Governing Body
Local Authority Governor:
Cllr. E. Hopgood
Foundation Governors:
Dr M. Clarke, Rev. P. Kashouris, Mr J. Knight, Mr D. Tait, Mr B. Westwood (Vice Chair), Dr J. Noble, Mrs A. Tomlinson
Parent Governors:
Mrs K. Holland (Chair) and Mr E. Spencer
Staff Governors:
Mrs D. Wilson-Smith (Headteacher), Mrs L. Wass (Office Manager)
Governor Profiles
Local Authority Governor
Cllr. E. Hopgood
I am an elected member of Durham County Council and the City of Durham Parish Council. I can confirm that I do not have any other relevant business interests including other Governor positions and that I do not have any relationships with members of the school staff including spouses, partners, or relatives. There are no other conflicts of interest.
Foundation Governors
Dr Martin Clarke
I am an academic in the Music department at The Open University. I have served as a Foundation Governor at St Oswald’s since the summer of 2015. I am active in the local community as a church organist. I can confirm that I do not have any relevant business interests including other Governor positions and that I do not have any relationships with members of the school staff including spouses, partners, relatives. There are no other conflicts of interest.
Rev. Peter Kashouris
I am a Governor at Shincliffe School and Durham High School for Girls as well as St Oswald’s School. I can confirm that I do not have any relevant business interests and that I do not have any relationships with members of the school staff including spouses, partners, relatives. There are no other conflicts of interest.
Mr Jacob Knight
I am a consulting engineer with Ove Arup & Partners in Newcastle, having returned from working in Africa in 2015. I attended St. Oswald’s School as a child in the 1970s and have strong family links with both the school and St. Oswald’s Church. My son recently attended the school. I can confirm that I do not have any relevant business interests including other Governor positions and that I do not have any relationships with members of the school staff including spouses, partners, relatives. There are no other conflicts of interest.
Mr Ben Westwood (Vice Chair)
I am a Foundation Governor and my children attended, or have attended, St. Oswald’s Primary and Nursery School. I am currently employed by the Portable Antiquities Scheme (British Museum) as the Finds Liaison Officer for Co. Durham, Darlington and Teesside, and previously worked as an archaeologist for Durham University Archaeological Services. As such I have a particular interest in the teaching of history and the humanities, and in my role as governor I am currently a member of the Curriculum and Standards Committee. I have been an active member of the Friends of St Oswald’s for many years, and formerly held the position of chair. I am a Parent Governor at Durham Johnston Comprehensive School. I can confirm that I do not have any relevant business interests including other Governor positions and that I do not have any relationships with members of the school staff including spouses, partners, relatives. There are no other conflicts of interest.
Mr David Tait
I work for the Church of England Education Office as Deputy Director of SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) and previously served as headteacher of a primary school in County Durham. I am Deputy Director of SIAMS and have declared this interest. I can confirm that I do not have any other relevant business interests including other Governor positions and that I do not have any relationships with members of the school staff including spouses, partners, relatives. There are no other conflicts of interest.
Mrs Amy Tomlinson
I am a foundation governor and was previously a parent governor. My children currently attend the school. I am actively involved in the friends of the school group. I am a qualified social worker and have worked in statutory child and family roles throughout the North east of England. I am particularly interested in the Early Years Foundation Stage, safeguarding and pastoral care. I can confirm I have no relevant business interests associated with the school nor do I have any relationships with members of the school staff. I have no other conflicts of interest to declare.
Dr Jane Noble
I can confirm that I do not have any relevant business interests including other Governor positions and that I do not have any relationships with members of the school staff including spouses, partners, relatives. There are no other conflicts of interest.
Parent Governors
Mrs Kate Holland (Chair)
I can confirm that I do not have any relevant business interests including other Governor positions and that I do not have any relationships with members of the school staff including spouses, partners, relatives. There are no other conflicts of interest.
Mr Edward Spencer
I can confirm that I do not have any relevant business interests including other Governor positions and that I do not have any relationships with members of the school staff including spouses, partners, relatives. There are no other conflicts of interest.
Staff Governors
Mrs Donna Wilson-Smith (Headteacher)
I am an associate governor at Durham Johnston Comprehensive School. I can confirm that I do not have any other relevant business interests including any other Governor positions and that I do not have any relationships with members of the school staff including spouses, partners, relatives. There are no other conflicts of interest.
Mrs Leanne Wass (Office Manager)
I can confirm that I do not have any relevant business interests including other Governor positions and that I do not have any relationships with members of the school staff including spouses, partners, relatives. There are no other conflicts of interest.
Information on terms of office can be found here.
Committees
Some of the work of the Governing Body is conducted through committees. Our committes are as follows:
Finance, Premises and Personnel (Chair: Jacob Knight)
Curriculum (Chair: David Tait)
Admissions (Chair: David Tait)
Pay Review (Chair: Ben Westwood)
Headteacher Performance Management (Chair: Martin Clarke)
Pupil Discipline (Chair: Ben Westwood)
Special (Chair elected as necessary)
Annual Governance Statement For The Governing Body 2026
Details of terms of office can be found here.
