Governors

To contact our Chair of Governors, please email mwatson@hartfordprimary.cheshire.sch.uk

Responsibility, Respect, Aspiration, Pride

As a governor of Hartford Primary School we undertake to work collectively, with our best intentions, to drive forward the school community and provide the best environment possible for the pupils and staff in our care to thrive. 

We understand that our key roles are to:

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;

2. Hold executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and

3. Oversee the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.

We will strike a thoughtful balance between support and challenge, consider the whole school impact of the decisions we make and support, be visible and mindful, whilst seeking self-development to remain relevant and informed. 

The well-being of our staff and our pupils will be at the forefront of our minds as we go about our business, we will take bold and decisive steps where the actions match our strategy and we will be active citizens in our community to promote HPS. 

Effective governance is based on six key features:

 

1. Strategic leadership that sets and champions vision, ethos and strategy.

2. Accountability that drives up educational standards and financial performance.

3. People with the right skills, experience, qualities and capacity. 

4. Structures that reinforce clearly defined roles and responsibilities. 

5. Compliance with statutory and contractual requirements.

6. Evaluation to monitor and improve the quality and impact of governance.

 

As a collective we are responsible for being effective, in a manner that promotes the physical, social, emotion and education wellbeing of each and every pupil in our care, for setting and championing our schools ethos, vision and values, and for being the rational and knowledge voice of strategic support, which when couple with our exceptional executive leaders, provides an unstoppable force towards a brighter future for all. 

Mike Watson - Chair of Governors

I am father to Max in Y6, and Izzy who is currently in Y4. This is my 2nd Governorship having previously served as a Community Governor at Platt Bridge CPS in Wigan. 

I currently work as a CEO in the Sports Industry. I have a huge passion for Sport and have worked and volunteered in the industry for the past 16 years. I'm delighted to have been elected Chair of Governors in July 2019 following a 3 year period as a Parent Governor. 

Kate Venables

I became a parent governor in June 2019 and have two children at Hartford Primary School. 

In my professional capacity, I am a partner in a regional commercial law firm and have specialized in Employment Law for over 14 years, advising organisations and individuals across a range of sectors. 

Dr Kate Knight

I was elected as a Parent Governor in December 2019. I have one daughter in School, Yasmin (Year 2).

I am a Senior Lecturer in Children and Young People’s Nursing at the University of Chester.  I am passionate about hearing and sharing the voices of children and young people with a special interest working with disabled children and young people.  I volunteer for the Scout Association and lead 1st Hartford Cub Scouts.

I am delighted to join the Governor team.

Sue Mills

I am a Head Teacher of a local Primary School and have been a senior leader in 3 primary schools. Having been on Governing Boards for 15 years, I have a good understanding of the important strategic role governors have to improve the effectiveness of schools and to enhance a school’s strategic direction. I have been a school SENDCo in 3 primary schools and am passionate about effective provision for children with Special Educational Needs. I am currently working with my school’s partnership and the local authority to support challenging behaviours in schools, averting exclusions and shaping different ways of working to improve outcomes for children who demonstrate more challenging behaviours. 

I am a ‘mum’ of 2 boys and enjoy my time watching them in their various sports (mainly football and cricket). I have developed a love of walking during recent lockdowns and have even tried to bake – but this is still a work in progress!

Katherine Ottewell

 

Jana Hughes

I was elected as a Parent Governor in December 2021 and have a child in Early Years.

I am a HR professional at a Public Sector organisation, and my history includes working for emergency services such as NHS, Fire Service and Police.

I am a subject matter expert in neurodiversity, reasonable adjustments, Equality Act 2010 and advise many different stakeholders, including senior leaders.

I have enormous respect for the staff and parents at Hartford Primary School and would like to further contribute to supporting a safe, happy, inclusive and diverse values based environment for our children, parents and local community.

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