Resigned August 2023

Miss Alison Ivins – Chair & Parent Governor

Favourite subject at school: English

I have been connected to Hartington CofE Primary School as a parent since 2012, when my eldest children first started. From that moment I knew the school was really something special, and I have watched it grow and thrive as the truly marvellous and nurturing environment that it is. The team at Hartington are some of the most dedicated and compassionate people I have met in Education and they make sure that all the children there have access to a high quality education, within a beautifully caring environment. The children interact with the community and church regularly with stimulating projects, and the school remains a very important asset to the village.

I simply can’t think of a better school and environment for all my children to undertake their Primary years. So when offered the opportunity to join the governing body I was delighted to be able to give something back and help support the staff and students at our wonderful school.

I have myself worked in education since 2005. I have supported in Primary education and then went on to teach English in Secondary before becoming an English Lecturer. Since 2017 I have held Senior Management positions within the Further and Higher Education and Skills sector. I endeavour to support the school with my skills and knowledge, and I have a broad range of experience with educational management, curriculum, systems, policies and finance. But my real passion lies with literacy and numeracy, and ensuring that all students have access to the support they need to be successful in this area. In my current role I work with 16+ learners that have failed to achieve their gateway English and maths qualifications at school, often because they have not had a positive educational experience, and have not necessarily had access to an encouraging and excellent school such as Hartington in their formative educational years. So I work at the other end of the education spectrum to enable school leavers and adults to succeed in English and maths so that they can progress in either further/higher education or employment, and improve their future prospects and opportunities.

Tracy Blackwell – Head Teacher

Favourite subjects at school: PE, Art and Literacy.

As well as having the privilege of being Head Teacher here at Hartington C of E Primary and enjoying the honour of working alongside the youngsters here on a daily basis; teaching and nurturing them; watching them grow and develop, I am also incredibly pleased to work alongside the dedicated governor team to ensure the right decisions are made for the good of both pupils and staff alike. It is really lovely to be in a position to lead the school and work so closely with passionate members of our local community including partners, staff and residents.

This school has always had a strong Christian ethos, which is reflected in the vision of being at the heart of the community and working in partnership to provide the best quality holistic education for every child.

Judith Flower – Staff Governor & Temp Clerk

Favourite subject at school: Wood work and metal work.

My father went to school here and always has fond memories of his days at Hartington C of E Primary School and that’s why I brought my children here too.

Whilst working in the school I have met some wonderful people who believed in me and have given me the courage to extend my learning. I have gained my Level 2 and 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools certificates, and also qualifications in ICT. I am very pleased to sit on the Governor panel and support the running of this unique family school. I hope to ensure that it remains a wonderful, Christian schooling environment for generations to come.

K Webley – Parent Governor 

Throughout my adult life I have lived in very varied communities and my work as a nurse has enabled me to meet and help people from all walks of life, with numerous life challenges. I am committed to helping people reach their best in life, and be the happiest that they can be. As a school governor I would also like to be able to help young people in my local community achieve this.

As well as my ability to connect with different groups, through my work I have gained numerous other qualities. Skills in communication, research and audit are those which I feel may be particularly helpful to the role of governor. 

Hartington Primary School has an important role to play in shaping the lives of local children, it is my aim that each child who attends the school has enriching and fulfilling experiences which equip them to thrive in the real world.

Mr Tim Polkinghorne – Vice Chair Governor

I decided to join Hartington School as a co opted governor to offer support for the school staff and fellow governors. The mountain of policies, systems and procedures that exist for much larger schools also has to be addressed in this village school.
The staff remain passionate about individual pupil progress and it feels good to offer time and support to such dedicated committed members of teaching staff and governors in a village school

Thank you for all your efforts – much appreciated by many parents.

Mrs Dorothy Hawton – Ex Officio

Having recently retired from teaching, I decided that I would like to continue my interest in education by listening to the children read in Hartington School. I was impressed by their enthusiasm and the way they support and encourage each other in their learning.  I very much hope that I can make a further contribution to this thriving community in my role as a governor.

Speaking as a member of St Giles’ congregation, we would like to strengthen the links with the school and find creative ways to work with the children. I have enjoyed the services where the children have demonstrated their great talent and realise that there will be mutual benefits from such a partnership.

Finally, as we live in such a beautiful part of the country, I look forward to helping with any activities which encourage the children to appreciate and care for their environment. This is so important for the development of thoughtful, responsible young people we need for the future.

Ms Gillian Dennis – Associate Governor

I have been teaching for over twenty years, initially in primary, but then in secondary education.  During this time, I have also taught English GCSE to adults as an Adult Education Tutor for Derbyshire County Council, finally concentrating on just this aspect of teaching.  This has been very rewarding as I have supported adults of all ages back into learning and encouraged them to overcome their barriers to learning, often from bad experiences at school as a child.  This has made me very aware of the real necessity of a positive, caring atmosphere for children at school and the importance of links with the church.  Although I only moved to Hartington a few years ago, I am pleased to now be able to have the opportunity to support the school as a governor.  I am interested in the environment and concerned at the cost of negative human impact on our world.  I spend much of my time outdoors with my dogs.

Ms Mary Teeboon – Associate Governor

Favourite subjects at school – history and child development

I have been working here at Hartington C of E Primary School since September 2009, initially as a SENTA and then more recently as EYFS co-ordinator, having completed further training to become a HLTA in the summer of 2020. I am now pleased to have joined the governing body where I am able to offer my continually developing knowledge of safeguarding and the curriculum.

I also have experience of being a governor at another primary school and am a deputy manager for an additional needs play scheme, which I have been a part of for 20 years.

I feel the schools Christian vision of ‘Caring and Sharing as part of God’s family’ is demonstrated daily by the whole school community and the school is a warm and caring environment that works hard to develop links between families, the local community and the church.

I feel honoured to be a part of the school team and to know that my experience and input are appreciated.

Mr Nick Rowe – Associate Governor

Having lived in rural villages for most of my adult life, I appreciate how fortunate Hartington and its surrounding areas are to have an excellent Primary School forming part of the local community.

With a background of forty years working for large global companies, where I held senior positions, I hope that some of the skills and knowledge I have acquired can be productively employed in retaining and developing such a valuable asset. Access to high quality state education provided me with many opportunities and in a similar manner I hope that I can contribute to ensuring that Hartington Primary School establishes a firm foundation for all of its pupils in their formative years.

Clerk to Governors – Situation Vacant

Temporary Clerk to Governors – Mrs Judith Flower

LA Governor – Vacancy – please contact school

Foundation Governor – Vacancy – please contact school