Governors

Shirley Young

Chair of Governors

Shirley has worked for 25 years across all sectors of education, particularly in schools in challenging circumstances. She has extensive experience in the strategic development of inclusion programmes and pastoral care within schools; whole school behaviour management, Safeguarding, Attendance, Whole School Improvement and reporting to Governing bodies, trusts and inspection teams. As part of her consultancy work, she completes assessments for the Inclusion Quality Mark Award and carries out safeguarding reviews, behaviour audits and leadership and management mentoring for leaders working across Inclusion. Shirley has been an active governor for over 15 years. This has included the roles of Chair of Governors for a small primary school and Chair of a Federation for a group of 3 small primary schools. Shirley has more recently been appointed as a trustee for the Penrose Learning Trust.

Richard Hanson

Safeguarding

Safeguarding

I have been involved in Education for over 14 years and, after 4 years as an Assistant Vice Principal at Clacton Coastal Academy, am now the Principal Designate at Chantry Academy in Ipswich. I have worked with schools across all ages and really value the impact Primary Schools can have on raising aspirations. Although born and raised in Scunthorpe, my Grandfather was from Ipswich and, before becoming Headteacher at Sproughton, taught at Roebeck Road (Orwell Junior School) and Sidegate Primary School. My Grandfather spoke fondly of Ipswich and the children he worked with. I have been enthused by the hard work local schools invest in young children and relish the opportunity to be part of Hillside Primary School. I feel Hillside Primary has a real focus on student progress and helping all youngsters to achieve their potential. I enjoy being part of such a forward thinking school and the impact it will have on the children and families in the community.

Catherine Holmes

Clerk

I joined the Governing Body as their Clerk in April 2022. I have been a project manager in the NHS for over thirty years, both at Ipswich Hospital and other hospitals in the southeast. I was a governor and clerk of governors in a large primary school in Barnet, north London before moving back to Suffolk. I am now a clerk for several schools in the area and also still do some project work for the NHS. I am a volunteer with Girlguiding in my spare time.

Wendy James

Trust Governor

Health and Safety and Inclusion

I work for The Active Learning Trust as the Executive Headteacher of Sidegate Primary School. I have been the head at Sidegate since April 2011 and before that, I was the head of Murrayfield Primary for 5 years. I volunteered to join Hillside's Governing Body, as I am committed to the education of all pupils in the Trust and across Ipswich. As well as supporting Hillside, I also want to learn from Hillside - school to school working is extremely important for school improvement. I am the proud mother of two children, both now in their late 20's. I am the founder and a trustee of the charity SMART (Suffolk Music & Alumni Trust) and I have my own educational consultancy business. In my spare time I like to run, crochet and travel.

Floretina Adetu

Parent Governor

I graduated in Sociology in 2008 in Romania and have had different roles since then. Moving to the U.K., brought an interesting opportunity: I had the chance to join the English educational system and decided that this is what I want for the future. Working with students with a wide range of abilities, with SEND or being EAL, has improved my understanding about supporting the pupils in their education. Now, I am about to start the Teacher Training program and obtain the QTS. Being asked to be a part of the Hillside Primary School community was a great honour and I am looking forward to the experience that this will bring.

Tania Cunha

Parent Governor

In Portugal, where I was born, I worked as an ambulance crew for almost 10 years, between shifts I participated in projects that involved children. In 2010, I moved to the UK and new opportunities emerged such as charity projects in the Portuguese community. But it was when my children joined Hillside that I never stopped, I started as a volunteer and today I love my varied responsibilities for the benefit of the community.

Lisa Corby

Academy Improvement Lead

Anne Donnelly

Staff governor

My name is Anne Donnelly. I am currently the KS1 Leader at Hillside Primary School. I have two grown up sons. I have worked in a variety of schools in a variety of roles for 21 years. When I was growing up, I attended a strict Catholic primary and high school. I felt there was little in place to address the emotional needs of the children at school. I am passionate about making sure every child feels valued and every child is heard.