Governors

The school governors are a group of elected representatives chosen by the parents, the Local Authority (LA), the school teaching staff and the governing board. These people are willing to devote their time, enthusiasm and skill to governing the school.

On the 27th April 2015 Harehills Primary School governing board reconstituted to form a more cohesive and dynamic approach to ensuring that the school continues to develop and flourish.

The full governing board meet at least once a term. The sub committees are very active and meet regularily and include representatives from our Senior Leadership team.  

 

Meet our governing body and find out more about their roles and responsibilities:

Ms Julia Shemilt

Chair of Governors (Co-opted Governor)
Term of office: 16/04/2019 - 16/04/2023
Enhanced DBS checked

Roles - Member of Teaching Learning and Pupil Support Committee, Safeguarding/Child Protection and Performance Management, Children looked after, SEND Governor, Health and Safety, Accountability for PE and Sports Funding, Head Teacher performance management.

Bio

My name is Julia Shemilt and I am proud to be the Chair of Governors at Harehills Primary. I have lived in the area for twenty five years and my children attended local schools. I work for the Local Authority in Children's Services HR and formerly Education Leeds and I have a good knowledge of schools in Leeds and the current trends in education. I am a qualified accountant and I lead the Resources Committee and look after the budget and the staffing for school.

As Chair I work very closely with the Headteacher to ensure that the school is performing well. This means making sure that the Head meets her performance targets and supporting and challenging her to educate and inspire our pupils and that the teachers and support staff work together to fulfil our vision for the school. I believe that our children have the right to the best education and that they should enjoy learning and grow up to live and work in the community and inspire others.

 

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Ms Jenny Ryan 

Vice Chair of Governors, Chair of Teaching, Learning and Pupil Support Committee (Co-opted Governor)
Term of office: 16/04/2019 - 16/04/2023
Enhanced DBS checked

Roles - Key Phase Governor for Early Years, Early Years Pupil Premium Governor, Attendance Governor, Training Governor, Head Teacher performance management.  

Bio

My name is Jenny Ryan and I am a Co-opted Governor at Harehills Primary School. I know the area well and have worked in the Harehills community for more than seven years. I am joint chair for the Standards and Pupil Support Committee and feel very strongly that in order that children can achieve that they must be happy and ready to learn. Please contact me via the website if you have any questions or queries around your children’s well-being whilst they are at school.

 

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Vacancy (Local Authority Governor)

 

 

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Mrs Joanne Summerfield 

Head Teacher and Staff Governor
Term of office: 09/08/2004
Enhanced DBS checked

Roles -  Member of all Committees

Bio

I am Jo Summerfield, Head teacher at Harehills Primary and a School Governor.

I work in partnership with our Governors on all aspects of school life. I inform and advise the Governing body about children's progress and their levels of attendance and the quality of teaching and learning. It is very rewarding being part of such a dedicated and energetic group of governors who work tirelessly to make sure every child and their families have the best experience this school can offer.

I live in Roundhay with my husband and we have a son who is studying Maths at Manchester University and a daughter who is a doctor.

Spending quality time with my family and friends is really important to me. Travelling to new places is what I really enjoy and I love the freedom of sitting on a beach in the sunshine and breathing the sea air.

 

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Mrs Janet Haywood

Co-opted Support Staff Governor
Term of office: 26/04/2016 - 26/04/2025
Enhanced DBS check

Roles - Pupil Premium Governor, Child Protection and Safeguarding Lead, Member of the Teaching, Learning and Pupil Support Committee, 2Gether Cluster Governor

Bio

I began working at Harehills Primary School in 1992 as a Special Needs Nursery Nurse until 1998 when I went to work at the NSPCC as a Family Support worker, supporting children and families in the 'looked after' system.

I came back to Harehills Primary in the year 2000 as Learning Mentor, and through gradual experience and promotion I now hold the position of Pastoral Care and Safeguarding Lead- co-ordinating all child protection matters and inclusion issues. I am Line Manager of the Pastoral Hub team.

I am school governor for support staff and have a responsibility for Years 5 & 6.

 

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Mr Alec Waddington

Staff Governor
Term of office: 11/05/2021 - 11/05/2025
Enhanced DBS checked

Roles - Member of the Resources Committee, Member of the Teaching, Learning and Pupil Support Committee, Pupil Premium Governor

Bio

Hello, I am Alec Waddington. I have worked at Harehills Primary School since 2008, becoming a class teacher in 2011 and PE Subject Lead shortly afterwards. In my ten years as a class teacher, I have been part of many special moments. I am particularly proud that some of the endeavours I have championed have contributed to Harehills' trophy cabinet. The words 'Harehills, Leeds debating champions' and 'Harehills, Yorkshire cricket champions twice over' always bring a smile. On the 8th March 2021, upon returning to school after lockdown, I saw Elford 1 all sit down, smiles on their faces, a huge desire for learning and a complete appreciation of what Harehills stands for. Perhaps cliche, it genuinely is my fondest memory in my thirteen years at Harehills. I endeavour in this role as staff governor, to conduct myself with the same level of gratitude and appreciation shown by my own class to service a school that has provided, and will continue to provide many, many special memories.

 

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Mr Steven Wood

Associate Governor
Term of office: 18/09/2017 - 17/09/2022 
Enhanced DBS checked 

Roles - Year 6 Governor, School Council Governor, Member of the Resources Committee, Training Governor 

Bio

I have had the pleasure of working at Harehills Primary School for almost 30 wonderful years. I am currently employed as Estates Manager and I am the governor responsible for all aspects of Health and Safety.

 

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Mrs Sara Ali 

Parent Governor
Term of office: 18/10/2022 - 17/10/2026
Enhanced DBS checked 

Roles -  Member of the Teaching. Learning and Pupil Support committee, Equalities governor, Joint Early Years link governor.

 

Bio

Coming soon.

 

 

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Mrs Shaistah Khalil

Parent Governor
Term of office: 12/02/2019 - 12/02/2023
Enhanced DBS checked 

Roles - Member of Resources Committee.

Bio

Coming soon.

 

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Mrs Samantha George

Associate Member
Term of office: 18/01/2021 - 18/01/2025
Enhanced DBS checked 

Roles -  Shadowing the Chair of Governors

Bio

Coming soon.

 

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Mrs Dawn O'Keefe

Co-opted Community Governor
Term of office: 24/04/2018 - 23/04/2026 

Roles - Member of Resources Committee, Year 6 Governor, Health and Safety Governor

Bio

I am Dawn O’Keefe, Managing Director and Co-founder of a Social Enterprise, SHINE, in Harehills and a School Governor.

SHINE’s mission is to raise aspirations and create opportunities for people.  SHINE has worked in partnership with Harehills Primary School on a number of initiatives including, providing theatre performances for the children and creating an edible garden at SHINE - where the children can learn about growing fruit and vegetables. 

I have worked in Harehills now for 11 years and have recently joined the board of Governors in April 2018.  I am excited about getting involved and helping to raise the aspirations of the children at the school.  I will be working with the board to keep up the great work of the Head and staff to make sure every child has the opportunity to succeed. 

I have a teenage son and volunteer with the PTA at his school.  I love walking in the Lakes and spending time with my family.

 

 

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Miss Caroline Pallas

Associate Governor
Enhanced DBS checked
Term of office: 17/01/2022 - 17/01/2025 

Roles - Deputy Head Teacher (Acting), SEN and Disabilities Lead, Member of the Teaching, Learning and Pupil Support Committee 

Bio

I have been a teacher since 2006 and I was a teacher governor from 2011 to 2016. I thoroughly enjoy working at such a forward thinking and exciting school. My educational interests are literacy and Early Years although I do enjoy working across the whole primary age range.

In my spare time I enjoy cycling, singing, and spending as much time as possible with my family and friends who are now scattered all over the country. 

 

 

 

Mr Andrew Matthews (Assistant Headteacher) - SLT link to Teaching, Learning and Pupil Support Sub-committee, PE and Sports Premium Lead

Mrs Joanne Marshall (Assistant Headteacher) - SLT link to Teaching, Learning and Pupil Support Sub-committee

Mrs Catherine McMullen (Assistant Headteacher) - SLT link to Teaching, Learning and Pupil Support Sub-committee

Miss Hollie Melling (Acting Assistant Headteacher) - SLT link to Teaching, Learning and Pupil Support Sub-committee

Mr Karamjeet Bhuhi - Local Authority Clerk to Governing Body

Mrs Samantha Willshaw - Clerk to Sub-committees