Governing Body
In accordance with Statute, the Governing Body of Holmfirth High School reconstituted under the School Governance (Constitution) Regulations 2012 with effect from 1 January 2019. The Governing Body’s Instrument of Government sets out a total membership of 12 Governors consisting of the following categories:-
(a) 1 Headteacher
(b) 1 LA Governor
(c) 1 Staff Governor
(d) 2 Parent Governors
(e) 7 Co-opted Governors
When the new Instrument of Government came into effect on 1 January 2019, Governors remaining within their current category (including Parent, and Local Authority Governors) continued to serve out their current term of office. Governors who were newly appointed, or reappointed to a different category at the time of reconstitution, (including Co-opted Governors, and staff), started a new term of office. Thereafter, newly appointed Governors serve a 4 year term of office.
The three core functions of the Governing Body are:-
- 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”.
Downloads
Our Governors
| Michael Bell – Chair of Governors – Co-opted Governor Date of appointment: 17/09/19 Term of office: 4 years to 16/09/27 Appointing body: Appointed by Governing Body Email address: m.bell@holmfirthhigh.co.uk I was appointed as Chair of Governors in July 2024 after spending 5 years as a co-opted Governor and serving as vice-chair for the last 3 years heading up the Resources Committee. I am a Chartered Accountant and ran an accountancy practice in the Holme Valley for over 30 years until retiring in 2019. Two of our sons attended Holmfirth High School and our grandson has recently joined, so I feel a strong personal connection to the school and to the Holme Valley. I believe that the school is at the centre of our community and helps set the standards and values of our young people to carry them to a successful future. The school has achieved great success under the excellent leadership of the Head Teacher and the previous Chair, and we are all committed to our core values to ensure that our children can become the best versions of themselves. Relevant business interests: Nil |
| Kath Martin – Parent Governor Date of appointment: 08/07/26 Term of office: 4 years to 07/07/2030 Appointing body: Appointed by Governing Body My name is Kath Martin and I have lived in Holmfirth for the previous ten years approximately. I have two children who have passed through Holmfirth JI & N School and now attend Holmfirth High School and are in Year 8 and Year 10 respectively. As well as being a busy parent of two teens, I am also a teacher myself and have been for the previous twenty-seven years. I am currently a Year 4 teacher at a large local Primary School but have taught in Manchester, Todmorden, Oxford and Leeds over my career as well as working with children for a period of time in Chicago in the US. I have many interests, primarily in the Arts where my passion lies in dance and music but I also enjoy the outdoors and taking advantage of the wonderful area in which we live! I am looking forward to contributing to the school through joining the Governing team as well as getting to know the school more and being involved in a different capacity. Relevant business interests: Nil |
| Judith Ford – Co-opted Governor Date of appointment: 08/07/26 Term of office: 4 years to 07/07/30 Appointing body: Appointed by Governing Body As Mum to 3 children, I understand the absolute value of a good education in a place where children, irrespective of their social background or attainment, can thrive in a safe, nurturing, inspirational setting which equips them to become their very best selves. I have lived in Holmfirth for 20 plus years. I moved to this lovely town having worked in the local area and I considered it to be a safe community where I foresaw raising a family. I joined West Yorkshire Police as an Officer in 2001. I work full time, I am committed to my job and always give 110% in everything I do. I am not perfect, but I always strive to do my best and deliver to people a level of service that I too would expect. Due to personal circumstances, in 2015 I took 5 years out of the Police and worked as a Safeguarding Officer in a local high school where I led on the daily implementation of safeguarding policies and procedures as well as working alongside partner agencies to deliver (amongst other things) mental health, peer mentoring, anti-bullying and young carer interventions. I also worked in a regional high school as a Safer Schools Police Officer from 2013 – 2015. I am an active member on the committee of 2 local junior football clubs and on match days I work at Huddersfield Town Football Club assisting disabled fans. I am an up-stander; someone who is not afraid to challenge or hold people to account. I feel that I have the right mix of personal and professional attributes to support the school as they strive to deliver to our children an inclusive, quality education which inspires them to reach their potential and beyond. By nature I am patient, kind, reliable, unbiased and trustworthy. Through my volunteering roles I enjoy ‘giving back’ to a community that has served my own family and myself well. Relevant Business Interests: Nil |
| Dianne Frost – Co-opted Governor Date of appointment: 06/03/18 Term of office: 4 years to 31/05/28 Appointing body: Initially appointed by Parents I live locally and both of my children attended Holmfirth High and that was why I became involved with school, initially attending the Parents Forum and then I was elected as a parent governor in early 2018. I was appointed as Chair of the Governing Board later that year. I stepped down as Chair in July 2024 but continue to be a co-opted Governor sitting on various governing board committees and panels. Our school aims to support and encourage all our pupils to achieve, irrespective of their background and for them to become young people who our community can be proud of. We want all our pupils to feel supported, enjoy their time at Holmfirth High and love school. We will help every young person to achieve their ambitions. I am absolutely committed to these aims. Professionally, I am an Executive Director, leading on workforce, working within the health and care sector. Relevant business interests: Nil |
| Jess Power – Staff Governor Date of appointment: 07/07/26 Term of office: 4 years to 08/07/30 Appointing body: Appointed by Governing Body |
| Veronica Mullins – Co-opted Governor Date of appointment: 07/12/24 Term of office: 4 years to 06/12/28 Appointing body: Appointed by Governing Body Originally from Wakefield, I have been resident in the Holme Valley since 2015. I am married with two young children, the eldest of whom attends Hinchliffe Mill Junior and Infant School. Professionally, I am a solicitor and Partner here in Holmfirth specialising in Wills, Trusts and Estate Administration. I am a court appointed Panel Deputy and Guardian supporting and managing the affairs of those who do not have the capacity to do so; working to guide and empower the vulnerable in all types of financial decision making. When time permits, I am a part time ‘jazz hander’ and have been associated with Wakefield West Riding Theatre Company since 1995 and was Honorary Secretary for over 10 years. Relevant business interests: Nil |
| Anthony Short – Co-opted Governor Date of appointment: 28/03/26 Term of office: 4 years to 27/03/30 Appointing body: Appointed by Governing Body I have lived in the Holme Valley for the last twenty five years or so and my eldest son currently attends the school. Like many parents my first contact with the school was when my son was in the process of transitioning from primary school, and I can still recall how impressed I was by the positive and caring culture the staff had nurtured. Through the week I am the Executive Director of the Trade Body that represents the interests of Musical Instrument Manufacturers and Retailers, and so I am thrilled to be working with the leadership team across the Cultural Curriculum. I have a degree in Political Studies from the University of Leeds, a small sideline in podcast production, and a lifelong love of Sheffield United. In a perfect world I would have a bit more time to read. Relevant business interests: Nil |
| Ben Stitchman – Headteacher Date of appointment: 01/09/2018 Appointing body: Appointed by Governing Body TBC Relevant business interests: Nil |
| David Sharp – Co-opted Governor Date of appointment: 15/01/25 Term of office: 4 years to 14/01/29 Appointing body: Appointed by Governing Body I moved to Holmfirth over 20 years ago and love being part of such a vibrant town. It has been a great place to bring up my 2 children, both of whom now attend Holmfirth High. Having the chance to give something back to this local community is a big part of my motivation to serve as a school governor. I have spent much of my 30-year career working in Commercial Banking, both as a Relationship Director, helping numerous local businesses expand and grow, and in various leadership roles. From a personal perspective, I bring 7 years’ experience as a Governor (4 years as Chair) at Holmfirth JIN School, working through the challenges of COVID and ongoing budgetary constraints. I also coach my son’s local junior football and cricket teams. I am confident that I can use these personal experiences to build on and develop the great work that has already been done to make Holmfirth High School a place that gives our children so many different learning experiences and the best opportunity to thrive in later life. Relevant business interests: Nil |
| Julie Harris – Co-opted Governor Date of appointment: 21/10/25 Term of office: 4 years to 20/10/29 Appointing body: Appointed by Governing Body Relevant business interests: Director of Long Ing Ltd, interest from 31/03/2016. |
| TBC – Local Authority Governor |