Chair of Governors (LA) - My name is Louise Downing and I am the new Chair of Governors for 2024-25. I have been a school Governor in Calderdale for over 10 years, and experience of being a chair for 4 years. I am pleased to take up this new position and support the HBSF on its continuing journey. Outside of being a school Governor I work as a Vulnerable Customer Specialist for Virgin Media O2 and have over 15 years’ experience of managing teams within a complaints background and working collaboratively. The skills I have developed over the years have definitely helped within my governor role and vice versa. I also have two children of my own, one in primary school and one in high school in the Calderdale area.  High expectations are at the heart of everything that I do; my role as Governor means contributing to the vision and the values, characteristics and commitments of school life and supporting learning opportunities for all.

LA Governor - Jo trained as a secondary school teacher and has worked in teacher development at both primary and secondary schools for the past 20 years with the EEF as research school lead, for Tameside MBA as Head of School Improvement and currently as Director of GM for Right To Succeed, an education charity. She is a co-opted governor and has been on boards for two schools previously. 

Co-opted Governor - My name is Theresa de la Fuente, I joined the HBSF governing board in December 23 as I wanted to contribute to the schools and local community. I have 8 years' experience working as a School Business Manager at two primary schools in Northamptonshire. This has given me an insight into some of the many challenges faced by schools all of which have their unique characteristics and qualities. I hope to be able to use my experience and skills to contribute to the governing body and the continued support of the Hebden Bridge Schools Federation.

Co-opted Governor - I’m Jacqueline Henshaw. I’m new as a school governor for 2024-25, though I bring many years of experience of education having worked at the University  of Manchester ( amongst others) for over 35 years  in various roles, including many with a focus on governance and students. I have lived in Calderdale for 30 years ( albeit a Lancastrian by birth ! ). I was attracted to HBSF because of its strong sense of place and purpose, and its deep commitment to its children and the community it serves. 

Co-opted Governor - As a lifelong Calder Valley resident, I bring a strong local connection to my role as Governor and Link Governor for Sustainability and Wellbeing. My career spans 13 years as a small business owner and nearly a decade in further education, where I progressed from plumbing lecturer to Head of College Experience Behaviour and Engagement at Leeds College of Building.

I lead the pastoral and enrichment teams, champion sustainability, and ensure wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion feature in college level decision-making. As a Hebden Bridge School Federation Governor, I aim to provide support and constructive challenge, ensuring our schools can continue to nurture every young person to thrive and succeed in their unique journey.

Co-opted Governor - I'm Georgie Porter, a co-opted governor joining the governing body in 2024-25. I have been a science teacher in schools around West Yorkshire and also taught internationally in Singapore. I now work for an education charity, from less advantaged backgrounds to access university. I bring previous governor experience and am looking forward to supporting the HBSF community in this role.

Parent Governor - My name is Christian Denison and I've been a parent governor at HBSF since October 2023. I have one child at Stubbings.

Outside of being a school governor I work as a civil servant. My contribution to the HBSF governing board is primarily through the eyes of a parent and user of the school, and using my professional skills for the benefit of the federation.

Parent Governor - I am a qualified teacher who taught ESOL, digital skills and dance in Further Education, I am specifically interested in trauma informed approaches in education. I currently deliver inclusive arts and health based projects, working with sanctuary seeking communities. I am a parent governor and I am the link for wellbeing and development of play initiatives. I look forward to working with the school communities in my local area.

Staff Governor (Infants) - My name is Lisa Tregellas and I am a teacher governor. I have been a teacher for around 15 years and have taught across the HBSF Infant and Junior schools since 2017. In addition to my classroom teaching, I have other roles including Acting Assistant Head, Federation Science Lead, Initial Teacher Training mentor and Early Career Teacher Mentor. Outside of being a school Governor I volunteer with Happy Valley Pride and supervise their volunteer team during their annual Pride festival. My role as Governor means supporting our schools to give the best opportunities for learning to all children in our care.

Staff Governor (Juniors) - Originally from London, I moved to Calderdale approximately 10 years ago and began my teacher training soon after that. Riverside was where I did my training and I loved it that much, I never left! I have been at Riverside for 7 years and in that time I have taught years 5 and 6 and also lead reading, writing and Modern Foreign Languages throughout the school. I am dedicated to promoting a positive, engaging learning environment. I have a degree in English Literature (focussing on children's literature) and am passionate about fostering a love of reading and writing in young people. 

I am proud to be part of the Governing Body and to have the opportunity to help shape and continue to strengthen our school and its role within the community. Through my role as staff governor, I hope to bring valuable insights and understanding of day-to-day experiences of teachers and students to the governing board. 

Executive Headteacher - My name is Lucy Caswell and I've been the Executive Headteacher of the HBSF since January 2021. I'm originally from Derbyshire.

I've been working in various schools in various places since 1994, and I'm especially proud to be looking after Riverside, Central Street and Stubbings - they really are 3 brilliant schools!

Clerk to Governors

LA Governor - My name is Richard O’Sullivan and I am a newly appointed Local Authority Governor . I retired in January 2024 after a 38 year teaching career. I was the Headteacher of a large Primary School in inner City Bradford for the last twelve years of my career, a job that I loved. I am currently living in Sowerby Bridge. Before that I lived in Hebden and my three grown children attended Central Street and Riverside. I am particularly interested in the curriculum that our children experience and the whole school approach to reading.

In my spare time I like to cycle and to travel, ideally combining the two. As a Headteacher I always enjoyed working with parents and I am looking forward to continuing this as a School Governor.