Hempnall Primary School

Neil Batchelor - Chair

I have been on the governing board as a parent governor since January 2020. I have 2 children currently at the school.

I am keen to ensure we make the school a great success and with my 25 years experience in work focused on strategic thinking, communication, leadership and building great teams I look forward to bringing those skills to Hempnall and setting the school up for a great future and creating a great place to be for the staff, pupils, parents and community. 

Paul Garton

Alex Griffiths - Executive Headteacher

After three years as Headteacher at Brooke Primary, I joined Hempnall to develop the new partnership of the two schools together in September 2021 as Executive Headteacher.

I split my time equally between the two schools, and consider myself very fortunate to be able to do a job I love in two amazing - similar yet distinctly different schools!

I moved to Norfolk in 2018, with my wife and our two children, from Hertfordshire. We absolutely love Norfolk for the range of great things you can do, with the best of city life in Norwich, and the opportunities to get to the beach, be active, paddleboard and explore all within easy reach.

Alison Toombs

I am a Local Authority Governor with responsibility for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

I have worked in education for over 20 years as a teacher, middle and senior leader within primary, secondary and complex needs settings. I have worked at the Local Authority for over 3 years now and am a Senior Adviser for Inclusion within the Inclusion and SEND Team.

My area of responsibility is Learning and SEND, supporting Norfolk mainstream schools to make excellent provision for children and young people with SEND.

Jen Cooper

Tobias Ellenor - Vice-chair and Finance governor

I joined the Board of Governors in 2019 and I have been the Vice-Chair since 2020. I am a qualified accountant with commercial experience and I joined the board to help the school provide the best for it’s students by effectively managing finances and getting the most from budgets.

I live in Fritton, enjoys sports (you might see me out running around Hempnall) and have 2 children at the school with another due to join next year.

Rebekah Girling

I joined the Hempnall Primary School Governors in January 2021.

I have a particular interest in Health and Safety, additional circular enrichment activities and the wellbeing of the children.

I have a BSc (Hons) degree accredited by the University of East Anglia, and an excess of 15 years Professional health care experience.  

I am a registered professional of The Health and Care Professions Council, working currently at the NNUH where I lead on Research including that of the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR).

My main hobby is dance and I have undertaken exams to advance level in Ballet and Modern.

I am married with 2 children and enjoy a busy active life.

Sue White - Staff governor

I have worked in 7 different Norfolk Schools since qualifying in 1996 and have been a staff governor in 3.  In September 2017, I joined the staff team at Shelton who were, at the time, federated with Hempnall.  Following the closure of Shelton in July 2019, I moved over to join the team at Hempnall.  I currently work in Year 5 and 6.  My teaching experience has enabled me to teach across the primary age range and to lead a variety of subjects as well as aspects of whole school leadership.

I am married and have one daughter.  As a family we enjoy being outdoors and often take our caravan out to visit the beautiful British countryside.  I have a keen interest in playing music and spend some of my free time playing a variety of different instruments in bands. 

David Ayres - Clerk

Holly Cann

I became a school governor five years ago, when Shelton with Hardwick Primary was federated with Hempnall.  At that time I had two primary aged children attending Shelton and had a keen interest in helping to shape the future of their education provision.  

I was a Senior Civil Servant for sixteen years before I took voluntary redundancy; leading various teams through complex managed service procurements and managing customer relations within Central and Local Government.

After a short period of being a stay at home mum and farmer's wife, I decided to go back to school myself and am now a qualified accountant, working in a local practice but enjoying all the benefits of working from home.  I believe I have been able to bring a range of skills and attributes to enhance our highly experienced and qualified Governing Board, holding role as Chair of Governors for two years.  I am currently very excited to be part of the joint committee for the Partnership with Brooke and want to ensure that our children, staff and local community can reap the benefits that a partnership will bring.

Outside of work, school governance and family fun, I am a keen pool player, playing in local leagues, at county level and have previously represented England.  I don't get to practice as much as I would like these days, but still enjoy it when I can.

Clare Oakley

Holly Greenwood

I joined the board of governors at the start of 2021 during lockdown. I thought it was a perfect time to become involved in supporting the local community and with my background in teaching it seemed like the perfect fit! 

I have been a teacher for a number of years and have always worked in schools in some capacity. I have had experience in working in both rural and inner city schools and enjoy my job immensely. 

My degree was dance and art based and I feel this has contributed to my creative view on education. 

 I live locally with my husband and 3 year old son who likes to keep me busy. Outside of school I enjoy fitness, socialising with friends and renovating my house. 

Sarah Lewis - Head of School

I joined Hempnall this year as Head of School, after teaching for many years in a large junior school in Norwich. I have also lived and taught in Italy. 

I have worked in education for 20 years and I have a love of languages and the English language. 

My family enjoy a variety of sports and outdoor activities and I can often be seen on a rugby or football pitch at weekends.