Tudhoe Learning Trust Board of Directors
Tudhoe Learning Trust is governed by a Board of Directors that exists to oversee all activity within the Trust, provide strategic leadership, planning and direction through goals and objectives that align with our organisational aims and ethos.
The Trust appoints a Local Governing Body to each school that aims to be a locally invested, interested and skilled group of people who will provide support and challenge to the school in line with Trust objectives, school improvement planning and evaluation. Local governing bodies will also support senior leaders in certain decision making processes to ensure fairness, consistency and transparency.
Our Directors and Governors are unpaid volunteers who share our values and aims and are passionate about improving standards, outcomes and experiences for children as well as creating a desirable working environment for our staff.
Information about our Directors and Governors declarations of interest in relation to business and pecuniary interest can be found here Business and Pecuniary Interests 2023-2024 Declarations are sought annually and retained centrally. Governors and Directors are aware of their obligation to inform the Trust of any relevant or significant change in their circumstances.
Governors and directors perform a vital role and must set a high standard of conduct and expectation. More information about our Trust Governors and their Code of Conduct can be found here. If you are interested in supporting our Trust or one of our schools at a local level and you have relevant skills or expertise then we are interested to hear from you. To be considered please complete the application form.
Information about our Directors attendance and resignations is updated regularly and can be found here:
Active Trust Directors
Mr Ivan Whitfield – appointed 26 October 2012
Term of Office 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2025
Chair of Directors
Mr Whitfield was the Chair of Governors at Tudhoe Colliery Primary School for many years. He is a Director of Sport at Sunderland University and lives locally in Tudhoe with his family.
Mr Jim Smith – appointed 26 October 2012
Head Teacher, Tudhoe Colliery Primary School.
Executive Head Teacher / CEO, Tudhoe Learning Trust
Mr David Collins – Appointed 8 December 2017
Term of Office 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2025
Chair of Audit Committee
Mr Collins joined our Board bringing with him skill and expertise in finance from within the private sector.
Mrs Vivienne Ingleton – Appointed 13 July 2018
Term of Office 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2025
Director responsible for Safeguarding
Although now retired, Mrs Ingleton has a wealth of experience within education and remains active in school governance in primary, secondary and alternative provision settings.
Mrs Irene Cochrane – Appointed 27 March 2020
Term of Office 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2025
Vice Chair of Directors
Although now retired, Mrs Cochrane has a wealth of experience within education with local authorities.
Mr Damian Groark – Appointed 01 April 2022
Term of Office 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2026
The Trust is delighted to welcome Mr Groark to its Board. Mr Groark was previously a Headteacher for over 20 years and currently lectures at University,. He has a wealth of experience in leadership and financial management.
Mr Vincent Robson – Appointed 28th March 2024
Term of Office 28th March 2024 to 27th March 2028
Mr Robson has a wealth of commercial experience within education and sport.
Resigned Directors
| Name | Appointed | Resigned |
| Mrs Sheila Isobel Palmerley | 16 May 2014 | 9 June 2016 |
| Mrs Juliet Price | 26 October 2012 | 10 June 2016 |
| Mrs Carole Smith | 26 October 2012 | 12 May 2014 |
| Mrs Lindsey Moses | 26 October 2012 | 7 April 2017 |
| Mr Robert Robson | 1 September 2015 | 9 October 2017 |
| Mrs Rachel Kate Hodge | 01 September 2015 | 26 September 2017 |
| Mrs Joan Temple | 01 September 2015 | 30 September 2017 |
| Mr Derek Turner | 01 December 2012 | 25 February 2019 |
| Mr Mike Simpson | 01 December 2012 | 01 July 2019 |
| Miss Allison Boustead | 26 October 2012 | 1 October 2021 |
| Mr David Bowes | 26 October 2012 | 31 August 2022 |
| Mr Richard Coulson | 27 May 2021 | 15 February 2023 |
