Governors
We believe that every child at our school has the right to receive the best education. All children, staff and families will be treated with kindness, tolerance and respect. Every child matters in our school community and we encourage our children to be:
Healthy and Well
Aspirational
Resilient
Enjoying school
Happy
Independent of thought
Learning and achieving
Living a full life
Safe
Governors Meetings Calendar 2022-23
Monday 20/03/2023 | 13:00 | Resources & Pay Committee |
Tuesday 21/03/2023 | 16:00 | Teaching, Learning & Pupil Support Committee |
Monday 24/04/2023 | 16:00 | Full Governing Board |
Tuesday 13/06/2023 | 13:00 | Resources & Pay Committee |
Monday 19/06/2023 | 16:00 | Teaching, Learning & Pupil Support Committee |
Monday 10/07/2023 | 16:00 | Full Governing Board |
Quote from a Governor:
"As a parent governor for the last four years, I have been involved in a variety of meetings and have learnt a great deal about how the school is run. It has been particularly interesting to learn about the Early Years and how the youngest children learn to read and write through play and how they develop their listening skills. My term as a governor has now come to an end but I can honestly say I have learnt a lot and enjoyed every moment. Thank you."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.
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.
Vacancy (Local Authority Governor)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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