Governing Body

Dear Parents

We are delighted to be able to share information with you about our Governing Board. We play a vital, strategic role in ensuring our school provides the highest quality of education while nurturing the wellbeing of every child. Rather than managing the day-to-day operations—which is the responsibility of the Headteacher and senior leadership team—the governors function collectively to challenge, support and drive continuous school improvement.

Our work focuses on three core strategic functions:

· Setting Strategic Direction: We establish the school's long-term vision, values, and ethos, ensuring all policies and priorities align with the aspirations of our school community.

· Holding Leadership to Account: We monitor educational performance and progress against targets, constructively challenging school leaders to maintain high standards of achievement.

· Overseeing Financial Performance: We look after the school budget, ensuring that public money is well spent and resources are allocated effectively to benefit our pupils.

The Governors aim to visit the school each term to attend lessons, talk to staff and the children. Each year we attend a parents’ evening to ask the parents to complete a questionnaire about the school. This year we will be focusing on three key priorities: strengthening governance and accountability, improving outcomes for pupils, and promoting staff wellbeing.

We look forward to meeting you at the various events throughout the year.

Your sincerely

Julia Hodson

Felicity Rylands

Contacting the Chairs of Governors:

The co-chairs of the Governing Board can be contacted by E mail.

COG@hertfordheath.herts.sch.uk frylands@hertfordheath.herts.sch.uk

Governor Meeting Dates

The Governing Body will all meet on the following dates in school at 6:00pm.

• 24th September 2026
• 12th November 2026

Governor Bios

Felicity Rylands Parent Governor

I have been a Parent Governor since my son joined the school in Nursery shortly after we moved from Scotland. He has now started Reception, and it has been wonderful to see him grow and flourish here. I really value the opportunity to contribute to a school that plays such an important part in his life and in our wider village community.Education and creating opportunities for young people are things I care deeply about.

My husband is a teacher, and my own career in the third sector has included working with The Prince’s Trust (now The King’s Trust), helping young people overcome barriers and achieve their potential. More recently, my work has focused on strategy, organisational development and capacity building across the education and finance sectors, alongside serving on the board of The Melting Pot, a social innovation charity in Edinburgh.

As a governor, I hope to use this experience to support the Head’s vision and the continued development of the school, helping to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive. I am now co-chair of the Governing Board.

Tom Gilbert. Parent Governor

Term of Office – 25th September 2025 to 24th September 2029

I am a Parent Governor, with my eldest daughter attending the Nursery before starting Reception in 2026, and my younger son due to start Nursery next year.

Having first visited the school two years ago, I have been particularly impressed by the improvements and positive changes made since then, alongside its strong sense of community and commitment to its pupils.

I work within finance and business leadership with experience in financial planning, project management, business growth, funding and technology. I hope to bring this commercial and financial perspective to the governing body, supporting the school’s strategic priorities, effective use of resources and continued development.As a parent, I am keen to play an active role in supporting the school as it continues to grow and build on the progress made in recent years.

Julia Hodson Co-opted

I have been Chair of Governors for 3 years and a member of the Governing Board for 4 years. My background is in education. I worked in inner city secondary schools in London for 30 years teaching science to all ages. I enjoyed promoting science to the young people and encouraging them to consider careers in science. I was a deputy for a number of years and an acting Head for a short time. I am aware of the challenges which face school, children and parents. After I retired from school I worked for the City of London where I

was responsible for all the children who were in care, working with the social workers, schools and foster parents to ensure they succeeded in school.I moved to Rush Green 8 years ago. I enjoy living in a more rural environment where I can cycle and walk. Much of my time is also spent looking after my 5 grandchildren.

As Co- Chair of Governors I hope I plan to use my experience to work with the governors, staff and parents to allow Hertford Heath school to flourish.

Emma Awad Local Authority

I am a local authority governor. I have 3 children, one of whom has just started university and 8-year-old twins. I have lived in the area for nearly 10 years now.

I am a Secondary school teacher with over 20 years experience. I have experience as a Head of Department as well as having been a Head of Year and an Assistant Headteacher. I use my experience in teaching to support the school in achieving its vision and development objectives especially in respects to attendance and behaviour, curriculum and achievement.

I am the lead for Inclusion on the governing body.

Hazel Levine Co-opted

I am proud to serve as a governor for Hertford Heath Village School. I joined the governing body to support the continued growth and success of the school. I have lived in the village for 3 years now having previously lived here some while ago for a period of 10 years and I am thoroughly enjoying being back in the village community.I am a retired primary school teacher and hope I bring my years of experience in education to help and support the Headteacher and staff of the school to ensure our pupils have access to high quality learning in a safe and nurturing environment to prepare them in their academic life.

Gabby Always Co-opted

I am a co-opted Governor who started at Hertford Heath in 2024. I have been extremely impressed by the progress both academically and pastorally that has been made over the past couple of years.

My background is in education; I have been a teacher for 16 years and have run boarding houses for 9 years. I hope to use my experience in safeguarding and pastoral care to support the school's educational values.

Cary Morris Co-opted

I have worked in education for over 10 years and currently work as a School Business Manager at a state nursery school and Stronger Practice Hub. My role covers finance, health and safety, safeguarding, compliance and the day-to-day operational running of the school.

Prior to working in education, I held a variety of roles including working for advertising agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi, as well as positions with an IT and office management focus. These experiences gave me a strong background in communications and business operations. As a Co-opted Governor, I am pleased to bring this experience to the governing board and support the school in making informed decisions that benefit pupils, staff and the wider school community.

Kelly Lord Co-opted

I am the teacher at Hertford Heath School, with responsibility for disadvantaged pupils, pastoral care and wellbeing. Having worked at the school for many years, I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a special community and truly believe that our children and families are among the very best any school could wish for.

I am passionate about making sure that every child’s time at primary school is happy, memorable and filled with positive experiences. These early years are such an important part of a child’s life, and I am committed to doing all I can to ensure that every child in our school feels valued, supported and able to thrive.

Outside of school, I have two teenage children and a very lovable cockapoo, who is undoubtedly the most adored member of our household!

When I do manage to find a little time to myself, I can usually be found curled up somewhere with a good book.

Natasha Solonos Staff

I am a Year 6 Teacher and Curriculum Leader with 11 years of teaching experience.

I have a real passion for teaching and creating memorable learning experiences that bring learning to life, spark curiosity and inspire children to explore the world around them. I am committed to designing a fun, engaging and inspiring curriculum that develops lifelong skills and experiences, while creating special memories that children will carry with them long after their primary school years.

As a Governor Representative, I look forward to using my experience and knowledge to support the school community and contribute to its continued development and success.

Governor Attendance

Annual Governance Statement for the Governing Body

In accordance with the Government’s requirement for all Governing Bodies, the 3 core strategic functions of Hertford Heath Primary and Nursery School Governing Body are:

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
2. Holding the Head Teacher to account for the educations performance of the school and its pupils;
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

In exercising their functions, the Governing Body shall;

1. Act with integrity, objectivity and honesty and in the best interests of the school; and
2. Be open about the decisions they make and the actions they take and in particular shall be prepared to explain their decisions and actions to interested parties.

Our Governing Body has a code of conduct which is reviewed and agreed annually.  All governors are obliged to abide by this code.

Governance Arrangements

The Governing Body of Hertford Heath Primary and Nursery School was re-constituted in 2015.

The Clerk to the Governors is Anne Hummersone

The Chairs of Governors are Julia Hodson and Felicity Ryland

The Vice Chair of Governors is Emma Awad

There is one committees within the governing body. 

The Governing Body meets each half term.  

Charging and remissions policy:

Government legislation states that schools are unable to insist that parents pay for trips etc. that take place in school time. Our governing body in common with all other schools sets out a charging policy (part of our Lettings & Charging policy) to avoid the school going into debt or parents subsidising each other. The school receives no money from the education authority to fund trips and therefore this cost has to be passed on to parents. We consider that educational visits are essential in bringing learning to life and hope that you support us over this. The school makes no profit with a trip. If a parent has a financial problem then the school may be able to help and the Head teacher should be approached directly. However if parents refuse to pay then inevitably the trip may be cancelled.

Contact

The Governing Body always welcome suggestions, feedback and ideas from parents.  Contact can be made via the school office or by using the contact form below.