Meet the Governors
Our Governing BodyOn behalf of the Governors, I would like to welcome you to our school website. We hope you find it easy to use and that it gives you a small insight into the many things that we have to offer to both you and your children.
The Governors meet half termly to discuss many things, in particular school strategy and policies. I personally like to come into school in between meetings to be involved in the day-to-day life of the school and see all of the wonderful things the children are doing and learning.
Our aim as the Governing body is to provide a safe and caring environment where children are encouraged and challenged to meet their full potential.
We are proud of our School and feel privileged to support Damien Bond and the staff in delivering a varied and stimulating education for our children. We also work closely with 'Friends of Hinchliffe Mill School' PTA and love to hear suggestions from the children's forum.
Thank you
Tom Park-Paul
Chair of Governors
What School Governors DoSchool governing bodies are made up of people from school communities who want to make a positive contribution to children's education.
Every school has a governing body. They work with the Headteacher to set the future direction for the school and decide how the school spends its budget. They are responsible for making sure the school provides good quality education and for raising pupils’ attainment by:
- setting strategic direction
- ensuring accountability
- monitoring and evaluating school performance
- acting as a critical friend
Governors govern rather than manage. Their role is one of direction and focus; they make decisions collectively on matters such as performance targets, school policies, and the school's development plan. As well as providing support and advice to the Headteacher, their role is to challenge the Headteacher by gathering views and asking searching questions to make sure that any decisions taken are in the best interest of the school.
Governors report to parents on the school's achievements and respond to inspection recommendations. They also hear appeals from pupils and staff and consider complaints.
Overall Responsibilities of the Governing BodySchool Governors at Hinchliffe Mill Junior & Infant School are appointed to provide:
- strong links between the school, parents and the community
- a wide experience of the outside world
- an independent view
- a visible form of accountability for the Headteacher and staff of the school
- a team focusing on long term development and improvement
- accountability to the parents and the community for the use of resources and standards of teaching and learning in the school
- support for the Headteacher and staff
In addition, individual governors will usually be involved in some of the following activities often through groups or committees which report back to the main Governing Body.
- School development plan
- Headteacher performance management
- School profile
- Staff appointments
- The financial management of the school
- Pupil discipline
- The curriculum
- The training of governors
- Community links
Governing bodies are the strategic planners of schools. In order to do this a governing body:
- has an operational manager (the Headteacher) who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the school
- agrees on policies and practice which allows the Headteacher the necessary tools to carry out their responsibilities
- agrees on principles and targets for improvement
- reviews long-term resourcing needs
- supports and challenges the Headteacher
- receives and discusses reports on the resulting practice and conduct of the school
- reviews its own working practices, including using self-evaluation forms
The Register of InterestsFrom 1st September 2015, governing bodies of local authority maintained schools in England are required to publish on their website their register of interests.
The register meets statutory requirements by setting out the relevant business interests of our Governors and details of any other educational establishments they govern. The register includes details of any relationships between governors and members of the school staff including spouses, partners and relatives.
The Governing Body CommitteesThe Governing Body has two committees that meet every half term. These are full governing body meetings and meetings of the resources committee. The Standards and Effectiveness committee meet on a termly basis. Each committee has individual terms of reference which provide clear details of what the committee’s responsibilities are.
In order to comply with the DfE’s republished statutory guidance in March 2015 which stipulates new requirements regarding the publication of Governor’s details, the Governing Body Committee List shows details of the committees and the Governors that have been appointed on each committee. In addition this list gives details regarding our Link Governors and their subject area.
Standards and Effectiveness Committee
- Alex Beaumont (Chair)
- Andrew Birkitt
- Amy Silver
- Nicola Cooper
- Maura Gllagher
- Nicola Holgate
- Damien Bond
Resources Committee
- Tom Park-Paul (Chair)
- Amy Silver
- Sarah Goldsmith
- Fiona Sugden
- Damien Bond
The Governing Body ConstitutionIn March 2015, the DfE republished statutory guidance on “The constitution of governing bodies of maintained schools. The guidance stipulates new requirements regarding the publication of Governor’s details. The statutory guidance, which Governing Bodies must have regard to, stipulates that;
Governors hold an important public office and their identity should be known to their school and wider communities. Governing Bodies should therefore publish on their website information about their members.
In order to comply with this latest guidance the Governing Body Constitution Document shows details of the names of our Governors, the category they have been appointed under, their term of office and gives details regarding their voting rights within Governing Body meetings.
- Mr Tom Park-Paul - Chair of Governors - Co-opted
- Mr Alex Beaumont - Vice Chair of Governors - Co-opted
- Mr Andrew Birkett - Co-opted
- Mr Damien Bond - Executive Headteacher
- Mrs Nicola Cooper - Parent Governor
- Mrs Maura Gallagher - LA Governor
- Miss Sarah Goldsmith - Parent Governor
- Mrs Nicola Holgate - Staff Governor
- Mrs Amy Silver -Co-opted Governor
- Ms Fiona Sugden - Co-opted Governor
Governor AttendanceFrom 1 September 2015, governing bodies of local authority maintained schools in England are required to publish on their website details of Governors attendance records at governing body and committee meetings over the last academic year.
In line with recommended guidance the records are updated every September. The records were last updated in September 2024 and contain information from 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024. These records will be reviewed and updated in September 2025.
Governor Pen PortraitsMr Tom Park-Paul
Type of Governor:
Co-opted
Specific Governor responsibilities:
Chair of Governors
Website Compliance Governor
Attendance Governor
Why I became a governor:
I grew up in the Holme Valley, and when I moved back here in 2020 (having spent nearly 20 years in London), I was keen to volunteer and make a contribution to my brilliant new neighbourhood; Hinchliffe Mill. I previously served as a governor at a specialist SEND school for excluded boys in Tooting, London.
After studying Chemistry at degree level, I began what has been a fun and varied career in the Civil Service leading work on policing and national security issues. I then then spent some time as a frontline police officer in central London, followed by a stint of management consultancy, again largely focussed on national security and public safety technologies.
I’m now chief executive for an AI tech company that provides doctors with an early warning of life-threatening conditions so that proactive, safer interventions can be put in place.
Mr Alex Beaumont
Type of Governor:
Co-opted
Specific Governor responsibilities:
Vice Chair of Governors
Safeguarding & Child Protection Governor
Looked After Children Governor
Standards & Effectiveness Committee Chair Person
Why I became a governor:
I was brought up in the Holme Valley and although I moved away to University, I couldn't resist the pull of the Yorkshire countryside, so returned to Holmfirth in 1990. My two children were born here and are now both in their 30s! A keen cyclist with Holmfirth Cycling Club, I relish the challenge of the local hills. I also enjoy the countryside and wildlife.
Although I did a Biochemistry degree I knew I wanted to teach Early Years in Primary Schools. It wasn't a mistake-I loved my time in schools. I have worked in 9 different schools over my career- from small rural primary schools, such as Hinchliffe Mill, to large inner city schools. I was a headteacher for 25 years in 4 different local primary schools. In addition, I was also lucky enough to work as a 'Local Leader in Education' supporting other schools .
I know from personal experience the challenges schools face at the moment. I hope my experience in education will help me to support the staff, parents and children at Hinchliffe Mill to become the very best they can.
Mr Andrew Birkitt
Type of Governor:
Co-opted
Specific Governor responsibilities:
None
Why I became a governor:
Hinchliffe Mill J&I has always had a wonderful community spirit and when the opportunity arose to become a governor, I jumped at the chance to be a part of this small, rural school.
Having lived in the Holme Valley for nearly ten years, with children educated locally, I hope that my experience as a parent and a professional will help the school thrive for this generation and many more to come.
Over the years I have worked in retail and senior IT management, but in 2017, I decided to start my own business in musical instrument retail which has long been an interest of mine.
Personally, have a lifelong love for music and the arts and am I keen, fair weather walker and cyclist.
Mrs Nicola Holgate
Type of Governor:
Staff
Specific Governor responsibilities:
None
Why I became a governor:
As a teacher of the school my aim is to provide the best opportunities for all pupils, to help them achieve and succeed. Through being part of the governing body I represent and share the views of my colleagues and work with the governors to identify our successes as a school as well as areas for improvements. This enables us to provide the best education for our pupils.
Mrs Nicola Cooper
Type of Governor:
Parent
Specific Governor responsibilities:
Special Educational Needs Governor
Why I became a governor:
Since my children have attended Hinchliffe mill, I have been incredibly impressed with the care they have received. Both have additional needs.
I want to support the governing body in continuing to ensure every child has a warm and happy environment they need to thrive at school. With a stimulating day to day experience and a broad, creative curriculum that enables them to develop as independent thinking individuals, and problem solvers.
In terms of my skills and background, I have a degree in psychology and a background in teaching, specialising in SEND and behaviour.
I feel that my professional skills combined with my passion will help towards making a difference. I hope my experience shows I understand parents needs as well as the challenges schools face.
Mrs Maura Gallagher
Type of Governor:
LA Governor
Specific Governor responsibilities:
None
Why I became a governor:
I relocated to the Holme Valley in 2022, to be closer to my grandchildren, after 40 years living and working in London.
I was a primary school teacher and, on retirement, a governor, a role I thoroughly enjoyed.
Therefore, I wanted to continue to use my experience to help children become ‘the best that they can be ‘ through becoming a governor in a local school.
My role as an LA governor has brought me to Hinchliffe Mill School, where I've been made extremely welcome.
I hope my skills and background will enable me to be an effective member of the Governing Body.
Mrs Sarah Goldsmith
Type of Governor:
Parent Governor
Specific Governor responsibilities:
Governor Training Contact
Equality Governor
Why I became a governor:
I decided to become a parent governor as I am a huge supporter of Hinchliffe Mill School. I have had one child who in now in year 8 at Holmfirth high school and another child currently in year 5. Both my children have flourished in their education, academically, socially and emotionally thanks to the support they have received by teaching staff and from the fantastic culture at Hinchliffe Mill. I have been working with children and young people in and out of schools for 20 years. I want to represent parents views within the school’s governing body as well as promoting and providing expertise on issues of inclusion, play and outdoor learning.
Mrs Amy Silver
Type of Governor:
Co-opted
Specific Governor responsibilities:
Wellbeing Governor
Early Years Foundation Stage Governor
Why I became a governor:
I decided to join as a co-opted school governor in 2023 as I have a vested interest in Hinchliffe Mill school due to my 2 children attending. I decided by joining I would be able to offer any support I could, in whatever areas required, to help the school and children to thrive. I have lived in the Holme Valley all my life and believe in the community spirit and if we all come together, we can achieve our full potential.
In terms of what I believe I can bring to the governor board would be that I am fair in listening to all points of view, evaluating information and voicing my opinions on what I think could be a positive outcome. I have worked in the insurance and financial services industry for nearly 24 years and now studying towards a degree in psychology, recently completed a course in understanding autism and finally I am a consultant of a well known health and lifestyle brand.
Hopefully I will be able to utilise some of my skills and support the teachers, parents and children in achieving their school goals and enjoying school life
Mr Damien Bond
Type of Governor:
Acting Executive Headteacher
Specific Governor responsibilities:
None
Why I became a governor:
I have been working in education for over 20 years since 2001. During this time I have worked in and taken on various roles and responsibilities from being a Teaching Assistant to being a Headteacher in primary and middle schools. I have worked in four local authorities during my career and I am proud to return to where it all began in Kirklees.
I am a family man and live with my wife, two primary school aged daughters and our two dogs Ember and Hugo.
I am proud to be Executive Headteacher at Hinchliffe Mill School. I love the community spirit.
Beyond my work life I like to travel and have an interest in technology.
Ms Fiona Sugden
Type of Governor:
Co-opted
Specific Governor responsibilities:
None
Why I became a governor:
Myself, my younger brothers and sister spent many happy years on the playground at Hinchliffe Mill (and in the classrooms - where we were probably a bit less happy!). The school has been part of family life for us for several generations, and we are all in agreement about how special it is.
Now a local resident, I jumped at the opportunity to become a governor; to help the school, and its families, thrive - enjoying the same lovely memories and character-building experiences that I feel so lucky to have had.
Professionally, I'm a chartered project manager within the construction industry, where I spent 11 years leading teams on sites. Having recently decided to make the move into people projects, I now oversee the Diversity, Wellbeing and Human Rights programme for a global design, engineering & professional services company. I think so many of the skills that I've developed in these positions can be of value in my role as governor - and I really can't wait to get stuck in.
How to contact our Governing BodyIf you would like to contact the Chair of Governors please send an e-mail or letter marked for the attention of 'The Chair of Governors':
Hinchliffe Mill Junior & Infant School
Waterside Lane
Holmbridge
Holmfirth
HD9 2PF
E-Mail: tom.park-paul@kirkleeseducation.uk
Alternatively, you can contact Kirklees Governor Services
Governor Login