Board of Governors
Welcome from the Chair of the Board of Governors, Miss Victoria Duncan
“Red House School really will give your child a foundation for life. The school provides a bespoke education for its pupils who are given the opportunity to be the best that they can be. Our pupils excel in so many different areas of school life.
Red House’s reputation is longstanding and one of which we are extremely proud. We have been providing a wonderful learning environment for over 90 years.
Red House has a beautiful setting in an ideal location. The School continues to grow and develop whilst retaining its strong sense of family and small class sizes.
As Chair of the Board of Governors I can personally assure you that we are dedicated to maintaining and developing our fantastic school and giving all of our children the very best that Red House has to offer”.
Contact Details
Victoria Duncan
Chair of the Board of Governors
Red House School
36 The Green
Norton
Stockton on Tees
TS20 1DX
T: 01642 558119
How to Become a Member of the Board of Governors
Information is sent out to parents prior to the AGM. To stand for election for the Board of Governors, a person must be a member of the Company and must be proposed and seconded by other members.
Parents are advised to discuss the matter in advance with an existing member of the Board of Governors. Please email the Head or telephone the School Office on 01642 553370 if you wish to contact a member of the Board of Governors.
It is important to remember that the Board of Governors does require people with expertise to contribute to the running of the School as a business.
Mr V Bedi – Honorary President
Mr J Robson MBE – Honorary Vice-President
Board of Governors
Miss Victoria Duncan - Chair+
- Committees: Chair to Board of Governors (sitting on the Management Committee and attending all other Committees, as appropriate).
- Member of Board of Governors Since: November 2015.
- Three children in School.
- Professional/Business background: Judge.
- Other interests: Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at Harbour (domestic abuse charity).
Mr Ken James - Vice Chair and Secretary+
- Committees: Management.
- Member of Board of Governors Since: November 2015.
- Professional/Business background: 25 years in teaching, including 5 years as Headmaster of Red House. Currently General Manager of Letz Live, placing gap students across the globe and supporting schools as an education consultant. I am also Chair of Trustees at another independent school.
- Other interests: The theatre, both visiting and performing.
Mr Simon Barnbrook - Governor (LGBTQ+)+
- Committees: None.
- Member of Board of Governors since: November 2023.
- One child in school.
- Professional/Business background: Primary school teacher since 2000. I have worked with a range of age groups and taught a range of curriculum areas. Specialist in computing and ICT with a special interest in learning outside the classroom.
- Other interests: Enjoy walking and swimming as well as being an active member of the 1st Norton scout group; Assistant scout leader and assistant explorer scout leader.
Mr Stuart Blackett - Governor+
- Committees: Management.
- Member of Board of Governors since: November 2021.
- Two children in School.
- Professional/Business background: Retired as Chief Financial Officer of Railpen as of Spring 2024. I am also Vice Chair and Chair Designate of Governors at the Education Training Collective (Etc.) in the Tees Valley and East Cleveland.
- Other interests: Running, golf and holidaying with my family.
Mrs Leanne Boyd-Smith - Governor (Safeguarding)+
- Committees: None.
- Member of Board of Governors since: November 2021.
- Two children in School.
- Professional/Business background: Over 20 years experience of working in the NHS as a Speech and Language Therapist. Currently working as a Senior Manager in NHS. Previous experience of being a school governor and trustee for a local charity.
- Other interests: Any spare time I have is spent with my family or catching up with friends. Weekends are often spent either shopping or walking our dog!
Mr Adam Chaffer - Governor+
- Committees: None.
- Member of Board of Governors since: November 2025
- Attended Red House School as a pupil between 1998 and 2006.
- Professional/Business Background: I am a Barrister at Trinity Chambers in Newcastle upon Tyne and specialise in construction and commercial disputes, along with education law. Before joining the bar in September 2022, I spent seven years as an associate solicitor.
- Aside from my practice as a barrister, I am also an accredited mediator and an associate member of the Civil Mediation Council. I am the author of the Law Society’s Litigation Handbook and also contribute articles to the Construction Law Journal.
- I have previously being a Governor at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2013 to 2018), a Director of Visit Northumberland (2022- 2024) and the Independent Person for Standards at the Northumberland National Park (2022-2024).
- Other Interests: I enjoy the outdoors and will often be found walking or kayaking in the Lake District. I am also a keen chef, having undertaken cookery schools in England and Scotland and have a keen interest in history borne out of my time at Red House School.
Mrs Henrietta Jones - Governor+
- Committees: Management.
- Member of Board of Governors Since: November 2023.
- Attended Red House School as a pupil from 1997 to 2006.
- Professional/Business background: After over a decade in the corporate world – most recently leading enterprise risk management at a Fortune 500 company – I made the exciting leap to pursue my lifelong passion for handmade ceramics. I now work full time as a self-employed potter, focusing primarily on wheel-thrown tableware. Shifting from a global business environment to running my own creative practice has been a rewarding challenge: I’m now hands-on with every aspect of the business, from throwing mugs to managing finances and marketing. Earlier in my career, I worked as a civil engineer on diverse projects, from offshore oil and gas platforms to supporting the British Army in modernising their UK-based facilities. I remain a Chartered Member of the Engineering Council, a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and hold certification from the Institute of Risk Management.
- I’m proudly dyslexic and a strong advocate for making STEM subjects inclusive and accessible to all. It’s this belief that inspires me to give back to Red House—to help ensure every child is championed, included, and encouraged to aim high.
- Other Interests: When I’m not elbows-deep in clay in my home studio, I’m out on the hockey pitch playing socially with my local club. I love combining creativity, sport, and community—values I first found at Red House and still hold close today.
Dr Fiona Hunt - Governor (Wellbeing, Safeguarding)+
- Committees: None.
- Member of Board of Governors Since: November 2019.
- Three children in School.
- Professional/Business background: Acute Medical Doctor, James Cook University Hospital.
- Other interests: I enjoy sport, particularly skiing, running, football and yoga. I love to travel and go camping with my family. I am a keen quizzer and passionate about music. I can play the Trumpet.
Mr Keith Ketchley - Governor+
- Committees: Health & Safety, Carbon Steering.
- Member of Board of Governors since: November 2024.
- One child in school.
- Professional/Business background: Keith has worked within the construction industry over the past 25 years and currently works as an Associate Director of building performance and sustainability. Most recently he has worked in delivering several Net Zero Carbon Schools throughout the North East.
- Other interests: Gym, skiing, campervan trips.
Ms Sally Kitching - Governor (SEND)+
- Committees: Education.
- Member of the Board of Governors since November 2024
- Taught English at Red House for just under five years
- Professional /Business background: Retired in July 2024 after 35 years in the teaching profession. Studied English at UCL, and taught predominantly in London, teaching English, but also holding a range of posts including SenCo, Assistant Head and Teacher Governor.
- Other interests: enjoying the freedom of retirement which has afforded the time to walk, read, swim, cook and spend time with friends and family
Mr Bhuvnesh Majupuria - Governor+
- Committees: Management
- Member of Board of Governors Since: November 2023
- Attended Red House School as a pupil.
- Professional/Business background: Director at a National Business Advisory firm. Qualified accountant.
- Other interests: playing sport (Tennis and Cricket) in particular and travelling.
Mrs Rachel Scott - Governor (EYFS)+
- Committees: Education.
- Member of the Board of Governor’s Since: November 2022.
- One child in school.
- Professional background: I have a degree in Human Resources Management. I started work in HR, then progressed to HR IT Systems and then Project Management. I have been responsible for managing large-scale IT and business changes which have improved user and customer experience in the manufacturing and energy industries. I currently work as an Operational Manager for the NHS.
- Other interests: my biggest joy in life is spending time with my family. I also enjoy good food, yoga, meditation and exercising on my Peloton.
Miss Kate Starkie - Governor+
- Committees: None.
- Member of the Board of Governor’s Since: November 2025.
- Attended Red House School as a pupil from 1993 to 2004.
- One child in school.
- Professional background: I am a qualified Chartered Accountant and have spent most of my career to date working in the Construction/Manufacturing industry. I spent a number of years in the role of Finance Director and have now moved across into a Commercial Director role for a large National Housebuilder.
- Other interests: in my spare time I enjoy riding my horse and long dog walks, as well as teaching my daughter to ride her pony!
Mrs Michelle Watson - Governor+
- Committees: None.
- Member of the Board of Governor’s since November 2025.
- One child in school.
- Professional background: I have a degree in English studies, an MSc in Service Improvement, multiple post grad qualifications in Leadership and Management. I started life in retail, progressing through the world of HR, then started life in the NHS 22 years ago. Managed large programmes of transformation and change. I am a trained mediator and coach. Significant experience as a senior leader, working at sub board level. I currently work as Senior Manager for the NHS.
- Other interests: I love spending time with my family. I also enjoy holidaying with friends and Formula One.
