Our Academy Council

From 1st November 2017 our school became part of the Durham Diocesan MAT (company number 10847279). The company information and details of members and directors of the MAT are available at www.durhamdmat.co.uk

For the company documents, including the funding agreements, click this link: http://www.durhamdmat.co.uk/Our-Faith/

For the policies (including whistleblowing, complaints, finance, etc) click this link: http://www.durhamdmat.co.uk/Policies/

This means that many of the roles our governing body undertook are now overseen by an Academy Council. We are fortunate and grateful that our governors moved forwards with us are now serving the school on this council. Their details are listed below.

Please click the link to access the Signed Scheme of Delegation

(Whilst the document no longer applies, if you wish to see the St Aidan's Instrument of Governance for historic purposes, click this link)

Amended Schedule 2 to the Scheme of Delegation

scheme of delegation updated table.pdf

Current Academy Council Members

Mrs Deborah Robinson - Chair

I have served as a member of St Aidan's Governors for many years. As a teacher myself, I am passionate about education and ensuring all students are given opportunities to thrive and move into the next chapter of their lives in the best position possible.

Being a mum of 3, I am also able to offer support and guidance from a parent’s point of view which can be difficult when you are restricted to the guidance provided by government and an academic influence.

When not working, I love spending time with my children doing craft activities, swimming and baking. We love the outdoors and are always willing to try new things, especially since the pandemic and putting our wellbeing to the forefront of our lives.

Mrs Ellen Gardner - Vice Chair

Hello, my name is Ellen Gardner and I have had many roles over many years within St Aidans school, ranging from pupil, parent, Chair of FOSA and now academy councillor.

My professional background has been with the Civil Service and also as a Nursery Nurse /Teaching Assistant and a 1 to 1 support worker within the education sector.

I am passionate and committed about continuously improving standards within our school and to see that all pupils get the quality education they deserve and to achieve their maximum potential, before moving onto the next phase of their lives.

Mr Brian Hays

I am a retired Contracts Specialist/Senior Buyer and have worked in the Supply Chain Departments for Steel and the Petro-Chemical Industries located in Teesside.

I am a member of St. John Ambulance, in Durham County for over 42 years’ service. Starting as Cadet at the Hartlepool Division and then rising through the ranks finally to be the County Commissioner for Durham County until my retirement. I am now a member of the Order of St John, Durham County Priory Group support the works of the Order.

I have been a practicing communicant of St. Aidan & St. Columba’s Church for over 50 years and also the Deanery Synod representative for St. Aidan’s Church.

Mr Patrick Reeve

I moved to Hartlepool in August 2024 with my wife who is Rev. Becky Reeve. I am presently working as the mission enabler for the Central Hartlepool Group Mission Project for the churches of St Aidan's, St Columba's, St Luke's and All Saints Stranton. I bring past experience in engineering, management and having been a site manager in a large primary school in Derby. In voluntary work I have been involved in church youth work, organising Diocesan walking pilgrimages and homelessness. To me, life is a pilgrimage, a journey we share with others as we walk each other home.

Mrs Lesley Small

Hello, I am Lesley.

I have served as a Children's Minister / Sunday School Leader at St. Aidan's Church for the past ten years, helping children to develop their faith in God through arts, crafts, stories and plays.

Previous to that I worked as an Occupational Therapist, although I worked in many disciplines some of my work was with Paediatrics.

I have also worked with Victim Support helping children who have suffered with abuse and sexual grooming through counselling and court cases.

I am a mother of three grown up children and four grandchildren, who loved to engage in any crafts and baking. Two of my children are Dyslexic and my daughter has Dyspraxia and I have helped both through school, college and university.

I love spending time with children and offering any help and support to help them grow in confidence and gain the potential they need to thrive in our society. I am hoping to be of support to any children, staff or parents in St. Aidan's wonderful school.

Ex Officio

Rev. Becky Reeve

I have been priest of St Aidan’s Church since September 2024, and am still getting to know Hartlepool as I was previously a curate in Derby. I am really glad to be able to be part of the life of a lovely, vibrant school like St Aidan’s and will be doing what I can to help support the Christian ethos of the school. Before training for the priesthood I have always worked in education, starting off as a class teacher in years 6 and 4; then as a lecturer at 6^th form college; then in an educational group working with marginalised and excluded young people and then as a SENCO in a 3-19 school. I am married to Patrick, who will also be working as part of the mission of our group of churches as a project lead, and we have 6 cats and a dog called Wulfstan. When we are not working we enjoy hiking and exploring the area- we are loving being in this part of the country.

Parent Academy Councillor

Mrs Gemma Smith

I am a full-time mother, with 2 young boys, who both attend St. Aidan's school. Before taking time out to be a mother, I worked for the Police for 13 years. Now that my boys are both nearing full time education age, I wanted to volunteer my time to the Academy Council in any way that I could, not only to support my children and the school, but to be a voice for the other parents where possible.

At home I am still very much in 'Mum mode', running around after my 2 boys, my husband and trying to remember to walk the dog before the various school run pick-ups and drop offs. I very much understand the busy life of a parent and know that school plays a huge role in our lives too, not just for the children and teachers.

I hope that I can be a friendly face that parents can approach when they need help with any concerns.

Parent Vacancy

PARENT VACANCY

Staff

Miss Gillian Hood

My name is Gillian Hood and I have been Headteacher at St. Aidan’s since September 2023. I have worked in education for over 24 years, beginning my teaching career in a large community primary school in Darlington. I have been a senior leader at St. Aidan's for 15 years and consider it to be THE most special, caring place - a place that feels like home to us all.

I am extremely passionate about education and have high aspirations for all children. I think that all children deserve the best possible education and the chance to be the best they can be, through strong and nurturing teaching and learning.

I live at home with my partner and our teenage daughter. We enjoy spending time as a family, exploring the world in our motorhome. I also enjoy attending gym classes and have a strong love of reading.

Staff Vacancy

STAFF VACANCY

Our Academy Council

Current Academy Council Members

Ex Officio

Parent Academy Councillor

Staff

AC Meetings - Record of Attendance

AC - Declarations of Interest

Academy Council - Statutory Updates

DNDLT - Governance Handbook