Governors’ Biographies

Mr S Watson – Chair of Governors

It has been my pleasure and privilege to be Chair of Governors since the school first opened in September 1995. I’m very proud of everything the staff and many pupils have achieved in that time.

I see my role as helping build an effective governance team with all the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to play a significant part in the strategic leadership of the school and support school improvement. I also work closely with the Head Teacher, hopefully offering challenge, support and encouragement. I have found the role both worthwhile and demanding.

I have lived in Ingleby Barwick for coming up to 27 years, so have obviously seen a lot of change in that time, I still find it a nice place to live and have no intention of ever moving on.  

By profession I am an Engineer and for the last 15 years have run a Control Systems Engineering company based locally. In my spare time my wife and I like to get out onto the moors and walk. I’m also a keen cyclist, mostly mountain biking, but as with many guys my age the mind is more willing than the body!

Mrs B Atkinson – Headteacher

I feel privileged to have been appointed as Head Teacher at Ingleby Mill Primary School from September 1st 2016. This is a great school with wonderful, polite, enthusiastic children, supportive parents and an active governing body.

Having graduated from Exeter University, I spent the first 16 years of my teaching career in Exeter schools before moving back to the North East to be closer to my family. I spent seven years as a Head Teacher at a one-form entry school in Bishop Auckland before moving to a larger school in central Stockton.

Here at Ingleby Mill Primary School, I love working with the whole community, building on our many strengths as well as continually striving for ways to improve what we do for the benefit of the children.

Mrs C Thomas – Vice Chair of Governors

I am married and have two daughters, both of whom I feel received an excellent start to their education at Ingleby Mill Primary School.

I have been a Community Governor for over 12 years with a particular interest in Finance and Human Resources.  Having trained in Public Sector Finance, I worked for 14 years supporting schools within the Local Authority before becoming a School Business Manager over 9 years ago.  This experience has provided me with a deep understanding of the many responsibilities faced by schools, plus first hand knowledge of how schools are financed and the challenges this may bring.  

Along with the rest of the Governing Body, I offer support and challenge where needed and a different dimension to the strategic leadership of the school.  I am proud to be part of the school team in the journey to provide an excellent education for all. 

Mr B Wilson

I am married and a father of two children.  My eldest daughter Amy, who is now entering her final year at Secondary School, attended Ingleby Mill from the age of three and my youngest daughter Libbie is entering Year 4.  I have witnessed many changes throughout their Ingleby Mill journeys but the nurturing and care that they have been shown has always remained constant and this is why they have flourished and grown within the Ingleby Mill family.  I am delighted to have been appointed as Parent Governor and know that it will be a far cry from my normal day to day Engineering Role but am sure that my girls will keep me in check.

Mrs H Nixon

I am married with 2 sporty teenage sons and have been a physiotherapist for over 23 years. For the past 15 years I have specialised in treating children, and currently work within the community of the Stockton and Hartlepool areas; however I also work at the Butterwick House Children’s Hospice 1 day a week.

The majority of my spare time is spent watching my boys play football, cricket or train and compete in athletics. They both attended Ingleby Mill Primary School and it was during this time that I initially became a parent governor. Both personally and professionally I have a passion for the health and wellbeing of all children. Within my role of community governor I am a member of the School Improvement Committee and also a link governor for SEN.

Mrs C Charlton

My name is Catherine Charlton.  Through my working life I worked in both social services and educational settings. I have a husband, a daughter and three granddaughters. Two are now in secondary education and one still attending Ingleby Mill. I have been a Governor for a number of years and have loved the role. For me it’s not just about attending meetings, although they are very important.  It’s also about spending as much time as I can in school. I am very privileged to know staff and children well and share a little of their walk. Sometimes it’s as an encourager or perhaps a listening ear. I feel that staff, children and their families have become my extended family and because of that I want the very best for each of them. I will always do whatever I can within my power to make it happen. I want to thank you all for allowing me this privilege in my retirement.

Mrs Karen Chohan

I am married with one daughter who currently attends Ingleby Mill.I am looking forward to my journey as a Parent Governor to have the opportunity to give something back to this fantastic school that has given my daughter the best educational start any parent could wish for.  As a Parent Governor I also sit on the Finance & Staffing Committee, so my 30 years banking experience should be well placed in this area.

During my short time in this role it has simply endorsed that our leadership team and staff are fully committed to having our children`s best interests and safety at the heart of everything.  As for me I love to travel and I am a keen Boro supporter.

Mrs Amy Lamb

I have lived in Teesside for the past 11 years after moving here from Newcastle. I am married with two children, one of which currently attends Ingleby Mill and is thriving thanks to the hard work of the staff within school. My daughter is due to start nursery next year and I am excited to see what her future at the school holds. 

I have been a teacher at a local primary school for the past 10 years and have been part of many changes in education during that time. I believe that working in education for 12 years has given me the knowledge and understanding to promote the best interests of all of our children.  

In my spare time I enjoy spending time at our beautiful coast, going to the theatre and shopping! 

Mr Jamie Stephenson

I live local to Ingleby Barwick with my wife so it is a pleasure to be a part of a school which has a sound reputation throughout our local area and beyond.

I work for Stockton Borough Council as an Operations Manager in the catering and building cleaning department however I have spent my time through my career in both community protection and civil engineering.  In my spare time, I like to keep fit by going to the gym, and training as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

In the short time I have been a part of the Governing Body, I can already see the level of love, care and passion that everyone has for not only the pupils but to everyone who is a part of school.

I am looking forward to continuing to build and sustain what is already a fantastic school.

Mrs Joanne Measor

I am the School Business Manager here at Ingleby Mill and have worked here for 11 years.  Both of my adult children attended Ingleby Mill when they were younger and, as my youngest child left primary, I started working here.  So, Ingleby Mill has been part of my family for 21 years.  I have to say that working here made me love our school even more as I see the love and care that is shown towards our children and colleagues here.  I am responsible for finance, HR, premises and health and safety, as well as overseeing the school office and administration procedures.  I enjoy travelling and recently started practising yoga.  

Mrs Kay Coverdale

I am Deputy Head Teacher at Ingleby Mill and have worked here for 7 years.  My daughter attended Ingleby Mill before she moved to secondary school.  I enjoy cooking and crafting in my spare time and also support a local secondary school by serving on their Governing Body.

Mrs Tracy McDonald

I am an Ingleby based, married mum of 3, whose children have or are currently attending Ingleby Mill Primary School. Our children have experienced the school from Nursery through to Year 6 and have always been fully supported throughout their learning journeys.

I have 14 years previous experience of working in the local chemical industry sector. I was keen to join and support the Governing Body as a Parent Governor when the opportunity arose in 2020.

Ingleby Mill Primary School is very much a caring school, where ‘every child matters’ Teaching staff and the whole school community are committed to providing their very best for the children.

Mr Ian Fryer

Mrs Lauren Rowling

Mrs Andrae Dent

Mrs Helen Malbon