Governors

Hillside Primary School’s Governing Body is similar to a board of Directors you would find in business.   It has the responsibility for decisions relating to the conduct of the School, its strategic aims and objectives, future planning and the performance of the School.   Members are elected or appointed to serve for a period of four years.

Governors are involved in the following decision-making areas and specific Governor
sub-committees are responsible for the following:

Curriculum Committee                      – deciding what is taught/how it is taught
Personnel & Finance Committee       – staffing, financial management and the School budget
Premises Committee                          – condition of school / Health & Safety

Governors also interview and select the staff at the School. 

Governors are appointed from a number of sources:

• Parents – Parent Governors are elected by parents every four years.   Parent Governors must have a child in school when appointed.
• Staff – Representatives are elected by the staff.
• Co-opted Governors – These are Governors elected by the Governing Body from the local community e.g. businessmen or professional persons.
• Local Authority – representatives of the Local Authority are appointed to the Governing Body (these are non-elected appointments).
• Headteacher – Non-elected appointment.

Constitution of the Governing Body:

Interim Chair of Governors:
Mrs K Howle
c/o Hillside Primary School
Field Avenue,
Baddeley Green,
Stoke-on-Trent
ST2 7AS

Clerk to the Governors:  Appointed by Chief Education Officer (non voting)

Karen Schonau (Headteacher)

I have been in teaching for over ten years, having completed a BA Honours in Primary Education at Manchester Metropolitan University. I spent ten years in an outstanding Staffordshire school before moving to Hillside as Deputy Headteacher. As, now, Headteacher of Hillside Primary School, my aspiration is to create an inspirational, friendly, caring community where everyone enjoys and excels within their learning, and works hard to achieve their best. My staff at Hillside seek to promote a compassionate and fair environment within which all pupils feel valued and enabled to flourish.

I believe that by providing an exciting, stimulating curriculum, delivered by teachers who are dedicated and passionate about learning, will ensure that children are engaged in their learning, and that they develop curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. This sets the foundations for a love of learning which carries on throughout their lives. We want every child at Hillside to be ambitious, to believe in themselves and to strive to make a difference in their own and other’s futures.  The support and challenge of our strong Governing body will help Hillside to achieve it aims, goals and ambitions.

Kerry Howle: Interim Chair of Governors (Parent Governor)

I grew up in Baddeley Green and attended Hillside myself as a child in the 1980’s. After moving back into the local community a few years ago, I now have three daughters who all attend Hillside. My girls love Hillside and have thrived under the exciting curriculum and the dedicated staff, who go above and beyond to make sure all children achieve their potential. I see my role as parent governor as the opportunity to ensure that all children at Hillside continue to receive the very best education possible by supporting and challenging the school leadership team.

I have been a primary teacher for almost 20 years, receiving my BA (Hons) in Primary Education from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2004. I now work for Keele and North Staffordshire Teacher Education, where I teach the next generation of primary teachers, as well as supporting early career teachers. I am also studying for my Masters in Education at Keele University. As well as spending time with family and friends I love reading, cooking and going for dog walks with our Golden Retriever Elsa.

David Bell (Staff Governor)

I have been teaching for over ten years since completing my PGCE in Primary Education at the University of Derby, following on from an initial degree in Sports Journalism at Staffordshire University.  Prior to becoming Deputy Headteacher at Hillside, I worked in another Stoke-on-Trent school, where I was a part of the Senior Leadership Team for a number of years working on whole school initiatives.  I also worked within the school’s Multi Academy Trust in a school improvement role as well as providing support in other schools as a Specialist Leader of Education in English.

I am a firm believer in providing children with all of the learning experiences possible to spark and generate interests and excite them about coming to school each day.  In my role as governor, I provide support for staff and act as a voice for the team as we all work together as a school community to deliver the very best provision to our pupils day in, day out.

Jenny Rushton (Co-opted governor)

I have been teaching in Stoke-on-Trent for over ten years and have worked across the Early Years and Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. My role currently is Assistant Head and SENDCo at Hillside Primary School and I am a committee member at the local pre-school, forging links within the local area. I enjoy being on the Governing Body, partaking in key decision making whilst striving to move the school forward from good to outstanding. The Governing Body holds the school to account and ensures that the school runs to the best of its ability, serving the community and most importantly, the children, ensuring that they get the very best education – the education that they deserve.

Jennifer Craig (Parent Governor)

Richard Tunnicliffe (Parent Governor)

Philip Such (Co-opted Governor)

I moved into Stoke-on-Trent in 1974 with my wife, Margaret, and have lived less than 200 yards from Hillside ever since.  Both of my children attended Hillside and then went on to Holden Lane High School. Many people will know me from my time as Headteacher at Greenways and my connection with Milton Parish Church.  I was very honoured to be asked to become a Governor at Hillside, having also been a Trustee at another school for over 25 years.  I have assisted the City Music School for over 28 years and Treasurer for 12 years.

I love coming into Hillside and thoroughly enjoy working alongside Hillside staff.  I am a familiar face around school as I volunteer my time to hear readers from Year 2 and Year 6.  I love interacting with the young people and seeing them grow in confidence and ability.  I also lead whole school assemblies and love to involve the children through prayers, readings and through singing.

Rebecca Winwood (Co-opted Governor)

Bio pending

Jessica Perry (Local Authority Governor)

Bio pending

We currently have the following governor vacancies:

• Co-opted Governor
• Parent Governor

The term of office for each category of governor is 4 years.

Hillside Governing Body

Chairperson: Mrs K Howle (Interim)

Vice Chairperson: tbc

Sub-Committees:

Personnel/Finance	Curriculum	Premises/Health & Safety
Karen Schonau Richard Tunnifcliffe Philip Such Jessica Perry Rebecca Winwood	Jenny Rushton – Clerk David Bell Jenny Craig Philip Such Richard Tunnicliffe Kerry Howle Karen Schonau Jessica Perry Rebecca Winwood	Karen Schonau David Bell  Jenny Craig Kerry Howle – Clerk