What do our school governors do?
- Together with the Headteacher they are responsible for making sure our school provides good quality education.
- They provide challenge and support to the Headteacher, drawing on their knowledge and experience.
- They make decisions together on matters such as performance, targets, school policies and school development plans.
- They monitor the impact of policies and oversee the school budget and staffing.
- They report on school achievements and respond to inspection recommendations.
- They ask searching questions and respect the position of the Headteacher as the professional leader of the school.
If you require any copies of the minutes then please email the clerk, office@queenshill.norfolk.sch.uk.
| Governor Action Plan | April 2020 - 2021 |
| Declaration of Business Interests | Current |
| Governing Body Attendance | 2020 - 2021 |
| Governance Statement | Current |
| School Development Terms of Reference | Pending |
The Governing Body
| Role | Name | Date of appointment | Term of office end |
| Staff Governor | Clara Bettermann | 7 March 2020 | 06 Mar 2024 |
| Chair of Governors | Laura Cowan | 1 Oct 2019 | 30 Sep 2023 |
| Co-opted Governor | Holly Davis | 15 Aug 2020 | 14 Aug 2024 |
| Parent Governor | Rachael Howard | 1 Jul 2019 | 30 Jun 2023 |
| Parent Governor | Tania Farrow | 22 Oct 2020 | 21 Oct 2024 |
| Co-opted Governor | Sweena Mattam | 04 Jun 2021 | 03 Jun 2025 |
| Local Authority Governor | Sonia Walker | 22 Oct 2020 | 21 Oct 2024 |
| Headteacher | Penny Sheppard | 1 Sep 2008 | Headteacher |
Historic (within last 12 months)
- Mrs Rachel Gray (Parent Governor) Term of office due to end 18/12/20
- Mrs Loren Carpenter (Staff Governor) Term of office ended January 2020
- Philip Broadhurst (Co-opted Governor) Term of office ended on 15 Sep 2021
- Andrew Ridgway (Co-opted Governor) Term of office ended 07 May 2021
Meet The Governors
Laura Cowan - Chair of Governors
My role as Governor at Queen's Hills Primary School started when I joined the board in November 2015. I am currently Chair of Governors and monitor KS2, safeguarding, behaviour and attendance. Whenever I have the privilege to visit Queen’s Hill and speak to the Headteacher, staff and children I am always impressed with the energy, motivation and resilience to be the amazing school that it is.
After a long career in teaching I retired in 2018. My working lifefocussed on secondary education and in helping Norfolk schools to improve and be the best they can. I currently assess school improvement projects for Middle and Senior leaders from national Primary and Secondary schools through NPQonline.
I am supported by my husband Colin; I have two grown up married sons who have settled with their lovely wives in Norfolk. I love reading, walking, undertaking creative projects and travelling to exotic places. We live in the small village of Seething which is south of Norwich and have a black and white cat called Lennon and following in with the Queen’s hill tradition, a dalmatian called Molly.
Holly Davis - Co-opted Governor
I am a co-opted governor and joined the board in July 2020.
I am a chartered surveyor working in infrastructure advisory at a big four consultancy. My role is commercially-focussed and I advise on contracts, risk, procurement, and anything else you need to deliver major infrastructure. I've recently moved back to Norfolk, where I grew up, and wanted an opportunity to use my skills in the community. It is a privilege to be a governor at Queen's Hill, playing a role in ensuring young people gain the education and skills to empower them as they progress into their adult lives.
I am a marathon runner and triathlete and love all sports, so I am also passionate about young people finding physical activity they enjoy and making it a part of their lives
Clara Bettermann - Staff Governor
I joined the board as staff governor in August 2020. I completed part of my teacher training at Queen’s Hill Primary School in 2016 and returned to the school in 2018. I am now teaching in year 4 and am part of the Community Values team specialising in languages. I feel privileged to be a member of staff at Queen’s Hill and look forward to contributing to the future of the school. I am passionate about education and in helping children to become the best they can be. In my spare time I enjoy cycling, travelling and spending time with my family.
Tania Farrow
For me the difference between a school education that only provides knowledge to another that allows students to enjoy learning and discover and develop their potentials can only be done in an institution where all its members are convinced of this difference and have and seek the best educational strategies. But I’m convinced the school couldn't do it without the interest and involvement of parents. For this reason, since my children started school, I have tried to be very close and participate in the different schools where they have been. Due to my husband’s work we have been fortunate to live in Romania, Spain, Mexico, Slovakia and now able to be back in England.
As a parent I have had different roles at the international schools my kids have been, in Mexico at Westhill Institute I was president of the PTA and member of the school board until we moved to Slovakia, where I was also part of the PTA and became chair of Friends and Family Association of the English International School of Bratislava, where because of my professional background I had the opportunity to work as Marketing Director and Admissions Officer.
I studied International Relations and graphic design, I have over 18 years of experience in the Marketing, Advertising and PR Sector.
I consider that my experience in the various international IB schools we have been part of and my professional background could be useful on the governing board so I gladly accepted the invitation to participate as parent governor, my younger son attends Queen’s Hill Primary School, and my eldest daughter is studying Performing Arts at College.
Rachael Howard
I am a parent Governor and chair of the School Development Committee. Having been a teacher for 20 years, I became a Governor with the belief that I could use this experience to guide, assist and support Queen’s Hill Primary School to continue to provide a quality education that excites and engages every child.
I am a mum to four children, three of whom attend Queen’s Hill while my eldest has now moved on to High School. I enjoy spending time with my family and walking our two dogs, Poppy and Willow.
Sonia Walker - Local Authority Governor
It is a pleasure to have recently joined the governing body at Queens Hill. I have been in education for over 25 years, as a teacher, senior leader and now as a Senior Adviser within the local authority. While my first love was teaching French and Spanish, both in the UK and overseas, my current role has a distinct SEND focus. I look forward to being to support the school in that area where possible and am keen to become part of the Queens Hill community. In line with other governors, I must also mention Hector the cat, who is my faithful assistant when working from home.