Meet Our Governors 

Welcome to the Governors' section of our website. The Governing Body for Hyde Park Infant and Junior Schools are a dedicated group of volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure the very best for our school community. We come from a variety of backgrounds and bring diverse skills and experiences to our shared purpose: to promote excellence and inspire confidence in the future of our schools.

The school governors are a group of individuals, who are elected, nominated or co-opted and are representatives of parents and staff, and the local community. School Governors work with the Headteacher and are responsible for setting the strategic direction of the school. 

Our role is to provide strategic leadership and accountability, ensuring that every decision we make is in the best interest of our pupils. We are committed to fostering a school environment where every child feels safe, cared for, and empowered to reach their full potential. 

Our responsibilities include: 

• Setting the School's Vision: We work closely with the Executive Headteacher and staff to establish the long-term vision, ethos, and strategic direction of the school. 
• Ensuring High Standards: We hold school leadership to account for the academic performance of our pupils and the quality of teaching. 
• Managing Resources Wisely: We have oversight of the school's finances to ensure that every resource is used effectively and efficiently to support our children’s education. 

We are incredibly proud of our school and the hard work of our staff and pupils. We believe that a strong partnership between the governing body, staff, and parents is essential for success. Together, we can build an even brighter future for Hyde Park Schools. 

You can contact the chair of the school governors by email (rachel.mathis@hydeparkprimary.co.uk) or by post: 

Rachel Mathis 

Hyde Park Schools 

Hyde Park Rd, 

Plymouth 

PL3 4RH 

  

Hyde Park Junior School became part of the  Learning Academies Trust on 1 August 2023. Hyde Park Infant School and Hyde Park Junior School have a federated governing board. 

Learning Academies Trust  is a company limited by guarantee and is an exempt charity.  

Learning  Academies Trust is registered at Companies House [Registration no.10285015] 

Learning Academies Trust Board is accountable in law for all decisions about its academies.  

However, the Trust Board have agreed within their Scheme of Delegation that many decisions can and should be delegated to the local governing bodies. 

The Governing Body adopts an executive responsibility approach to its functionality & reports through Governor meetings held six times a year. Where committees are required, the chair of those committees is listed below: 

• Review Committee – Rachel Mathis 
• Head Teacher Performance Review Committee – Rachel Mathis 

You can see information about our governing board below. The following people left the federation: Sue Youens (March 2019) Mathias Shortcook (March 2019) Anthony Greenfield (March 2022) Phil Hart (March 2022) Glyn Price (2023) Lucy Richards (2024) Leah Daley (February 2025) Kate Harvey (December 2025)

Clerk to Trustees 

Learning Academies Trust 

Please note I work part-time hours. I will respond to your message as soon as I can. However, if your query is urgent, please contact the Central Team on 01752 938028.

 

Ms Rachel Mathis

Category: Co-op Governor
Appointing Body: Trust Board
Term: 07/2019- 03/2026
Responsibilities: Chair, Safeguarding and SEND
Register of Interests: Nil
Other Governorship: Nil
Attendance for Previous Academic Year: 6/6 100%

I joined the Federated Governing Body as a co-opted governor in September 2019 and have been Chair since March 2022.  During a 35-year career in the energy sector, working in IT and latterly in Supply Chain, I amassed skills that are transferrable to the role of governor.  Volunteering in education has been a steep learning curve and provides its rewards. 

I am proud to work with dedicated and passionate colleagues across the school community and across the Trust to ensure that Hyde Park Schools is a safe and welcoming learning environment for all of our children, enabling each of them to achieve their very best.   We are striving to ensure that equity for all is at the core of the decisions we make and the things that we do.

 

Ms Jane Ford

Category: Co-opted
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Term: 05/2022-05/2026
Responsibilities: Pupil Premium, Curriculum, SEND
Register of Interest: Good Friends with Rachel Mathis
Other Governorship: None
Attendance for Previous Academic Year: 5/6 83%

My professional background has always been in education. I have taught extensively both at both primary and secondary level in the UK and in Malta.  Positions of responsibility include History lead teacher in a primary school, coordinating external examinations in Malta and being Head of English in a secondary school in Plymouth. I have served as a governor in the past at both a Plymouth primary school and secondary community college. I am currently on the panel for Plymouth City Council School Appeals.

I am no longer working as a teacher but am still very passionate about education and believe that it is vital that every child is given the opportunities to achieve their potential in a safe and caring environment.  I endeavour to use the skills that I have developed as both a teacher and a governor to support the important work of the governing board.  

As I live locally, I have a good understanding of the area.

 

Dr Simon Horne

Category: Co-opted
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Term: 10/ 24–10/28
Responsibilities: Safeguarding and Pupil Premium
Register of Interest: Wife Works in School
Other Governorship:
Attendance for previous academic year: 4/6 66%

I live just around the corner from Hyde Park and the school has always been a feature in our lives; my (now grown up) children both went there, and my wife (Kris Horne) still works there. My governor link roles relate to Safeguarding and Pupil Premium children. I’m an Army Consultant in Emergency Medicine, and I’m the Army’s lead for Paediatric care. I do most of my work in A&E at Derriford when not required on operations. I have also worked in health system development around the world and spent time as an academic. In my free time I'm a keen bass guitar player and potter.

 

Mr Warren Stonebridge

Category: Co-opted
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Term: 06/07/2021–05/07/2029
Responsibilities: Curriculum & Maths
Register of Interests: N/A
Other Governorship: N/A
Attendance for previous academic year: 6/6 100%

Newly appointed to the board as a parent Governor in July 2021, I feel I have joined the school at a very exciting time. My children both attended Hyde Park Schools. I worked in the voluntary and charity sector for 10 years as a professional mediator and trained counsellor and spent several years in international IT recruitment. In 2001, I was fortunate enough to travel through South East Asia and drive around the whole of Australia. For the last 13 years, I have been a primary school teacher at an outstanding school in Plymouth. I have been the subject lead in both computing and maths for the last 5 years and consistently aim to raise standards in all areas of my school. I also take an active lead in PSHE. I am also a PLE (Plymouth Leader of Education) and assist other schools with professional development in many areas. I feel my particular set of skills and experience will be of benefit to the Hyde Park community and I look forward to working collaboratively with the team.

 

Mr Clive Browne

Category: Co-opted
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Term: 01/23–01/27
Responsibilities: EYFS, English
Register of Interest: None
Other Governorship:
Attendance for previous academic year: 5/6 83%

Appointed to the Federated Governing Board in January 2023, I'm excited to have joined a team who are clearly committed to helping provide the best opportunities possible for Hyde Park school children. I've watched the schools provide my own two children with a great start to their education and am keen to offer my support in ensuring that all children enjoy similar opportunities.

My professional background lies primarily in the IT industry where I've spent over 15 years supporting, delivering and project managing a wide range of IT services. Unsurprisingly, given this background, I'm really interested in STEM topics and passionately believe that all children should have access and exposure to as many opportunities as possible in this area. I shall always be a champion of providing as many and varied experiences as possible to our children and will work within the Governing Body to support the schools in providing such opportunities in a safe, caring and secure environment.

 

Harriet Riley

Category: Parent Governor
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Term: 10/24- 10/28
Responsibilities: EYFS, Curriculum
Register of Interest: None
Other Governorship:

Attendance for previous academic year: 6/6 100%

I am really excited to join the governors at Hyde Park Schools. I have two sons who attend, one in Juniors and one in Infants. I have an interest in education, particularly in relation to STEM and the benefits that early exposure can bring to children. I am passionate about ensuring that each child is given the opportunities to achieve their potential in a safe, caring and inclusive environment.
I have worked in IT for over 15 years. My current role is an IT Project Manager at Babcock International Group, working on large projects which require collaboration to effect the best outcomes.
I’m looking forward to using my skills from my professional experience to provide the support and positive challenges to ensure the best outcomes for the Hyde Park community.