A warm welcome to the governor page of St Hild’s College Primary School website. As the governing body of St Hild’s it is our pleasure and privilege to support and oversee the work of the school. 

As a Church of England school, St Hild’s exists to offer education to all in the local community of Gilesgate and beyond. This education is rooted in the Anglican Christian ethos of welcome and faith, but is open to everyone, of all faiths and none. We share the vision for this school, that all within its community will be nurtured to recognise and embrace their unique god-given gifts, never hiding them but allowing them to shine bright for all to see. 

The governors of this school are volunteers representing the parents and staff of St Hild’s, the local community, the local Church of England parish of St Giles, and the Diocese of Durham. Our responsibility is to oversee the running of the school - the quality of teaching and learning, leadership and management, pupil and staff welfare and spiritual development. Through frequent visits to the school and regular meetings of the Governing Body and its sub-committees, governors come to know the school well and support school leaders in making the best decisions for the benefit of the school. 

In St Hild’s we see a warm, happy and vibrant community, rooted in a deep Christian care for each and every member of the school community. Here the staff embody the vision and values of the school, truly shining bright as they use their gifts to enable others to do the same. As the staff help the children to be the best they can be, we in turn as governors aim to support the staff in making St Hild’s the best school it can be. 

For those of you new to the school, we look forward to welcoming you to become part of this wonderful school community. 

Mrs Jen Moss

Chair of Governors

Our School Governing Body

Governors are a voluntary body of people who guide and support the strategic direction of the school. They are members of the school team and their contribution to the running of the school is highly valued.

School Governing Body

The instrument of government states that the governing body shall consist of:

•9 Foundation Governors

•1 Local Authority Governor

•1 Staff Governor

•1 Headteacher

•2 Parent Governors

The role of the governing body is a strategic one, its key functions are to:

•Set the aims and objectives for the school

•Set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives

•Set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives

•Monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives

•Be a source of challenge and support to the headteacher (a critical friend)

Financial Information

Please note that we do not have any employees with a gross annual salary of more than £100,000

Please Click here to view our school's financial data.

Meet Our Team

Chair of Governors Foundation Mrs Jen Moss

Responsibilities / Committees: Chair of Governors, Safeguarding Governor, Finance and Personnel Chair, First & Pay Review, Church School Distinctiveness.

Term of Office: Start 30 Sep 2021 to 29 Sep 2025

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests: Framwellgate School Durham – Careers Leader

Jennifer Moss Private Flute Tuition

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Meetings attended in previous academic year (FGB and Committee) 9 of 9

Vice Chair Foundation Reverend Tim Ferguson

Responsibilities / Committees: Vice Chair of Governors, Pupil Premium Governor, Schools and Community Chair, Church School Distinctiveness, Appeals

Term of Office: Start 10/01/2021  & End Date 09/01/25

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests: Chaplain at the College of St Hild and St Bede, Durham University and development officer for Durham Diocese.

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Meetings attended in previous academic year (FGB and Committee) 5 of 6

Headteacher Alex Ryder

Responsibilities / Committees: All

Term of Office: Start 27/11/2018

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests:Headteacher at St Hild's

Governance roles in other educational institutions: Governor Local Board Wynyard CE Primary School 

Meetings attended in previous academic year (FGB and Committee) 11 of 11

Foundation Jane Holmes

Responsibilities / Committees: Staff Well-Being Governor, Headteacher Performance Management, Finance and Personnel, Admissions, First & Pay Review

Term of Office: Start 04/02/2021 & End Date 03/02/2025

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests: St John’s and St Margaret’s Churches Rector’s Secretary.

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Meetings attended in previous academic year (FGB and Committee) 4 of 9

Foundation Julie Winkless

Responsibilities / Committees: Health and Safety Governor, Headteacher Performance Management, Finance and Personnel, First & Pay Review.

Term of Office: Start 01/09/2019 & End Date 31/08/2023 

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests: Belmont St Mary Magdalene Parochial Church Council

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Meetings attended in previous academic year (FGB and Committee) 9 of 9

Foundation John Ashworth

Responsibilities / Committees: Link Governor responsible for training, Finance and Personnel, First & Pay Review Chair. 

Term of Office: Start 28/11/2019 & End Date 27/11/2023

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests: University of Durham (Professor), Trustee of the Durham University Pension Scheme, Spouse, Member of St Giles PCC

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Meetings attended in previous academic year (FGB and Committee) 6 of 6

Foundation Katherine Longstaff

Responsibilities/Committees: School and Community, SEND

Term of office from 22 Mar 2022 to 21 Mar 2026

Local Authority Canon Linda Burton

Responsibilities / Committees: School and Community, Church School Distinctiveness, Admissions

Term of Office: Start 27/04/2020 & End Date 26/04/2024

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests:St Hild & St Bede Trust, Durham SACRE

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Meetings attended in previous academic year (FGB and Committee) 2 of 2

Parent Vacancy

Parent Vacancy

Staff Chris Grant

Responsibilities / Committees: Maths and Computing Lead Y5 teacher, Finance and Personnel

Term of Office: Start 01/09/2021 & End Date 01/09/2024

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests:Teacher at St Hild's

Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Meetings attended in previous academic year (FGB and Committee) NA