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.
To view Governors Attendance, please
Chair of Governors
- Mrs Mandy Gowers
Vice Chair of Governors
- Mr James Baalham
LEA Governor
- Mr James Baalham
SEND Governor
- Mrs Laura Crawford
Co-opted Governors
- Mr Kevin Brown
- Mr David Thurkettle
- Mr Mike Finch
- Mrs Mandy Gowers
Parent Governors
- Mr Matt Paisley
- Mr Tom Paxman
- Mrs Laura Crawford
Associate Members
- Mr Andrew Hunkin
- Mr Greg Frost
- Mr Cieran Dadds
- Mrs Jackie Kitchener
Staff Governor
- Mrs Sheena Broadbent
Meet the Governors
Joel Runnels-Moss

Term of Office Ends: 19/07/2020
Roles: Appeals, Budget Setting Committee, Curriculum, Steering Committee
Job: Mortgage Manager Halifax Bank.
Parent to: Amber and Joshua.
Message to Parents: We are lucky to be able to send our children to a school that offers so much, please feel free to join in with activities within the school especially with the extra curricular events, such as the school disco I know the Home School Association (HSA) are always grateful for all the help they can get.
Favourite Children’s book: ‘Calling all master builders!’ By David Fentiman.
Kevin Brown

Term of Office Ends: 31/08/2023
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.
Mandy Gowers

Term of Office Ends: 28/01/2022
Roles: Budget Setting Committee, Curriculum, Hearings, Resources, Steering Committee
Job: Finance Manager at Orwell Housing Association Ltd.
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.
David Thurkettle

Term of Office Ends: 11/11/2022
Roles: Governor Designated Safeguarding Lead, Budget Setting Committee, Resources,
Job Title: Detective in Child Abuse Investigation Team for Essex Police
Parent to: Oliver & Samuel
Message to parents: I’m very proud to send my children to this fantastic school. Mr Pilkington and the staffing team do a wonderful job in building confidence and knowledge to all the children. This will undoubtedly set them up for the future. I will be helping with Safeguarding of your children and will do my best to help the staffing team keep them safe at school. Whilst in the police force I have gained specific skills to help with this, and will take all queries very seriously. It’s important for all children to feel comfortable to open up about their challenges so the school can help them achieve their best.
Favourite children’s book: Roald Dahl: The BFG
Laura Crawford

Term of Office Ends: 03/2022
Roles: Governor Designated Online Safety Lead, Curriculum, Pupil Discipline Committee, SEND Governor
Job: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Nurse
Parent to: Amelia, Jake and Iris
Message to Parents: I feel privileged to have been voted by parents of HCPS into the role of Parent Governor. Staff at the school work hard to give children wonderful opportunities. I am keen to support staff to do this and to ensure that all children at HCPS flourish both educationally and emotionally.
Favourite Children’s book: The Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson and Owl Babies by Martin Waddell.
Sheena Broadbent

Term of Office Ends: 2024
Roles: Curriculum
Job: Teacher
Parent to: Sam and Josh, now adults, who both attended the school.
Message to Parents: I have been a class teacher at HCPS since 1986. Currently I am part of a team teaching specialist subjects and am privileged to teach music to all the children from Nursery to Year 6. I have devoted a great deal of my working life to this school and am pleased to be a staff representative. At HCPS we provide a happy, safe, caring and stimulating environment where we ensure 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: ‘Dogger’ by Shirley Hughes.
Matt Paisley

Term of Office Ends: 10/07/2023
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
Mike Finch

Term of Office Ends: 10/07/2023
Name: Mike Finch.
Job: Director Pneumac (Hadleigh) Ltd Semi Retired
Granddad to: Lacy
Role: Curriculum Committee
Message to parents: My wife & I grew up in Hadleigh and my wife attended the school, My granddaughter Lacy attended Playstation for a year and has just started at Nursery, we have been very impressed with the welcoming and supportive ethos and facilities available at the school and I am pleased to have had the opportunity to join the Governing Body.
Favourite children’s book: The Witch The Lion & the Wardrobe
James Baalham

Term of Office Ends: 10/07/2023
Name: James Baalham
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 have 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
Tom Paxman

Term of Office Ends: 10/07/2023
Name: Tom Paxman
Job: Director at Praxis42
Parent to: Holly and Chloe
Message to Parents: Having grown up in Boxford I have always been aware of what an excellent school HCPS is so it was the obvious choice when the time came to choose which school the girls should attend. The team here are second to none and are always working hard to provide our children with an environment in which they can thrive. It’s a privilege to be a Governor at HCPS and to work with such a great team.
Favourite book: The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark