Governance

Catherine Reading

Catherine Reading is the Chair of the Durham Sixth Form Centre Local Governing Board. She is currently the Director of the Centre for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Outreach at Durham University, leading initiatives in teacher education and professional learning. From 2017 to 2023, she served as Director of Professional Programmes, overseeing key areas of teacher education and leadership training in the School of Education.

With a BSc (Hons) in Medicinal Chemistry from University College London, Mrs Reading’s early career focused on neuropharmacology research before transitioning to education. After completing a PGCE in Science at Durham University in 1993, she taught in secondary schools across London and the North East, holding leadership roles in teaching and learning.

Since joining Durham University’s School of Education in 2009, she has contributed to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, focusing on curriculum development and technology-enhanced learning. She has a particular interest in the role of artificial intelligence and digital technology in education and has led projects to enhance teaching and learning through innovation. Mrs Reading is also deeply committed to promoting inclusivity, ensuring that education is accessible and supportive for all students, and advocating for equity in professional development opportunities.

A Senior Fellow of Advance HE, Mrs Reading is dedicated to supporting the strategic vision of Durham Sixth Form Centre, ensuring that all students receive high-quality education, excellent support, and enriching opportunities to achieve their full potential.

Bianca McElrue

Mrs McElrue is a Learning Director for a global financial services company, with over 20 years’ experience working in the private sector predominantly focused on client service, support and education. She is also a passionate advocate for Diversity & Inclusion, having recently served as the co-chair of the women’s employee resource group. After being born and raised in County Durham, she lived in the North West of England, France, Spain and London, before returning to the North East to work and raise her family. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Modern European Languages from the University of Liverpool and a Master’s Degree in Online and Distance Education from the Open University. She has two teenage sons, is a keen runner and an avid reader.

Gillian Askew

Ms Askew is employed in the Student and Library Services of Teesside University as a Specialist Study Support and Strategy Tutor, providing one-to-one multi-sensory tuition to students with Specific Learning Difficulties. She is a Dyslexia Guild Associate and a member of the Association of Learning Developers in Higher Education. Prior to this she worked for four years in the Funding Directorate of the Education and Skills Funding Agency, monitoring providers of 16 to 19 education nationally and was a DfE Accessibility Associate.

After attending the universities of Durham, Wales, Sheffield Hallam, and York she has a BA Honours degree in education, plus teaching and postgraduate qualifications in SEN, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Dyslexia & Literacy, and is qualified to give advice & guidance. She has held posts in local FE colleges, universities, and local authorities’ education departments: assessing, supporting, and lecturing students with SpLD, chronic illnesses, and mental health challenges; co-ordinating and managing academic student support services and family learning programmes; managing the provision of adult skills courses across a large county; and contract managing post-16 providers within a mayoral combined authority area. Her particular interest is inclusivity including the support available to enable all students to maximise their potential and the training for staff to facilitate this.

Sarah Atkinson

Sarah Atkinson was born and raised in County Durham and has worked in the NHS for over 20 years, always in roles focussed on improving healthcare for local communities. She is currently the Directorate Manager for Trauma & Orthopaedics at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, leading teams and shaping services that make a real difference to patients.

She has a BSc (hons) in both Sport and Exercise Development and Clinical Physiology and an MBA in Senior Leadership, giving her a strong mix of clinical knowledge and management expertise. She is passionate about supporting people to reach their potential and believes that education plays a vital role in creating opportunities.

Away from work, she is a mum to a teenage daughter and in her spare time enjoys walking her dog, going to the gym and reading. As a Governor, she would like to use her expertise to help students thrive and achieve their goals.

Ellen Beveridge

Ellen has been the Principal at Durham Sixth Form Centre since 2013 and is now also the Chief Executive of Providence Learning Partnership. Ellen has been in the teaching profession for almost 30 years and led the Centre through its first Ofsted as a 16-19 school where it achieved Outstanding status. Ellen received commendations early on in her career as a teacher from Ofsted and an award from Durham County Council for her work in the Arts. Ellen has significant experience of leadership at a senior level, and believes in maximising opportunities for young people. She has strategic oversight of student outcomes, finance, human resources, change management, vision and values and governance in her role. She has experience of school restructures and re-designation in the secondary and post-16 sectors. Ellen has been instrumental in securing funding for expansion and enhancement at Durham Sixth Form Centre. Ellen is also a Trustee of Providence Learning Partnership, U-Maths and another large Multi Academy Trust of 23 schools. 

Jose Cruz da Angela

Dr Cruz da Angela is an experienced Director, having held a number of corporate leadership and analytical roles across the private and public sectors. This includes having been Director of Data and Analytics at the Centre for Homelessness Impact and Head of Data Strategy and Pricing at One Family. He has extensive experience leading, managing and nurturing data science and analytical teams in Fintech and in the UK Civil Service where, as an Operational Researcher, he supported ministerial teams in the delivery of government priorities.

He is the founder of ‘DAD: Durham Analytics and Data’  offering data, analytics, and AI services, advice, and support. He holds a PhD in Physics from Durham University, and lives with his wife and daughter in Durham City.

James Miller

Mr Miller holds a Masters Degree in Classics from Durham and is Head of Department for Classical Civilisation, Philosophy, and Theology and Ethics (Religious Studies) in which role the school’s constant push for improved student educational experiences and achievement outcomes is always the key priority. Over twenty years at the school he has filled a variety of other roles alongside this: in Progression (with a focus on Oxbridge applicants), as a Lead Teacher (with changing emphases on educational technology, on literacy and on Aspirations with the More Able), as part of school workgroups on wellbeing and coaching, and as a mentor and coach to many trainees and ECTs over the years. He has a particular interest in pushing extra-curricular experiences in the school and runs Classics Soc., Latin Club, and has been involved in student DofE and staff hiking groups and led many foreign and domestic trips.

Jenny Suzanne Osborn

Mrs Osborn qualified as a Solicitor in 2007, and practised for fifteen years in insurance litigation. Her first degree was a BA Honours in History and Politics, and she did a Postgraduate Diploma in Law in 2003, completing the Legal Practice Course in 2004 before undertaking her training contract at BLM LLP in Manchester. She subsequently worked at Sintons Solicitors and Keoghs LLP, both in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. She is currently working as an Academic Mentor in Law at Durham Sixth Form Centre. She grew up in Bristol and now lives in Durham with her husband and two children. She reads a lot in her spare time. She is also a keen swimmer and a member of Durham City Aquatics, based at Freeman’s Quay Leisure Centre.

Deborah Perry

Deborah works as Programme Director for Governance and Leadership at the Sixth Form Colleges Association, leading a national programme for sixth form college leaders. In this role, she supports leaders to strengthen leadership, governance and organisational effectiveness across the post-16 education sector. Her recent career has included leading academisation projects and working across the business, charity and education sectors. She has a strong understanding of the post-16 landscape and experience in governance development, including training and supporting governors.

She has a longstanding connection to Durham, having studied at the University and then started her career at the County Durham Development Company. She is passionate about creating the best possible opportunities for young people and supporting organisations that make a positive difference to their communities.

As a Governor at Durham Sixth Form Centre, she brings experience in governance, leadership development and the post-16 sector to support the Centre’s strategic direction and continued success.

Lee Bone

Mr Bone is Vice Principal at Durham Sixth Form Centre. He graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Geography Education and started his teaching career at DSFC in 2006, as a teacher of Geography and Humanities. During his time with us, Mr Bone has held various roles including Head of Geography, Head of Humanities, Leader of Learning (Curriculum): English and Humanities, Assistant Headteacher and Senior Assistant Headteacher. Mr Bone was also seconded to the LA for a year (part time) as an Education Development Advisor, supporting other schools in the County and further afield. As Vice Principal, Mr Bone oversees all pastoral, progression and student support matters including behaviour and attitudes (including attendance), personal development (including careers education and enrichment) and groups (MA, SEN, Disadvantaged).

Lesley Thompson

Miss Thompson is Vice Principal at Durham Sixth Form Centre. Miss Thompson graduated from the University of Hull with a BA Honours degree in French and a PGCE in Secondary Education. She has worked at Durham Sixth Form Centre since 2001, during which time she has held a variety of roles, including teacher of French, Head of Modern Foreign Languages and Assistant Headteacher. In 2012, she was appointed to the role of Deputy Headteacher to work closely with the Headteacher to oversee the strategic leadership of the school. As Vice Principal, Miss Thompson is responsible for attainment, achievement and Centre quality assurance.