Chris JonesI became a Parent Governor of The Hills Lower School in December 2003 and as I approached the end of my 4 year term, in September 2007; I was elected Chair of Governors and thereby began my second term as a school governor here. I am married to Dee and we have two daughters. Holly is the eldest and having spent five happy years at The Hills and enjoyed school life here very much; is now (unbelievably) just starting in Year 10 at Mark Rutherford Upper School with options chosen and a crucial couple of years ahead - time flies!!  Katie started part-time at The Hills in January 2005 and left this summer. She had a great time at the school and I know she will always remember her days here as being those which gave her so much more confidence and a sure foundation on which to build the rest of her schooling and indeed the rest of her life. I currently work as a self-employed Independent Financial Adviser based in Bedford and have worked in the Financial Services Industry for the past 16 years. I also work as an Exam Invigilator for Mark Rutherford and as the Executive Co-ordinator for the North East Bedford Learning Trust (NEBLT). The flexibility I have through my jobs allows me to be more involved and to help out in a number of ways. I serve on the Admissions and Pupil Discipline; Finance and Premises and Curriculum Sub-Committees and have curriculum responsibility for Geography, History and RE. In the past two-and-a-half years, I have felt privileged to help guide the school and our governors through the long process to acquire Trust Status and change the school’s category from Community to Foundation. It has been a great experience to watch all eight of the trust schools and the external partners, develop their collaborative working and see ‘Our Trust’ evolve into something more tangible and ‘real-life’ and for The Hills to be able to play a key part in all of this. I am finding the job of being Chair both challenging and enjoyable as the school is constantly seeking to improve upon the standards it has achieved, its good name, stature and reputation within the education and wider community. I also feel privileged to be Chair in these interesting, exciting and challenging times for both our school and the education system. I am always mindful though that it is The Hills that gave me the opportunity to get more involved with the local schools and to try and make a positive contribution and I thoroughly enjoy being a part of The Hills Community and look forward to helping the school to continue to maintain its high standards and the creative, happy & fun environment in which the children can learn and develop. David BurgessI am a retired Police Officer having had a varied and interesting career in that service. It motivated me towards a responsibility for the community, and this has continued in my life. I believe we should all be here to help each other, particularly those less fortunate than ourselves. After my police career I became a consultant in all aspects of security for an International Food Retailer and Manufacturer (Associated British Foods PLC). My previous employments have resulted in me being involved in all strata's of our society. I became a Governor for the Hills Lower School in 2009. My regret in this role, is that I did not do so years earlier. The welfare of the young in our society is of paramount importance, for they do indeed represent our future. To that end it is my intention to do all I possibly can to remain involved in the Governor activities at the Hills Lower School. I have just been appointed to serve on the Personnel & Pupil Welfare sub-committee at the school, a role I much look forward to. The teaching staff at the school deserves all the support that Governors and parents can give them. We are so fortunate to have a team of teachers with vision and commitment, and it is incumbent on us all to ensure they are able to maximise that professionalism that abound at the school. I have two daughters and three grandchildren, and I derive so much pleasure from guiding and generally encouraging the grandchildren in their school activities. Tracey FosterI have been an active member of The Hills Lower School community since 1990.  I was elected by staff to represent them in the summer term 2008.   I have been a loyal member of staff since 1994.  My eldest son Nick first started school here in 1990 and my youngest son Andrew in 1993. Throughout my years working at the school I have been involved with various committees, including the PTA; the River Festival and have played an active role in arranging extra-curricular enrichment activities for our students and staff. I am now sitting on the Premises and Health and Safety sub-committee for the Governing Body. In my ‘spare time’ I volunteer as the District Beaver Scout Leader for Bedford – a role in which I am responsible for overseeing the planning and deliverance of Scouting activities for children between the ages of 6 and 8. In addition to this I play tenor horn as a keen member of Bedford Town’s Progress Brass Band. Kirsten Hill I became a local authority Governor in Autumn 2007, and serve on the curriculum subcommittee. My professional life is education-focused: I completed my PhD in Medieval English Literature in 1999, and I have lectured in English at Cardiff University and Birkbeck College, University of London. More recently, I have worked at CfBT on the Fast Track Teaching Programme and on the National College for School Leadership’s Networked Learning Communities Programme. Currently, I am working as an independent education consultant for a variety of clients including the Innovation Unit, NCSL and the Open University. I am married to James, and have two daughters, Maude who is in year 2 and Daphne, who will be 2 in October 2010. Sarah HolmeI have been a Parent Governor since March 2009 and am involved with the Curriculum and Assessment sub-committee. I am also the Art and Design Link Governor. My son started at The Hills, in the Reception class, in September 2008 and my daughter has joined the school in 2010.My background is in scientific research but I have also found myself working for Nottingham City LA collecting and analysing pupil performance data. As a research scientist I was often involved in teaching undergraduates and supporting both undergraduates and postgraduates in their research projects. Such contact led me to care passionately about pupils reaching their full potential whether that is at the undergraduate level or Foundation stage! Richard WatsonI have been an Associate Governor since June 2010, and am on the Finance and Premises Sub-Committee. I have two children at the school, Emily in Year 3 and Jessica in Year 1.  I am pleased to be helping the school as a Governor and I have been very involved in the two previous River Festivals.   I am a qualified accountant and a member of CIMA and work as Head of Finance and Planning for BT Innovate and Design.  I have joined the Finance Sub-Committee. I have a season ticket for Chelsea and have been watching them since 1983, am a keen runner and a committee member of Bedford Harriers AC. Richard Wightman My wife and I moved to Bedford in 2003 and I became a community governor at The Hills in 2012. We have two children at the school. My daughter Maria, started in reception in September 2011 and my son Joseph, was amongst the first to join the nursery class in January 2012. I graduated with a politics degree from Swansea University, way back in 1992 and now work in London as Head of Marketing for ITE Group plc. The company organises international trade exhibitions and conferences and has a major focus on the developing economies of the former Soviet Union. Although I have had no professional involvement in the education system, I care enormously that children are given the right environment, care and support to maximise their potential. The first few years at school are incredibly important in developing skills and generating a life-long passion for learning, so it is a real honour to be helping to ensure that the school continues to operate to the highest standards. Alex Daye   I grew up in Bedford and attended Hazeldene Lower, Woodside Middle and Mark Rutherford Upper schools.   I gained a 1st Class BEng (Hons.) in Electronics, Music and Media Technology from Leeds Metropolitan University.   I have previously worked as a Broadcast Engineer for the BBC. Currently I am studying for a BSc (Hons.) in Economics and Mathematical Sciences with the Open University. I am a member of the Independent Monitoring Board at Bedford Prison.   My interests are electronic music and video production.   Charlotte Cornwall    I have been a Community Governor since July 2011, and am also on the Curriculum and Assessment sub-committee. I have two daughters at The Hills - Georgia in Year 4, and Lola in Year 2. I have worked in book publishing for eighteen years, in many sales and marketing director roles at Penguin, Macmillan and Hodder-Headline. Most recently I was Group Sales and Marketing Director and on the Board at Simon and Schuster. I became a literary agent in Jan 2010 and work in London at Aitken Alexander Associates (under my maiden name Robertson). I have been working with Mrs Stringer to try and help keep the library well stocked - I am passionate about helping children develop a love of reading to help create readers of the future (and keep me in a job). I feel very blessed to have my children at a school as wonderful as The Hills.