In striving to provide the best educational opportunities for all the children who attend our school, we are very much aware of the partnership that must exist between parents, teachers and governors. Serving on the Governing Body are nominees of the Local Education Authority, elected representatives from the parents, elected representatives from both teaching and non-teaching staff and co-opted community governors.
Note: Associate Members do not have voting rights.
Chair of Governors
- Mrs Mandy Gowers
Vice Chair of Governors
- Mr James Baalham
Co-opted Governors
- Mrs Sheena Broadbent
- Mr Kevin Brown
- Mrs Mandy Gowers
- Mrs Georgie Howe
- Mr Richard Harrison
Parent Governors
- Miss Nikki Collier
- Miss Melanie Williams
- Mr Richard Watson
- Mrs Nicola Webb
LEA Governor
- Mr James Baalham
Staff Governor
- Mr Aidan Banham
Associate Members
- Mr Cieran Dadds
- Mrs Jo Squirrell
- Miss Natalie Freislich-Mills
Meet the Governors
Mandy Gowers
Term of Office Ends: 28/01/2026
Roles: Budget Setting Committee, Curriculum, Hearings, Resources, Steering Committee
Job: Head of Finance at St. Helena Hospice
Parent to: Megan and Holly
Message to Parents: I have lived in Hadleigh since the age of 6 and attended HCPS myself. When it was time to consider schools for my eldest child, HCPS seemed the likely choice but we still took our time to consider all options and base our decision on what the school could offer now, and not allow nostalgia and happy memories from 30 odd years ago bias our decision. Much has changed in that time, but what is still inherent in the positive culture and values which runs through the heart of the school and its community. I am happy that my children are part of this, pupils at HCPS do not just learn, but they thrive. The school has so much to offer above and beyond the basic curriculum, and I am privileged to be a Governor of such a wonderful establishment.
Favourite Children’s book: The Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson, and The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher.
Nicola Webb
Term of Office Ends: 22/10/2024
Roles: Governor Designated Online Safety Lead, Curriculum
Job: Credit & Collections Manager
Parent to: Poppy
Message to Parents: I’m over the moon to be elected as Parent Governor at a school which is very close to my heart, both as an ex-pupil and now as a parent. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to support the School as a Governor and learn more about HCPS, helping to drive improvements and make the school and its pupils be the very best they can be.
Favourite Children’s Book: Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
Matt Paisley
Term of Office Ends: 04/12/2027
Job: Police Officer – Locality Inspector for Bury St Edmunds police command
Parent to: Isla and Noah
Message to parents: Having been a pupil at the school myself, I feel a strong connection and bond with the buildings, staff and ethos. My own children continue to strive and grow as they progress through nursery and year one respectively, and I am very committed to helping the team and teaching staff provide the best learning journey for all students.
Hadleigh is a great place to live, and its future starts with those walking through the gates. I am proud to be a small part in shaping that future.
Favourite children’s book: Stick Man
Aidan Banham
Term of Office Ends: 05/12/2026
Job: Year 6 Teacher
Message to parents:
I recently joined HCPS as a class teacher and am very much enjoying teaching Year 6. I was drawn to teaching because I saw first-hand the difference a good teacher can make on a child’s life. What really attracted me to join the school was its vibrant curriculum, inclusive ethos and strong links to the local community.
These values have only become more evident to me since joining such a fantastic team, with everyone at the school making me feel very welcome from the offset. I look forward to serving the school as a staff governor; helping to maintain the high standards of the school and ensuring it remains a focal point of the local community.
It is great to work in a school where students are curious, enthusiastic and exemplify the school’s motto, “Be the best you can be.”
Favourite children’s book: Holes by Louis Sachar
Natalie Freislich-Mills
Term of Office Ends: 04/12/2027
Job: Strategic Lead, Skills for Infrastructure
Message to parents: Education is my passion, having spent the majority of my career as a secondary school teacher and then managing an outreach programme supporting disadvantaged young people to progress to university. When I moved to Hadleigh, I wanted to contribute to the local community and being a governor seemed the perfect way to do so. I hope to use my skills and experiences to support the children of Hadleigh to thrive in their primary education and beyond.
Favourite children’s book: In My Heart by Jo Witek
Melanie Williams
Term of Office Ends: 26/03/2027
Job:
Parent to: Jago & Kaleb
Message to parents:
Favourite children’s book:
James Baalham
Term of Office Ends: 17/07/2027
Job: Progress Director and Teacher at Northgate High School
Parent to: Florence and Rose
Message to Parents: I have lived in Hadleigh all my life and attended HCPS. The School is a fantastic part of the community and one which holds a lot of happy memories for me, my family and friends. My eldest daughter has just started in the Nursery and her experience so far has been brilliant. This is down to the fantastic environment, the opportunities offered both inside and outside the classroom and the enthusiastic staff who support and nurture learning. I am proud and committed to be a part of the Governing body of the school and I am committed to supporting HCPS and its staff in providing an environment which allows children to reach their full potential.
Favourite childrens book: Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl
Kevin Brown
Term of Office Ends: 31/08/2027
Roles: Budget Setting Committee, Pupil Discipline Committee, Resources, Steering Committee
Job: Chartered Accountant
Parent to: Alexander
Message to Parents: I am lucky enough to have known the school for over 30 years, from when I attended as a pupil. Whilst lots had changed in education since then, a lot of the great things at the school remain the same and are what makes the school such a friendly, supportive and wonderful place to learn in, just as it was back when I attended.
Favourite Children’s book: Anything by Roald Dahl.
Georgina Howe
Term of Office Ends: 15/06/2028
Job: Stay at Home Parent. Formerly HR Consultant
Parent to: Betty and Peggy
Message to Parents: As a relative newcomer to Hadleigh, I had no preconceptions when I started to look for nursery and school places for my eldest, but HCPS stood out as a great establishment. The Forest School provision and dedicated music and PE staff are fantastic assets that aren’t found in many schools and add a hugely valuable counterpoint and enhancement to the ‘3R’s. My daughter loves her time in school and is always keen to tell me all the exciting things she’s been up to- and you can’t get a better recommendation than that from a child!
Favourite Children’s Book: Monkey Puzzle by Julia Donaldson and The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright.
Roles: Curriculum Committee, Pupil Premium
Job: Residential Property Manager
Parent to: William and Imogen
Message to Parents: My wife grew up in Hadleigh and after many years living and working away and abroad we have returned to this fantastic community.
From William’s first involvement with the school, HCPS impressed me so much that I wanted to be involved in some way, and so I feel very lucky to have become a school governor. I look forward to supporting the pupils and the school in being the very best that they can be.
Favourite children’s book: The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr.
Sheena Broadbent
Term of Office Ends: 31st August 2026
Roles: Curriculum
Job: Retired Teacher
Parent to: Sam and Josh, now adults, who both attended the school.
Message to Parents: I started my association with HCPS as a class teacher in 1986. Subsequently, I became part of a team teaching specialist subjects and was privileged to teach music to all the children from Nursery to Year 6. This was an extremely rewarding role and a pleasure to be part of each child’s musical development.
Following my retirement in August 2022, and having dedicated so much of my working life to HCPS, I take great delight in keeping links with the school by remaining as a Governor. I know from experience that HCPS provides such a happy, safe, caring and stimulating environment where all children feel valued as individuals and are encouraged to reach their full potential.
‘Start the day with a smile and you are sure to end on a good note!’
Favourite Children’s book: Tabby McTat by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
Richard Watson
Term of Office Ends: 19/10/2027
Job: Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board
Parent to: Cody
Message to parents:
I have lived on the edge of Hadleigh for the last five years since moving here with my husband from Dedham and before that London. Our son has just joined the preschool in September 2023 and so I am pleased to have been elected to support the school in its operation and get more involved in the local school community.
I have previously been a school governor and vice chair at a primary school when l was living in London.
Favourite children’s book: Hairy Maclary Series by Lynley Dodd and And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell