Governors
'Governance at the school is very effective. Governors have the skills and expertise to fulfil their roles well. They ensure they have an accurate picture of the school through robust systems of checking and quality assurance. Governors provide appropriate challenge and support to school leaders. There is a clearly positive impact from governors’ actions.'
Ofsted - July 2024
Strong leadership is central to our Christian Vision of ‘Living and learning together in the light of God.' It focuses on creating outstanding, nurturing provision that improves outcomes, develops a lifelong love of learning and values each child’s gifts. Every member of the school community plays a significant part in its success.
We have a range of active and skilled governors who support the school in its work to achieve its vision. As you will see from the information below governors are appointed to represent different bodies or organisations. Regardless of their designation all governors embrace the principle of serving all the children in our school. Led by our foundation governors all governors understand and embrace their role of supporting, upholding and developing the distinctiveness of the school as a Church of England School. Governors work collectively on this priority.
Governors are volunteers who want to make a positive contribution to children’s education. They have a wide range of responsibilities, with priority being the strategic direction of the school and with fellow governors, being accountable for the performance of the school.
The Governing body has a range of duties and a general responsibility for the conduct of the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement. It’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
– setting and monitoring the strategic direction of the school
– managing the school’s finances
– making sure the curriculum is balanced and broadly based
– appointing new staff
– reviewing staff performance and pay
The structure and makeup of the School Governing Body is set as follows:
Foundation Representatives: 7, current representatives: 4, vacancies: 3
Headteacher: 1, current representatives: 1, vacancies: 0
LA Representatives: 1, current representatives: 1, vacancies: 0
Parent Representatives: 2, current representatives: 2, vacancies; 0
Staff Representative: 1, current representatives: 1, vacancies: 0
Total: 12, Vacancies: 3
- The Full Governing Body meets a least 3 times each year (but usually more often than this)
- Separate meetings for ‘teaching, learning and pupil support’ and ‘resources.’ are held throughout the year
- Governors also conduct regular monitoring and evaluation visits.
Erica Swales - Chair of Governors
I was delighted to join the Governing Body as Foundation Governor and Chair in March 2022.
During my thirty five year career ,I have held senior operational leadership and Operations Director positions in large corporate organisations in the private sector , in both the Financial Service and Outsourcing markets . I have achieved great success in coaching and developing people to achieve results to reach their full potential and I am really looking forward to utilising these skills in the school community.
Since taking early retirement and graduating from the Leading Leeds Governor programme I have held Governor positions in two primary schools in the Leeds area and am currently chairing an Interim Executive Board for a school that requires rapid improvement.
I am passionate about driving improvements in education to improve lives and firmly believe that every child counts and that children should be placed at the centre of all decisions made in schools. I enjoy working with the whole school community to ensure all children at Lady Elizabeth Hastings’ are given educational opportunity to optimise their individual potential. Please contact me via the school office should you wish to discuss anything with me.
Mrs Erica Swales
Role: Foundation Governor
Appointed by: Foundation/ Trust
Term of Office: 16th March 2022 to 15th March 2026
Business Interests: Trustee of Elevate MAT.
Attendance 2024-2025: 100%
Attendance 2025 - 2026:
Erica has been a school governor since 2022.
Katie Barnett - Headteacher
I was delighted to be appointed as Headteacher of Lady Hastings School from September 2022 and I feel privileged to work with such wonderful children and a dedicated team of staff and governors. I have been a teacher for over 20 years in both the maintained and independent sector and have worked in the leadership roles of Early Years Leader, Assistant Head and prior to LEH, as Interim Executive Headteacher for two Church of England Primary Schools. I am passionate about inclusion and working with our whole community to enable and encourage our children to be the best that they can be in a supportive and nurturing environment.
Mrs Katie Barnett
Role: Head Teacher
Appointed by: GB/ Board
Term of Office: 1st September 2022
Business Interests: None
Attendance 2024-2025: 100%
Attendance 2025-2026: 100%
Katie has been a school governor since 2022.
Mr Simon Hesketh
Having joined the LEH staff team as the new Deputy Headteacher in September 2023, I am also delighted to be part of the Governing Body as the Staff Governor. I have over fifteen years of experience in education as a class teacher and a senior leader and I am excited to bring my range of knowledge and skills to the team. I am passionate about giving children the best opportunities we can and I am excited to be part of a wonderful school community and a team that it so dedicated to driving the continued improvement of our school.
Mr Simon Hesketh
Role: Staff Governor
Appointed by: Elected by school staff
Term of Office: 4th September 2023 to 3rd September 2027
Business Interests: Staff member.
Attendance 2024-2025: 100%
Attendance 2025 - 2026:
Simon has been a school governor since 2023.
Mrs Kathryn Watson
I am a Speech and Language Therapist with twenty years’ experience of working with children with speech, language and communication needs in the NHS and private sector. I have worked with children of all ages in a range of educational settings. I wanted to find out more about the day to day running of our school and what I could do to support the leadership team and staff. Therefore, I was pleased to be able to join the board as a parent governor and I hope to apply my skills and knowledge to support the school to achieve outstanding outcomes for all pupils.
Mrs Kathryn Watson
Role: Parent Governor
Appointed by: Parents
Term of office: 13th September 2025 to 12th September 2029
Business Interests: None
Attendance 2025-2026:
Kathryn l has been a governor since 2025