Meet the Governors!

Chair of Governors, Miss Nicola Hornby

My name is Nicola Hornby, I am the Chair of Governors for the school. I am a partner in a firm of solicitors, The Johnson Partnership, based in Nottingham City centre. I do not have any children at Hillside, but I have always been interested in education and recently took part in a voluntary project in India based around children's literacy. I wanted to put something back into the community and decided that being a school governor was a positive way of using my skills to do this.

Mrs Rhian Richardson, Head Teacher

Hi, I am Head Teacher at Hillside and have been a school governor since Hillside opened and find it to be a very rewarding opportunity. I believe governors can offer tremendous support to a school and help drive it forward to further improvement. Hillside is a wonderful school to be part of and it is a real privilege to work alongside a dedicated team. The children are a credit to our school and I am committed to ensuring each and every pupil a wonderful learning experience during their time at Hillside.

Mrs Vanda Ward Staff Governor

I have taught at Hillside since the school opened. I work as part of the upper school team and I am also the SENCo. I have a keen interest in the progress of all children and wish to support the school however I can.

Miss Ruth Hathersmith Staff Governor

I have been a part of the school as a Teaching Assistant for 6 years and also as a parent for 20 years. Now my children have grown up I am able to give more time to supporting the school however I can.

Mrs Heidi Butcher Community Governor

I moved to the area in 2002 after a stint in the Royal Navy. I had various jobs, from a shop manager at Fabric warehouse for 3 years to project assistance at a homeless hostel in Eastwood.

After a time I set up my own cleaning company, and to make sure I had a enough income I joined the Fire Service as a retained firefighter, which I did for 10 years. And only really stopped as couldn't do the job with a small baby.

I now solely run the cleaning company. I have 10 staff who work with me and we clean 104 domestic properties a week.

I run the business side, so do all the invoicing, quotes and wages. As well as doing the girls rotas and managing annual leave and any issues which are raised. I'm basically every department rolled into one.

I'm a very positive forthcoming person, who is a doer not a moaner. I regard myself as approachable and friendly who would be an asset to Hillside.

I am a mum of two boys and live and work in Hucknall. I am on the senior management team of a small telecommunications company and hold a degree in Computer Science. I'm really excited to be a Governor for Hillside and hope to bring my voice as a parent of children in the school and my experience from the corporate world to the Hillside Governing Body.

Mr Tom Isherwood Community Governor

I’ve been a teacher at Hillside now for 10 years, and am very proud of the school and grateful for the opportunities and support they have given me in my career. In addition to teaching at Hillside, I’m also lead practitioner for maths across the Flying High Trust, and primary lead for the East Midlands West Maths Hub. I’m very excited to be joining the governors, so that I can continue to help Hillside on its journey to becoming the greatest school in the universe!

Denise Thornley Community Governor

I am a community Governor at Hillside. I have lived in Hucknall all my life and both attended and worked at the Holgate Academy. I now work for the Trust that both Holgate and National Academies belong to, along with 12 other schools. I deal with all aspects of data reporting for all schools in the trust. I hope to bring my experience of working in schools to my role as a Governor at Hillside

Emma Foottit Parent Governor

John Randle Community Governor

I have 2 children at Hillside Primary School and have been a community governor there for 3 years. I have been in the Fire Service for 17 years, serving mainly in the whole-time city stations but I am also at Hucknall Fire Station as part of the On-Call team when not at my main job. The training I have received from both Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and from Hillside Primary School has helped me perform my duties as governor in ensuring that Hillside Primary School maintains its excellent learning environment as a safe and enjoyable place.

Linsey Taylor Deputy Head Teacher (Advisor)

My name is Linsey Taylor and I have been the Deputy Head at Hillside since September 2016, during this time I have also supported the Governing body in an advisory role. I am very proud of Hillside and our commitment to giving children every possible opportunity to learn more and become the very best version of themselves.

Hannah Harwood Parent Governor

I am a working mother of 3 boys and have been a member of the Hillside Community since my eldest son joined the school 9 years ago.

I work in Adult Education and I am a Mental Health Trainer for a UK Community Interest Company. I strongly believe in Hillside's values, and, as a governor, I would advocate them as I believe everyone can be the best version of themselves, looking forward with confidence and pride in their achievements.

Growing a culture of being the best version of ourselves Look back with pride and forward with confidence