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."

Term of Office - 01.04.2015 - 31.03.2019

Pupil Interview with Mark Wilson

Freda Shaw - Foundation Governor (Link Governor for RE & Pupil Premium)

I am the Foundation governor appointed by St. Hilda's Church PCC and approved by the York Diocese Board of Education.

I have served for some twenty years in Nottinghamshire  and at St Hilda's in the capacity either as a Parent, a Parish Councillor or a Foundation Governor.  I have two adult children .

I was born in Northallerton lived in Snape near Bedale, attended Ripon Girls High school, and then trained at Harper Adams Agricultural College. My working life was as a lecturer from which I am now retired.  I have represented Rural interests and issues at local, county and national levels amongst these being the importance that small rural schools play in their communities as well as the problems they can have.

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)

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 

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.