As Headteacher of Otterburn Primary School and Nursery, I have led the school since January 2023, providing strategic leadership to ensure it continues to deliver a high-quality, inclusive education for all children. I am originally from Northumberland, trained at Aberdeen University and spent many years teaching in Scotland. I bring significant leadership experience from small, rural school settings, including my previous role as Headteacher at Craigellachie Primary School in Moray. I value the nurturing environment that small schools provide for children.
My daughter attends Otterburn Primary School, and my husband is also a primary teacher in Northumberland. I have strong family connections to the Isle of Harris, which continue to shape my appreciation of rural communities and the important role schools play within them. I am currently completing the NPQ for SENCOs to further strengthen leadership of inclusion and ensure that pupils with additional needs are well supported to achieve their full potential.
Otterburn is a small school with an ambitious and dedicated staff team. I believe that effective governance relies on strong collaboration and clear communication between school leaders, staff, governors, parents and pupils. Staff governors bring valuable insight, bridging the gap between strategic decision-making and day-to-day practice. I value the role of the governing body in providing both support and challenge to ensure the best possible outcomes for all pupils.
My name is Helen. I am the year 4, 5 and 6 teacher at Otterburn Primary School and have been in post since 2016. I have been teaching for over 20 years and have taught all year groups in many different types of schools.
I am passionate about teaching children and enjoy seeing the progress they make as they learn something new or achieve something for the first time. I love the outdoors and believe this time can be very beneficial in both learning and in the emotional development of the children.
Outside of school I am married with two children. I enjoy family time especially camping, walking and gardening.
My name is Cliff, I am aged 67. I was born in Northumberland and I have also lived in Lancashire, Shropshire and Worcestershire throughout the course of my working life as an Engineering manager in the construction plant environment. After partially retiring in 2013 I moved to Elsdon, I am now enjoying being active in the local community. I am involved in several ways including being a member on the committees of Elsdon Projects in the Community and Elsdon Village Hall. I have also been active with North Tyne Youth group since 2015.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, photography, music and sailing.
As a governor of Otterburn Primary & Nursery I hope to help and enable the staff to ensure the children in our community receive the best education and successfully enjoy their time at school.
Mrs Sara Jackson
I have been able to hear the sound of children playing at the school since I moved to Otterburn from east Northumberland in 2020. Rural living and the countryside are core parts of who I am, and I want to support that way of living for our rural schools and community. I have lived in Northumberland for most of my life only leaving to study, returning once I had qualified as a veterinary surgeon. Having worked in various practices throughout the North-east I am now self-employed doing some clinical work, teaching and volunteering for my profession and community.
Outside of work I am married to Guy, who was a land agent and now works for Durham Cathedral. We share our house with my parents and three dogs; in our spare time we are out with hounds, walking or spending time with friends.
It is a privilege to support our school and I am looking forward to working with my fellow governors, teachers and parents to help it continue thriving.
I am Reverend Claire and joined our governing body in November 2022.
I have been ordained in the Church of England for 13 years, and arrived in Northumberland in Spring 2022.
I am passionate about education and opportunity at all stages of life for everyone, and particularly enjoy storytelling.
Before being ordained, I worked as an engineer for EON for twenty years, and have an eye for strategy, processes, and making good connections - whether by wiring or building good relationships!
I try to offer pastoral and practical support in Ottterburn School.
I enjoy walking, singing (sometimes at the same time) and reading detective stories and love learning about history.
I am Jo, Mum to Seth and Elsie who attend Otterburn Primary. I joined the Governors in November 2022 as I wanted to become actively involved with the education of my children and their peers. I am interested to see how the school runs 'behind the scenes' and look forward to helping the Governors in any way I can.
I am the Community Development Officer for the Ray Wind Funds, where the education and opportunities for local children are a priority. I help my partner on the family farm when I can and also run our holiday cottage.
I am Chair of the school PTA and try to participate when I can, be it asking for raffle prizes, manning a stall or making tea and coffee.
I grew up in Ponteland until my family moved to Yorkshire when I was a teenager, having returned North in the last 10 years I am enjoying being part of a close knit rural community.
Hi, I’m Sarah – a proud parent at the school and the owner of a local hotel. We moved to the area from Lincoln in January 2023 and it quickly felt like home. I joined the governing board because I care deeply about the school’s direction and want to better understand how decisions are made. I’m here to offer what I can from my years in business - whether that’s practical insight or a fresh perspective - and I’m equally looking forward to learning alongside the board as we help the school thrive.
Hi, I'm Gemma, I have two boys at Otterburn Primary School & Nursery, James and Billy. I decided to become a Parent Governor as I wanted to support and be involved in the education and well-being of all children at the school. I hope that I can continue to help, assist and build, on the already great foundation, that school and education should be a safe, fun and rewarding environment.
I am a qualified Costs Lawyer and an advocate and a strong believer in positive mental health and well-being. I hope the knowledge, skills, and experience that I have gained in both of these roles will be of benefit to the school as it continues to grow and flourish.
Outside of work I enjoy reading, learning German and exercising. As my boys grow-up I hope I can also pass on to them my love for travelling and exploring.