About our Governing Body

 

Governing Body Membership & Interests Full Governing Body Meeting Attendance

 

Meet our Governors

Name: Paula Durrant

Paula Durrant

 

Category: Local Authority 
Term of Office: 2018 - 8 February 2025
Committees and Responsibilities: Chair of Governors, Chair of Standards Safer Recruitment, EYFS, SEND, Headteacher Appraisal
Voting Rights: Full 
Relevant Business Interests: None
Governorship elsewhere: None
Relationship with School Members: None

Paula is Chair of Governors, alongside Pieter Hall and Chair of the Standards Committee. Paula has in excess of 30 years’ experience working in Education including within SEND, Early Years and presently as a 0-19 Place, Planning and Sufficiency Officer for Hertfordshire County Council. She is a qualified British Swimming Referee and Events Manager for national swimming competitions, all of which are substantial voluntary roles, and had the pleasure of leading a Team at the recent 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Paula has a grown up daughter who was identified with dyslexia very late in her academic journey. Meaghan is now a qualified Veterinary Nurse. Paula became a school governor to give back to a local community, sharing her knowledge in education and experiences as a parent of a child with SEND to challenge, motivate and inspire effective educational practice.

 

Name: James Hayward

Category: Headteacher
Term of Office: Ex officio, commenced 2 September 2021
Committees and Responsibilities: Standards and Resources
Voting Rights: Full
Relevant Business Interests: None
Governorship elsewhere: None
Relationship with School Members : None

James Hayward is the Headteacher at Haslingfield Endowed Primary School, taking up this post in September 2021. James has a degree in Psychology from the University of Plymouth and a PGCE in primary education from the college of St Mark and St John. In his teaching career, James has taught all age groups in the primary phase. He has worked with the local authority as a Key Stage 1 moderator and has also been a DFE advisor for Statutory Assessment. James is an experienced SENDCO, gaining a masters in SEND Coordination in 2017; his strong passion for building inclusive educational communities has led him to become a guest speaker at national SEND events. James has spent his entire teaching career in Cambridgeshire and has experience of school leadership in other village community schools as well as a large 3-form new city primary school. At home James is father to two girls of school age who keep him on-his-toes when he is not at work!

James is thrilled to be part of the Governing Body at Haslingfield and is excited for the future of the school.

 

Name: Donna Peck

Category: Staff
Term of Office: 1 January 2020 - 2024
Committees and Responsibilites: Resources Commitee 
Voting Rights: Full
Relevant Business Interests : None
Governorship elsewhere: None
Relationship with School Members: None

Donna Peck is the Deputy Headteacher at Haslingfield Endowed Primary School, and has been at the school since January 2013. Donna started the school as a teacher in Ash class and progressed to a senior teacher and then a Deputy Headteacher whilst having the opportunity to work with all of the different key stages across the school. Donna spent four years studying a BA Honours degree in primary education at the University of Brighton and started her teaching career in her home county, Essex. Donna spent her first 7 years of teaching at a three form entry school and had the opportunity to lead and help develop a new EYFS block within the school. Throughout her career, both in Essex and Cambridge, Donna has led English, Maths, PSHE and PE across all three key stages. At home, Donna is kept very busy with her two children and her very energetic springer spaniel.

Donna is very excited to be part of the governing body and to have such a valuable input towards the schools journey moving forward.  

 

Name: Poppy Short

Category: Parent Governor
Term of Office: 20 January 2021 - 19 January 2025
Committees and Responsibilities: Interim Vice Chair, Standards, Pupil Premium and CPIC, GDPR, Website

Voting Rights:  Full
Relevant Business Interests: None
Governorship elsewhere: None 
Relationship with School Members: None

Poppy is a lawyer at Mills & Reeve in Cambridge and has over fifteen years’ experience advising universities, further education colleges and schools on the full range of commercial, corporate and governance issues. Poppy has recently spent time on secondment as the Interim General Council at The Institution of Engineering and Technology where amongst other matters she advised on initiatives to promote STEM to primary aged school children and develop strategies around digital poverty.

Poppy was previously a trustee of Little Owls preschool, where she advised on a wide range of issues including governance and she helped to convert the trust that operates the preschool into a charitable incorporated organisation.  Poppy has had three children attend Haslingfield school; currently her youngest child is at the school, whilst the two eldest children have moved onto secondary. 

Poppy is delighted to be part of the governoring body so she can help support the school that has enabled her children to flourish educationally and grow as people.

 

Name: Guy Lewis

Category: Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: December 2021 - December 2025
Committees and Responsibilities: Chair of Resources Committee, Safeguarding, Child Protection, 
Health & Safety

Voting Rights:  Full
Relevant Business Interests: None
Governorship elsewhere: None 
Relationship with School Members: None

Guy Lewis finished a 23 year international career with HSBC Bank in 2020 and is retraining as a commercial pilot.  Whilst working for HSBC, Guy held several senior leadership positions, including CEO of HSBC Bank Georgia and COO Commercial Banking for HSBC Bangladesh.  He holds a degree in Pharmacology from the University of Bristol as well as an MBA from the University of Liverpool.  Guy has a wealth of both commercial and HR experience to add to the expertise of the Board of Governors.  Outside of work, Guy enjoys all things aviation-related as well as keeping fit on his trusty road bike.

Guy's family is based in Great Chesterford. Guy is married and has two teenage daughters.  He is passionate about education and wants to give back to the local community by being a school governor.

Guy is very excited to be starting this new role and to help guide the school to a bright future.

 

Name: Natalie Gillies

 

Category: Parent Governor
Term of Office: December 2025
Committees and Responsibilities: Standards Committee, Literacy, Curriculum, Diversity and Equality
Voting Rights:  Full
Relevant Business Interests: None

Governorship elsewhere: None

Relationship with School Members: None

Natalie's background is in SEND Primary Teaching and she currently works for a County Council in their Specialist Advisory Service as an Early Years Inclusion Specialist for Speech, Language, Communication and Autism.  As part of this role she offers support, advice and training to nurseries, schools and in the home. She has a keen interest in sensory processing needs and therapeutic behaviour and wellbeing. 

Natalie has two children who attend the school. 

 

Natalie is passionate about the education of all children and is keen to help ensure that the children at Haslingfield School continue to thrive within a happy, secure and supportive environment. 

 

 

Clerk to the Governors: This role is provided by Cambridgshire LA Cam-Clerks.