Meet our Governors

I was born and raised in The Yorkshire Dales and have lived in Yorkshire all my life (apart from three years at University in Liverpool and one year in Vancouver Canada). I trained to teach in 1979 and had a wonderful 34 year career in education. I taught in schools in Leeds, Bradford and Baildon, before becoming a Head teacher of a seven class North Yorkshire village school for 17 years. I retired in July 2013. I have many interests which keep me busy including walking, cycling, swimming, travelling and singing. I am a member of The Rotary Club of York which involves me in charitable activities and community projects. I have been supporting an orphanage and school in Livingstone Zambia since 2005 and had the opportunity to visit in February 2015 to share my expertise. I care passionately about education and have many skills to offer fellow governors, staff and pupils at Cliffe VC School.

I am a parent governor with 2 children attending Cliffe Primary school. Originally from Essex, I’ve lived in Yorkshire for nearly 20 years after moving here to do my PhD. My early career was in drug discovery research but I now work for several NHS Trusts as a Clinical Scientist specialising in biochemistry and diagnostic tests.
I am passionate about science and have been involved in promoting science in schools for over 15 years.
As a school governor, I hope to help and support the school to provide the best education possible in a nurturing environment that enables all children to thrive.

I am privileged to be a governor at Cliffe Primary school. I have been connected to the school since 2013 when I became acting Headteacher for six months in the absence of the last headteacher. I am now a retired Headteacher, formerly at Monk Fryston CE Primary for 15 years. Currently, I work part time for York St John University as a link tutor and I am a governor in two other schools locally. I am passionate about primary education and giving children the opportunities they deserve.

Originally from Cliffe I moved back here 15 years ago to start a family, two of which are currently at Cliffe school, with my third having left two years ago. I studied Environmental Science at Leicester graduating in 1998 when I took a diversion from a science based career to that of professional procurement and contract management. I am now a Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) and work for the University of York with responsibility for estate maintenance and capital procurement. I also have experience of working for central and local government.

I am currently the chair of the school governing bodies finance committee. In my spare time I enjoy anything in the fresh air including cycling, hiking, tending my allotment, relaxing in beer gardens, and enjoying time with my children. I have a vested interest in the success of the school and I hope that my experience and knowledge helps me to contribute to the schools ongoing success.

I am an experienced school governor and local County Councillor who sits on the Cliffe VC Trustees Board. I have taken early retirement being a former Industrial Chemist at a Pharmaceutical Company in West Yorkshire. Hobbies include motorcycling, cycling, restoring old houses and classic cars.

Part of my role as Headteacher is to work closely with the governors. I report important updates about attainment and progress of the children and make sure that I let them know of the wonderful things we do in school. As well as letting them know about things we need to do to improve further going forward. The Governors read the information I send to them and they ask me many questions in response, this is all recorded and the minutes go to the Local Authority. I am proud to work with the Governing Body to make our school as special as it is.

I am a Parent Governor, with three children passing through the school (two currently in Years 2 and 5). Before starting a family, I worked as a logistics manager for a number of large multinational companies. My husband and I have lived in the village for the last 13 years. During that time I have taken an active role in the community and have chaired and helped organise a number of local groups including the WI and Cliffe’s Playgroup. I am also a committed member and active player of Cliffe Tennis Club. I am a keen sports player and enjoy a wide range of outdoor pursuits including wild camping and kayaking.

I moved to the village 5 years ago although I have always lived in the area. I work for a local law firm and in my spare time am currently studying to be a fully qualified Legal Executive.
As a young girl and through into my late teens dance was a major part of my life. Now as an adult I am fortunate enough to still be involved with dance helping to teach at a local dance school. Following on from that in my late teens/early 20’s I was a singer in a band travelling up and down the country for both private and corporate events.
As a parent I will always encourage my daughter to join in and learn as much as she possibly can.

Cliffe primary is an amazing school and I am honoured to be involved.

My name is James Hedges and I am currently the staff governor at Cliffe.
I am currently in my fifth year of teaching, with this being my third at Cliffe and I am passionate about children’s education. I qualified as a teacher in 2016 after completing a School Direct PGCE through the Ebor Academy Trust and York St John University and completing an undergraduate in Theology and Religious studies specialising in Christian Theology. Since then, it has been my goal to help children discover and learn about the world around them.
As part of this, I want to facilitate positive relationships and communication between staff and governors so that Cliffe can continue to build on the solid foundations already established.