Pen Portraits

Martin Edge

Elisha Allsop

I currently work as the Trust Senior Leader for Religious Studies at The Two Counties Trust. As a member of the Central Trust Team, I am committed to enhancing the life choices of all students throughout the Trust, with particular enthusiasm for the students of Heritage High School as a previous resident of Clowne.

I bring knowledge and experience from both the legal and educational sectors to the role. I hold a qualifying law degree and have experience of working in both regional and national law firms as a Legal Advisor and Legal Executive. In addition, I have also worked in a variety of Ofsted rated ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ schools in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire. This experience includes my previous role as an inaugural Middle Leader at Mercia School, Sheffield (2^nd highest P8 in England, 2.09 in 2024).

As a Trust-appointed Governor at Heritage High School, I look forward to working with students, staff, parents and the local community in order to contribute in the school’s journey towards ever greater success and achievement. In particular, I aim to work to support the development of the next generation personally and academically towards futures in which they can make a positive contribution to the world we share.

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.

Ian Marshall

I know how important a thriving school environment can be to improve the life outcomes of students, I was educated at one of the most deprived and underperforming schools in the country and I saw how a good leadership team can transform not only the students lives but also those of the parents and the wider community as well. A school should be the central hub of any area of which we should all be proud of and it is my goal to support the senior leadership team, staff, governors and other stakeholders to achieve this.

After leaving school with my GCSE results I attending Leeds College of Building to pursue my apprenticeship in Gas Engineering. Gained my qualifications and spent the next 25 plus years working in construction before progressing within the company I worked for to a management role procuring materials and running the joinery works and logistics. All skills I have brought to my current role within the school. Working within school enables me to access further training on a whole range of subjects to benefit students and staff alike as the school evolves.

I have a keen interest in students who are struggling in mainstream education and will always sit with them, giving advice, being a calming influence and offering support in whatever way I can. My wife and myself are foster carers for Derbyshire County Council, and have been for nearly 20 years, this means I am very in tune with children with complex needs and completing training courses over the years in attachment etc I can benefit the school beyond my role.

When not at school working I run a worldwide cancer support group online and since being introduced I have supported and helped over 4000 cancer patients and their families to access help and support. I also enjoy reading, researching my family tree and looking after our family allotment.

Ian Marshall

I know how important a thriving school environment can be to improve the life outcomes of students, I was educated at one of the most deprived and underperforming schools in the country and I saw how a good leadership team can transform not only the students lives but also those of the parents and the wider community as well. A school should be the central hub of any area of which we should all be proud of and it is my goal to support the senior leadership team, staff, governors and other stakeholders to achieve this.

After leaving school with my GCSE results I attending Leeds College of Building to pursue my apprenticeship in Gas Engineering. Gained my qualifications and spent the next 25 plus years working in construction before progressing within the company I worked for to a management role procuring materials and running the joinery works and logistics. All skills I have brought to my current role within the school. Working within school enables me to access further training on a whole range of subjects to benefit students and staff alike as the school evolves.

I have a keen interest in students who are struggling in mainstream education and will always sit with them, giving advice, being a calming influence and offering support in whatever way I can. My wife and myself are foster carers for Derbyshire County Council, and have been for nearly 20 years, this means I am very in tune with children with complex needs and completing training courses over the years in attachment etc I can benefit the school beyond my role.

When not at school working I run a worldwide cancer support group online and since being introduced I have supported and helped over 4000 cancer patients and their families to access help and support. I also enjoy reading, researching my family tree and looking after our family allotment.

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.

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.