Governing Body
James Sharman
Chair of Governors
Deborah Cooke
Governor
I have worked for many years in the private sector for a variety of companies in business administration for the first part of my career, moving into accounting and finance. I trained in business accounting and finance whilst I worked and attended university part time. I now work for the family business and manage the accounts and a small accounts team.
I have seen through my employment how a good education gives the basis for so many opportunities. I am passionate about education and believe that every child should have access to good quality education. I want to be involved in ensuring that all the children at Aston Hall are happy and flourish with the best opportunities regardless of their ability.
Lisa Thompson
Teaching Staff Governor
I have been a teacher at Aston Hall since 2008 and during that time I have taught across all key stages. I began teaching in FS2 in 2022 – I am thoroughly enjoying helping the children take their first steps in their Aston Hall learning journey and develop a lifelong love for learning. I was appointed staff governor in September 2022. I have a number of additional roles within school: Science coordinator, Music coordinator, as well as supporting on assessment and pupil premium. During the Autumn Term, I enjoy leading an after-school choir club to prepare children for the Young Voices Choir concert in the Spring Term at the Utilita Arena, Sheffield. This is a fantastic opportunity for the children to perform to a large audience with lots of other schools in the wider community and every year, there’s always that one song performed so beautifully it gives me goosebumps!
Thomas Thurman
Co-opted Governor
I moved to Aston in 2020 having lived in neighbouring areas within Sheffield and Derbyshire growing up. The community we moved into has been really welcoming and I want to take the opportunity to give back as a Governor.
I studied Law at Sheffield Hallam University before starting a career working in the private sector within Operations, driving audit and quality assurance programmes across a number of sectors and businesses, seeing first hand how these structures help enhance services.
My daughter and nephew are both students at the school, starting in 2024 and 2020 respectively, and with my son due to start in the coming years, I’m keen to support the local community and ensure education continues to develop children of all abilities and backgrounds to realise their potential and flourish.
Rebecca Scutt
Co-opted Governor
Paul Hanks
Co-Opted Governor
I have a varied work experience having initially spent almost 20 years in Project Management roles within the Construction Industry specialising in Project Planning as well as commercial management for major and specialist projects across the country.
I attended Sheffield Hallam University as a mature student to study History, before being offered a funded place at University of Sheffield Town and Regional Planning Department to Undertake an MA and PhD.
In 2007 I was recruited by the Learning and Skills Council to work as a research and data specialist, Economic Development Advisor in South Yorkshire. In 2010 I joined Doncaster Council as a 16-19 Manager, and provided specialist funding support to Post 16 institutions across South Yorkshire.
In 2013 I established a specialist nationwide Post 16 funding consultancy, which now provides support to around 10% of the Sixth forms across the country and works with many of the large Multi Academy Trusts.
I strongly believe that education and personal skills development provides an opportunity to, in the words of the mantra that I have adopted, “Achieve Your Possible”. My hope is that I will be able to assist in supporting Aston Hall to enable many young people achieving their possible.
Matthew Duffy
Vice Chair of Governors
I first moved to Sheffield in 2011 to start my law degree at Sheffield Hallam University and have remained in Sheffield since graduating in 2014. I worked for a local law firm for several years before qualifying as a solicitor and I have worked as a civil servant since 2019.
I moved to Aston in 2014 and, despite moving away for a short while, my wife and I were drawn back in 2020. I joined the governing body at Aston Hall prior to my daughter starting at the school in September 2023.
I am keen to contribute to the local community and I see nowhere better to do this than Aston Hall. The school demonstrates a clear positive vision to ensure the best for all children. I hope to be able to contribute to the school’s continued success and, having lived with both my mother, who was a primary school teacher, and now my wife, who is a primary school teacher, I appreciate the work that goes on behind the scenes to achieve this.
Thomas Blackwell
Co-opted Governor
I have worked in the private sector all of my working life within quality and risk management for a variety of management consultancy firms.
I grew up in Sheffield, and studied at Sheffield college and Sheffield Hallam University before moving into work. I moved to Aston in 2022 to be closer to my daughter’s school and I am keen to contribute to the local community and school.
I have 2 daughters currently at the school with a third waiting in the wings when she grows up.
I am passionate about giving all children a fair start in life and the ability to be successful in whatever they choose to do when they grow up. Children deserve the best start in life and I am really proud to be a part of the Aston Hall Junior and Infant School community.
Jenny Betsworth
Co-opted Governor
I have worked for many years within the public sector, working with various different communities within South Yorkshire. I have seen through this employment how important a good education is for children and how school is much more than a place for education, it’s a safe space, a place where children gain confidence and realise their full potential, a place of belonging where they make new friends and connections. It’s a place where they discover who they are and want to be as individuals.
I want to be involved in ensuring that all the children at Aston Hall are given a safe, positive and happy environment to learn and reach their full potential because they feel happy and settled. I believe that when we are in a place we feel safe and happy, we feel free to be ourselves and that is when we learn and do our best. I want to ensure that their school years are years that they look back on fondly and that they are given the best opportunities, regardless of their ability. That every child feels they can achieve all of their dreams and feel that they have an equal chance to succeed. I also want to ensure that the parents of Aston Hall feel that they are part of the school, that there is good communication and that we all work together to ensure Aston Hall is a school everyone is proud to attend.
Contact the Chair of Governors
To get in touch with James Sharman, Chair of Governors, please email jsharman-gov@astonhallschool.org.
What does the Governing Body do?
The work of the Governing Body is carried out for one purpose only: to give the children the best possible start in their school life, by providing the finest in terms of the education they receive. The Governing Body is made up of the Headteacher, and members of the school community and wider Wickersley Partnership Trust where possible.
The Governors work closely with the Headteacher and meet regularly. Decisions are democratic, with all governors being given as much information as possible to aid them in that decision-making process, ensuring lively often lengthy and healthy discussions prior to decision making. Their work is focused around teaching and learning and in ensuring the school is offering the best possible values for its pupils. The position of school governor is a voluntary one, but it demands a high level of commitment, both in time and responsibility, as the decisions made directly affect the children.
The Governors have legal duties, powers and responsibilities, they can only act together, they cannot act as individuals.
Governors are appointed to help:
- Decide what is
- Set standards of
- Agree targets for continual school
- Interview and select
- Monitor and engage with teaching and learning
School Governors can be:
- Parents
- WPT members
- Community
Become a School Governor
INSPIRE. CHANGE. DEVELOP.
Wickersley Partnership Trust encompasses 13 schools across Rotherham and Gainsborough. It exists to further the interests of the young people it serves.
Becoming a School Governor can have a positive impact on the young people in your local community and help to drive school improvement. A Local Governing Body plays an integral role in a school’s success; working together with senior school leadership and guiding their strategic direction.
Why not give back and help give children and young people the best start in life, whilst developing your own skills in a way which can benefit your career. We like to think of it as a win-win situation!
