Newcastle City Learning Advisory Board
Newcastle City Learning has an active Advisory Board which provides challenge and rigour as well as advice. The Advisory Board is made up of elected members, community representatives, staff and learners of the establishment. The Advisory Board's Chair is Melissa Middleton.
Advisory Board terms of reference
Advisory Board membership
- Cllr Rob Austin - Liberal Democrat, Fawdon and West Gosforth, Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Youth Service
- Ian Dawson - Head of Educational Development and Inclusion
- Julie Fernyhough - Chief Executive Officer JET - Jobs, Education and Training
- Gillian Forrester - Head of Newcastle City Learning
- Cllr Stephen Lowery - Reform UK, Walkergate Ward
- Kash Malik - Parent Advisor
- Melissa Middleton - (Chair) Economic Policy Advisor: Digital Focus, Gateshead Council
- Garry Nicholson - Staff Advisor
- Violet Rook - Community Advisor
- Martin Snow - Community Advisor
Advisory Board member job description
Meetings for 2026 to 2027 (to be announced when dates agreed)
Full Advisory Board
Finance sub-committee
Performance sub-committee
Accountability structure
Within Newcastle City Council, Newcastle City Learning (NCL) sits within the Children and Families Directorate.
Local authority
The Head of Service is held accountable for the delivery of NCL strategic Priorities, and ensuring that the Newcastle City Council values and behaviours are at the centre of all that we do.
The Head of Service is held accountable by the Assistant Director of Education in order to achieve key outcomes for the Council, residents, and city.
Newcastle City Council Advisory Board
The Advisory Board’s purpose is to provide support and challenge in all areas of the service’s work.
The board provides challenge to the service from our stakeholders including staff, students, businesses, and residents of the city of Newcastle to ensure that the service continues to meet the needs of the local community.
North East Strategic Mayoral Authority (North East MSA)
The North East MSA have responsibility for the devolved adult education budget, including the Tailored Learning Fund.
The North East MSA hold the service to account to ensure that public funding is being spent appropriately to meet the needs of the wider local authority area and that they are receiving good value for money in this respect.