SCHOOLS NorthEast welcomes new Chair
John Hardy
SCHOOLS NorthEast is delighted to welcome John Hardy as the new Chair of Trustees. John was appointed last week at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting and is taking over from David Pearmain, who has served as Chair since SCHOOLS NorthEast was first established eight years ago.
John is also the Head Teacher at St John Vianney Roman Catholic Primary School in Hartlepool and, prior to his recent appointment, has been part of the SCHOOLS NorthEast Board of Trustees.
Looking forward to the future of SCHOOLS NorthEast and education in our region, John said: “I am thrilled to have taken up the position of Chair of SCHOOLS NorthEast after serving as a Trustee for so many years. The hard work and commitment of everyone at SCHOOLS NorthEast, our Partner Schools and supporters has seen the organisation flourish under David Pearmain’s leadership. My aim is to carry on investing in our culture of constant improvement and development. I look forward to continue working with you, promoting and supporting the mission and vision of SCHOOLS NorthEast, and helping our region’s schools reach their fullest potential. ”
Iain Veitch
The Board has also undergone a few changes, and we would like to welcome Iain Veitch, Head Teacher at Park View School in Chester-le-Street, as the new Vice Chair, as well as the following new Trustees:
Monica Shepherd, Head Teacher at St Anthony’s Girls’ Catholic Academy (Sunderland)
Dame Nicola Nelson-Taylor, Head Teacher at Beech Hill Primary School (Newcastle)
Kieran McGrane, Head Teacher at Ponteland Community High School (Northumberland)
Elizabeth Hayes, Head Teacher at Boldon School (South Tyneside)
Prior to John Hardy’s appointment, David Pearmain had led the organisation from its very first few days when it was set up in 2007. Mr Pearmain looks back at the past years with great fondness, saying that: “SCHOOLS NorthEast developed from being just an idea to becoming the voice of schools in our region. I am extremely pleased with our work up to this point and, undoubtedly, SCHOOLS NorthEast will continue to go from strength to strength under John Hardy’s leadership.”
SCHOOLS NorthEast Director, Mike Parker, said: “David Pearmain has been an incredible dynamo for the organisation. His leadership and drive set a tone which enabled SCHOOLS NorthEast to become a deeply ingrained and valuable part of the region’s education landscape. We are delighted that David will continue to be a presence as a co-opted trustee for the coming year.
“John Hardy is a highly regarded leader, both within the region and on the national stage. He has the ear of Government and a strong understanding of the current direction of travel for school policy. We very much look forward to working with him over the coming years.”