Governors

Shirley Young

Chair of Governors & Safeguarding

Shirley has worked for 25 years across all sectors of education, particularly in schools in challenging circumstances. She has extensive experience in the strategic development of inclusion programmes and pastoral care within schools; whole school behaviour management, Safeguarding, Attendance, Whole School Improvement and reporting to Governing bodies, trusts and inspection teams. As part of her consultancy work, she completes assessments for the Inclusion Quality Mark Award and carries out safeguarding reviews, behaviour audits and leadership and management mentoring for leaders working across Inclusion. Shirley has been an active governor for over 15 years. This has included the roles of Chair of Governors for a small primary school and Chair of a Federation for a group of 3 small primary schools. Shirley has more recently been appointed as a trustee for the Penrose Learning Trust.

Catherine Holmes

Clerk

I joined the Governing Body as their Clerk in April 2022. I have been a project manager in the NHS for over thirty years, both at Ipswich Hospital and other hospitals in the southeast. I was a governor and clerk of governors in a large primary school in Barnet, north London before moving back to Suffolk. I am now a clerk for several schools in the area and also still do some project work for the NHS. I am a volunteer with Girlguiding in my spare time.

Floretina Adetu

Parent Governor

I graduated in Sociology in 2008 in Romania and have had different roles since then. Moving to the U.K., brought an interesting opportunity: I had the chance to join the English educational system and decided that this is what I want for the future. Working with students with a wide range of abilities, with SEND or being EAL, has improved my understanding about supporting the pupils in their education. Now, I am about to start the Teacher Training program and obtain the QTS. Being asked to be a part of the Hillside Primary School community was a great honour and I am looking forward to the experience that this will bring.

Tania Cunha

Parent Governor

In Portugal, where I was born, I worked as an ambulance crew for almost 10 years, between shifts I participated in projects that involved children. In 2010, I moved to the UK and new opportunities emerged such as charity projects in the Portuguese community. But it was when my children joined Hillside that I never stopped, I started as a volunteer and today I love my varied responsibilities for the benefit of the community.

Lisa Corby

Academy Improvement Lead

Anne Donnelly

Staff governor

My name is Anne Donnelly. I am currently the KS1 Leader at Hillside Primary School. I have two grown up sons. I have worked in a variety of schools in a variety of roles for 21 years. When I was growing up, I attended a strict Catholic primary and high school. I felt there was little in place to address the emotional needs of the children at school. I am passionate about making sure every child feels valued and every child is heard.