Governance
Further information regarding Governance in Truro & Penwith Academy Trust is available at the following link; http://www.tpacademytrust.org/governance/
The vision of the Local Governing Body for Liskeard Hillfort Primary School:
Liskeard's diverse community will have a bright future because Hillfort's children possess the early skills and confidence to thrive in the community and beyond.
Our mission is to equip Hillfort's children with the core skills, emotional resilience and enjoyment of learning to enable them to be the best that they can be in their primary education, in their later education and in our community at large.
Dr Tim Cook
Headteacher – Ex-Officio Governor
01.11.2015 – Present
Dr Cook was appointed in November 2015 and is an experienced Headteacher with a history of working with impact, especially in areas of disadvantage. Visiting Specialist at the University of Plymouth. Independent Ambassador for ‘The Thrive Approach’. Leader of Governance with experience across a range of schools, including as a Chair of Governors to a ‘Good with Outstanding features’ special school in Kent. Graduate of Ambition School Leadership (Future Leaders). Dedicated and sincere education professional with a Professional Doctorate that is focused on developing trust through outdoor pursuits within a secure environment and, perhaps most importantly, a Dad to three amazing boys – both birth and adoptive.
Mrs Jill Deacon
Co-opted Governor (Chair, SEND and Safeguarding)
01.02.2017 – 31.01.2021
Mrs Deacon has lived in Liskeard for 37 years. Her children attended Liskeard Infant and Junior school which were later combined to become Liskeard Hillfort. She played an active role on the PTA at both schools before training to become a primary teacher herself. She worked as a teacher and Deputy Head in local schools for a number of years during which time she was a staff governor for 8 years. Since leaving teaching Mrs Deacon has worked for Plymouth University, teaching and mentoring student teachers during their placements in a wide variety of schools in Cornwall, Devon, Jersey and London. Mrs Deacon became a governor to strengthen the school’s link with the University. She also felt it important to give something back to her local community by taking on a governor’s role and enjoys seeing the children develop and grow as individuals under the guidance of the dedicated staff at Liskeard Hillfort.
Mr Stuart Johnson
Co-opted Governor (Vice Chair)
One of the main reasons we moved to Liskeard in 2014 was to be part of a community that looks out for each other and creates an environment for its children to become capable, confident and caring adults. I am very proud to be Jago's dad (year 2). He's had a great start to his school life at Hillfort, under the care of Dr Cook's amazing team. I've been hugely impressed with, and grateful for, the school's resilience and good sense throughout the pandemic and economic squeeze.
A wise African proverb says it takes a village to raise a child and I think the same applies to a school. The governance team is here to bring together people from the "village" to support and challenge Dr Cook and his team to build the best school they can.
After approaching 25 years in the Civil Service, both leading delivery teams and in explicit roles challenging and steering the work of other delivery teams, I may be able to offer some relevant experience. I've got a particular interest in risk management (I know, it's a bit niche, but we all do it, every day) and I'm a huge believer in learning from both success and failure - on a personal and organisational level.
If you want to talk about the direction of Hillfort, or discuss any concerns, please feel free to catch me at the school gates, usually on a Friday. Probably not wearing a suit.
Ms Sylvia Berry
Co-opted Governor (Pupil Premium)
I was born in Saltash and spent most of my childhood in St Austell.
I left Cornwall in the mid 60s then returned in the late 70s to continue my career within the NHS in my home county. On completion of 30 years service I left the NHS and moved to Community Development work supporting families, based in Liskeard where I have lived for over 30 years.
I am married with two adult children and two adult grandchildren.
My hobbies and interests include my family, crafting, sewing, reading and cooking.
My decision to become a Governor reflects my belief that we need to invest in our children to ensure that they can become happy, fulfilled adults who are the best version of themselves.
Mrs Sheena Cotterill
Staff Governor
29.11.2021 - 28.11.2025
My name is Sheena Cotterill and I have been a parent of four children who have all attended Liskeard Hillfort Primary School. I have been a member of staff at Hillfort School for 18 years. I have had many roles within the school; this has given me a unique and privileged insight to the needs of our children here in our school. I have many different qualifications in therapeutic care, which is my passion. These include, bereavement training, art therapy, person centred counselling, identification of eating disorders and addictions amongst others. I am currently in the role of Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA). I am a warm and caring person who wants to help your child feel happy in school and reach their potential educationally. My aim is to remove the barriers to learning and to have happy children in school and at home.
Mrs Naomi Best
Teaching Staff Governor
30.11.2020 - 29.11.2024
Mrs Best has been a teacher for 21 years serving the community of Liskeard throughout that time. After training as a teacher and spending time teaching in Kenya, she has spent her career first teaching at the former Liskeard Infant School before being part of the amalgamation to become Liskeard Hillfort Primary School. Being a long serving member of staff this has enabled Mrs Best to build relationships with many families. her passion for working with families has led to Mrs Best recently qualifying as a Special Needs Coordinator. Currently she is the lead SENDCo at Liskeard Hillfort.
Mr James Howarth
Parent Governor
James grew up in Teignmouth then relocated to Liskeard for work in 1996 following graduation from the University of Plymouth, here he began a near 20 year career buying for retail, which included multiple categories along with international sourcing. Following which he moved to procurement within food manufacturing sector, sourcing for a high street brand. More recently after desiring his work contributions to be more meaningful he has joined the Cornwall Council procurement team as a Strategic Sourcing Specialist working on high value strategic projects.
He has a grown-up son and daughter that have already flown the nest and a young daughter attending Hillfort and is looking forward to positively contributing wherever possible in his role as a parent governor.
Mr Robin Brown
Parent Governor
23.12.2020 - 22.12.2024
Mr Brown has lived in Liskeard for 34 years since the age of 2. He attended Liskeard Infant School, before going onto Liskeard Junior School at Varley Lane, before being the first year 6 to move into phase one, of what is now Hillfort School. He continued his education at Liskeard Secondary School, through to the 6th form. On completion of A-Levels, he started a modern apprenticeship in engineering with British Gas, and 3 years ago moved onto become the Regional Customer Delivery Manager for the South West within the private and social housing sector. His mother was an active member of the PTA at Varley lane, and part of the MOSS group that aided the move and combination of the infant and junior schools in Liskeard onto the one main site. Outside of work, he has been heavily involved with the town's sports sides, representing Liskeard in football, rugby and cricket over the years. Including the coaching and development of the youth sides. His eldest son has just started at Hillfort, and his youngest starting in September 2021, which has prompted him to become a governor as he has both a historical and now current interest in the progression of the school.