Local Governing Body:
The Local Governing Body has a range of duties and powers in school with an overall aim of helping Hillside Primary School to become a good centre of learning. Its responsibilities include:
- Strategic direction ensuring clarity of the schools vision and ethos.
- Ensuring leadership is accountable for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, alongside the performance management of staff.
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and ensuring money is spent effectively.
The Local Governing Body is formed by, and works alongside, the Active Learning Trust.
The full governing body meet every half term. Two governing body committees; Curriculum, Standards & Outcomes Committee, and Resources Committee, meet once a term. Individual governors have separate areas of responsibility, which they monitor and report on during Governors' Week.
Meet the Local Governing Body

Ms Catherine Holmes
Clerk
I joined the Governing Body as their Clerk in April 2022. I have been a project manager in the NHS for over thirty years, both at Ipswich Hospital and other hospitals in the southeast. I was a governor and clerk of governors in a large primary school in Barnet, north London before moving back to Suffolk. I am now a clerk for several schools in the area and also still do some project work for the NHS. I am a volunteer with Girlguiding in my spare time.

Mr Richard Hanson
Trust Governor
Safeguarding
I have been involved in Education for over 14 years and, after 4 years as an Assistant Vice Principal at Clacton Coastal Academy, am now the Principal Designate at Chantry Academy in Ipswich. I have worked with schools across all ages and really value the impact Primary Schools can have on raising aspirations. Although born and raised in Scunthorpe, my Grandfather was from Ipswich and, before becoming Headteacher at Sproughton, taught at Roebeck Road (Orwell Junior School) and Sidegate Primary School. My Grandfather spoke fondly of Ipswich and the children he worked with. I have been enthused by the hard work local schools invest in young children and relish the opportunity to be part of Hillside Primary School. I feel Hillside Primary has a real focus on student progress and helping all youngsters to achieve their potential. I enjoy being part of such a forward thinking school and the impact it will have on the children and families in the community.

Floretina Adetu
Parent Governor
I graduated in Sociology in 2008 in Romania and have had different roles since then. Moving to the U.K., brought an interesting opportunity: I had the chance to join the English educational system and decided that this is what I want for the future. Working with students with a wide range of abilities, with SEND or being EAL, has improved my understanding about supporting the pupils in their education. Now, I am about to start the Teacher Training program and obtain the QTS. Being asked to be a part of the Hillside Primary School community was a great honour and I am looking forward to the experience that this will bring.

Wendy James
Chair of Governors
Health and Safety and Inclusion
I work for The Active Learning Trust as the Executive Headteacher of Sidegate Primary School. I have been the head at Sidegate since April 2011 and before that, I was the head of Murrayfield Primary for 5 years. I volunteered to join Hillside's Governing Body, as I am committed to the education of all pupils in the Trust and across Ipswich. As well as supporting Hillside, I also want to learn from Hillside - school to school working is extremely important for school improvement. I am the proud mother of two children, both now in their late 20's. I am the founder and a trustee of the charity SMART (Suffolk Music & Alumni Trust) and I have my own educational consultancy business. In my spare time I like to run, crochet and travel.
Information about our Governors
Name | Type | Term of Office | Business Interest | School Link | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Richard Hanson | Trust | 4 years March 2020 - February 2024 | Principal Designate | Curriculum | ||||
Florentina Adetu | Parent | 4 years May 2022 - May 2026 | None declared | |||||
Wendy James | Trust | 4 years July 2023 - June 2027 | Trust Headteacher | |||||
Governors who have resigned in past 12 months
Name | Type | Term of Office | Business Interest | School Link | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jack Abbott | Trust | Resigned July 2021 | None Declared | |||||
Duncan Carragher | Trust | Resigned Aug 2022 | None Declared | Health and Safety | ||||
Matthew Powell | Trust | Resigned Sept 2023 | None Declared | Diversity and Inclusion | ||||
Mark Straw | Trust | Resigned Sept 2023 | None Declared | |||||
Abid Ali | Parent | Resigned Sept 2023 | None Declared |