CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
Co-Opted Governor
Lee McRae
GOVERNORS
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.
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
Leah Brothers
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. .
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.
PARENT GOVERNOR
Paul Hodgson
Co-Opted Governor
Janet Stephenson
The first contact I had with Hopping Hill was over 20 years ago when I worked at The Express Lift Company and our apprentices came into school to work on design technology projects with the children as part of a Business/Education links project. Later I was asked by the Head, Val Newton to become a community governor, a role I still hold today. Currently I am Vice-Chair, SEN Governor and also have a responsibility in the Performance Management of the Head Teacher. When not visiting school, I enjoy travelling both in this country and abroad; keeping fit with walking, swimming and Pilates and I am a keen supporter of the Saints rugby team.
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.
I have been connected to the school since 2005 with my step-son going through the school and now my daughter, just starting her education. In previous years I have attend school residential trips to Grendon and PGL as a parent helper and now I am supporting the school as a governor.
My job is a senior manager at Barclaycard, managing a global team delivery projects to meet the regulatory requirements of our internal and external regulators, while managing multi-million pound budgets. I am looking forward to putting my financial and people management skills towards supporting the school.
In my spare time I enjoy competing in physical challenges ranging from 5-a-side football to triathlons as well spending time with my family.
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.
Instrument of Governance:
Headteacher: Ex Officio
5 Co-Opted Governors
1 Authority Governor
1 Staff Governor
4 Parent Governors
Ex Officio:
Sam Phillips: Headteacher Business Management Committee
Co-Opted Governors:
Lee McRae, Chair of Governors, Business Management Committee
Janet Stephenson: Standards & Wellbeing Committee (Chair)
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
Local Authority Governor:
Valerie Brambley, Business Management Committee
Parent Governors:
Leah Brothers, Standards & Wellbeing Committee
Paul Hodgson: Business Management Committee
Tajinder Kaur Bassan: Business Management Committee
Matthew Mills : Business Management Committee
Staff Governor:
Julie Stevens, Standards & Wellbeing Committee
Observer:
Michelle White: Deputy Headteacher
Relationships:
Paul Hodgson is married to Sarah-Jayne Hodgson, Teaching Assistant
Staff List
Attwood Lisa Teaching Assistant
Beasant Natalie Teaching Assistant
Bevan Sarah Class Teacher
Bovell Julie Teaching Assistant
Brady Lana Attendance Officer
Brown Donna Teaching Assistant
Butcher Ann Teaching Assistant
Carter Rebecca Class Teacher
Clayton Michelle Finance Assistant
Clifford Tracy Lunchtime Supervisor
Coates Lee Class Teacher
Collett Helen Teaching Assistant
Cronin Rebecca Family Support Worker
Cuming Simon Class Teacher
Daly Charlotte School Business Manager
Doughty Liz SENCO
Doughty Jeanette Teaching Assistant
Essame Steffanie Teaching Assistant
Everitt Louise Class Teacher
Fuller Gemma Class Teacher
Gibson Niamh Class Teacher
Glaze Louise Class Teacher
Harvey Claire Teaching Assistant
Hodgson Sarah-Jayne Teaching Assistant
Jones Wendy Class Teacher
Joyce Annette Lunchtime Supervisor
Kelly Karen Teaching Assistant
Landeman Susan Teaching Assistant
Lloyd Laura Class Teacher
Lyon Penny Lunchtime Supervisor
Mallard Emma Teaching Assistant
Mallen Tracy Teaching Assistant
Marriott Cheraine Early Years Support Staff
Martin Becky Class Teacher
Massey Trudy Teaching Assistant
Massey Ashleigh Early Years Support Staff
McGee Emma Early Years Phase Leader
McIntyre Alice Teaching Assistant
Mellor Louise Behaviour Support Assistant
Mills Ellie Class Teacher
Morris Maxine Lunchtime Supervisor
Munson Katrina Teaching Assistant
Newman Gillian School Administrator
Nossa Danielle Year 3 & 4 Phase Leader
Pedley Lorraine Early Years Support Staff
Peters Sophie Early Years Support Staff
Phillips Samantha Headteacher
Plowman Vicki Behaviour Support Assistant
Richards Lisa Year 1 & 2 Phase Leader
Risk Karen Sports Coach
Rolls Hayley Behaviour Support Assistant
Sayer Sarah Teaching Assistant
Scott Linda Teaching Assistant
Stevens Julie Year 5 & 6 Phase Leader
Tee Maureen Early Years Support Staff
Underwood Claire Nursery Teacher
Wager Hayley Teaching Assistant
Wardell Catherine Class Teacher
White Michelle Deputy Headteacher
Williamson Lucy Early Years Support Staff
Wilson Elaine Teaching Assistant
York Juleen Class Teacher