Richard Martin – Parent Governor

Originally from Dorset, I moved to Northumberland in 2017 with my wife and two young children. Our youngest child currently attends NCEA Castle School. With over 20 years of experience in custodial settings, I now hold a senior position as a prison manager.

In my spare time, I enjoy exploring Northumberland, taking my Chow Chow for walks, following Rugby Union, and cooking. I am honoured to have been appointed as a Parent Governor in November 2023.

Sally Collins – Governor

Alex Wardle – Governor

I am a Regional Health and Safety Manager and work for a Manufacturing company called AkzoNobel which operates in the same community as Castle School, and the Northumberland Church of England Academy Trust, in Ashington.

I have worked closely with the Trust on community initiatives and supporting students through education into employment for many years and in 2019 was delighted to join the local governing board of Castle School. The safety and happiness of the teachers and students in our school is of utmost importance to me and our governors are very supportive of the team at Castle school to enable this.

John Steward – Governor

Presently, I serve as the Director of Education at the Percy Hedley
Foundation, where my responsibilities entail overseeing operations at two
SEND schools and a college, in addition to my role as Headteacher at
Percy Hedley School. Cambois is my place of residence.

Throughout my career journey, I’ve held diverse leadership positions within
the SEND sector, including roles as a SEND Head, Principal, Executive
Head, and similar capacities involving the management of Headteachers.
I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with three different local authorities,
two independent SEND companies, and now with PHF, a charitable
organization.

My expertise lies in curriculum development, assessment strategies, and
monitoring pupil progress, areas I believe are particularly valuable. In the
realm of SEND, my experience spans a wide spectrum, covering areas
such as SEMH (formerly known as Behavior), various manifestations of
Autism, CAMHS, the PMLD/SLD/Engagement sub-sector, FE, and
providing support to children in care, all accumulated over the past two
decades.

Earlier in my career, I worked within mainstream education and held
significant responsibilities in children’s social care, including serving as a
Registered Manager overseeing residential schools and children’s homes.
Additionally, finance and HR have been areas of substantial involvement
for me, having served as Managing Director and CEO of independent
SEND provider companies.

I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to make meaningful contributions
to the Board, school, and Trust.

Mike Nash – Parent Governor

Patrick Ford-Hutchinson – Headteacher

As the proud Headteacher of NCEA Castle School since January 2023, I am deeply committed to ensuring that every student, especially the most vulnerable in society, has the opportunity to reach their full potential. With 15 years of experience working in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) provisions, I am passionate about creating inclusive environments where every child can thrive. Living and working in Northumberland, I cherish the opportunity to spend time outdoors and appreciate the region’s rich and diverse landscapes, which inspire me in both my personal and professional life.