Over December and January, Schools North East held its Trustee elections with a record turnout of responses from our Partner Schools. The results were extremely close with all candidates receiving a high proportion of the votes cast.
Schools North East is proud to announce that our new elected trustees are Mark Hall and Mike Butler. Mark and Mike will be joined by Christina Jones, a co-opted Trustee appointed at the Schools North East AGM, who will be joining the board to share her unique expertise in the Special School sector.
About the board
The Board of Trustees provides guidance on the Charity’s activities and is responsible for its governance with overall legal responsibility for the Charity, its financial sustainability, and its strategic direction. Trustees are elected by Partner Schools, with further Trustees co-opted to add specific expertise where required. In a time when ever increasing demands on our schools can be a barrier to collaboration, the role of the Board is to ensure that Schools North East meets and responds dynamically to the needs of North East schools and the children and young people they serve, now and in the future. Mike, Mark and Christina will be joining our current trustees including:
Chair of Trustees: John Hardy, OBE, St John Vianney Primary School
Vice Chair of Trustees: Dame Nicola Stephenson, ValourMulti Academy Trust
Dame Maura Regan DBE OBE, Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust
Colin Lofthouse, Smart Multi-Academy Trust Newcastle
Monica Shepherd, Carmel College
Kieran McGrane, Pele Trust
Kieran McLaughlin, Durham School
Kate Chisholm, Oakfield Infant & Junior School
Zoe Carr OBE, WISE Academies
Pete King, Federation of Mowden Schools
Jo Heaton OBE, Northern Lights Learning Trust
Mark Hall
Originally from Johannesburg, Mark Hall has worked in schools in Norwich and on Tyneside since September 2001. With family from Edinburgh the draw to understand his roots was always an interest so while South Africa was home for 35 years the opportunity to work in the UK fuelled his interest to understand how different education systems support change in society and the upliftment of communities. He took a science teaching role position in Norwich but was quickly promoted to Head of Key Stage 3 as the school, in Special Measures, drew on his prior experience and skills as Head of Science in Johannesburg. After 6 ½ years in Norwich, Mark was appointed as Vice Principal (Academic Standards) at Emmanuel College in 2008.
He held this post until April 2019 when the Emmanuel Schools Foundation asked him to spearhead their work in adopting Joseph Swan Academy into ESF under the new name of Grace College. The school has made significant advancements over the four years under his leadership developing a robustness and agility to educate and inspire all students from all backgrounds.
With experience in a broad range of contexts and across two national systems he is well placed to support the work of Schools North East and is committed to striving for an equality of opportunity and has a passion for a society based on deeper values and a greater commitment to seeking the good of others.
Mike Butler
For the last eight years, Mike has enjoyed the great privilege of being the Chief Executive of the Education Village Academy Trust in Darlington, a family of schools encompassing mainstream and specialist provision for children and young people aged 2 to 19, with an ethos that is inclusive and child-centred. Mike has held a wide range of leadership roles in schools, trusts and national organisations during a career in the education sector spanning more than three decades.
Earlier in his career, Mike led the transformation of two very different inner-city secondary schools, via the takeover of a failing school, into one of the first ever academies, which opened in 2003, when he became the Principal. The academy’s success was recognised by numerous national awards. Mike then led the creation of a multi-academy trust (MAT), incorporating primary, secondary and post-16 provision.
Mike was Chief Executive of the MAT, which co-sponsored and established a technical academy, and grew our primary provision. He has also been a consultant, and course facilitator for national leadership programmes, and has held a number of board positions over the years, including having been: a member of a special schools trust; a trustee of the National e-Learning Foundation (which works to overcome the digital divide and improve access); and a Director and Chair of the Independent Academies Association (the original sector body for academy leaders).
Mike is currently a member of the Education Strategy Group in Darlington and the Schools North East Advisory Board. He is passionate about the power of education to make a difference to the life chances of children and young people, particularly those who are vulnerable and/or disadvantaged. Mike also believes in the fundamental importance of networks and collaboration, and therefore is an avid supporter of the work of Schools North East.
Mike sees his previous experience of working with national organisations, where he frequently liaised with senior DfE officials and ministers, as being of value in contributing to the incredibly important lobbying work Schools North East does. With many years’ experience as a trustee of a number of different charities, Mike will help steer the organisation’s strategic development, and hopes to contribute further to events, in the way he has done previously, such as at last year’s Academies Conference.
Christina Jones
Christina is the CEO of River Tees Multi-Academy Trust. She has a background in school improvement, focussing on disadvantaged and vulnerable learners. A qualified SENCO, specialist teacher and SEND Reviewer, she has many years’ experience working with learners with mental health needs in mainstream and specialist settings.
As CEO of an Alternative Provision Multi-Academy Trust she sees the impact challenging behaviour and mental health needs have on educational opportunities. River Tees Multi-Academy Trust’s team work with learners who struggle to attend school, or to engage appropriately while there. The Trust’s whole child approach to Personal Development draws on best research and practice. The curriculum is constructed to support learners in challenging situations, quickly identifying disruptions and filling them so every learner has the chance to succeed.
River Tees Multi-Academy Trust has four Alternative Provision academies and a Hospital Teaching Service in the North East (based in Middlesbrough and Gateshead) offering aspirational education to the most disadvantaged learners. The Trust is due to open a Free Special School for the Tees Valley in 2022.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, commented:
“We are extremely proud to welcome our three newest trustees, Mike, Mark and Christina. They all offer diverse skill sets and experience that will enhance the work of the Board and ensure a broad representation of school voices.”
The elections involved votes from all of our Partner Schools. If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School Programme click here.
We love to hear good news from North East Schools, to share your news with Schools North East please tag @SchoolsNE on Twitter or apply here.
