Governance 

Prior to his involvement with the Laidlaw Schools Trust and The Children’s Foundation, Peregrine worked for two of the North East’s leading Companies: Vickers plc (later BAE Systems plc) and Scottish and Newcastle plc. His role for both companies took him all over the World and gave him a fascinating and unrivalled experience working across different cultures and different organisations. Peregrine still consults for a number of start-up companies, helping them to develop their businesses internationally. Although he has not been directly involved in education before joining the Trust, Peregrine grew up in a school, his brothers both teach and he is married to a teacher. He fully supports the Trust’s aim of improving the opportunities and life-chances of some of the most disadvantaged children and young people in the North East of England.

David has been a Governor at SHPA for almost 6 years, which currently makes him the longest serving Governor at the school. In that time he has held a number of roles, including Chair for a year, currently in the role of Vice Chair.

David’s career has been entirely in Primary Education, holding several positions at a number of schools, including Head Teacher.

Although he has been retired for over a decade, David still feels that it is important to remain in touch with the education system, and hopefully, help the school and colleagues with his wealth of educational expertise that he has gained over the decades.

David’s wife and he have 3 adult children, and 4 grandchildren, one of whom is at SHPA, and one at Academy 360.

Education is forever evolving and changing with a multiplicity of new initiatives and strategies, and he thinks that it is vitally important, especially in these uncertain times, to support all concerned at SHPA, staff, parents, friends of the school, but most importantly, children!

Thomas was born in Hylton Road, Sunderland and attended local schools until he left to follow an electrical apprenticeship at Wearmouth Colliery. Over 25 years he worked in various collieries, ending this career at Easington Colliery.

Following the closure of Easington Colliery, Tom was employed by Rolls Royce as a Commissioning Engineer. This work required him to work at power stations , naval ships, shore installations and other engineering projects. This led to his current role working for VMS on motorway installations and communications.

Tom was aware that Governors had a role to play in supporting schools and over the years, meeting other serving governors, wanted to use his experiences  in life and work to benefit and support the activities of a school community

Patricia has a background in Education spanning over 40 years. She taught in schools across Durham and Sunderland for 20 years and was Head Teacher for the remaining 20 years, retiring from Academy 360 in 2011.

Patricia had previously been Head Teacher at Quarry View Primary and thus she knows the community of schools in the area, and understands both the advantages and challenges facing staff, students and parents today. She has the welfare of staff very much at heart as they are at the centre of enthusing and encouraging students to learn and achieve.

Since retiring, Patricia is an independent volunteer panel member for admission and exclusion appeals. This role gives back help and support to Sunderland LA, parents and students.

Patricia is proud to say that she loved her career and, in becoming a Governor, will continue to share her enthusiasm at South Hylton Academy.