Governors

Our Governors

Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy is governed by an Academy Scrutiny Committee.

Our governors are:

• Chloe Webster
  Principal
  Chloe Webster

  Prior to becoming the Principal at Thomas Hinderwell in May 2022, I was teacher within the school from for 4 years. I went to work within another DRET school before coming back. It is very important to me that the school gets recognised for the excellent work it is doing to improve the outcomes for our students and I knew becoming a governor would give me a chance to develop from a wider view. I enjoy going to watch Scarborough Athletic and my weekends mainly consist of taking my 2 children to their events!

• Emma Foxley
  DRET Appointed Governor (Chair)
  Emma Foxley

  Emma became a DRET Appointed Governor in May 2015, after retiring from working as a Senco in a school near York and wanting to give something back to the local community. She has since been appointed Chair of the ASC and has had the assigned link roles for Safeguarding and SEND. Emma has been a primary school teacher for the past 30 years and now carries out supply teaching on a regular basis to keep her hand in. Emma has teaching experience at all levels in Key Stage 1 and 2 and a particular interest in Dyslexia and Literacy. She enjoys walking with her dogs in the North Yorkshire countryside and singing in her village choir.

• Wendy Baxter
  DRET Appointed Governor (Vice Chair)
  Wendy Baxter

  Wendy joined the ASC in 20 March 2019. She has also served on other ASCs across the DRET Academies for the past 10 years. Wendy is a Regional Director for DRET and its part of her role to ensure that all aspects of school leadership are exemplary, including governance. She wishes to support ASCs by bringing her knowledge and skill-set to the meetings and there is always something new to learn from other governors. She has previously been a Teacher and also had a 20 year career in NHS management as well as running her own business supporting GP practices. When not at work, she loves to spend time outdoors and is an avid fan of parkrun.

• Sam Colson
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Sam Colson

  Since graduating from university, I have worked exclusively within/around the education sector in marketing roles. This experience has allowed me to develop an understanding as to the importance of having a diverse range of voices and lived experience within governing boards. Through these positions, I have been able to gain a real understanding of the educational landscape and this has shaped my view of the importance that education plays in society. It is my desire to use this understanding to help Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy achieve their strategic goals. I am a marketer currently working within the educational charity Governors for Schools in the role of Marketing and Communications Executive. Working across different educational institutions, I have been exposed to different levels of education. I hope to bring this experience alongside my lived experience as a neurodivergent individual to the ASC. In my spare time I enjoy going on walks, and am passionate about equality, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.

• Byron Hyde
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Byron Hyde

  I have governance experience in higher education and research, including sitting on Durham University Senate, and hope to put this to use at Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy to contribute to earlier stages of the education system. I'm an academic at the University of Bristol and Bangor University and hold numerous public appointments, including charity trusteeship and membership of committees within the National Health Service and Ministry of Justice. I have experience of the educational pathway up through to higher education, organizational and educational governance, and change management. Outside of my primary profession as an academic, I'm a professional kendoka (Japanese fencer) and regularly travel to Japan where I practice with my wife and other professionals.

• Vicki Pattison
  Staff Governor
  Vicki Pattison

  I was approached to become a staff governor and welcome the opportunity to develop my knowledge and skills. I am the academy's senior administrator and a mental health first aider. Mental health is a passion of mine, as are football and music.

• Rebecca Bentley
  Staff Governor
  Rebecca Bentley

  I am now in my 15th year as a member of teaching staff at Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy and it gives me great pleasure to be part of the governing body team. I have always been committed to actively contributing to the school's success and my experience as a staff member gives me a valuable insight into the operations and challenges that staff, pupils, their families and the local community might face. As the current Reception teacher and EYFS lead, I feel that I will be able to contribute to open discussions about the importance of setting high expectations right from the start. I have always been a team player in all aspects of my life and thrive on making a difference. From a very young age I have always been very active, and some might say that I still find it hard to keep still now. My passion lies within the performing arts. I love attending restaurants and the theatre with family and friends, going to the gym, and try my best to still enjoy supporting 'Blackburn Rovers'.

• Lisa Cheetham
  Parent Governor
  Lisa Cheetham

  I decided to become a governor because the school has given both of my children a good education. I am a Nursery Nurse who has worked in education for many years and in my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

• Anna Chester
  Clerk
  Anna Chester

  Anna has been clerking academies within the Trust since September 2020. Prior to that she spent 33 years working for HM Revenue and Customs, specialising in complaints investigation, including Adjudicator and MP cases. Anna enjoys gardening, walking her dog and visiting museums and other cities around the world.

Current Governors

Former Governors

 Below is a list of Governors that have served in the past 12 months.

Contacting Us

The Governance Officer for Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy is Victoria Linthwaite. Victoria can be reached at governance@dret.co.uk. 

To contact a governor, please contact the Trust Governance Team by emailing governance@dret.co.uk.

If you are looking to contact a Governor to make a complaint or share a concern, please note that as per our Complaints Policy, governors do not investigate complaints at Stage 1 or Stage 2.  This enables them to be impartial should a complaint be escalated to a Stage 3 governor panel. If you wish to make a complaint, please complete this form and your complaint will be investigated accordingly.

Scheme of Delegation

Information about the David Ross Education Trust’s scheme of delegation is available here.

Minutes of the Academy Scrutiny Committee

Should you wish to view a copy of the minutes of the ASC at this academy, please contact the Trust Governance Team (governance@dret.co.uk), who will be able to provide you with an electronic or paper copy of the minutes.

Are you interested in becoming an academy governor?

We are looking for new governors to support our academies. Our governors work closely with their academies to support the Trust’s goal of broadening the horizons of young people through a world-class education, equipping our students with the skills and experiences to become their confident, academic best, no matter what.

If you have an interest in, and commitment to, improving education and would like to make a difference within your community, please register your interest in becoming a governor by completing our governor application form. If you have any questions about a governor’s role or responsibilities please contact us at governance@dret.co.uk or review our information pack below. 

aug 2025 governor recruitment booklet.pdf

What is it like being a governor with DRET?

To understand what it is like to be a governor with us, take a look at our testimonial booklet and videos which contain insights from serving governors.

governor testimonial booklet .pdf

 Emma Bennett 

Angela Watts 

Stephen Platten 

Garry Allen 

What training do Governors receive?

We offer an extensive range of training opportunities. Take a look at what is on offer for the current academic year.