Governance
Governing Body Members
The governors are volunteers from all walks of life who want to make a positive contribution to children’s education by supporting the school. The governors work together as a body to ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction and that the school delivers a good quality education by holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school. They ensure and oversee the financial procedures of the school, making sure money is well spent.
The constitution of Sir Robert Hitcham CEVAP School allows for 12 governors who each serve a term of four years:
- two parent governors - elected by parents;
- one local authority governor - proposed by Suffolk County Council;
- one staff governor - elected by staff;
- one headteacher - ex officio; and
- seven foundation governors.
The foundation bodies entitled to appoint foundation governors are:
- the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocesan Board of Education (six governors); and
- the Sir Robert Hitcham School Foundation (one governor).
**The Governing Body can appoint an associate member, who does not have any voting rights.
Governor and Associate Member Details
Governor and Associate Member Bios
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Mrs Mie Coker Foundation Governor (Diocese) |
I have two children who attend Robert Hitcham Primary School. I started my career working with various not-for-profit organisations, project managing campaigns on sexual health education. I’m passionate about children enjoying their learning journey. I hope to serve the best way I can and support the Christian vision and ethos of the school. |
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Mrs Laura Dumolo Headteacher (Ex Officio)
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It is my absolute pleasure and privlege to be the Headteacher of Sir Robert Hitcham Primary School since January 2020. |
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Mr Gavin Hailes Foundation Governor |
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Mrs Kim Kelway Foundation Governor |
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Mrs Jade Martin Foundation Governor |
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Mrs Julie Nightingale Foundation Governor (Diocese) |
I have 18 years of teaching experience at schools in Suffolk, including two voluntary aided primary schools, and an independent preparatory school. Whilst being a class teacher, my specialism was music, which I believe has huge benefits in developing skills across the curriculum and fostering good mental health and well-being to all. Since my children have started attending this school, I have enjoyed volunteering in various ways including choir, recorders and supporting in class as a volunteer. My new venture is a Ukulele club! I am part of a group of parents who pray each week for the school and am keen to see the Christian ethos underpinning everything. I have taken a break from teaching to care for my own child who has complex needs and moderate learning difficulties, this has enlightened me to the challenges that children with special needs and disabilities face within education. Having moved out from Ipswich, I enjoy walking in the local area, singing in a local choir and playing keyboard and violin at church. I run the Suffolk Down’s Syndrome Support Group and volunteer for The Bumblebee Children’s Charity. |
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Mrs Kate Nulty LA Governor |
I have been appointed as an LA Governor for Sir Robert Hitcham Primary School. I have two children at SRH and currently work in internal audit for an insurance company. I have worked in people management roles within insurance for approximately ten years before securing this last post.
I am honoured to be a part of our school's governance team and I am excited to take on this new responsibility. After moving to the area in 2021, I wanted to give my time to my new community and to play a part in the village's future and felt this was the best use of my time, skills and experience I have gathered over the years in the workplace. I look forward to serving the school in the best way I can, making sure the Christian values and Rainbow Pledges are at the heart of everything I do.
My spare time is spent with my children and husband and seeing what outdoor fun we can get up to! |
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Mr Colin Tapscott Foundation Governor (Diocese) |
Inspiring and equipping people to enable them to do their best is what I do. I run a leadership coaching, training and consultancy company (Everyday Leader) developing people to see themselves as leaders. Prior to this, I was a headteacher for 17 years, leading large primary schools in Suffolk and Hertfordshire. With 30 years’ experience of working in schools, I know the importance of a good values driven education and the life changing impact that can have. It is an honour to serve on the governing body to support the school leadership to achieve that. My current role is to serve on the Resources Committee. I also hope to bring ideas from my experience of working in schools that help the governors to do their role well.
As a church school, we are in a privileged position to help children understand how positive Christian values can help them in learning, life and leading themselves. I hope that my theology degree, my experience of running a children’s faith based charity with my wife, and years of volunteer leadership in churches will help support the school leadership to help children explore those values.
My family and I have lived in Debenham since moving to Suffolk in 2007. My three children are all adults now, so recreation time revolves around walking our three dogs and running to keep fit. |
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The Revd Susan Taylor Foundation Governor (Diocese Ex Officio)
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After spending far too much time wandering aimlessly around the world, I settled to a career as a solicitor, got married, had children and, rather to everyone’s surprise, not least my own, became a Christian. I was ordained in 2015 and have been in the seven parishes of the Benefice of Debenham and Helmingham since 2017. When my daughter started school, I became a governor at her primary school and really enjoyed the role. I was briefly chair of finance, which was long enough to know that it is not a role for me. I was also a governor in Yoxford. I was briefly chair, which also taught me that, although it is a great role and a great privilege, it’s not something to take on whilst also ministering to several parishes! I love laughing around the dinner table with my family and friends, walking the dog, gardening and being in any mountains. |
Governors and Associate Member Appointments
| Governor / Associate Member | Date of Appointment | Term of Office | Governor Category | Appointing Body |
| Mrs M Coker |
Re-appointment 04/01/2025 |
4 years | Foundation | Diocese of Ipswich & St Edmundsbury |
| Mrs L Dumolo | On appointment | N/A | Headteacher | Ex Officio |
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Mr G Hailes Vice Chair of Governors |
10/10/2022 | 4 years | Foundation | Diocese of Ipswich & St Edmundsbury |
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Mrs K Kelway |
11/09/2023 | 4 years | Foundation | Diocese of Ipswich & St Edmundsbury |
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Mrs J Martin |
01/10/2024 | 4 years | Foundation | Diocese of Ipswich & St Edmundsbury |
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Mrs J Nightingale Vice Chair of Governors |
Re-appointment 20/04/2024 |
4 years | Foundation | Diocese of Ipswich & St Edmundsbury |
| Mrs K Nulty | 20/07/2022 | 4 years | LA | Full Governing Body |
| Mrs N Styles | 08/07/2022 | 4 years | Parent | Elected by Parents |
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Mr C Tapscott Chair of Governors
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Re-appointment 12/10/2024 | 4 years | Foundation | Diocese of Ipswich & St Edmundsbury |
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The Revd S Taylor |
On appointment | N/A | Ex-Officio | Diocese of Ipswich & St Edmundsbury |
| Governor | Date of Appointment | Date of Resignation | Governor Category | Appointing Body |
| Ms A Woods | 21/01/2021 | 13/06/2022 | Associate Member | Full Governing Body |
| Mrs V Gascoyne-Cecil | 05/07/2021 | 08/04/2022 | Interim Headteacher | Ex-Officio |
| Mr S Palframan | 18/04/2022 | 16/05/2022 | Foundation | Diocese of Ipswich & St Edmundsbury |
| Mrs L Kindred | December 2021 | 05/07/2022 | Staff | |
| Mrs C Gibson | 17/04/2020 | 31/08/2022 | Foundation | Diocese of Ipswich & St Edmundsbury |
| Mrs S Connolly | 20/07/2022 | 23/01/2023 | Local Authority | Suffolk County Council |
| Mrs N Faulds | 18/04/2020 | 17/04/2024 | Parent | |
| Mrs S Lock | 18/04/2020 | 17/04/2024 | Foundation | Diocese of Ipswich & St Edmundsbury |
| Mrs N Styles | 08/07/2022 | 25/02/2025 | Parent | Elected by Parents |
| Mr G Carlile | 03/06/2024 | 10/03/2025 | Parent | Elected by Parents |
Governor and Associate Member Pecuniary Interests
| Governor / Associate Member | Interests to Declare |
| Mrs M Coker |
Parent of pupils at school |
| Mrs L Dumolo |
None |
| Mr G Hailes |
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| Mrs K Kelway |
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| Mrs J Martin | Parent of pupils at school |
| Mrs J Nightingale | |
| Mrs K Nulty | Parent of pupils at school |
| Mr C Tapscott |
Director of Everyday Leader Husband of supply teacher Director of Lemmings Holidays Father of youth worker at The Mix |
| The Revd S Taylor |
Foundation Governor at Debenham High School Rector for Debenham PCC; Aspall PCC; Kenton PCC; Winston PCC; Pettaugh PCC; Framsden PCC; Helmingham PCC Trustee of Sir Robert Hitcham Foundation Trust Trustee of Pettaugh Mission Trust Trustee of St Edmunds Bury & Ipswich Diocescan Board of Finance |
Committee Memberships
| Governor / Associate Member | Committee Memberships |
| Mrs M Coker | Admissions; School Development |
| Mrs L Dumolo | Admissions; School Development; Resources |
| Mr G Hailes |
Admissions; Resources; Chair of Resources Named Health and Safety Governor |
| Mrs K Kelway |
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| Mrs J Martin |
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| Mrs J Nightingale |
Admissions; School Development; Chair of School Development Named Safeguarding Governor |
| Mrs K Nulty | Admissions; Resources; Wellbeing |
| Mr C Tapscott |
Admissions; Chair of Wellbeing Named Training Link Governor |
| The Revd S Taylor | Admissions; School Development; Wellbeing |
The Resources Committee is responsible for overseeing the school budget and areas related to the budget (e.g building, maintenance and staff recruitment). The Chair of the Resources Committee is to be confirmed.
The School Improvement Committee has responsibility for monitoring the school's performance, ensuring that every pupil is supported by the school to reach their full potential. The Chair of the School Improvement Committee is Mrs Naomi Faulds.
Attendance Record for Governing Body and Committee Meetings
Governors' Attendance 2021/2022
If you would like a copy of the public minutes of a meeting, please contact the Chair of Governors, Mr Colin Tapscott, at colin.tapscott@sirroberthitcham.suffolk.sch.uk.