MEET OUR GOVERNORS
The Local Governing Body takes a strategic role, as a critical friend to the school and to be accountable for its decisions. It works with the Headteacher to set aims and objectives for the school, and agree, monitor and review policies, targets and priorities.The whole governing body is made up of governors appointed by the Trust, parents and staff. It meets nine times a year with the different committees usually meeting once a term, with the exception of the hearings, appeals and pupil discipline committees which meet only as required.
Governors may be contacted via Freeman Community Primary School by letter or telephone, on 01449 612067. The Chair of Governors, Mrs Susan Hayter, is also our Designated Governor for Safeguarding and can be contacted on 01449 613710.
Susan Hayter - Chair and Trust Governor
With a background in nursing, Sue retired from full time work as the Chief Nurse in Suffolk in 2010 and since then has been a Non-Executive Director on NHS Boards. Living in the village for over 40 years, Sue's children and grandchildren attended Freeman CP School and she is a Church Warden for Stowupland Holy Trinity, and welcomes the school’s links with Holy Trinity Church.
Start date: May 2020 (3rd term) End of term: May 2024
Emma Gerry - Acting Headteacher
Emma is the Headteacher at Freeman CP School and Staff Governor. She has been teaching 15 years and has experience of teaching all year groups in the Primary School age range in addition to experience leading a number of subjects. Emma represents the school at Learning and Achievement Committee meetings. Emma has two children, one of which attends Freeman.
Start date: September 2020 End of term: September 2024
Helen Symonds - Trust Governor
A community governor at Freeman CP School since 2021, having attended the school herself over 25 years ago, Helen is part of the Learning and Achievement sub committee. Teaching Science in Secondary Schools for over 10 years, Helen nows work in a school as a Teaching and Learning Coach, mentoring and developing staff across the school. Helen lives in Stowupland and can often be seen running her two spaniels around the village!
Start date: June 2021 End of term: June 2025
Emma Grocott - Parent Governor
Emma has been a governor at Freeman CP School since September 2015 and is currently Chair of the Learning and Achievement committee. She has four children, three of which have attended or are currently at Freeman. A primary school teacher for the past 18 years, Emma currently works part time in a local Stowmarket school. Working in education, she has always had an interest in the development of children and the education that is offered to them. Emma became a governor with the hope that she can bring a dual perspective to the governing body; being a parent whilst also being knowledgeable about the education system.
Start date: Nov 2022 End of term: Nov 2026
Rosie Hancock - Trust Governor
Rosie Hancock is a qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist, working in a senior management role as the Clinical Governance and Operational lead for a Private Occupational Health Physiotherapy company. In addition to this she continues to work clinically as an Advanced Specialist Physiotherapist in a local Private Physiotherapy clinic and also as a bank Orthopaedic in-patient’ clinician. Rosie has always had an interest in education, previously working full-time as a Physiotherapy Lecturer/Clinical Placement lead. She also has two children at Freeman CP School, currently in Reception and Year 2.
Start date: April 2022 End of term: April 2026
Aisleen Bird - Trust Governor
Aisleen has been a community governor since June 2022 and is also a member of the Personnel and Communications committee. She lives in Stowupland with her husband, two young girls, dog and cat, ‘Maverick’, who is a frequent visitor to the playground at Freeman, much to the delight of the children. Aisleen became a governor in order to learn more about the education system and how she, along with like-minded others, can support the school in providing a safe and caring environment within which children can reach their full potential. As Head of Marketing at an HR digital transformation consultancy, she also hopes to use her knowledge of people-centric processes and systems to support the school in developing its teaching and support staff, as well as engaging effectively with parents and the wider school community.
Start date: June 2022 End of term: June 2026
Roberta Mason - Parent Governor
Roberta has recently joined the Board as a Parent Governor. She had 10 years experience as a Health and Safety professional before moving on to work for West Suffolk Council where she regulates businesses with environmental permits. She has two children currently attending Freeman CP School, in Reception and Year 2 and hopes to use her time on the board learning about governance and education so that she can support and challenge the school to further benefit its pupils. Roberta has a particular interest in SEN and hopes to explore this further as she gains experience in her role as Parent Governor.
Start date: November 2022 End of term: November 2026
Alex Houghton - Trust Governor
Alex joined as a community governor in July 2023, having attended the primary school herself many years ago! With a keen interest in education, Alex is passionate about the importance and influence early years education has on a child and wants to lend her support to ensuring the next generation have as much support as possible in reaching their potential. Having spent the last 7 years as a Maths tutor, she is particularly passionate about numeracy and also enjoys lending support in the classroom where possible. Alex also has a background in people management and process improvement and forms part of the Personnel and Communications sub-committee.
Start date: July 2023 End of term: July 2027
Nicola Everitt - Parent Governor
Nicola is a mother of two children, both of whom attend Freeman. Nicola has a keen interest in supporting the school in regards to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities within the class room setting. Nicola has a range of volunteer experience to call upon from serving on the board of Stowupland Pre School as Deputy Chairperson to representing the parents for Stowupland Falcons Football Club. Professionally, Nicola has a background in sales and purchasing, starting off her career working for NHS Fleet Management before moving across to Marshall Motor Group within the Nissan franchise. As a business owner she specialises in operations management, strategy development and team leadership and joins the Personnel and Communications sub-committee.
Start date: July 2023 End of term: July 2027
Details of Local Governing Boards' Terms of Reference and CET's Scheme of Delegation can be found using the link below.
Terms of Reference - CHILDREN'S ENDEAVOUR TRUST (childrensendeavourtrust.org.uk)
All governors serve on the sub-committees.