Governance at Haughmond Schools
At Haughmond Schools, governance plays a vital role in ensuring that every pupil receives a high-quality, inclusive education. As part of the Severn Bridges Multi-Academy Trust (SBMAT), our governance structure is designed to provide:
Strategic Leadership
The SBMAT Board of Trustees defines the overarching vision for excellence in education across all of its primary schools. This vision is rooted in the Trust’s charitable objectives and commitment to inclusive, high-quality learning. The Board sets the strategic direction and culture of the Trust and determines the level of governance responsibilities delegated to each school’s Local Governing Body (LGB).
Accountability and Assurance
The Board of Trustees maintains robust oversight of the Trust’s operations, including educational outcomes, pupil welfare, financial performance, and the safety and maintenance of school estates. At Haughmond Schools, the LGB plays a key role in scrutinising school-level decisions, driving improvement, and ensuring that policies and practices are effective and appropriate to our context.
Engagement
The Board of Trustees ensures meaningful engagement with all stakeholders—parents, staff, pupils, and the wider community. At Haughmond Schools, we value the voices of our local community and actively involve them in shaping the life and direction of our schools.
The Role of the Local Governing Body at Haughmond Schools
While the SBMAT Board of Trustees retains ultimate responsibility for governance across the Trust, it delegates specific responsibilities to the Local Governing Body of each school. At Haughmond Schools, the LGB is empowered to monitor and investigate activities within its remit, ensuring that the Trust’s vision is realised at a local level.
The LGB focuses on the day-to-day life of the school, supporting and challenging school leaders to ensure that the needs of all pupils are met. Governors are expected to act independently, always in the best interests of Haughmond Schools and the wider Trust, while recognising their role within a collaborative family of schools.
Our Local Governors:
Our local governors serve as ambassadors for both schools and Severn Bridges Multi-Academy Trust. They understand and embody the Trust’s ethos and values, using their skills and experience to support school improvement. Through their work, they provide valuable feedback to the Board of Trustees to help inform strategic decisions.
In summary, the role of the LGB is to:
- provide advice to the Board of Trustees on the functioning of the school;
- act as a key link between the Board of Trustees, parents and the school community;
- act as a sounding board for the Headteacher and offer challenging but positive support to the Headteacher;
- continually review the overall impact of the school; and
- assist with and review the implementation of certain school policies, such as pupil admissions and behaviour.
The Chair of the Local Governing Body is Helen Jones and can be contacted through school contact details.
At Haughmond Schools, governance is not just a structure—it is a commitment to excellence, accountability, and community. Through strong local governance, we ensure that every child can thrive.
Meet our Local Governing Body members
Clerk to Governors: Alek Sadowski
Establishment Harlescott Junior School
Establishment Sundorne Infant School and Nursery
Governors Attendance
Governors Newsletters
Governor Profiles
Debbie Dunning – Biography
When she’s not in the boardroom, Debbie runs a family-owned carpet business that’s been a part of her life for over 17 years. As a director, she juggles everything from finance and payroll to customer service and sales. Every day is a new adventure, but her favourite part? Connecting with people and making their day a little brighter.
As a Governor, Debbie loves being part of a team that’s both passionate and committed to making a difference in children’s education. She is particularly focused on Pupil Premium Grant (PPG), the Pupil Parliament group at Harlescott Junior School, and Opal – areas that tie in perfectly with her role as Chair of the Funraisers. Having been involved with the PTA for over 10 years, she knows exactly where support is needed and is always ready to roll up her sleeves to make it happen.
Debbie was appointed to the role by the Governing Body and has no declarations of interest.
When she’s not in school, Debbie is busy strengthening connections within the wider community by organising everything from discos to fairs and raffles. These events are more than just fun – they raise vital funds for resources that benefit all students, and she finds it incredibly rewarding to see the direct impact of their efforts.
Outside of her school and community commitments, Debbie enjoys embracing a healthier lifestyle and going to the gym, and loves spending quality time with her grandchildren, going on scenic walks, and camping trips with her husband.
Gemma Kennelly – Biography
Her curiosity about how schools run, combined with her experience supporting the PTA at SISN, led her to pursue a role as a governor. Professionally, Gemma is kept busy through her work at a small online company which distributes products across the UK, US, and Canada.
As a governor, Gemma has developed many new skills, boosted her self-confidence, and rediscovered her love for learning! What she enjoys most about her role is being part of the school events and link visits, where she gets to see first-hand the incredible work that goes on every day. It is these experiences that remind her of the positive impact schools have on children’s lives.
She is especially passionate about Mental Health and Wellbeing, her current link role, and is focused on understanding how schools and local services support the whole school community—from children and families to the hardworking staff. She is incredibly proud to serve the community she’s deeply connected to and has no declarations of interest to share.
In addition to her governing work, Gemma has volunteered at Forest School with Miss Holland, which gave her a deep appreciation for outdoor learning—a role she hopes to return to in the future.
Outside of governance, Gemma enjoys outdoor adventures, particularly in Wales, with her family and their dog, Boris. The whole family is sporty and active, and Gemma loves hitting the gym, going for walks, and, of course, enjoying lots of coffee!
Helen Jones – Chair of Governors
With a background in project management, performance analysis, line management, and auditing, Helen brings a wealth of knowledge to her role and combines her expertise as a Business Intelligence Analyst in the NHS with her passion for improving educational experiences. She became a governor to make a real difference in the educational opportunities available to her son and all pupils within the school, continually striving to help streamline and enhance outcomes.
As Chair, Helen oversees vital areas such as Safeguarding and Attendance, the Wider Curriculum, and Safer Schools, ensuring that every aspect of the school’s operation supports the wellbeing and growth of its pupils.
When she is not in school meetings, Helen is fully immersed in her local community. As a Cub Scout Leader for 1st Shropshire Border Scouts, she loves working with young people and fostering a sense of adventure. She is also an enthusiastic volunteer at Loton Park Hill Climb, sharing her passion for four-wheel motorsport with others. A lifelong fan of both Ipswich Town Football Club and the Wales Rugby Union team, Helen’s love for sport extends to F1 and Formula E, which she enjoys watching with her family.
Helen and her family are avid explorers, often discovering new corners of the UK on their holidays. Whether it’s through her professional work, volunteer roles, or her personal passions, Helen is dedicated to making a positive impact both in and outside the school community.
Jennifer Lloyd – Parent Governor
With over 13 years of experience in public relations and strategic communications, Jennifer (or Jen as she prefers!) has worked with businesses of all sizes across the country to help get them in front of the people that matter most.
Her children attend the school, and her family has close ties, making it a natural progression for her to contribute both her industry experience and as a parent and help to shape the school’s future and development.
In her role as Parent Governor, Jen focuses on communications, PR, and media, and her link role is English link governor where she supports Writing and Reading for both schools. She has no declarations of interest to include, although one family member currently works within the school.
Outside of her role as a Parent Governor and work commitments, Jen enjoys spending time and going on adventures with her husband, Tom, and their two young children. She also loves anything that gets her creative juices flowing, whether it’s painting, cooking, or a new project to get stuck into.
Shelly Hurdley
Her commitment stems from a deep desire to contribute positively to the school environment and to ensure the wellbeing of all children and families.
Professionally, she has a background in early years childcare and education and is Director at Explorers Childcare (TA Little Explorers, Explorers at Sundorne, Explorers at Trefonen & Explorers at Hadnall). With various industry qualifications to her name, Shelly’s extensive experience enables her to provide valuable insights to the board on the developmental needs of young children
In her capacity as a governor, she focuses on early years education, with a particular passion for supporting children with special educational needs (SEN). She was appointed to her role by the Head Teacher and has no additional declarations of interest aside from her professional association with Explorers.
Beyond her work with the school, she holds a governance position with Virtual Schools and has previously served as a governor at both primary and secondary schools. These roles have further honed her skills in educational oversight and community engagement.
Shelly leads an active lifestyle, and enjoys walking and playing sports such as netball and Rounders. She values spending quality time traveling with friends and embracing new experiences.
Abbie Page - Parent Governor
Abbie is a Parent Governor with a strong personal connection to the school, having attended herself and then followed by all of her children. Her interest in governance grew after taking part in the school’s behaviour workshops – a valuable experience that sparked a deeper curiosity about how the school operates behind the scenes.
Following conversations with Board members, Abbie felt inspired to step into the role of governor, seeing it as a chance to make a real difference and gain a better understanding of the decisions that shape the school environment. She’s particularly interested in areas such as parent support, SEND, and mental health.
Professionally, Abbie has a background in administration and currently works as a parts administrator. Outside of work and school life, she runs a creative business making cakes and crafts (and often brings them in!). With no other current board roles or declarations of interest, Abbie is fully focused on learning, growing, and making a meaningful contribution as a parent governor.
Fritha Dean - Parent Governor
Fritha became a school governor to support children, staff, and parents, and to make a positive difference in education. After discussions with other governors, they felt Fritha’s professional skills and experience would benefit the board, while also providing a rewarding personal challenge.
Fritha began her career as a teaching assistant at Severndale before progressing into management roles within residential homes and supported living services for people with SEND. She currently works for the local authority as a Senior Appointee & Deputyship Officer, managing the financial and property affairs of individuals who lack capacity. She’s held this role for over eight years and is passionate about supporting vulnerable people to live as independently as possible while ensuring they are safeguarded.
Fritha’s Link Role is Maths, a subject she has always enjoyed, which led her to study accountancy and pursue a career in finance. Fritha has two children, one currently attending Harlescott Juniors and another due to start reception in 2026. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and family, going to the cinema, and crabbing at the seaside.