage arcade machines), and spending time with my family (including touring in our VW camper van).

    

Lucy Johnson

Job title / organisation: Skills Facilitator, North East LEP.

Length of time as a governor: Since Oct 2020.

Governor role: Co-opted Governor.

Committee involvement: 

Pay Review Panel

Headteacher Appraisal Panel

Link Governor: Careers & Enterprise

SIP working group - Enterprise

Background information: 

I currently live on a farm in the countryside of rural Northumberland where we have both cattle and sheep. Having worked in the education and enterprise sector for the past 8 years both here in the North East and North West I was keen to use my experience to support the staff and pupils at GCMS.

What you hope to bring to the governor role:

Using my experience and knowledge of the North East, skills priorities in the region as well as the education sector, as a governor I hope to support decision making and help shape key issues and priorities within the school with a focus on careers and enterprise education.   

Main interests/hobbies:

My main interests and hobbies include singing, listening to country music and going on walks making the most of the beautiful coastline in Northumberland.

Sarah McCrea

Job title / organisation: Coming soon!

Length of time as a governor: Since June 2026

Governor role: Parent Governor

Committee involvement: 

Coming soon!

Background information: 

Coming soon!

What you hope to bring to the governor role:

Coming soon!

Main interests/hobbies:

Coming soon!

Lois Scott

Job title / organisation: Head of Region (North East), Axiom Maths

Length of time as a governor: Since Oct 2024

Governor role: Co-opted Governor

Committee involvement: 

N/A

Background information: 

I have been a secondary Mathematics teacher for 17 years and have held a variety of leadership positions within schools, most recently with responsibility for Timetabling and Data. This year I have moved on to take up the position as Head of Region - North East for Axiom Maths. I live locally and have two young children.

What you hope to bring to the governor role:

My skills and experience of teaching maths in different settings across the country and my complete passion for enhancing the lives of all young people through quality education and opportunities.

Main interests/hobbies:

Reading, walking in the countryside and quality time with family and friends.

 

David Slipper

Job title / organisation: Head of PE, GCMS

Length of time as a governor: Since Sept 2016

Governor role: Co-opted Governor

Committee involvement: 

Admissions Committee

Finance & Resources Committee

Background information: 

I have been a member of staff at GCMS since 1986 and have held various positions of responsibility - presently, I am the Head of PE.

What you hope to bring to the governor role:

I will represent the views of the staff on the governing body, and hopefully contribute from my 30 years of teaching experience.

Main interests/hobbies:

Sport in general, sports coaching, and socialising with friends and family.

  

Deeanne Smith

Job title / organisation: Headteacher, GCMS

Length of time as a governor: Since Oct 2016

Governor role: Associate

Committee involvement: 

Admissions Committee

Curriculum & Pupil Performance Committee

Finance & Resources Committee

Background information: 

I started at GCMS as Assistant Head in 2013 and became Deputy Head in 2016. I became Headteacher in April 2022, ably supported by the amazing GCMS team.

What you hope to bring to the governor role:

Over 20 years experience in education, accountability, and understanding of working in high pressure environments from a previous career in neurosurgery nursing.

Main interests/hobbies:

Books are my passion, alongside long dog walks and dancing. Spending time with family and friends is a must and I endeavor to do so as often as possible.

 

 

Jayne Thorpe

Job title / organisation: Retired Teacher

Length of time as a governor: Since May 2014

Governor role: Co-opted Governor

Committee involvement: 

Chair of Governors

Admissions Committee

Chair of Curriculum & Pupil Performance Committee

Acting Chair of Finance & Resources Committee

Headteacher Appraisal Panel

Link Governor: Safeguarding

SIP working group: Reading

Background information: 

I have had 3 job titles - Nurse, Mother and Teacher. I nursed for 9 years, then had 6 children - all of whom attended Gosforth Central Middle School, and was a teacher at a Gosforth first school for 12 years. I have been retired from teaching for 2 years.

What you hope to bring to the governor role:

The skills and experiences from teaching, my knowledge from 17 years involvement with GCMS both as a parent and governor, my understanding of the Gosforth community, a desire to ensure all children achieve their potential - not just academically - from their time at GCMS and to fulfil all governor requirements effectively.

Main interests/hobbies:

Walking, theatre and music, reading.

   

Joe Veitch

Job title / organisation: Head of Enterprise, GCMS

Length of time as a governor: Since Oct 2023

Governor role: Staff Governor

Committee involvement: 

Curriculum & Pupil Performance Committee

 Background information: 

I have worked at GCMS since my NQT year in 2019. The magnificent support offered to my by the staff at GCMS has allowed me to feel supported and challenged in my role.

What you hope to bring to the governor role:

I hope to effectively liase between staff and governers, accurately represent the views of staff and ultimately improve outcomes for pupils!

Main interests/hobbies:

I am a keen sportsperson (especially cricket and football). I love reading and studied English Literature for my undergraduate degree.