Dear Parents and Carers,

On behalf of the Governing Board, I would like to warmly welcome you to our school. We are delighted that you and your child are part of our school community.  

Springwell is a unique and special place, where we place the wellbeing, safety and happiness of every child at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to be a school where children are known as individuals, supported with care, and encouraged to achieve in ways that matter to them.

As governors, our role is to work closely with the Headteacher and staff to ensure the school provides a high‑quality education, meets its statutory responsibilities, and continues to develop in ways that best support our pupils and their families. We are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive and respectful environment where children can thrive and parents feel listened to and valued.

Springwell strongly believes that the best outcomes for children happen when the school and families work together. Your knowledge of your child is incredibly important, and we encourage you to share your thoughts, concerns or ideas with us – your voice matters.  We operate an ‘open-door’ policy which encourages parents, carers and families to visit the school at any time, and there are also many activities and events throughout the year where you can see and celebrate your child’s achievements.

For those of you whose child is just starting at Springwell, we appreciate that starting at a new school can be a big step, for children and families alike. Our staff are dedicated, skilled and compassionate, and they will work closely with you to support your child’s learning, development and wellbeing. We hope you and your child will quickly feel safe, settled and confident as part of our school community.

We look forward to getting to know you and working together to make your child’s time at Springwell a positive and fulfilling experience.

With very best wishes,

Kathryn Crowder

Chair of Springwell School Governing Body

Kathryn Crowder, Chair of Governors 

Until July 2025 I was the Principal Educational Psychologist for Hartlepool Borough Council and in the past I supported Springwell School as their link EP for some years.  As a registered Educational Psychologist, I have worked with children across the full age range, as well as their families, schools and fellow professionals, in order to promote all children’s access to learning, as well as their social, emotional, physical and cognitive development.   I am also passionate about supporting the wellbeing of children and staff.   Before qualifying as an Educational Psychologist I worked as a Primary school teacher for 15 years, and have been both a teacher and a parent governor in the past. 

Jim Murdoch, Co-opted Governor

I am still a registered Social Worker after a 42-year career in children’s social work in several local authorities and the NHS. I have been a senior manager for Looked After Children, Fostering and Adoption Services and latterly I was the Business manager of Hartlepool Safeguarding Children Board. I have been a member of the PRU Management Committee for several years, including 2 years as Chair. Since retiring I act as an Independent Visitor for 10 children’s homes in the region and undertake complaints investigations against local authorities.

Caroline Derbyshire, Staff Governor

I am an assistant headteacher at Springwell School and have worked here for 18 years. During my time at Springwell I have taught across all age groups and have had the pleasure of teaching children with a wide variety of needs. I am currently the lead for the team of children who are working on Glitter and Bronze Pathways. I also offer advice and assistance town wide to a number of schools with regard to SEND and specifically autism.

Fiona Stobbs, Vice Chair of Governors

I am Fiona Stobbs and I am Senior Advisor for Inclusive Learning & SEND for Hartlepool Borough Council. I started teaching in 2010 as a Teacher of SEND in a Mainstream Secondary school, where I was part of a team setting up an Additionally Resourced Provision for children with Autism. In 2016, I came to work at a secondary school in Hartlepool as a Senior Leader with responsibility of Inclusion, where I was also the SENDCo.  I am now in a position where I get to work with all schools across Hartlepool, championing Inclusion and developments in SEND.

I have previously been a Governor at Springwell and I am delighted to be back as part of the team.

Rona Pout, Parent Governor

Hello, my name is Rona, I am a parent governor and am a proud mother of twin boys: one of whom is autistic, nonverbal and a pupil of Springwell school.

 Outside motherhood, I work within the NHS as a physiotherapist, and I am currently the clinical lead for the community services within the Middlesbrough locality for both physiotherapists and occupational therapist.

Outside of work I am a long-term volunteer for the Autism Parents Together charity, which serves families within the Teesside area providing families with exclusive events such as soft play, swimming and cinema trips.

Kelly McLean, Staff Governor

I am a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) working in team Asia and have worked here for 19 years. During this time, I have worked in many areas within the school supporting children of all age ranges and varying needs. I have also had the opportunity to do outreach to other schools within the town supporting a variety of children with additional needs within their own school.

Leanne Baister, Parent Governor

I am a mum of two beautiful boys, one who has a diagnosis of Down Syndrome. I am a qualified Learning Disability Nurse and worked in Learning Disability Nursing for many years. A short while ago I moved jobs to work at Daisy Chain supporting the Family Support Services and families who have children with neuro diverse needs. For quite sometime I have supported other charities such as Down Syndrome North East where I worked as a trustee and volunteered. I recently have moved across to work with a relatively new charity Little SENDsations working with families who have children with an array of SEND needs. I have an in-depth knowledge of SEND and have a great interest and passion in this area.

Our Clerk to the LGB is:

Andrew Dunn who can be contacted C/O Extol Trust, Eldon Grove Academy, Hartlepool, TS26 9LY.

Tel. 01429 272040

Business Interest of the Accounting Officer: Governance | Extol Academy Trust