Academy Committee
Margaret Armstrong - Chair of the Academy Committee
I have a long and happy association with Belsay School having lived in the area for over 36 years. Both my children attended Belsay continuing their education through the Ponteland schools. Over the years I have been a parent helper, an active member of the PTA and a Governor at both Belsay and Richard Coates Middle School. All my working life has been in education, initially as an English teacher and then as the SEND Coordinator at Ponteland High. I am now retired and a very proud Granny of four pre-school children.
I hope I can help to support Belsay in providing the highest quality education for all students and celebrate their success. I would also like to be part of ensuring that Belsay continues to serve the local community in its own unique way as part of the Pele Trust.
Margaret is our link Academy Committee Member for SEND and Curriculum.
Paul Woodford - Vice Chair of the Academy Committee
Parent Member
I am Northumbrian born and bred. We moved to near Belsay in 2009. Our children Ralph (yr 5) and Otis (Rec) started their Belsay lives first at the pre-school before progressing to the main school. I am keen to promote the diverse activities that rural schools have to offer in order to help ensure their future viability. I want to ensure that, as much as possible, all of the children get the most out of their education in a safe secure setting.
Professionally I am a Partner and Head of Department at a Solicitors firm in Newcastle.
Paul is our link Academy Committee Member for Equalities, Staff Well-being and Health & Safety.
paul.woodford@belsay-school.uk
Tory Dodd
Elected Member
Emily Moffat
Parent Member
I grew up in Northumberland and attended Belsay School, you can still spot some of my art work on the hall wall! I graduated from The Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester in 2012 with a BA(hons) in Agriculture and returned to work on the family farm near Capheaton. You will generally find me herding cows, lambing sheep, sorting horses or rushing around after my husband and children.
I have three children, who attend Belsay School.
I joined the School Governing Body as a Parent Governor and look forward to being supportive and part of the decision making of our unique, rural school.
Emily is our link Academy Committee Member for RHE.
Interested in joining our Academy Committee?
If you are interested in joining our Academy Committee, or would just like to find our more about what that entails and how you can support, please follow this link https://www.peletrust.org.uk/governance or contact either:
Margaret Armstrong - margaret.armstrong@belsay-school.uk
Craig Shaw - admin@belsay-school.uk
Kieran McGrane - k.mcgrane@peletrust.org.uk
Former Academy Committee Members who have served in the past 12 months:
Peter DeWesselow - 2 March 2023 to 29 February 2024 (when appointed to Pele Trust Board of Directors)
Sarah Peto - 5 November 2020 to 5 November 2024
Paul Laidler - 29 February 2024 to 13 September 2024
Demi Houghton - 19 October 2020 to 19 October 2024