Instrument of Governance:
Headteacher: Ex Officio
5 Co-Opted Governors
1 Authority Governor
1 Staff Governor
4 Parent Governors
Ex Officio:
Jo Fantarrow: Headteacher Business Management Committee
Co-Opted Governors:
Lee McRae, Chair of Governors, Business Management Committee
Arosha Bandara, Vice Chair of Governors: Business Management Committee (Chair)
Lisa Richards: Member of both committees as and when required
David Reeves: Standards & Wellbeing Committee
Leah Brothers, Standards & Wellbeing Committee
Local Authority Governor:
Valerie Brambley, Business Management Committee
Staff Governor:
Wendy Jones: Standards 7 Wellbeing Committee
Parent Governors:
Tajinder Kaur Bassan: Business Management Committee
Matthew Mills : Business Management Committee
Vacancies: 2
Associate Member:
Michelle White: Deputy Headteacher
LEA GOVERNOR
Val Brambley
I have been a governor here since 2006. Northamptonshire County Council gave my two sons an excellent education so in return I volunteered to become a governor and was recommended to Hopping Hill. Since retiring from the Police Welfare Department, I am able to visit during the school day and also come to hear reading. When I first came I knew no one here but now feel part of the community and support the school wholeheartedly.
Leah Brothers
Co-Opted Governor
Parent Governor
Matthew Mills
We moved to Duston in 2013 and have been very impressed with the education that both our Children have received at Hopping Hill. Not just
academically but also socially, whether it be with trips out, residential’s or learning to play an instrument.
Having worked within the sign industry for over 13 years, I am currently the Managing Director of a Northamptonshire based sign manufacturer.
The school has a strong team of governors and I am looking forward to helping the school maintain the high standards it has in place. It is a privilege to be appointed as a governor and I am excited about the challenges ahead.
In my spare time i enjoy playing golf at Northampton Golf club and also taking the children for golf lessons there on a Sunday morning.
With two daughters having attended Hopping Hill since ‘Early Birds’ and as a resident of Duston for over ten years, my family and I have felt part of the fabric of the school for some time. It is therefore a privilege to support the school with my business and commercial acumen and importantly from the viewpoint of a parent. Having worked in the Logistics Industry for over a decade, my organisational and large scale project management experience have enabled me to support the school with an alternative and innovative viewpoint.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, running, playing and watching football; and I am particularly passionate about the rise in women’s sports and ensuring that girls enjoy the same sporting opportunities as I did growing up. .
GOVERNORS
As a Duston resident and mother of three young children, I felt that becoming a parent governor at their school gives me the opportunity to have an active and significant role as a voice of the parents on the governing body.
With over 18 years of teaching experience myself, from Year 8 to Year 3, I know that I can assist and support the various challenges the governors and staff face, in order to further help the school continue on its important journey.
As part of the Standards and well-being committee I will work alongside staff and governors to challenge new ideas and help focus on raising standards and promoting the personal development and well-being, of all learners.
In my spare time I enjoy exercising: from boot camp to running and even the occasional ‘Tough Mudder’. In the ‘quiet’ times, I try to catch up on a good book and will read almost anything. Family time is also important so alongside welly boot walks and trips to the cinema, I enjoy baking and decorating cakes even though they don’t often last long in our house!
It is a privilege to use my skills to support Hopping Hill Primary School, staff and children whilst on the Governing Body.
VICE CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
Co-Opted Governor
Arosha Bandara
I am a Duston resident, who works as an academic in Computing for The Open University in Milton Keynes. Our family moved to the area in 2014, and we were very pleased when our son was offered a place at Hopping Hill because we found the school to have an excellent atmosphere for learning and a commitment to helping children achieve their maximum potential. I volunteered to become a Governor to make a contribution to ensuring the school continues to develop as an excellent learning environment for children in Duston. I have a particular interest in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education, visiting schools in the area to support this aspect of the curriculum as a volunteer STEM ambassador. In my spare time, I enjoy playing badminton and am also learning to play the ukulele. This second hobby was inspired by my son’s passion for music, which has flourished due to the excellent music education provision support at the school.
Parent Governor
Tajinder Kaur Bassan
I am a working mother of two boys, the eldest joined Hopping Hill Primary School this September and my other son is currently at nursery. Having seen my own child develop and enjoy school within months of starting, I was keen to be involved and support how the school provide the best environment for children. I strongly believe that Primary Schools have such an important role in developing children’s skills and creativity, nurturing confidence and providing a solid platform that will in turn prepare them for secondary school and further in life.
Becoming a Parent Governor I personally feel very honoured to have the opportunity to be a part of my child’s education as well as other children and playing a part in making their experience of school a wonderful, safe and enjoyable place where their learning is fun and of a high quality. Being from a Sikh background and growing up in Leeds I hope to bring diversity and cultural experiences as a Parent Governor.
Having several years of banking experience I hope to contribute towards making efficient decisions on budgeting for the welfare of the children and continue to keep Hopping Hill Primary at the highest level. Outside of work I love to travel and all things outdoors with my family.
Staff List
Natalie Beasant Teaching Assistant
Sarah Bevan Class Teacher
Julie Bovell Teaching Assistant
Lana Brady Attendance Officer
Donna Brown Teaching Assistant
Michelle Clayton Finance Assistant
Tracy Clifford Lunchtime Supervisor
Lee Coates Class Teacher
Helen Collett Teaching Assistant
Rebecca Cronin Family Support Worker
Simon Cuming Class Teacher
Charlotte Daly School Business Manager
Liz Doughty SENCO
Jeanette Doughty Teaching Assistant
Louise Everitt Class Teacher
Jo Fantarrow Headteacher
Gemma Fuller Class Teacher
Niamh Gibson Class Teacher
Louise Glaze Class Teacher
Claire Harvey Teaching Assistant
Lisa Hickling Lunchtime Supervisor
Sarah-Jayne Hodgson Teaching Assistant
Rebecca Houghton Class Teacher
Wendy Jones Class Teacher
Annette Joyce Lunchtime Supervisor
Karen Kelly Teaching Assistant
Susan Landeman Teaching Assistant
Laura Lloyd Class Teacher
Penny Lyon Lunchtime Supervisor
Laura Mallard Teaching Assistant
Tracy Mallen Teaching Assistant
Cheraine Marriott Early Years Support Staff
Becky Martin Class Teacher
Trudy Massey Teaching Assistant
Ashleigh Massey Early Years Support Staff
Emma McGee Early Years Phase Leader
Louise Mellor Behaviour Support Assistant
Ellie Mills Class Teacher
Maxine Morris Lunchtime Supervisor
Gillian Newman School Administrator
Danielle Nossa Phase Leader
Lisa O'Donnell Teaching Assistant
Lorraine Pedley Early Years Support Staff
Sophie Peters Early Years Support Staff
Heather Pettit Lunchtime Supervisor
Vicky Plowman Behaviour Support Assistant
Lisa Richards Phase Leader
Karen Risk Sports Coach
Hayley Rolls Behaviour Support Assistant
Sarah Sayer Teaching Assistant
Linda Scott Teaching Assistant
Maureen Tee Early Years Support Staff
Claire Underwood Nursery Teacher
Hayley Wager Teaching Assistant
Catherine Wardell Class Teacher
Michelle White Deputy Headteacher
Lucy Williamson Early Years Support Staff
Elaine Wilson Teaching Assistant
Juleen York Class Teacher
David Reeves
Co-Opted Governor
Following early retirement from a job in IT consultancy, I volunteered with a national reading support charity who placed me at Hopping Hill. I was very impressed by the school, its atmosphere and ethos, and so when I was asked if I would consider being a governor, I was delighted to accept. Though no longer with the charity, I still try to help out at the school once a week. I have lived in Duston for over 15 years and have two grown up children. I am a mentor for the Institute of Advanced motorists helping people improve their driving. I am a keen believer in lifelong learning and I am a magistrate in Northamptonshire.
CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
Co-Opted Governor
Lee McRae