Meet our Academy Council
Ex-Officio Priest in Charge
Anthony Smith
My name is Anthony Smith, and I moved to Middleton St George in the summer of 2023 to be the vicar of the 'Riverside' parishes (Middleton St George, Hurworth, Girsby and Dinsdale). As vicar, I was offered a place on the Academy Council, and I was delighted to accept. I'm excited about supporting the school in its identity as a church school, as well as being a supportive presence to children and staff alike. The parish church in Middleton St George worships on Sundays in the school building, so I'm especially keen to ensure that there is a strong relationship between the church and the school. I trained for ministry in Durham and then spent four years in Spennymoor before moving to Middleton St George. I have also been an organist, an astronomer and a software developer.
Ex-Officio Headteacher
Mrs Judith Skirving
I am very proud to be Headteacher at St George's CE Academy and I absolutely love my job working with our amazing children and dedicated staff. Since my appointment in September 2022, we have worked so hard to create Team St George and have built strong relationships with our families and the local community. I have a wealth of experience having worked in a wide range of schools around the country including Scotland, London, Cambridgeshire and Lincoln due to my husband's previous occupation as a Squadron Leader in the RAF. We relocated back to Teesside with our two children in 2006 and I worked as Deputy Head at St Aidan's CE Memorial Primary in Hartlepool for 10 years before moving to become Headteacher at Bishopton Redmarshall CE Primary School. In my spare time, I play Principal Clarinet in Teesside Symphony and play percussion for Silverwood Wind Band.
Mr Ben Dobson
I am the staff academy councillor at St George’s Academy and have worked here for around ten years. As part of my role I am the staff’s voice on the Academy Council and was elected by vote in 2020. In my spare time I take part in historical living history events which aids me in running the after-school history club. Most recently I have been appointed as an adult instructor in the Royal Air Force Air Cadets and am keen to encourage more cadets to experience the thrills of flying high with the RAFAC.
Miss Anne Vernon
Hello my name is Anne Vernon and I am an Assistant Director of Education for the Church of England Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Joint Education team. I have been in education for all of my working life and still absolutely love supporting and being with children, staff and parents. My first teaching appointment was in Wallsend quite some time ago and since then I have been a subject lead, senior leader, headteacher and worked in school improvement for a local authority.
My passion is working to ensure that all children receive the very best education possible, enjoy their learning and are prepared for their future lives.
In my spare time I love reading, gardening, doing lots of different crafts and trying to keep fit!
I feel very privileged to be able to join the St George’s family.
Mrs Pauline Weighell
My first career was in Accountancy and then I went back to University to become a Social Worker. I worked for three different Local Authorities, which has enabled me to enhance my career from preventative interventions, therapeutic work with individuals and families and Looked After children. I am now in the third stage of my life -retirement, but still very enthusiastic of spending time in a positive way. I have helped as a volunteer in a centre for adults with drug and alcohol addiction and I am currently involved with a Campaigning Group for Pensioners and take a lead role at conferences. The most important role I have in life is being a parent to five children and am also now blessed with fourteen grandchildren.
Education is for life and I want our children to have the very best experience learning, enjoying a happy and safe time during school life.
Councillor Colin Pease
I originally hail from Irlam, Manchester, until leaving school and joining the RAF as an Apprentice Electronics Technician. I served for 34 years in various regions of the UK including Northern Ireland, Belize, the Falklands, Bosnia and Cyprus. I was commissioned in 1993 and left the service in 2005 in the rank of Squadron Leader when I was head hunted by Cobham Aviation Services at Teesside Airport, where I worked as Operations Manager until retiring in 2014.
In retirement, I have occupied my time with voluntary work, primarily Age UK, and still run a weekly Veterans club. I have also served as Chairman of the Parish Council, before being elected as a Ward Councillor for Sadberge and Middleton St George.
My wife, Helen, and I have lived in Middleton St George since 2008. We have 4 grown up children and 3 grandchildren between us.
Mrs Rachel Denham
I'm delighted to join the Academy Council by way of nomination via the Parochial Church Council. Being able to explore what it means to practice faith as part of a church school is a wonderful opportunity for children, which can bring support and strength throughout childhood and beyond for those who choose it.
I'm a financial planner and business owner, having previously held roles in project management and administration in my earlier years. Education has been a large part of my life, throughout all of my life and continues to be so. As a parent of two adult sons, I know from experience how important it is for children to be well supported in their learning and for there to be variety in how that learning takes place.
I'm very happy to be able to support this through the Academy Council.
Mr Simon Gerner
Bio to follow
