Hurdsfield Primary School Governing Board
'Only our best (governors) will do'
At Hurdsfield, we have a dedicated group of Governors who work closely with the Headteacher to build on the continued school improvement. They are united behind the school's aim of providing nothing short of the best for our children within a framework of high expectations and challenge for all.
As the board is small, they meet regularly and agenda items cover a range of issues including school finance, leadership and the quality of education our school provides our children. The current Governing Body was reconstituted in February 2020. Governors are a voluntary body of people who guide and support the strategic direction of the school. They are members of the school team and their contribution to the running of the school is highly valued.
School Governing Body
The 'Instrument of Government' states that our school's governing body shall consist of:
The role of the governing body is a strategic one: its key functions are to:
Each Governor has provided a pen portrait of themselves which they have shared on our website and they are keen to engage with the school and wider community to gather a good understanding of the many areas of strength in our school as well as areas that need further development to continue our journey of improvement.
Mr Tim Haselwood - Chair of Governors (Co-opted Governor)
"I am a Chartered Accountant who spent most of my professional career with Deloitte specialising in audit, IT consultancy, management accounting and financial controls. I then spent two years as Business Manager of Hollinhey Primary School in Sutton near Macclesfield and 7 years as Business Director of Tytherington School. I retired in April 2022 and I seem to be as busy as ever!
I am a trustee of The Yes Trust, where I chair the Trustees' Finance, HR and Premises Committee. I am chair of The Fermain Academy’s Local Support Board.
I am married to Jan and have two grown-up daughters, one who is teaching English in China, a granddaughter, Isabella, who is 11 years old and a grandson Isaac who is 3 years old. We live with a neurotic Shichonpoo and an alpaca who cuts the grass and a wind turbine."
Mrs Lucy Moores - (Staff Governor)
Ms Jane Stephens - (Co-Opted Governor)
"I believe that a good education in the round is essential for every child. (I have seen how important this is in the history of my own family). I wholeheartedly agree with the ethos and values of Hurdsfield Primary School.
I have lived in Tytherington for the past 30 years and my two children have been educated locally – having a great start in life.
I am embedded in the local community and appreciate the many benefits that Macclesfield has to offer. (I am a run leader with Macclesfield Harriers, play the clarinet in a concert band, sing in a choir).
If these complement the skills of the members of the Hurdsfield governing body and I could add some value, I would be very happy to discuss this further."
Mrs Kirsty Pearson (Co-Opted Governor)
"I was delighted to be able to join the Governing Body at Hurdsfield Primary School. I am Head of Social Sciences at Tytherington School and have worked here for the past 15 years. I have seen many Hurdsfield students through our school and look forward to welcoming more. A key part of my role will be to contribute to the great curriculum work that is in place and provide any support needed to assist in the transition from primary to secondary education. I am married and have 3 school age children of my own."
Dr. Jennifer Heathcote (Co-Opted Governor)
"I was delighted to join the Governing team in September 2022. I have been coming into Hurdsfield School to lead some fun workshops about puberty for Year 6 pupils for the last few years and have been really impressed by the enthusiasm and ‘can do’ attitude of the children and teaching staff.
I trained as a doctor and have spent most of my career at Macclesfield Hospital, mainly working in women’s and sexual health. Almost everyone else in my family is a teacher, and although I am not a school teacher I have a Masters degree in education, teaching doctors and nurse how to teach.
I have lived in Macclesfield since 1985 and have 2 sons and 4 little grandsons and I am a member of Holy Trinity Church, Hurdsfield. To keep fit I enjoy riding our tandem with my husband, (I’m the one on the back, pedalling hard!)."
Mrs Pam Shatwell (Co-opted Governor)
Mr Ken Gilliver (Co-Opted Governor and Vice Chair)
"I was honoured when asked to join the Hurdsfield Primary School Board of Governors in early 2021. Whilst born and secondary school educated in West Sussex, I have spent most of his working life in the North West and has lived in Macclesfield for the past 20 years. My main connection with the school is through his wife Sue who was a pupil there herself when living just along from the school on Hulley Road. We have 2 sons ,both currently at University .
After graduating from Warwick University with a degree in French I moved into Human Resources Management, working in the chemicals industry [including a spell at CIBA Geigy off Charter Avenue,] Ceramics and Engineering, followed by posts in local and central Government before retiring from Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service in 2012 .
Over the years I have held several Governor/Trustee positions, as a member of Governing Boards for a Government skills training organisation, an occupational pension fund, the East Cheshire Hospice and Tytherington School I will seek to use my experience to help assist Hurdsfield Primary School fulfil its mission of being a school where only our best will do."
Mr Anthony Eyre (Parent Governor)
"With our oldest just starting his journey at Hurdsfield and a second joining in a few years, I have a number of years ahead with the school and want to take an active part in ensuring the best experience is provided for all children attending. We viewed a number of schools prior to the school year and decided on Hurdsfield as our first choice after learning the values and ethos were aligned to our own.
I have spent most of my working life in the construction sector, predominantly in account management and business development, through these experiences, I have acquired a skill set that encompasses a keen understanding of client needs, strong relationship building and driving business success, which I will endeavour to use to better the school in my role as governor.
As a parent I have taken an active role within the PTA, looking to enhance the non-curricular experiences for all the children, build a strong school community and raise funds to put back into the needs of the school, I am excited to start in my role as governor and am committed to ensuring every child receives the best access to education, gets the opportunities to excel and ultimately thrives at Hurdsfield."
Rev. James Gibson (LA Governor)
"I am the Vicar of Holy Trinity Church on Hurdsfield Road. I have lived in Macclesfield for 5 ½ years and love it here. I moved up from Surrey with my wife and 2 kids who are now in High School.
As part of my Vicarly role, I come into the school regularly to help lead assemblies and we enjoy welcoming the school over to the church a few times a year for their celebration services.
I have not always been a Vicar. Before getting ordained I worked as an engineer both in the UK for Rolls Royce and the Environment Agency and overseas for WaterAid. When I am not working, I like to be out and about walking, running or cycling. Every day I am thankful to live in such a lovely part of the country.
I am by no means an expert in education, but I did go to school myself and have 2 kids going through it at the moment, so I have some idea of the opportunities and challenges both students and teachers face. My hope is that I can be of support to both staff and students, encouraging them and helping them be the best they can be."
Headteacher: Richard Jervis
"I am the headteacher of Hurdsfield Primary School and committed to working with the governing board to continue to work on improving Hurdsfield and be the best place for pupils to learn and thrive.
My teaching journey actually started in high school where I was an English teacher delivering lessons to pupils aged 11-18. Whilst in high school, I took on the roles of Head of Year (Pastoral), and Head of Department, so my skills in curriculum development and supporting pupils' welfare and wellbeing were developed. This led to being a consortium lead where I led 3 schools in the planning and delivery of different creative subjects.
My curriculum and leadership experience led to further roles of Faculty Leader and a senior leader in a middle school before becoming Deputy Headteacher of a primary school After completion of my Masters in Educational Leadership (MA) and 4 years of leading in a primary school, I felt that it was the right time to look for my first post as a headteacher, and Hurdsfield was the right fit for me to progress and develop further."
Hurdsfield Primary School: Where Only Our Best Will Do!