Governors’ Profiles

Philip Rothfield, Chair of Governors

Both of my children have been educated at Hayesfield. I became a governor in May 2016 and have variously been a member of the Business and Learning committees, the specialist governor for Special Educational Needs (SEND) and part of the working group looking at partnership opportunities which led to Hayesfield joining Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership MAT. So as the incoming Chair I have a well-rounded experience of the school, it’s existing strengths, future opportunities and challenges in the context of education provision across Bath and beyond.

With over 30 years business experience including programme management, strategic consulting and marketing for a range of companies from fintech start-ups to global corporates, I hope my experience and expertise contributes to the future success of Hayesfield for the benefit of students, parents, staff and community stakeholders during challenging times for everyone and the school community in particular.

If you would like to contact me, you can do so by emailing the Headteacher’s PA: n.matthews@hayesfield.com. I can also be contacted by post, to Hayesfield Girls’ School, Upper Oldfield Park, BA2 3LA. Please mark the envelope for my attention.

Financial Interests: None
Business Interests: None
Governance roles in other schools: None

Karen Leigh - Deputy Chair of Governors

I am pleased to have joined Hayesfield Girls' School as a Governor. I am an experienced HR professional with over 10 years of Human Resource experience in various industries including Technology, Law, Property Management and Engineering. I currently run my own HR Consultancy business providing HR solutions to Tech SMEs focusing on talent attraction, retention and diversity.

As a member of the CIPD I am a part of their mentoring programme to help young people enter the workforce, and act as a mentor to HRM Masters students of UWE. In my early career I worked as a Teaching Assistant in a Dioceses run Primary school supporting children with special needs and reception age pupils.

Financial Interests: None
Business Interests: None
Governance roles in other schools: None

Mark Whiteley

I have been a Governor at Hayesfield since 2009, with both of my daughters having spent their whole secondary education at the School. I am Vice Chair of the Governing Body and I am also Chair the Learning Committee. I strongly believe in the Hayesfield vision and values and I support the School whenever I can, wherever that may be.

Away from Hayesfield, I am self-employed as an environmental auditor, with specialisation in carbon management and sustainable energy. I also provide governance services to a food manufacturing and agricultural products company based in the north-west.

Financial Interests: None
Business Interests: None
Governance roles in other schools: None

Jane Rowland

I was delighted to join Hayesfield as a Governor in 2021. Through my role on the Quality of Education Committee I look forward to supporting the Senior Leadership Team and staff in continuing to provide an excellent educational experience for each and every student whether that be in the classroom or through the many and varied extra-curricular opportunities on offer. I believe strongly in the vision and values of the school, and chose Hayesfield for my own daughter for this reason.

I have worked for the NHS for the last 20 years in a variety of operational and strategic management roles, supporting short and long term planning, strategic developments and day to day delivery of services. I am a passionate advocate of partnership working and regularly seek opportunities to improve services further through bringing together individuals and organisations around common aims and ambitions. I hope to bring my experience in this to my role as a Governor, particularly as we move into a new future as part of the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership.

Financial Interests: None
Business Interests: None
Governance roles in other schools: None

Roger Chapman

Now retired, I was formerly an internal auditor in the NHS, managing a consortium for 3 hospital trusts and 4 primary care trusts. My daughter spent 7 happy years at Hayesfield, qualified at the Royal Veterinary College and is now a vet in Nottinghamshire. My son completed his A Levels at Hayesfield, graduated from University College London and now teaches English at a Chinese school in Hong Kong.

I became a governor in 1993 and am now a Community Governor. When my son left Hayesfield in 2002, I stayed on, mainly because of the exciting capital projects we were about to embark on. For much of my time as a governor, I chaired what is now the Business Committee, of which I remain a member.

Financial Interests: None
Business Interests: None
Governance roles in other schools: None

Jim Robinson

I have been a Parent Governor since my daughter started at Hayesfield in 2014 and have really enjoyed seeing the School develop during my time as a governor. I have 30 years experience delivering major projects and change programmes across a number of industry sectors including telecoms, rail, automotive and transport. Most recently I have taken a role in the public sector delivering IT. I am currently Chair of the Business Committee.

Financial Interests: None
Business Interests: None
Governance roles in other schools: None

Claire Woolger - Teaching Staff Governor

I am proud to have been appointed as a member of the governing team at Hayesfield from May 2019. I started teaching English and some languages at Hayesfield in September 2016 and I have subsequently taken on the role of Second in the English Department, with responsibility for Key Stage 3 English and the Accelerated Reader scheme within the school.

As a governor who is also a member of the teaching staff at Hayesfield, I am able to combine my knowledge of the curriculum and curriculum developments to contribute to forward planning and policy.

Financial Interests: None
Business Interests: None
Governance roles in other schools: None

Emma Yates – Executive Headteacher

I have worked in education for all of my career, starting in September 1997 as a Science Teacher in Poole. All of my posts have been based in the South West and I moved to Bath in 2009 to take up the post of Assistant Headteacher at Oldfield School. In 2012 I secured the Deputy Headship at Backwell School where I had the leadership of the curriculum and pastoral teams. I became Headteacher at Hayesfield in January 2014 and was made Executive Headteacher when Hayesfield joined the MNSP trust in April 2021. I strongly believe in providing an outstanding education for students from all backgrounds and of all abilities and I know all the staff and governors at Hayesfield share this belief. Hayesfield’s commitment to character development and academic success ensure that all of our students have the opportunity to achieve their ambitions.

Financial Interests: None
Business Interests: None
Governance roles in other schools: None