Who's who on the Governing Body? 

James Pynn - Headteacher (RIG)

I have been Headteacher of Hovingham and St Hilda's CE VC Primary Schools since September 2015.  Following a well planned transition with my predecessor, Mrs Skinner I feel well prepared to work with everyone and lead the schools forward.  Previously I have been Headteacher at Wykeham, near Scarborough and prior to that Ripley Endowed, near Harrogate.  I have been in teaching for over twenty years and believe that small, rural, village church schools provide something special to their communities. 

My wife and I have lived in the area for several years now.  Our daughter started school in September 2015.  I enjoy walking and watching a range of different sports.

Mark Wilson - Foundation Governor (Chairman, RIG, Link Governor for Forest Schools)

I am a farmer and I have lived in Hovingham all my life.  I have been a Governor for 14 years and Chairman for 10 years.

I am an active member of the PCC, who are responsible for nominating me to the Diocese, in my role as Foundation Governor.  I attended Hovingham school, as did my grandparents, parents and children."

I am treasurer of Hovingham Village Hall. T his is acknowledged and recorded as a business interest within the Governing Body. 

Term of Office - 01.04.2015 - 31.03.2019

Pupil Interview with Mark Wilson

Victoria Forrester - Parent Governor (Vice Chairman, RIG, Supporting Link Governor for Maths)

I first became a parent governor at Hovingham School 3 years ago.  Following the federation with St Hilda’s School, I was elected by the parents of children at Hovingham School for a further 4-year term as their parent governor on the federated governing body.   Although I do not have a specific area of responsibility on this governing body, I am currently shadowing the role of vice-chairman.

I grew up in North Yorkshire and returned to live here 8 years ago.  I now live just outside Hovingham with my husband, our daughter and our mad cocker spaniel.

Term of Office - 01.04.2015 - 31.03.2019

Pupil Interview with Victoria Forrester

Jayne Conacher - Parent Governor (Link Governor for Early Years)

I have been a parent governor at St. Hilda's school for over 3 years.  Since the federation with Hovingham School, I have been re-elected as the parent governor for St. Hilda's school within the federated governing body for a term of 4 years.

Originally from the Newcastle area, I now live in Oswaldkirk with my Husband and four children, three of whom currently attend St. Hilda's school and Community Nursery.

As well as my responsibilities on the Governing Body I also teach part time at Thirsk School and Sixthform college and help my husband in the running of his business.

Term of Office - 01.04.2015 - 31.03.2019

Read the pupil interview with Jayne Conacher

Martyn Boothroyd - Co-Opted Governor (Link Governor for Literacy and nominated Safeguarding Governor)

Prior to the schools' federation, I was a Foundation Governor, from Hovingham Church, but am now a co-opted governor (appointed by the core members) for both schools, with specific responsibility for safeguarding.

I moved to this area eight years ago and have retired from a career in the Probation and Family Courts Services, specialising in children's work.

Term of Office - 01.04.2015 - 31.03.2019

Pupil Interview with Martyn Boothroyd

Lynn Lealman - Co-Opted Governor

I am a co-opted member of the governing body, so was elected by the core members. I was the staff governer for St-Hilda's prior to the school's federation,and  am a TA in Nursery and class1, and have been since January 2013.  Prior to this i was a stay at home mum and went back to college to study child care once my youngest child started school full time.

I have lived in the local area all my life.  I now live in Harome with my husband and three sons.

Term of Office - 01.04.2015 - 31.03.2019

Pupil Interview with Lynn Lealman

Johanna Senior - Co-Opted Governor (Link Governor for Maths)

I came to live in Hovingham in 2013, moving from a village near Scarborough when my husband and I retired and handed on our family business to the next generation.  We have four grown up daughters and three grandchildren of primary school age.  In the past I have been both a primary school governor and a parent governor at a York secondary school.

I have been a North Yorkshire Magistrate for many years, sitting in the criminal court and the family court.  I have gained a lot of experience of the difficulties a family faces when parents separate.  I was chairman of a family mediation service and instrumental in setting up the Scarborough Contact Centre.

I am enjoying getting to know the countryside around our villages, meeting new people and getting our new garden established.

As a co-opted governor I am elected by the existing members of the Governing Body.

Term of Office - 14.01.2016 - 13.01.2020

Clare Almond – Co-Opted Governor (Link Governor for Literacy)

I was appointed a co-opted governor to the federated governing body of    
St. Hilda’s and Hovingham schools in October, 2016.  I currently live in Amotherby with my husband and our two children, Annabel (who is in Class 1 at Hovingham School) and Jonathan.

I grew up in Ryedale and, other than spending time at university, I have lived in the area all my life.  I have a PhD in Literature from Newcastle University where I taught undergraduates whilst completing my research.  When I moved back to North Yorkshire, I taught English at a secondary school in York.  Other than marking GCSE English Literature papers in the summer, I now very much enjoy being a full-time mum.

Term of Office - 19.10.2016 – 18.10.2020

Julie Caddy - Staff Governor 

I have been a teacher at Hovingham school for 10 years and have worked with Early Years and Key Stage 1 children during that time.  I have been a member of the board of governors for most of that time.

I moved from Scotland to North Yorkshire in 1998 and have made North Yorkshire my home.  I live with my husband and two children in Malton.

When not teaching I enjoy going out and about with my family, the occasional run and the odd tandem ride!

Term of Office - 05.06.2017 - 04.06.2021

Jane Richardson - LA Governor

I have been an Associate Governor since autumn 2016.  We have been in Hovingham for over 25 years, where I am a Churchwarden and member of the PCC.  I am also familiar with this area as my grandparents lived in Crayke where I spent school holidays.  My mother was a Head teacher at a small Primary School in Apperknowle.  I have 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren - 2 teenagers and a 5 year old.  I spent my working life in North Kensington as a GP, and latterly I specialised in drug and alcohol problems.  I continue to be involved with a charity in this field.  I was a recognised teacher of medicine for the University of London (Imperial College Medical School).  I enjoy music, art, theatre and travel.  I am the LA governor with a responsibility for SEND .

Term of Office - 03.05.2017 - 02.05.2021

Rachel Bell - Co-Opted Governor

I was appointed co-opted governor as part of the governing body for the Hovingham and St. Hilda's Federation in October 2016.

My family and I moved to the area over a year ago from York to be part of a village community.  I have two grown children and one yet to start school.  I studied at York University in the area of sociology and social science, completing my postgraduate degree.  My previous work has involved working in youth care but I currently enjoy spending my time as a full time mum to the youngest of my children. 

Term of Office - 19.10.2016 - 18.10.2020

Associate Members

Rev. Martin Allwood

Rosalind Garnish from 03.05.17

Associate Members have no voting rights.