Highfield Primary Governors
Here at Highfield Primary, we have a team of dedicated Governors who offer their time, support and expertise to our school.
The Governing Board:
- Chair – Mrs Anna Hunter (Parent)
- Vice Chair – Mrs Louisa Carter-Davies (Co-opted)
- Headteacher – Mr Andrew Proctor
- Staff Governor – Mrs Shagufta Hasan, Mrs Anna Duffy
- Parent Governors – Mr Kristian Garner, Mrs Nicola Davis
- Co-opted Governor – Dr J Hobbiss, Mrs Ros Millington, Vacancy x2
Highfield Community Primary School Local Governing Board
The governors play a vital role in our school and trust community. The Board of Trustees delegate certain functions to the Local Governing Board in line with the trust’s Scheme of Delegation. Local governors provide challenge and support to the school leadership team in order to improve the quality of provision for our pupils.
The full remit of the Local Governing Board can be found here; details are listed in the Terms of Reference.
The Local Governing Board meets at least once per term when the headteacher provides a report about the school and the progress being made towards targets set. The governors’ role is crucial in holding the headteacher and wider leadership team to account for the standards in the school.
The work of the Local Governing Board is then reported to the Board of Trustees, which is accountable for all the schools in our trust.
Governor visits
Governors make regular visits to the school each term to assess the quality of provision for our pupils. Governors may, for example, visit lessons, speak with pupils and staff, and look at pupils’ work and then report back to the Local Governing Board. Governors use their observations and increased awareness to challenge and develop the school’s leadership team.
Local Governors: terms of office and attendance 2024 - 2025
Governor |
Type |
Date of appointment |
Term of office |
Autumn 02/12/24 |
Spring |
Summer |
Meetings attended |
Out of a possible |
Mrs Hunter (Chair) |
Parent |
13 Jan 2013 |
1 Sep 2024 to 31 Aug 2028 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
3 |
3 |
Mrs Hasan |
Staff |
10 Nov 2022 |
1 Sep 2024 to 31 Aug 2028 |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
3 |
3 |
Mr Garner |
Parent |
10 Feb 2023 |
1 Sep 2024 to 31 Aug 2028 |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
3 |
3 |
Dr Hobbiss |
Co-opted |
|
1 Sep 2024 to 31 Aug 2028 |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
2 |
3 |
Mrs Carter-Davies (Vice-chair) |
Co-opted |
31 Mar 2023 |
1 Sep 2024 to 31 Aug 2028 |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
2 |
3 |
Mrs Millington |
Co-opted |
23 Nov 2021 |
1 Sep 2024 to 31 Aug 2028 |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
2 |
3 |
Mrs Duffy |
Staff |
4 Feb 2025 |
4 Feb 2025 to 3 Feb 2029 |
n/a |
Yes |
Yes |
2 |
2 |
Mrs Davis |
Parent |
25 Mar 2025 |
25 Mar 2025 to 24 Mar 2029 |
n/a |
n/a |
Yes |
1 |
1 |
Pen portraits of the governors
Dr Anna Hunter, PhD SFHEA FSEDA
Chair of Governors |
I am an Associate Professor and educational developer at the University of Law, specialising in inclusive and creative learning and teaching in Higher Education. I hold a PhD in English and American Studies from the University of Manchester, having completed my thesis on Holocaust Literature in 2008, and I have taught at all levels of post-compulsory education, from A-Level English to supervising doctoral theses in Education. I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Fellow of the Staff and Educational Development Association, and in 2022 I received a national teaching excellence award for Collaborative Approaches to Teaching Excellence (CATE). At Highfield Community Primary School, I have been a parent governor since 2018; my youngest child is currently in Year 5 whilst my oldest recently left Highfield to attend Parklands High School. Reflecting my professional passion of developing inclusive approaches to teaching and learning in Higher Education, the ethos at Highfield embodies all of the values that are important to me and my own educational practices. I am proud to support and represent the school in its vision to create an environment in which all children can feel that they belong. |
Louisa Carter-Davies
Vice-Chair of Governors |
With a career spanning 25 years in education, I bring a wealth of experience and expertise to my role as a school governor. I began my journey as a Secondary Science teacher, where I quickly demonstrated a passion for teaching and a commitment to student success. My dedication and leadership skills led to my appointment as a headteacher, where I successfully managed and improved school performance. As an executive headteacher, I oversaw multiple schools, implementing innovative strategies to enhance educational outcomes and foster a positive learning environment. Currently, I serve as the Regional Director for Teaching and Learning in a school trust that encompasses 23 schools across the UK. In this role, I provide strategic direction and support to ensure high standards of teaching and learning are maintained across the trust. I am a co-opted governor but do have personal ties with Highfield as my niece and two nephews attend and thrive at the school. In my role as a school governor, I am committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where every student can reach their potential. My personal qualities of integrity, empathy, and resilience are evident in all aspects of my work, and I am dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of our students and staff alike. |
Ros Millington MScIBM
Co-opted Governor |
With 22 years in further education, I started my career as a lecturer, then on to curriculum leader of Business Studies at Southport College. I made a strong impact developing the curriculum area and raising staff and student performance. After proving myself as a confident leader and problem solver, I was asked to become a member of the cross-college observation team, looking at improving staff performance and training those who needed extra support. Whilst still an active member of the observation team, the college shifted my focus to failing areas and asked me to work as a Professional Development Manager of underperforming areas, departments and individuals. I took on 7 areas over my time as PDM, improving Ofsted grades, staff morale, and overall student performance. In 2005, I was seconded to Manchester Metropolitan University working on an Enterprise programme in Primary schools, Secondary schools, and FE colleges across the North of England. This was an excellent opportunity to work with children of all ages to understand Enrichment, Enterprise, and Employability. This ranged from planting and selling fruit and vegetables with Key Stage 1 children to opening a fully functional cafe for college students to run. It was a fantastic opportunity and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment up until my retirement. As a member of the Governing Body at Highfield, my duties include staff wellbeing and a responsibility to feedback on the performance of English lessons across the school. I hope to use my experience to ensure learners of all educational abilities have the opportunity to reach their full potential. I believe my career stands me in good stead to give back to a local school and take on the challenges and chances that are provided within my remit. |
John Hobbis MD. FRCS
Co-opted Governor |
I have been a Governor at Highfield Primary since 2013. I am the Governor linked to the teaching of Maths and Science. I have been involved with the development of the school over the last ten years through a number of significant changesI moved to Chorley in 1991, when I was appointed as Consultant Surgeon at Bolton Royal Infirmary and Bolton General Hospital, where I worked for 22 years. During my time in Bolton I was part of a service that underwent considerable change. The two most significant developments were the formation of Bolton Hospitals Trust, increasing the administrative autonomy of the Hospitals and the move to a single site service at The Royal Bolton Hospital, with the closure of Bolton Royal Infirmary. In addition to my clinical responsibilities, I held the post of Undergraduate Tutor for a number of years and for three years was Clinical Director of General Surgical Services. Following my retirement from Bolton, I have continued to work part time and have enjoyed having more time to involve myself in the wider aspects of community life in Chorley. This has included taking on the responsibilities of sitting on the Governing Body of Highfield Primary School. |
Kristian Garner Parent Governor |
I am an Associate Solicitor with 20 years qualified experience, working for a top 10 law firm in the UK. My work consists of handling court cases, providing training, writing articles on various legal topics and mentoring/supervising a team. At Highfield Community Primary School I have been a Pa rent Governor since 2022. My Son is currently a pupil at Highfield school, within the School’s Orchard SEN setting. As both a Parent and a Governor, having a safe and secure environment where children can be themselves and thrive, led by a compassionate and hard- working staff is paramount to me and I am proud to be associated with Highfield. |
Shaguftah Hassan Staff Governor |
I am a Teaching Assistant at Highfield Community Primary School with a Btec Diploma in Childhood Studies. I have a number of years’ experience working in early years and also twenty years’ experience of working in retail, both in a bank and for a major retailer. Over the years working in different environments I have developed my skills in excellent communication and good listening. At Highfield Community Primary School, I am a Staff Governor. I also have a number of years’ experience as a Parent Governor. I have the best interests of the school, staff and the pupils at heart. As a member of the governing body I want to help the school make a difference in the lives of children by supporting them in their education. |
Anna Duffy
Staff Governor |
My journey began at Highfield in 2018, I have always worked supporting children with SEMH needs helping to build positive relationships and remove their barriers to learning. I am a committed member of Highfield and believe strongly in our inclusive ethos being an advocate for children’s voice and promotion of wellbeing for all the school staff. |
Nicola Davies Parent Governor |
I have held roles in risk management for over ten years after achieving my degree in Mathematics with economics. I have a keen attention to detail and love working with numbers. I have been a member of the PTFA at Balshaw Lane Primary School PTFA for approximately 3 years and I am currently undertaking the role of secretary. I would like to be able to contribute to the school where my son attends. |
Declarations of interest
Surname |
Forename |
24-25 Declarations of interest completed |
Name of business |
Nature of interest |
Date the interest began |
Date the interest ceased |
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