On behalf of all Governors, welcome to the Duke of Norfolk Primary School!

As school Governors, we have an important role in monitoring the safety, welfare and education of all our children. To do this, we work as a team with staff, parents/carers and children in an open and caring atmosphere where everyone feels valued.

We are justifiably proud of the achievements of our children across the curriculum, and of the high standards maintained in both learning and behaviour. We, as a governing body, take our role very seriously and will always put the needs of the children first – after all, it is why we are all here !!

In terms of our role, Governors have responsibility in ensuring that school planning is ambitious yet realistic, and that the school operates in an environment conducive to learning. We support and encourage the Headteacher, and all staff, to ensure each pupil has the best opportunity to learn and progress. Whilst we are involved with a variety of issues, such as monitoring finance, developing policies, building/grounds maintenance and assisting with staff appointments, our most important role is to ensure the welfare and promote the education of our pupils.

The Duke of Norfolk School’s vision and ethos is at the heart of the School Development Plan. It details our aims and objectives for the ongoing development of the School. Our priorities focus on the following four areas:

• Quality of teaching – continuous development of teachers to deliver more outstanding lessons
• Pupil achievement and progress – enabling excellent progress for pupils by providing challenge at all levels
• Behaviour and safety of pupils – developing the role of the School Council and citizenship
• Leadership and management – developing our senior leadership team, subject leaders and the governing body

Please take the time to browse our school website, where you will find more information about the school and us as a Governing Body.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all parents/carers and staff for the support and encouragement they give to both the “Dukes” children and the school. For children, this support nurtures key social and creative skills, especially in these early years, and helps build confidence and self-esteem. Parent interest and support in promoting the school is invaluable, and ensures Dukes has a strong partnership with the local community.

It is our aim to be a governing body that is both visible and approachable, and so I am happy to speak with any parent, carer or visitor to discuss any matter relating to the school; and I am always pleased to receive positive feedback. Together we can help the Duke of Norfolk maintain high standards and prosper for current children and future generations.

Best regards,

Peter Parkin-Child
Chair of Governors

Our Governing Body Structure  

Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor. All of our current governors have voting rights. The clerk of governors is not a governor, but is there to co-ordinate the meetings.

Peter Parkin-Child

Having two children in the ‘Dukes’ family, I am keen to support and contribute to the school as best I can; and feel the role of parent governor allows me to do this. In terms of the skills/experience I hope I bring to the table, I previously worked within Corporate Banking before moving into the HR profession; and am currently Head of HR for one of the UK’s largest recruitment companies. I have regular involvement in corporate strategy and policy implementation/revision, alongside dealing with management information and analytics. In terms of my involvement as a governor, I am currently Chair of the Governing Body and link governor for History.

Deborah Finney

I love Duke of Norfolk and I am very proud of our children and our teaching team. I have one child at the school (and one who has graduated from Dukes to secondary) and understand how difficult and stressful it can be for busy parents to access information about your child’s learning and then to work out how best to support them. I’m currently Vice-Chair of the Governing Body and also a link governor for literacy, so your children may see me occasionally visit their classrooms.

I have worked in and with the Financial and Professional Sector for over 25 years and now help large businesses to open offices in Greater Manchester – I am passionate about creating jobs for the future, tech and raising aspirations.  I try to ensure that my experience in financial management, marketing, legal, HR and negotiation continue to help the school.

Jessica McFarlane

I have one child still attending the school, and now sit as a co-opted member of the Governing body, with links to safeguarding. As well as being a local Magistrate, I had a childcare provision for many years, caring for children from early years through to age 11. I have a great interest in the school and the development of children; enabling them to be the best they can be and widening their knowledge and experiences. I now work in the Civil Service for the Department for Education, and I hope to use my skills and experience to support the governing body and see Duke of Norfolk School be the best it can be.

Cilla Hollman

I have been a Governor at this school since 1999, first as a Parent Governor, then a Local Authority Governor, Community Governor and now a Co-opted Governor.  In this time, I have carried out a wide range of roles as link governor for different areas, and I was Chair of Governors for several years.  I am also a governor at Hadfield Infant School and an active member of Derbyshire School Governors' Association. In addition to my governance roles, I volunteer to hear reading and to help develop mental maths.  I am a firm believer in the importance of collaboration between school and community, because those wide-eyed, small people who come in at such a young age will one day be our community’s leaders and supporters, and it is our responsibility to give them a strong vision and ethos that will enable them to fulfil their roles as adults.

Roger Wilkinson

Revd Dr David Mundy

As Priest-in-Charge of Glossop Parish Church of All Saints, the parish church for ‘Dukes’, I am the ex-officio Foundation Governor. It is my role to help the school maintain its distinctive Christian ethos as a Voluntary Controlled Church of England School in a way that is respectful of the diversity of beliefs represented within the school community – pupils, parents / carers, staff, governors. I have over ten years’ experience of serving as a governor at two schools, including as Chair of Governors. Before ordination I worked for more than 20 years in international development, providing support to national and international NGOs and to governments. I am married to Lesley, a registered childminder, and we have two grown-up children, Andrew and Sarah.

Kellie Wilson

Michelle Massey

My daughter started at the Duke of Norfolk School in September 2017 and I have been amazed at her passion for learning ever since. I became a governor shortly afterwards and I am now link governor for Pupil Premium and SEND. It is a privilege to see how Dukes cares for, and provides for, all pupils. I have been a local secondary school teacher for 16 years and this experience really helps me to focus on the school's outcomes and vision for a happy, successful learning environment.

Jonathan Lingham

I am a father of three, with eldest son currently in year two and my youngest son in reception. I became a parent governor in 2018 and enjoy the opportunity to help play a small part in supporting the school’s development.  I’m currently Head of Marketing for a large automotive group. I believe my enthusiasm, energy and background in communications can benefit the School Governing Body.

Victoria Friess

The Duke of Norfolk school  has been a big part of my life as I attended here myself 20 years ago, and now my two children are part of the Dukes family too. Since they started in September 2019, I have seen them both develop a love of learning and it makes me proud to now be bringing them to the school that I feel is responsible for shaping my own career. I loved so many aspects of my time at school that I wanted to do nothing else but become a teacher myself and continue to enjoy education - from a different perspective. I have nearly 10 years of teaching experience specialising in Early Years and Special Educational Needs and I currently teach early years children with complex needs. I am passionate about ensuring that all children having an education that they enjoy and thrive in, by whichever path is right for them. I am looking forward to joining the Duke of Norfolk Governors so that I can help to contribute to keeping the school the best it can be for our children.

Tom Plant

My family and I have moved to Glossop in 2015, after relocating from Central Manchester, and my eldest daughter joined Dukes in 2019.  

I became a parent governor in June 2021 and I am looking forward to playing an active role in supporting the school's development.  In addition to being a Parent Governor, I am also the Link Governor for Reading and on the Headteacher Performance Committee.

I am committed to making a difference so that all children at the school achieve the best possible outcomes whilst also developing as well rounded and confident individuals.  I have over 20 years’ experience working in the public and voluntary sector.  Currently, I am a Performance and Strategy Manager at Stockport Council where my role involves working with service users and partners to understand issues, identify solutions and deliver service redesign.  More recently, I am involved in shaping the Council’s approach to addressing poverty through building financial resilience.

Outside of work, I enjoy fell running, hiking, wild swimming, watching Stoke City, supporting Howard Town Brewery and trips in the caravan with my family.

We have also provided a Register of Governor Interests and an Annual Statement of Issues for your information.