Meet The Governors
Mary Hillhouse
Hello my name is Mary Hillhouse, I am a governor at Silloth Primary School, and Chair of the Standards and Curriculum Committee. I live in Skinburness and worked for many years as a Senior Teaching Assistant in the Nursery. Since retiring I have continued to work at school on a voluntary basis one day a week in the Nursery, I also accompany the sports teams to competitions whenever I can. I have grandchildren in the school and it is a pleasure to support the school in any way I can.
Emma Mounsey
My name is Emma Mounsey, I teach in Year 2 and I am the Staff Governor. I became part of the Silloth Primary School family as a newly qualified teacher, ten years ago and it truly has been eight years to remember!
As a proud West Cumbrian, I am dedicated and determined that the children in our little corner of the world fully embrace their years in education, want then to know that they are valued, that they can make a difference and have memorable experiences in these vital years of their life. The children of Silloth are at the heart of everything that I do and I feel privileged to be part of their journey.
Within school, I am SENDCo, Global Learning Lead Teacher, RE Leader and joint Maths lead. I am also part of the Senior Leadership Team as the Phase 2 Leader. I fully embrace all my responsibilities and I enjoy working as Staff Governor to continue to provide the children of Silloth with a strong springboard for the rest of their lives.
As I always say to the children in my class ... ‘the sky’s the limit!’
Tom Hailwood
I was trained as a Primary teacher in 2006 but decided to take a role as a Maths teacher following the PGCE. Since then, I have worked in Solway Community School and Beacon Hill Community School in progressively more senior roles. I worked as the Deputy head of Solway for five years, then headteacher of both Beacon Hill and Solway Community Schools for the past three years. I led the Primary Liaison Meetings for 10+ years working through transition from KS2 to KS3. I have links with all 10 of our current feeder schools. Have been through multiple Ofsted inspections as part a school leader. All good experience to support the Governance of SPS and your students.
Catherine Bellas
Vicki Jackson
In my working life I work for Sellafield Ltd and I have over 15 years laboratory analysis experience and working with radioactive material. Through this role I have been able to achieve my ambition to encourage opportunity, inclusivity and diversity in the workplace and by participating in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) events encouraging and helping to empower younger generations to learn, explore and challenge the ‘norm’.
I work with schools partaking in events encouraging children to understand and experiment with chemistry such as making slime then explaining and discussing the chemical reaction that occurs with the aim of inspiring, inquisitive young minds to consider scientific careers.
I am also a participant and mentee of the Cumbrian WIN (Women in Nuclear, a Global Association) our mission is to create an inclusive and fair environment that helps attract, retain and build a diverse workforce of the future, for Cumbria and the UK. We meet regularly to exchange ideas, information, and experience between members and to create bridges between members in the spirit of equality.
It’s my drive for diversity and inclusion that I want to bring to Silloth Primary School and I believe every child should have a quality education.
I’m very much looking forward to contributing to future successes for our children, our school and our community.
Jennifer Rowlands
Jennifer Rowlands, FISBL, MA, PGDip, BSc
I am an experienced (11 years) School Business Manager (currently Director of Finance & Operations) and Fellow of the Institute of School Business Leaders. I am also a School Resource Management Advisor (SRMA) and have supported both maintained schools and Academies in their school resource management in Cumbria and beyond. My most recent SRMA deployment was at a one form entry primary school in Cheshire and I have worked with a range of schools from tiny primary schools to large MATs. My background is in banking as a Business and Collaboration Consultant, then in the voluntary sector managing various projects and initiatives supporting business and community groups to work together to benefit local communities, including gaining funding for a significant National Lottery project.
I have recently achieved a Level 7 ILM qualification in Executive Coaching and Mentoring, and in 2022 a Level 7 Diploma in Financial and Operational Management in Academies via CIPFA and ISBL. I am also HR trained, with a postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management with the CIPD. My MA is in Leadership and Management in Education.
When I started my current role I operated as Clerk to the Governors for several years, as well as presenting financial and other strategic business elements to Governors, and until recently spent 5 years on the Governing Board of a local primary school, spending 2 years as Chair and introducing governor-staff wellbeing committees as well as supporting and upskilling the wider governing body with their understanding and challenge of finance and other school operations. I am also a Governor for two primary schools in the west of the county.
I believe my work in my own and other schools brings a wealth of experience that touches not only on financial and human resource elements, but also can bring value in a different perspective on the core educational aspects of the school.
