Governors
Strategic Vision
Stradbroke Primary School's motto is "Learning for Life".
In keeping with that motto, the Governing Body's vision is to provide our children with a safe, happy and healthy learning environment that gives them a passion for learning, the confidence to tackle challenges and the ability to be a part of their wider community. We do this by continuous investment in our staff, creating an environment they want to work in and by engaging not only with our children, but with parents and the wider community so that they work with us to ensure the success of the School and all its pupils.
Role of the Governing Body
The 3 main functions of the Stradbroke Primary School Governing Body are:
- Setting the strategic direction of the school (i.e. where do we want to be and how will we get there);
- Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils; and
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
More details of the Governing Body and the role it plays at our school can be found in the Governing Body Statement 2015/16.
Governors at Stradbroke Primary School
Chair of Governors | Natalie Swallow |
Vice-chair of Governors | Scott Dyball |
Headteacher: | John Sitch |
Deputy Headteacher: | Stephen Nash |
Parent Governor: | Natasha Huggins |
Parent Governor: | Joanne Huggins |
Co-opted Governor | Lisa Cazzato |
Co-opted Governor | Philip Ireson |
Co-opted Governor | Amanda Smith |
Staff Governor: | Tom Mills |
Link Governors
Our Governors are also linked to various roles within the school. These are:
- Training - Natalie Swallow
- Child Protection & Safeguarding - Natalie Swallow and Joanne Huggins
- Special Educational Needs - Lisa Cazzato and Natasha Huggins
- Health and Safety - Scott Dyball
- Data - Natalie Swallow
A full breakdown of roles and responsibilities for all our Governors is available to download in our List of Governor Committees and Responsibilities 2016/2017.
Meet our Governors
Natalie Swallow - Chair of Governors
Name | Miss Natalie Swallow |
Category | Chair of CSPC committee - Co-opted |
Date of appointment | 21/5/15 |
Term of office | 4 years - 20/5/19 |
Date stepped down (if applicable) | |
Who appointed them | Governing body |
Committee member |
|
Eligible to vote | At Full Governing Body meetings and at all Committee meeting |
Business and Pecuniary interests | Rainbows leader of group run in the school |
Governance roles in other educational establishments | None |
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) | None |
Governor Statement I was a pupil at Stradbroke and have lots of fond memories of the school, which was one of the reasons why I became a Parent Governor when my daughter was in Y2. Nearly 11 years on and I'm still here, my daughter is studying for her A Levels and a place at university; I believe Stradbroke can share her successes just as much as her secondary school and 6th form can. I continue to be proud to be a member of the governing body, as Stradbroke Primary is a wonderful school. Supporting staff is very rewarding, as is celebrating the progress that every child makes. Outside of the governing body, I have been a Finance Administrator at The University of Sheffield for over 13 years, supporting academics and students in a very busy research department. |
Scott Dyball
Name | Mr Scott Dyball |
Category | Co-opted |
Date of appointment | 21/5/15 |
Term of office | 4 years - 20/5/19 |
Date stepped down (if applicable) | |
Who appointed them | Governing body |
Committee member | Finance, Health, Safety and Planning Committee |
Eligible to vote | At Full Governing Body meetings and at all Committee meeting |
Business and Pecuniary interests | Child in School |
Governance roles in other educational establishments | None |
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) | None |
Lisa Cazzato
Name | Lisa Cazzato |
Category | Co-opted |
Date of appointment | October 2017 |
Term of office | 4 years - October 2021 |
Date stepped down (if applicable) | |
Who appointed them | Governing body |
Committee member | Finance, Health, Safety and Planning Committee |
Eligible to vote | At Full Governing Body meetings and at all Committee meeting |
Business and Pecuniary interests | Child in School |
Governance roles in other educational establishments | None |
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) | None |
Governor Statement I was asked whether I'd like to come on board as a Governor a couple of years ago and jumped at the chance. Stradbroke was my Primary School and enjoyed my best school days there. Entering the school again after so many years brought many happy memories and a feeling that the school was the same; just as great, with an excellent team of teaching staff and with the same positive approach to getting the best out of the children. Having left Stradbroke myself I went on to become a Solicitor and have been qualified for 14 years now. I bring to the Governors table an organised, methodical and planned approach to our tasks, a need to learn and understand fully what is before me and a genuine desire to work with our team and make this school the best that we can. |
John Sitch
Name | Mr John Sitch |
Category | Headteacher |
Date of appointment | Not applicable |
Term of office | Not applicable |
Date stepped down (if applicable) | |
Who appointed them | Governing body |
Committee member |
|
Eligible to vote | Yes |
Business and Pecuniary interests | None |
Governance roles in other educational establishments | None |
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) | None |
Governor Statement I have been at Stradbroke for over ten years now, and have been the Headteacher here since 2017. I greatly enjoyed my class teaching career and have a passion for developing teaching and learning and mentoring and developing colleagues to achieve their potential. I moved to Sheffield in 2000 from South Staffordshire to study for my degree and I loved the city so much I never went back. Away from school, I'm a lifelong sports enthusiast, and am a keen golfer. Unfortunately, my football is now more fantasy based than reality! I have two primary school aged children, Ruby and Ted, and fully appreciate the pleasure and also the challenges of parenthood. I am proud to serve this community and I always tell people that the children of this school are its greatest asset - never is there a dull day and I wouldn't want it any other way! |
Natasha Huggins
Name | Mrs Natasha Huggins |
Category | Parent Governor |
Date of appointment | 14/06/2016 |
Term of office | 4 years - 14/06/2020 |
Date stepped down (if applicable) | |
Who appointed them | Parent election |
Committee member | Finance, Health, Safety and Planning Committee |
Eligible to vote | At Full Governing Body meetings and at all Committee meeting |
Business and Pecuniary interests | Child in school |
Governance roles in other educational establishments | None |
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) | None |
Governor Statement I have been a Parent Governor at Stradbroke Primary School since June 2016 - I have three children at the school. Before my children arrived I was a Medical Secretary at the Charles Clifford Dental Hospital in Sheffield, and I currently work part-time as a bookkeeper for my husband's Computer Software Development business. As a former pupil of Stradbroke Primary, I am a keen supporter of the school. As a Parent Governor, I aim to help direct and support the vision and growth of the school, ensuring all-round development and outstanding education for every child. Having had a child on the SEN register myself, I am the Link Governor for SEN - responsible for ensuring that the school is fulfilling its duties to children with SEN. |
Stephen Nash
Name | Mr Stephen Nash |
Category | Staff Governor |
Date of appointment | Not applicable |
Term of office | Not applicable |
Date stepped down (if applicable) | |
Who appointed them | Governing body |
Committee member |
|
Eligible to vote | Yes |
Business and Pecuniary interests | None |
Governance roles in other educational establishments | None |
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) | None |
Governor Statement I started my teaching career at Stradbroke in 2012. Prior to beginning my teaching career, I studied History at Newcastle University and spent a year travelling around the world, which was a fantastic experience and ignited in me a love for travelling and appreciating other cultures. In 2017, I became the Deputy Headteacher - a role that I thoroughly enjoy. I am fortunate enough to be heavily involved in developing the quality of education at our school - this is my favourite part of the job as I enjoy seeing the impact we are having on children's learning. It always fills me with great pride when I see former pupils of our school - many of whom I have taught - and learn about the successes they have gone onto achieve. This constantly drives me to help lead the school's continued improvement. However, I must admit, it also fills me with dread knowing how old some of my former pupils are and how much older I must be getting as it does not seem all that long ago since I was a clean-shaven NQT! Without a doubt, I love every minute of my time here at Stradbroke working with Mr Sitch and it is a great source of pride for me whenever I tell people who I work with: I feel incredibly lucky to serve such a wonderful man. Outside of school, as many of you will know, I love playing and watching football. I am a lifelong Sheffield Wednesday fan - however, I cannot claim to have enjoyed watching them play in the last few years! |
Joanne Huggins
Name | Mrs Joanne Huggins |
Category | Parent Governor |
Date of appointment | May 2018 |
Term of office | 4 years - May 2022 |
Date stepped down (if applicable) | |
Who appointed them | Parent election |
Committee member | Finance, Health, Safety and Planning Committee |
Eligible to vote | At Full Governing Body meetings and at all Committee meeting |
Business and Pecuniary interests | Child in school |
Governance roles in other educational establishments | None |
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) | None |
Governor Statement I volunteered to become a parent governor 18 months ago because I felt that it was a good opportunity to get involved in and give something back to the local community and the school. Aside being a governor, I work part time as a civil servant, recently completing 25 years service. I also voluntarily run a toddler group and a monthly messy church. Having two children currently at Stradbroke I have a vested interest in wanting to provide the best start in life to all pupils through a quality, fun and varied curriculum. As a governor I can help to support the excellent work being done by all the staff and be part of the continuous improvements being made towards making Stradbroke recognised as an outstanding school. |
Tom Mills
Name | Tom Mills |
Category | Staff Governor |
Date of appointment | October 2019 |
Term of office | 4 years - October 2023 |
Date stepped down (if applicable) | |
Who appointed them | Staff election |
Committee member | Curriculum, Staffing, Pupils and Community Committee |
Eligible to vote | At Full Governing Body meetings and at all Committee meeting |
Business and Pecuniary interests | None |
Governance roles in other educational establishments | None |
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) | None |
Governor Statement Currently, I am one of the Y6 teachers at Stradbroke Primary School and Physical Education Lead. I volunteered to be a staff governor as I had the desire to have a wider impact on the whole school community - not just the 30 children I teach daily. Being a class teacher and PE Lead allows me to use my day to day classroom teaching experience to make suggestions, provide daily insights and help aid the quality of education for all children at the school. I am a life-long Sheffield United supporter and have been known to swing a badminton racquet rather well in previous years! |
Philip Ireson
Name | Mr Philip Ireson |
Category | Co-opted |
Date of appointment | April 2020 |
Term of office | 4 years - April 2024 |
Date stepped down (if applicable) | |
Who appointed them | Governing body |
Committee member | Finance, Health, Safety and Planning Committee |
Eligible to vote | At Full Governing Body meetings and at all Committee meeting |
Business and Pecuniary interests | None |
Governance roles in other educational establishments | None |
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) | None |
Governor Statement I am a retired Anglican Priest. I live locally with my wife Frances. I have worked in the Diocese of Sheffield for over 35 years and spent ten years in prison! Actually as the senior Chaplain at HMP Doncaster. I love helping out in schools and have been a School Governor for a number of years. I am passionate about development work in Africa and currently am developing a prison farm project in Malawi. I'm also a natural history geek and love flowers, birds and butterflies and the great outdoors! I hope I can use my skills and interest as much as I can at Stradbroke School. |
Amanda Smith
Name | Amanda Smith |
Category | Co-opted |
Date of appointment | February 2021 |
Term of office | 4 years - February 2025 |
Date stepped down (if applicable) | |
Who appointed them | Governing body |
Committee member | Finance, Health, Safety and Planning Committee |
Eligible to vote | At Full Governing Body meetings and at all Committee meeting |
Business and Pecuniary interests | Child in School |
Governance roles in other educational establishments | None |
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) | None |
Previous Governors
Previous Governors of Stradbroke Primary School.
Pecuniary Interests
Pecuniary interests are declared on each Governor Profile (as displayed above). A detailed list of Governor Business and Pecuniary Interests can also be downloaded separately.
Governor Attendance
We are very fortunate to have a governing body of dedicated individuals. All our governors are volunteers drawn from a variety of environments, many are professionals juggling busy work schedules, others are involved with local government and local community enterprise and most have busy family lives.
These commitments (and illness) can sometimes prevent individuals from attending all of their scheduled meetings however, they remain committed to their role within school and we are pleased to confirm that all governor meetings are well attended, while many governors also visit Stradbroke during our school hours to observe and support the learning and development of the school.
You may already have had the opportunity to catch up with 1 or 2 of them at our Open Evenings.
School trips
Lisa Cazzato - Chatsworth House - July 2019
In July 2019 I went on trip to Chatsworth House with Reception. It was an extremely pleasant experience, the children enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Chatsworth, the excitement of the coach trip there and back, learning about the animals in the farmyard and having a hands-on experience with petting/feeding the goats and other animals. They mostly enjoyed the Adventure Playground there which is superb.
The trip involved a large cohort of children who all behaved extremely well for their teachers and for the parent volunteers who went along. They were extremely well-mannered and were a credit to both the school generally and to Miss Anderson and Miss Spick who ran a very successful and pleasurable day out for all in attendance.