• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
• Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

GOVERNING BODY MEMBERSHIP

Membership is for a term of four years

Current Membership:

Governor Biographies 

Claire Cadogan – Foundation Governor

I have been a governor since 2013.  I became a governor because my daughter, Matilda, attended Pilsley for several years and I wanted to contribute to such a super school.  I am chair of the Teaching & Learning Committee where we monitor and review all aspects of delivery of education provision, pastoral care and enrichment activities at the school.

My day job is that I am a management consultant, advising all sorts of companies on their corporate strategy.  I am married to Ted and have two teenage boys as well as Matilda.  We moved to Derbyshire in 2012, having previously lived in London, spent many years in North Yorkshire and some time in Oman, and my husband works at Chatsworth.

Heather Bradford – Local Authority Governor

I am a professional Business Advisor, currently working for the District Council to support businesses within the Derbyshire Dales District Council area.  I ran a training business for a number of years before moving into the business support field in 2000.  Expertise includes financial control, funding and management development and has experience in staff management and development. I am married and have lived in the local area for over three decades . I have one daughter who attended Pilsley school and is now at Lady Manners Secondary school.

I sit on the Resources and Management team of the Governing body, whose role is to provide practical support and to ensure that the school resources are managed effectively.

Sarah Porter - Vice Chair

I became a Foundation Governor in 2012 when my eldest child, Oscar, started school.  I have 4 children who have all gone to Pilsley and Phoebe and Theo are still there.  As a trained maths teacher, I have been the maths lead since 2014.  I became Vice Chair of the Governors in 2014 and Chair in 2015.  As the Chair of the Governing Body, I oversaw the development of a new Vision and the PRAISE values.  I have implemented an annual staff and Governors meeting and been Ofsteded twice!

I live in Beeley am now a maths teacher at Lady Manners.  I am married to Steve, the Head of Garden and Domain at Chatsworth.  I regularly attend St Anne's Church in Beeley.  I am incredibly proud to support Pilsley CofE School.

Andrew Lavery  - Foundation Governor

I have been a governor since November 2016 and I am the Duke of Devonshire’s representative on the governing board.  I work at Chatsworth as the Chief Financial Officer where I have been since 2015.  I am a Chartered Accountant, qualified in 1988 and since leaving the profession in 1999, I have spent time in aviation and in family businesses.

I am married with two boys in their mid teens, but it seems like yesterday that they were in a primary school very similar to Pilsley!  Outside work my interests include golf, sailing, skiing, music (piano) and gardening.  I divide my time between Derbyshire, where I live during the week, and our family home in Surrey.

Sara-Kate Townsend- Staff Governor

I have recently come to the role of staff governor following 3 years working as Key Stage 2 teacher and leader; English and Assessment Lead at Pilsley. I have taught for 18 years throughout the primary range, in both Oxfordshire and Derbyshire. I feel very lucky to call Derbyshire home and enjoy walking our beautiful countryside with my husband and our black Labrador- Sam. 

Mark Wood – Parent Governor

I have been a governor since 2016.  I am a General Medical Practitioner (GP) based in Matlock and as part of this role am one of Derbyshire’s Local Medical Committee Executive.  Recently, I have decided to take more control over my professional working hours, to afford more time with my family and participate more widely in the community, as a Dad and a Christian GP.  Examples include supporting coaching of my local Juniors Football Club and joining the Scouting movement; I recognise the additional benefits wider extra-curricular activities can play.

I became a Governor in order to become more involved with my children’s school and am determined to make a positive difference, for the benefit and welfare of all the children at Pilsley Primary School.

Amanda Whittlestone – Parent Governor

I became a Governor in October 2015. I felt that I wanted to contribute to the school as a whole, particularly with its historical connections with Chatsworth. I am married to Richard, the artist, and we have two daughters – Tabitha who is still at Pilsley and Cordelia who is now at Lady Manners. We are proud that the girls are the fourth generation to attend Pilsley C of E School – I went to Pilsley myself before Lady Manners and college in Buxton.

Working life has been spent in the hotel industry and particularly in working with horses, both in Yorkshire and Derbyshire, before setting up my own business in Pilsley with my husband Richard.  As well as being a governor, I am also a trustee of Peak District Music Centres.  In my spare time I ride and show my 2 Fell ponies. Our home is known as The Doolittles as we have a menagerie of animals - 3 ponies, 3 dogs, 3 cats, 2 gerbils, 1 fish, 4 fresh water shrimps and a parrot that knows all the rude words!

Josephine Coyne - Foundation Governor

I became a Foundation Governor in 2016.  My background is in further education and management.  As well as teaching business related subjects, I have developed new courses, designed standards, moderation procedures and led a cross college lesson observation programme.  I have held roles as management information systems manager, college quality manager and curriculum manager for Business and Computing; all supporting students, managing teams and budgets. Throughout my professional career, I have also worked with different business partnerships across the UK as a management consultant, mainly in training and development.

I sit on the Teaching and Learning Committee with responsibility for Safeguarding practices and Early Years education.  I believe it is important to put the pupil at the centre of all we do and I feel privileged to have joined the Governing Body at Pilsley C of E School.  I am married with three children and enjoy activities that involve people and the great outdoors.

Reverend Canon David Perkins

I have been a Governor since 2013.  I have been on the Governing Body of schools in all the parishes I have served and am now privileged to be involved with all the encouraging developments that happen at Pilsley School.

I am married to Margaret and have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. I have been a priest in the Church of England for over 30 years and have served parishes in Marlpool, Belper, Turnditch and now here on the Chatsworth Estate. Before coming to Edensor I was the Canon Precentor of Derby Cathedral. This exciting role involved organising music and liturgy for the many services that took place during the year. When I am not working I play in a folk band and enjoy cruising the rivers and canals always accompanied by a glass of good French wine!

Chris Hubbuck – Foundation Governor

I have lived on the Chatsworth Estate all my life and have worked for the past and present Duke and Duchess of Devonshire for 36 years.  I live with my wife, Claire and daughter Niamh, who is 14 years of age and attends Lady Manners School.  We, as a family, enjoy walking with our pet dog, Poppy, holidaying in our caravan and collectively, we are enthusiastic about the countryside and environmental issues.  I am an avid sports fan, particularly cricket and enjoy the odd game at Chatsworth with friends and colleagues.

I am the Chair for the Pilsley Parish meeting.  I am passionate about community and enjoy the various challenges that come with the role.  I am absolutely thrilled to have been asked to become a Foundation Governor at Pilsley C of E Primary School, which my daughter and I both attended and very much look forward to contributing to the school.

Our Governing Body meets at least once per term, although we have established two sub-committees who meet on a more regular basis and have their own specific Roles and Responsibilities.  The Resource Management Committee (RMC) deals with teaching and non-teaching staffing issues, budget setting, Premises and Health & Safety and ensuring the School gets the best value.  The Teaching & Learning Committee (TLC) deal with all aspects of the curriculum, teaching and learning, pupil progress and target setting. 

Please click the documents below to see terms of office, attendance at meetings and  personal and percuniary interests.