Governors
Composition of the Governing Body
Heron Hill's Governing Body has up to twelve members who serve for a four year term.
The Role of the Governing Body
- To support the school in meeting its statutory responsibility to provide the best possible education for each individual child.
- To be fully accountable to the Local Authority, the parents and the wider community for the way in which it carries out its functions as a Governing Body.
- To act at all times in accordance with the requirements laid down in acts of Parliament, statutory regulations and the school's instrument of government.
- To maintain and develop the ethos and reputation of the school.
- To ensure that the school's interests are properly represented at both local and national level wherever and whenever appropriate.
We currently have one vacancy for a co-opted governor. If you are interested in applying for this vacancy, please contact Clerk to Governors via admin1@heronhill.cumbria.sch.uk for an application form. Use this email address to contact any of the governors.
Members of the Governing Body
Edward Vittery - Chair of Governors-Elect, Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 7.12.2021-6.12.2025
I have two young children who both attend Heron Hill School. I currently work as a manager of a hotel in the Lake District. This role is very varied and hopefully provides me with a range of experience that I can bring to the governing body. Though I have no formal background in education, I have long been passionate about learning and opportunities for young people and in the past I have volunteered in several groups for children and young people.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my children and when time allows enjoying a number of different sporting activities. I love the area in which we are lucky to live in and can regularly be seen exploring the countryside on 2 wheels.
Declaration of Business Interests: I am a sports club provider which is promoted within the school. Declaration made 21.03.2025.
Lucy Middleton - Headteacher
Areas of special interest within school: As the headteacher, I am interested in all elements of school life and all aspects of running a primary school. My special interests lie in school improvement, culture, leading teaching and learning, and professional learning and development. I have had the privilege of teaching in all year groups from Nursery to Year 6 during my career so have a good handle on the primary journey.
Outside of school, I love nothing more than spending time outdoors with my husband, our daughter and our Goldendoodle, Reggie. Walking, listening to podcasts, paddle-boarding and baking are all interests of mine that support me in maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
Declaration of Business Interests: Married to Daniel Middleton, graphic design and print. Declaration made 21.03.2025.
Douglas Rathbone - LA Governor, Vice-Chair-Elect, Chair of Finance Committee
Term of Office: 5.10.2022-4.10.2026
Areas of special interest within school:
I live up towards Oxenholme station with my partner, Sally. Before we moved to Kendal we lived for a bit in Windermere, where Sally grew up. I was previously in finance amongst other things, and Sally was a solicitor. We enjoy going fell walking, sailing and share a great love of reading. I particularly enjoy cooking as a creative way of relaxing - with the fringe benefits, of course, of eating the results. I am also an Elder of the United Reformed Church in Windermere, a Kendal Town Councillor for this area (and this year will be Mayor of Kendal) and a District Councillor for Kendal South & Natland.
I joined the Governing Body in 2018 and had previously been Chair of Governors of a school in London when it converted to being an Academy. My interests were specifically in literacy but I obviously sat on all committees in those days. It is great to be back being able to help with the overall scrutiny and the successful running of this school as a Local Authority Governor. My background is in finance so I work together on that with fellow Governors in what are challenging times nationally.
Declaration of Business Interests: Kendal Town and Westmorland and Furness Councillor. Declaration made 21.03.2025.
Sara Metcalfe - Elected Staff Governor
Term of Office: 15.12.2023-14.12.2027
Areas of special interest: Reception class teacher, EYFS, Learning through Play and Art (including art projects shared with the wider community).
Declaration of Business Interests: Nil. Declaration made 21.03.2025.
Sarah Corbett - Co-Opted Governor
Term of Office: 10.06.2022-9.06.2026
Areas of special interest: Year 3 class teacher, Geography Lead, Maths Support Team.
Declaration of Business Interests: Nil. Declaration made 21.03.2025.
Duncan Shaw - Elected Parent Governor, Chair of Premises Committee
Term of Office: 9.07.2022-8.07.2026
Areas of special interest within school: Design & Technology, Physical Education
My priority is to get children outside more; to have time to enjoy the area we live in. We need to give the children an opportunity to see what surrounds them, in the school grounds, within Kendal and within this amazing area of the country we live in.
Declaration of Business Interests: Nil. Declaration made 12.12.2023
Chris Stanger - Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 10.11.2023-9.11.2027
Areas of special interest within school: Premises, Kenya Link
Declaration of Interest: Nil. Declaration made 21.03.2025.
Michelle Wilkinson - Deputy Headteacher, Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 10.03.2023-9.03.2027
Areas of special interest within school: School Leadership, Mathematics, Raising Attainment, Assessment, Teaching & Learning, Pastoral Care.
I taught in large schools in Newcastle and Liverpool before coming to Heron Hill. I have taught classes from Year 1 to Year 6 and love to be part of children’s development. We aim to have lots of fun learning!
I also love motorcycling, cooking and spending time in the garden.
Declaration of Business Interests: Nil. Declaration made 20.03.2025.
Anthony Jamieson - Co-opted Governor, Chair-Elect of Staffing Committee
Term of office: 27.03.2024-26.03.2028
My wife and I have lived in Kendal all our lives, and we love the strong community and beautiful surroundings. We have three children, two of whom attend Heron Hill Primary School, with our youngest soon to join them.
As an analyst at a large defence company, I’ve gained valuable experience in managing complex projects, especially those involving government funding, which I believe will be an asset to the school. I am passionate about ensuring that every child receives a high-quality education, as I realise the opportunities it can unlock for their future.
In my free time, I love spending time with my family and cheering on Everton FC, despite its ups and downs!
Declaration of Business Interests: Nil. Declaration made 21.03.2025.
Katherine Haley - Co-opted Governor, Chair of Curriculum and Standards Committee
Term of Office: 01.09.2024-31.08.2028
I am delighted to be a governor for Heron Hill School, especially starting at the same time as our new Headteacher, Mrs Middleton.
My husband John and I moved to Kendal in 2012 and fell in love with the area. One of our daughters is currently in Year 4 and another, who was at Heron Hill, is now at Kirkbie Kendal School. I have been a secondary school teacher for 20 years, teaching history. I am passionate about providing opportunities for young people and ensuring they experience the world around them. In my spare time I enjoy reading, walking our cocker spaniel Nell and spending time with friends and family.
Declaration of Business Interests: Nil. Declaration made 21.03.2025.
Amy Holland - Elected Parent Governor
Term of Office: 25.10.2024-24.10.2028
As a parent at Heron Hill, I am proud to be part of the wonderful community the school and its families have fostered. My husband and I have a child currently attending the school and a baby who will join in a few years. I am looking forward to learning more about, and contributing to, our children's school experience.
I bring to this role my experience as a qualified teaching assistant, along with a further qualification in Understanding Autism and an interest in helping children with SEN to thrive in their education. My background in education, combined with my perspective as a parent, fuels my passion for ensuring that every child has the best possible start to their education, and progresses to secondary school as a happy, successful and well-rounded individual.
Declaration of Business Interests: Nil. Declaration made 20.03.2025.
CO-OPTED GOVERNOR VACANCY: The school would welcome an application from someone with experience of the education sector. Due to the balance of governors already in the Governing Body, the governors would prefer to appoint someone who currently does not have a child at the school.
Governor Attendance Record 2023-2024
Committees 2024-2025
Farewell to Ms Ritchie
The 2025 summer term’s Full Governing Body meeting was the final meeting for Kathryn Ritchie who has led as Chair of Governors for the past few years and been a committed Governor for almost four. Kathryn has made such a difference to our pupil experience and has supported staff and parents with care, professionalism and her child-centred approach. We will miss her contributions greatly and thank her for all she has done in this voluntary role. Our Y6 prefects presented Kathryn with a leaving gift and a beautiful bouquet of flowers in the Heron Hill colours at the end of the meeting. These were both gratefully received and later Kathryn responded with the following message. We thank her for her dedicated service to our school and wish her a very happy retirement.
“It was an emotional day as I relinquished my role as Chair of Governors at Heron Hill School following a career of nearly 50 years in education. It has been an absolute privilege to work with such lovely children and a talented staff team at the school, even though there have been a few challenging issues to deal with along the way. I’m delighted to say the school is now ready to fly.
The Heron Hill community is fortunate to have a highly dedicated and skilled staff team led by our new Headteacher Lucy Middleton who has shown us exactly what visionary and courageous leadership looks like. It’s good to know I leave the school in the capable hands of Edward Vittery. Edward will do a great job in leading a Governing Body that is determined to get the best for your children.
Here’s to a successful and simply brilliant future for the Heron Hill community. I shall miss you all.”