Hello and welcome!

Allow us to introduce you to the dynamic and hard-working Governing Body of Headlands Primary School. We are a diverse group who have many years of governing experience between us.  We have different reasons for becoming Governors at Headlands and we all bring a different perspective to our roles and duties, and these are represented at our regular Governor's meetings.

The main thing we have in common is wanting the school to be the best it can be and that all the pupils and staff are well looked after and supported.  We support not only the pupils but the staff as well to enable everyone to learn and grow and to be the best they can.

Headlands is more than just a school - it's a community. There is support for the whole family should they need it, and we have an excellent PTA and Parent Forum who support the school by raising funds and awareness.   The Governors are familiar figures around school - either during the school day or attending school events and are always made to feel welcome while checking on the welfare of pupils, teachers, teaching assistants and support staff. 

Ron Smith (Chair)  

Co-opted Governor ; Chair of Governors; Board member since 2007

The best thing about Headlands School is we are one big happy family where the more able pupils look after and learn from less able.

 

Ruth Ellis (Headteacher)  

Hello, my name is Ruth Ellis and I have the privilege of being the Headteacher of Headlands Primary School since September 2016 and a Headteacher governor for 17 years. As Headteacher, I am a member of the governing body by virtue of office and attend all full governing body and committee meetings.  My role on the governing body is to provide governors with the information, data and advice needed to help raise school standards; formulate aims, objectives and targets for consideration; and report on strategic frameworks and school standards.  

The best thing about being a governor at Headlands is being part of a dynamic team dedicated to providing the best provision for the children.

 

Louise Pearce (Deputy Headteacher)

Hello, my name is Louise Pearce and I am both the deputy headteacher and a Year One/Two class teacher. I began my teaching career working at Yearsley Grove Primary School in York in 1996 before joining Headlands Primary School in my current role in 2009. I have been a staff governor since joining Headlands and, as well as attending all full governing body meetings, I sit on the Curriculum and the Finance committees. As a staff governor, my role is to ensure a staff viewpoint and perspective is brought to all discussions and debates.  

The best thing about being a governor at Headlands Primary School, is working alongside like-minded individuals who as a group, are united by a commitment to ensure our school is place where every child is able to achieve their full potential.

 

Elizabeth Neville

Teacher at Headlands Primary School; Co-opted Governor; Teacher Governor / Curriculum Committee . Length of service: Long!! I can’t remember (Approximately 10 years)

The best thing about being a Governor at Headlands is.... Working together in partnership with a wonderful group of people who are passionate about providing the very best outcomes for all children and their families within the Headlands community.  

 

Sarah Hare (Vice-Chair)

HR Programme Manager. Co-opted governor. Role on governing body is Vice Chair of Governors and Chair of Finance & Resources Committee & Pay Committee. I am also responsible for chairing the annual headteacher performance appraisal. I have been a governor since 2015, when both my children attended Headlands. Both have since moved on to secondary school but I have continued as a Headlands governor.  

The best thing about being a governor at Headlands is the opportunity to work with such an enthusiastic and dedicated team of governors and school staff, who strive to make Headlands the best place it can be for our children.  It is rewarding to be able to use my professional skills and experience to support the school as a 'critical friend' and really help make a difference to our young people's primary school experience and prepare them for the future.

 

Stewart Pearson

I have been a governor at Headlands since May 2017, and was co-opted to the governing body from the local community.  As well as the full governing body, I sit on the Finance & Resources and Pay Committees and am part of the headteacher annual appraisal team.  I am the link governor for modern languages (French).

I am a retired company director and used to work for a medical device manufacturing company supplying quality prescription and non-prescription products for head and neck cancer care to NHS hospitals, pharmaceutical wholesalers and to private individuals.  My role included provision of monthly management accounts, procurement of stocks from approved suppliers, company secretarial/human resources commitments as well as contributing to the overall company strategy.  I grew up in Haxby - as did my wife - and remained here until I went to University. After a few years where we lived in Leeds, we moved back to Haxby, and both of our children attended Headlands School during the 1990s, so we have known the school and its ethos for a long time.  I am currently a church warden at St Mary's Church in Haxby of which I have been a member for many years - and which has been used many times for Christmas carol concerts and for 'mock weddings' as well as other RE projects!  

The best thing about being a governor at Headlands is being a member of an enthusiastic, well-led team which is dedicated to providing the best experience and outcomes not only for all pupils but also for all staff.  

 

Clare Ahmad  

My name is Clare Ahmad, I’m a full-time carer and I have been a co-opted Governor since October 2022 after my daughter left for secondary school. I am a member of the Curriculum Committee and I am also the link Governor for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants).  

The best thing about being a Governor at Headlands is being able to go into school and see how inclusive they are and how well the children are doing - regardless of their abilities and how happy and supported everyone is.  I manage the tickets for all school performances and am on the door for every show - a role I’ve been doing since my daughter was in Year 2.  I also help out the school office when needed.  As a former pupil of the school I want to ensure that all the pupils have as good a memory of the school as I have.

 

Ian Cuthbertson 

Occupation:  Retired software engineer City of York Councillor (Haxby & Wigginton Ward) and Haxby Town Councillor (Haxby Central Ward) A trustee of SNAPPY School committees: Curriculum and Finance Link Governor roles: Safeguarding, English and History Length of service: Since before 2000, though it seems like only 5 minutes…

Best thing about being a governor: Giving something back to our community, supporting our amazing local children, working with a team of friendly, supportive and enthusiastic governors, working with such energetic, lively and committed teaching staff and being supported by our friendly office and admin staff.  It gives a refreshingly different perspective to my work as a local councillor representing the Haxby & Wigginton community.  

 

Tracey Harrison  (Book-Keeper) 

Parent Governor and Chair of Curriculum Committee  I was elected as a Parent Governor in 2022, during the year that the last of my 3 daughters was moving on from Headlands Primary School to Secondary School.  

I was previously the Chair of the Headlands Parents’ Forum, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I was the point of contact for parent queries, liaising with school and a team of parents, to resolve any issues in a clear, concise and friendly manner.  Prior to this, I worked for 19 years in Retail Banking giving me a vast experience of budgets, targets, lending, managing people and customer service. My interests include days out with my family, walking, cinema, theatre and baking.  

The best thing about being a Governor at Headlands is being able to be part of a fantastic team, giving support to the school staff to ensure that Headlands gives the children in its care, the best possible education and environment to learn and grow.  

 

Danielle Pearson  

Occupation: Teacher  Type of Governor: Parent   Role on governing body: curriculum committee, link governor for computing and PSHE.  Length of service: 3 years  

The best thing about being a Governor at Headlands is... Giving something back to the local community and working with such hardworking focused staff wanting to do the best by each child.    

 

Suzanne Coombes

My name is Suzanne Coombes and I became a co-opted governor at Headlands school in 2024.

I am from Haxby and although I did not go to Headlands (I went to Usher Lane) I had lots of friends that did and now my son attends the school. I work for one of the UK supermarkets and it is through my role I started to become more aware of the challenges that face our schools and the importance of community and the role the community can play in supporting schools and more importantly the children that attend them.  

I hope that by being a governor I can support the school in meeting their mission of working together to ensure that all Headlands children reach their full potential in a happy, caring, safe and respectful environment.