Advisory Board

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 membership 

• Ian Dawson - Head of Educational Development and Inclusion
• Julie Fernyhough - Chief Executive Officer JET - Jobs, Education and Training
• Rowenna Foggie - Senior Advisor - Health and Social Care
• Gillian Forrester - Head of Newcastle City Learning
• Katherine Gardiner - Staff Advisor
• Caz Graham - Learner Advisor
• Cllr Alexander Hay - Labour Councillor for Kingston Park South and Newbiggin Hall. Cabinet Member for a Thriving City and Inclusive Economy
• Cllr Stephen Lambert - Labour Councillor Kenton Ward
• Kash Malik - Parent Advisor
• Melissa Middleton - (Chair) Business Support Officer - PNE
• Garry Nicholson - Staff Advisor
• Violet Rook - Community Advisor
• Martin Snow - Community Advisor

Meetings for 2024-25

Full Advisory Board

1st October 2024
21st January 2025
29th April 2025
8th July 2025

Finance Sub-Committee

22nd October 2024
4th February 2025
1st July 2025

Performance Sub-Committee

19th November 2024
15th July 2025

Accountability Structure

Within the City Council, Newcastle City Learning (NCL) sits within the Deputy Chief Executive’s Directorate, newly established in 2024.

Local Authority

The Head of Service is held accountable for the delivery of NCL strategic Priorities, 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 Deputy Chief Executive of the Council 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 Combined Authority (NECA)

The NECA have responsibility for the devolved adult education budget, including the Tailored Learning Fund.

The NECA 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.

The Service

Newcastle City Learning

Providing opportunities in Newcastle for all to learn, improve and grow.

Advisory Board Terms of Reference

Advisory Board Member Job Description