Governors
Welcome to the Governors’ section of the website, and thank you for visiting the Hillside Avenue website. We have a very active Local Governance Team at Hillside which works closely with the Head teacher and Senior Leadership Team. We were founding members of the Yare Education Trust, now part of Broad Horizons Education Trust. We co-operate closely with the officers and trustees of the Trust to ensure that Hillside plays its part in promoting the whole Trust and children’s opportunities from ages 3 to 19.
The role of the Governance Team is to help shape the strategic direction of the school and to safeguard the public interest in it. As our role is strategic, we do not get involved in the day to day running of the school, as this is the responsibility of the Head teacher and the Senior Management Team. We ensure that they are accountable for their decisions and actions. We oversee the maintenance and improvement of standards of achievement within the school. We are also responsible for ensuring that the school policies and administration meet statutory and Trust requirements and that all our children are able to maximise the opportunities, academic and otherwise, provided for them.
The Governors are appointed to provide:
- An independent view
- A wide experience of the outside world
- A visible form of accountability for the Head teacher and Senior Management Team
- A focus on long term development and improvement
- Support for the Head teacher and staff
We hold regular meetings of the full Governance Team, and all Governors share the responsibilities and work together.
Revd James Stewart
Chair of Governors
Meet the Governors
I am the local Rector here in Thorpe St Andrew (known as 'Fr James') and am delighted to be involved with Hillside Avenue Primary School and Nursery in a number of ways. I originally qualified and practised as a Family Lawyer in the west of county but trained for the ordained ministry 10 years ago and, after other posts, came to Thorpe in 2016. I joined as a Governor in 2017, and served on the Standards Committee and I am now the Chair of the Local Governing Board. I grew up in Thorpe in a house about 100 metres from the school so it is a privilege to give something back to this lovely community. My hope, as a Governor, is to ensure high standards of teaching and learning and that the children and staff experience joy each and every day.
I became a Parent Governor in September 2018 when my eldest daughter started at Hillside, and my youngest daughter now attends the school. I was elected by the Local Governing Board (LBG) as a Co-Opted Governor in December 2021.
As a Governor, I strive to ensure high standards of teaching and learning throughout the school, actively contributing to discussion, and providing robust challenge and collaborative support whenever needed. I am a senior lawyer who, for over a decade, worked in corporate finance at law firms in the UK and Australia, before moving into a commercial role in-house in 2014. I completed an MBA at the UEA in 2023, and bring a different perspective to the LBG, combining business and people management experience, strategic and operational planning, with a risk management overlay.
In my spare time, I enjoy practising yoga, running, and being outdoors, and have a keen interest in interior design and photography.
Lucy Cox
I became a community governor in Summer 2024. I volunteered at Hillside and was immediately struck by how warm, kind and nurturing the environment is. I live in Thorpe St Andrew with my husband and two young boys.
I work at an engineering company in a technical administrative role and I hope that my ability to look at the finer details will help in scrutinizing; results, teaching, curriculum and well-being in our termly meetings.
I feel really privileged and lucky to become a school governor. I will aim to champion the children so that all their beautiful individuality is celebrated, having fun as they learn. The sky’s the limit!
Outside of work I enjoy running, yoga, reading and baking.
Colin Mcdonald
My youngest son started at Hillside in November 2023 and has since flourished in terms of his emotional wellbeing and his education. My interest in becoming a school governor has stemmed from wanting to give something back to the school and help ensure the same experience for other children and parents. I was elected by the Local Governing Board as a Co-Opted Governor in October 2024.
I am a Strategy Manager in the financial services industry, with a focus on great commercial and customer outcomes. I completed an MBA at the UEA in 2023, and hope to bring this experience combined with my commercial acumen, to give a fresh perspective to the Board of Governors. As a parent of children with Special Educational Needs at different stages of their education, I hope to serve as an ally for teachers, parents and children with additional needs.
In my spare time, I enjoy music, attending gigs and playing the guitar.
Hillside Avenue Local Governance Committee