Governors - Biographies

Sue Burn

Ellen Hardwick

Ellen Hardwick

Parent Governor

Chair and Member of the Education & School Performance Committee

Subject Governor for Anti-Bullying, Special Educational Needs including More Able Pupils and Modern Foreign Languages

I have two children: a daughter who is now at secondary school but previously attended Ashover and a son in Year 6 at Ashover. I became a Parent Governor in December 2013 because I am passionate about learning and want to do all I can to support Ashover School.

I studied languages at university and have a background in secondary teaching and translation project management. I've lived in various parts of the country and also abroad (Germany and California) before returning to my native Derbyshire.

As well as being a Governor, I am very much involved in the local Ashover community, for example as Vice-Chair of the Ashover Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group. 

I am Chair of the Education & School Performance Committee and am also the Governor responsible for Special educational needs and disability (SEND).

Sue Myhill

Headteacher

I started my teaching career at Ashover in 2000 where I taught for 6 years in EYFS and KS 1. I was then Deputy Headteacher at an Infant School in Chesterfield. I have been Headteacher at Ashover since February 2018. I am married with 3 children that go to school in Chesterfield. I enjoy running and playing netball for a ladies team.

Gethin Jones

Member of The Resource Committee

Subject Governor for Science

I have two daughters, one currently attending Ashover Primary and the other who has now left Ashover to attend Secondary School. I live just outside the catchment area for Ashover School.  I have been a regular on the playground since 2013 and enjoy being part of the school community through assisting at the Friends of School events.

Angela Stephenson

Member of Education & School Performance Committee

Safeguarding, Looked After Children, GDPR and Mental Health Governor

I currently work in admin for the QEGMAT Multi Academy Trust and parent to a Year 5 child at Ashover School.

I wanted to become a governor in order to actively contribute to the continual improvement of the school. 

My ethos is to ensure that every child is being given the best opportunity to achieve their full potential whilst receiving a comprehensive education and experiences to enable them to succeed throughout the rest of their education and into adult life. 

Coming from a family of teachers, I have always been involved in education to some degree. I achieved a BSc Animal Science degree and have gone on to various roles eventually ending up in education working as a TA in South Normanton delivering Maths and ICT sessions to KS1-KS4. I have since moved onto my role as information manager where I manage communication, timetable, data, exams, cover and related tasks.

I hope that I can bring my experience of working in a variety of educational settings to my role as a governor.

Mark Barltrop

Co-opted Governor

Chair of The Resource Committee

Subject Governor for Health and Safety

Having lived in the village for over 20 years I fully understand the importance a fantastic school like Ashover plays in the community and the wonderful life it creates for our children. My aim is to support the School through the governing body to ensure that the past successes are maintained. 

My background is in commercial property covering all aspects from development, investments, capital projects, corporate property strategy and property management. I will look to bring this experience into my role as chair of the resources committee and member of the governing body.

Carl Hayes

Vice Chair of Governors

Member of The Resource Management Committee

Member of Head Teacher's Performance Management Committee

Subject Governor for Humanities and PE

I am married to Charlotte and have two children at Ashover school in years 5 & 6. I have worked as a Business Transformation officer at Chesterfield Borough Council since 2000. I have also fulfilled the role of Branch Secretary of Unison at Chesterfield BC. I have therefore sat on both sides of the table and understand the need to work with the school but also provide checks and possible alternatives going forward.

I was keen to become a governor at Ashover for several reasons:  Part of this was to have an input into how the school is run and to have an understanding of all that goes on behind the scenes.  I also believe that I have some experience that will be useful in helping the school with its mission moving into the future.

Nick Watts

Parent Governor

Member of the Education & School Performance Committee

Subject Governor for EYFS and Curriculum

Robin Wilson

Staff Governor

Member of Education Standards Committee

Matt Guest

Co-opted Governor

Member of the Education & School Performance Committee

Member of the Resource & Management Commitee

Subject Governor for Maths

At the time of writing, I have worked in the IT industry for over 14 years; half of which has been specialising in Cyber Security roles. I intend to use my professional skills and experiences to support the fundamental Security principles of Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability to further protect the Ashover School and it’s members.

I was raised in Rotherham and moved to Derbyshire after working for Chatsworth House’s IT department, where I met my wife, Chloe. We lived in London for a few years to further our careers before moving to Ashover in 2016 to start a family (two young daughters who are 3 years and 11 months old).

In theory, in my spare time I enjoy playing guitar, luthiering, gardening and hiking with our dog Henry.

In practise, our little girls fill most of our spare time and we enjoy visiting country houses and walking in the countryside together as a family.