Meet The Governors
Governors play an important role in the strategic direction of the school guiding and supporting the school’s work and encouraging further improvement. They are often referred to as ‘critical friends’, monitoring and evaluating performance, supporting and questioning the senior management team and ensuring that the annual School Improvement Plan meets the needs of pupils, and is delivered comprehensively. As critical friends of the schools, governors should be able to recognise and celebrate success as well as ask questions.
Governors have three core functions:
- Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
The Governing Board also has a responsibility to account to everyone who has an interest in the performance and standards achieved by the school: pupils, parents, the Local Authority and HM Inspectors.
The Governing Body is comprised of:
Chair: Bob Bullivant – Co-opted Governor
Bob is married with two daughters and four grandchildren, one of whom is at Haylands. Bob has taken an interest in their education which sparked an interest in becoming more involved resulting in him becoming a governor. Bob lives locally and retired from a career in pensions, including running the awarding body of the professional Chartered body and he has extensive board experience in both the private and charity sectors. He became Chair of Governors in June 2024.
Vice-chair: tbc
Vanessa Churchman – Local Authority Governor
As the County Councillor for Haylands and Swanmore Vanessa is very proud to be a Governor at our local primary school. It is just one part of Vanessa’s work in representing the local community. Vanessa has been a Governor since 2012 and was involved in the building of the current school.
Janet Pringle - Parent Governor
I became a Parent Governor at Haylands Primary school in January 2024. My Granddaughter attends Haylands and is on the SEND register and has a EHCP. My expertise lies in Science and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), having previously taught Science across the whole school at St. Georges in Newport for 12 years. I was also a Staff Governor, Head of Science and Healthy Schools Manager. I also undertook a year’s online course ‘Leading from the Middle for Schools and Children’s Services Management Course’ (LftMSCS), through the National College for Leadership. Responsibilities at Haylands are Lead Governor for SEND, Science, Pupil Premium (PP), Looked after children (LAC), Children with English as Alternative Language (EAL) and Head Teachers Performance Management (HTPM). My purpose at Haylands is to Support and Monitor the Head and Senior Leadership Team, working as a team member alongside the Board of Governors. As a Board we aim to enable each pupil to reach their full potential within an inspiring school with high quality teaching and support where appropriate in a productive, happy and safe environment. My interests are NASA, Sea Glass craft work, Nature, part-time work and supporting my Granddaughter.
Diane Hammond - Co-opted Governor
Diane brings extensive leadership and governance experience and is currently serving as Director of Admissions at The University of Law. With over 20 years’ experience in admissions and university operations, she has a proven track record of leading high-performing teams, driving continuous improvement, and shaping strategy in a complex Higher Education environment.
Passionate about education and opportunity, Diane previously served as a Co-opted Governor at a primary school in South London for eight years. In this role she supported the school across a range of strategic and operational initiatives, including serving as Chair of the Learning and Achievement Committee, leading on complaints panels, mentoring new governors, and contributing to key projects.
As a Governor, and a parent, Diane is committed to supporting effective governance, providing challenge and guidance to school leadership, championing high standards, and helping every child to thrive both academically and personally.
Keita Jones - Parent Governor
Keita brings valuable experience from a background in NHS administration, offering strong organisational and communication skills to her role on the governing board at Haylands Primary School. As the link governor for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), she is passionate about supporting high-quality early education and ensuring every child gets the best possible start.
As a dedicated parent with three children who have attended Haylands Preschool and are currently pupils at the school, Keita has a strong personal connection to the school community and is committed to working closely with staff and fellow governors to help create a nurturing, inclusive, and high-achieving environment where all pupils can thrive.
Rachel Sutherland - Parent Governor
Rachel is a dedicated member of the Haylands Primary School governing body, with a personal connection to the school as her son recently started in Reception.
With over 20 years of experience in education, Rachel brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Her background includes teaching, training, and mentoring teachers on the mainland and the Isle of Wight, where she currently teaches at Lift Ryde Sixth Form. This experience gives her a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing the island's education system. She has a proven record of driving improved standards and is a tireless champion for navigating the dynamic educational landscape.
As the link governor for Literacy and Reading, Rachel will be working closely with school staff to support high-quality teaching and raise attainment. She is committed to ensuring every child develops a love of reading and the essential skills needed to thrive. Rachel also champions strong governance by providing guidance and constructive challenges. She collaborates with the governing body, staff, and parents to help every child at Haylands Primary succeed.
Jo Clarke – Staff Governor
Jo is currently the Assistant Headteacher and staff governor at Haylands Primary School and has the responsibility for leading the quality of teaching and learning in addition to being the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Designated Teacher for Looked After Children. Jo has worked at Haylands since 2010 but first started teaching in 1991 – a very long time ago! The role on the Governing body allows Jo to have a thorough overview of all areas of our school and the strategic decisions that are needed to ensure that we provide our children with the very best learning opportunities and experiences.
Katrina Shaer – Headteacher
I am the Headteacher at Haylands and took up this position in January 2023. I am so pleased to be able to continue to support the young people in Ryde, prior to this I was the Deputy Head & Inclusion Lead at Dover Park Primary School for 10 years. I am very excited to be working at Haylands alongside the staff team to provide the best possible school experience for our pupils. Outside of school life, I am the mother of two teenage sons who both attend Ryde Academy and we are all very proud to be part of the Ryde schools community.
Bex Edmonds is the Clerk to Governors and can be contacted for all Governor business on clerk@haylands.iow.sch.uk
Governors meet as a full governing body approximately monthly throughout the academic year.
Individual governors are responsible for areas and subjects across the school and undertake regular monitoring activities which are reported back to the full governing body; this negates the need for committees.
In the documents below you will find