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.
| Governors board strategy | April 2022 - July 2022 |
| Declaration of Business Interests | Current |
| Governing Body Attendance | Current |
| Governance Statement | Current |
The Governing Body
Role |
Name |
Date of appointment |
Term of office end |
| Chair of Governors | Tania Farrow | 22 Oct 2022 | 21 Oct 2024 |
| Co-opted Governor | Holly Davis | 15 Aug 2020 | 14 Aug 2024 |
| Co-opted Governor | Lyn Lawrence | 27 Sep 2022 | 26 Sep 2026 |
| Parent Governor | David Gibbs-Kneller | 2 Feb 2023 | 2 Feb 2027 |
| Staff Governor | Rachael Howard | 1 Jul 2019 | 30 Jun 2023 |
| Parent Governor | Mark Stevenson | 27 Sep 2022 | 26 Sep 2026 |
| Local Authority Governor | Sonia Walker | 22 Oct 2020 | 21 Oct 2024 |
| Headteacher | Matthew Cross | 1 Sep 2022 |
Historic (within last 12 months)
- Mrs Rachel Gray (Parent Governor) Term of office ended 3 Jan 2021
- 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
- Sweena Mattam (Co-opted Governor) Term of office ended 9 Sep 2022
- Penny Sheppard (Headteacher) Term of office ended 31 Aug 2022
- Clara Bettermann (Staff Governor) Term of office ended 31 Aug 2022
- Laura Cowan (Chair of Governors) Term of office ended 6 Oct 2022
- Rebekah Kendrick (Staff Governor) Term of office ended 30 April 2023
Meet The Governors
Tania Farrow - Chair of Governors
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 achieved in a school 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 actively 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 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 the Friends and Family Association of the English International School of Bratislava, where because of my professional background I had the opportunity to also work as Marketing Director and Admissions Officer.
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 now I have the opportunity and privilege to be Chair of Governors and I look forward to continue to support this wonderful school and community.
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
Lyn Lawrence - Co-opted Governor
As a retired college lecturer, specialising in SEND, I hope to use my knowledge and skills to ensure each child at QH receives quality education in a safe, stimulating environment.
Prior to covid, I loved to travel overseas, but now I spend my time reading, judging Preserves at local shows and exercising our 2 black Labradors , Penny and Ruby.
Through questioning and challenging I will endeavour to monitor staff development and well-being plus the school council and pupil voice to achieve the best learning outcomes that each child deserves.
David Gibbs-Kneller - Parent Governor
I am excited to contribute to the strategic oversight of Queen's Hill Primary School. I have extensive experience in law and education, working as an academic in law at several universities.
As of 2023 I have been an Associate Professor in Private Law at the University of East Anglia. In my role I teach on a variety of private law modules, I have published work in World-leading and internationally recognised journals, I act as an academic advisor, and I am the plagiarism officer for the law school. Alongside my main role, I work as an external examiner at the University of Southampton and the London School of Economics. I am also a fellow of the Higher Education Academy, which requires members to demonstrate that their teaching practice meets the professional standards framework in higher education, and in 2015 I held the British Academy Prize for Quantitative Skills.
I have lived on the Hill since 2012. In my spare time I enjoy running, cycling and cooking, and in 2023 I completed the London Marathon.
Rachael Howard - Staff Governor
Having been a teacher for over 20 years, I became a Governor knowing 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 became a Governor at Queen’s Hill in 2015, firstly as a co-opted governor before becoming a parent governor. My role within the board has evolved throughout this time and has included chairing the Teaching and Learning Committee for a number of years.
I have worked at Queens’s Hill, across all the year groups from Nursery to Year 6, since 2016 and this year have undertaken the role of staff governor. I look forward to continuing to support the school, the staff and the children of Queen’s Hill.
I am a mum to four children, one of whom attends Queen’s Hill while my three elder children are now in High School. I enjoy spending time with my family and walking our two dogs, Poppy and Willow
Mark Stevenson - Parent Governor
It’s a pleasure to have joined Queens Hill as Parent Governor in September 2022 - a really exciting opportunity to be involved in the school that my son now attends and be a representative for the parents.
For work, I am part of the Research Department at Liverpool Football Club - and in my spare time I’m a director for a parenting support group called “Dadvengers” - helping Dads on their journey through fatherhood. I also run a weekly “Code Club” at the Millennium Library to help children learn the basics of computer programming.
I live on Queens Hill with my Wife and Son, and our cat (Kenny) - and in my spare time I enjoy Mountain Biking and Photography (ideally not at the same time, though!)
Sonia Walker - Local Authority Governor
It is a pleasure to have joined the governing body at Queens Hill in 2020. 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.