Governors

Martin is a lifelong resident of the Clowne area and a Newcastle United fan. Martin has recently retired from an almost forty-year career in primary education, having spent a wonderful 23 years as Headteacher at Clowne Junior School.

During that time, Martin saw a huge amount of change in education and steered the school through a range of initiatives and challenges. The successes Martin achieved were all based on having very strong links with parents and the local community.

When Martin retired, he wanted, indeed needed to continue to contribute actively to the children and community that gave him such a wonderful career. Martin is fully committed to doing his very best to support the development the of school and further improve the outcomes for all our young people.

Will Fletcher

I am a relatively new resident to Clowne, having moved here in June 2021. I bring with me a wealth of experience in governance, both as an experienced charity trustee and as a former governor and later Chair of Governors for a primary school in Newham, East London.

Since graduating I’ve built a career in the voluntary sector. I currently work for the Jo Cox Foundation and have previously worked for the Mix (a digital advice and support charity for young people) and Diversity Role Models (an LGBT+ education and anti-bullying charity).

I’m a strong believer in young people and looking forward to contributing to help ensure that Heritage High School gives them the best possible start in life.

Hannah Matthams

I have been a local resident for all of my 42 years. In that time, I was raised in Creswell, have been a Whitwell resident for 12 years and is my choice of village to raise my children, and was schooled at KS3 level in Clowne. This gives me great insight into the climate and politics of each. I am the organiser of Whitwell Playgroup which means that I am in early contact with many, many families as their little ones begin their education journey. I am also Chair of Friends of Whitwell Primary School which means that I continue my involvement with families of our fabulous children through my fundraising role and creating wonderful ways for school life to be full of memories made and peer bonds built. I am a parent elected governor at Whitwell Primary School and I gained this position because the parents of the village understand and trust in my commitment and vision for doing the best by term and their children. I have also been a very successful trade unionist. This has played very well with my ideas that through dialogue comes change and improvement, also that policy and procedures are intrinsic in making these improvements possible.

I am very passionate about the youth in our local communities and how best to support, educate, advocate for and guide them through the very different times presented to them in which to navigate their teenage years. I think that most children do well when and where they can and a confident change in attitude from ‘wont’ to ‘can’t yet’ would also work with some. There is a way into every young person and I can imagine very little more rewarding than working hard and finding it.

Bethan Patterson

As an ex pupil of the school I feel that I have an insight into how the school has grown and changed to suit the evolving needs of the local community.

After my time as a student at Heritage, I continued to focus on my education. This saw me move to Leeds to complete both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Design.  I have held various creative jobs while at university including designing and painting for parts of the Louis Vuitton group. Since moving back to the local area I have worked in creative roles which support British manufacturing.

I have a long association with the local Scouting movement and continue to assist with fundraising and community activities. This interaction with younger people has helped me develop and understand the good this support can do within the community.

I have a strong belief in giving all children the opportunity to reach their full potential. If I can contribute to that, even in a small way, I would feel that I have returned some of the benefits gained by attending this school.

Louise Patterson

I have the privilege of being a governor at both Heritage High School and Whitwell Primary School. I have 25 years’ experience in the role. I started as a parent governor when my children started at primary school and my interest continued with them into the secondary sector. I have undertaken many roles and am currently Vice-chair at Heritage High School. I am keen for the school to succeed and move forward and for every child to achieve their full potential. I will do everything I can to enable this.

I have lived in Whitwell all my life and enjoy being involved in village activities. I am Chair of 1st Whitwell Scout and Guide Group and thoroughly enjoy being part of their well dressing endeavours each year. Being able to be part of a different child-centred organisation is very rewarding. I am a supporter of the Louise Smalley Challenge Walk, a fabulous local fund-raising event.

Being part of such a wide range of community groups has enabled me to give back in some small way. I am a firm believer in the growth and development of the whole child, encouraging and enabling them to reach their potential. As a school we endeavour to be part of this amazing journey.

Natalie Hayes

I have worked in my current job role since 2018, as a Business Assistant at Clowne Infant and Nursery School. Since working there I have realised just how much I enjoy helping students to be the best they can and achieve the most from their time in school.

I have a good understanding and experience of the struggles and strains that can arise whilst trying to adapt to secondary school, as well as getting used to the ‘normal teenage life’, and the changes, worries and added pressure this can bring. I know how this can affect children’s behaviour and mental health and am very passionate to support the students at Heritage with any concerns they have, both inside and outside of school.

I plan to assist in building strong relationships between students, staff, parents, and the local community to provide positivity, not just in our next generation’s education, but all aspects of their lives.