Our Governors

Chair of Governers and Safeguarding Link Governor

My name is Mike Bones originally from North East Lincolnshire area, with a happy, go lucky, you can do anything if you put your mind to it attitude,

When I was 19 I left home joined the army and never looked back, I settled in North East of England in 2001 and I have worked in the Recruitment and Transport industry ever since.

I have been a Co-Opted Governor at Columbia Grange School since December 2015, and prior to conversion to becoming part of Oak Learning Trust, I sat on both finance and Personal committees for several years and have had the honour of being the Chair of Governors from September 2020.

My Link Areas: Safeguarding and Blue Pathway

Headteacher

Vice Chair of Governors

I have been a governor at Columbia Grange School for a number of years and I enjoy offering challenge and guidance in meetings. The school is always a lovely environment to enter and I enjoy my visits to school.

I work in finance and my major interests centre around family time and playing some golf.

My Link Area(s): Red and Rainbow Pathways

Staff Governor

I have been a member of Columbia Grange staff since we opened in 2003. I am a class based senior HLTA and have worked in all areas of school including early years, key stage one and two. I have been a staff governor for over eight years and I am committed to providing a happy, safe and nurturing environment for our pupils to achieve their potential.

I have a passion for the outdoors and within school promote outdoor enrichment. I organise class sessions within our amazing school ground including ‘Outdoor classroom day’ a worldwide event which happens twice a year promoting outdoor learning. I run parent and carer training sessions sharing ideas for exploring the outdoors with their children and I am part of the Friends of Columbia Grange committee helping to organise fundraising events in school including disco’s, afternoon teas and Christmas fayres.

My Link Area: Website

Parent Governor

Parent Governor

Hi everyone, I'm Dawn. I've been a parent governor here at Columbia Grange for over a year.  My son has been a pupil here for 4 years.  I became a governor so I could  see what makes our school so fabulous.  During my time as governor I have gained a whole new perspective into the work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure our children receive the highest quality, tailored education that best suits their individual needs. The dedication and commitment to learning from all of the staff here is second to none. In my role as governor I attend meetings to discuss any issues affecting the school and our children and brainstorm ideas and suggestions on ways we can improve our school.

My Link Area: Attendance

Community Governor

I am currently the Headteacher at Fellgate Primary School and I am enjoying the opportunity to support and challenge Columbia Grange School as a Community Governor.

 My Link Area: Wellbeing

Parent Governor

Hello, I am Sophie Crichton parent of a child who has just started his time in this school and I am already seeing changes in his behaviour. He skips to school and is so excited upon arriving at the gates ready for his day with the brilliant team. I feel blessed that he has a place in such a lovely, specialized school in the heart of our community in Columbia where we as a family reside; I have lived in the area all my life and it really is home.
It is an honour to work alongside a team that continues to succeed in our children’s education as they are essentially who we do this for.
Since my son's diagnosis at twenty-two months old, I have a felt a strong sense of passion for children’s education and being able to have access to all things beneficial to their journey with autism. I understand as a parent the challenges that you are faced with and can relate to the worries and anxiety that it comes with along the way.
I am a nurse by trade having worked in various trusts and I am currently a service manager for a specialized mental health unit in Gateshead many of which have a learning disability or diagnosis on the spectrum. I understand the strategic vision and ethos of a service and my role is to help develop innovative new ideas and maintain a high standard. I engage with stakeholders, creating seamless pathways for all and improve data and insights for great decision making; I also understand the needs for our community with the focus of being there for people whilst championing equality, diversity and inclusion for all.
I really prize this opportunity to support the school and all of the dedicated staff.

My Link Area: Green Pathway

Staff Governor

I have worked at Columbia Grange since 2013, initially as a lunchtime supervisor and now as a teaching assistant. I have been afforded the opportunity to work with the most wonderful people in the world- our pupils and also to develop my skills through Continuous Professional Development which led to me gaining my Teaching and Learning qualifications. The school have really supported this and it is no wonder that I, like many others fell in love with the school when my two children first attended Columbia Grange. My love for the school and experience is from both sides, a parent and a colleague. My children were very happy here and learned valuable life skills which has led them to both being wonderful young men that I am immensely proud of and I’m proud to be able to pass that knowledge and those skills on to the children in school today. 

My Link Area: SEND