The Governing Body represents the wider community in the running of Hemlington Hall Academy, they work closely with the Head Teacher, who is responsible for the day to day management of the school. The Head Teacher is accountable to the Governors and OFSTED in the running of the school. The Governors work with the staff, Lingfield Education Trust and LA to ensure the school provides a good quality education for all of its children.
The role of the governing body is a strategic one, its key functions are to:
- set the aims and objectives for the school
- set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
- set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
- monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
- be a source of challenge and support to the headteacher (a critical friend)
The headteacher is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the governing body.
The governors information and policies can be found on the Trust website. Click here
The governors role is governed by the Scheme of Delegation which can be found on the Lingfield Education Trust Website. Click here
A Message from the Chair of Governors – Kay Braithwaite
I feel very privileged to become the Chair of Governors at Hemlington Hall Academy and to be working with such a professional team of staff and governors. I look forward to working with you too to ensure your children are happy at Hemlington Hall Academy.
As a Governing Board we are very proud of our children and our warm, nurturing and inclusive school. Our role as Governors is to make sure that Academy objectives are met and that planning for the future is both aspirational and realistic. We work very closely with the Headteacher, Senior Leadership team and teaching staff as a ‘critical friend’. We support them in their commitment to provide Hemlington Hall pupils with the highest standards of education; provide children with key social and creative skills, confidence and self-esteem to further their personal development and ensure all our pupils fulfil their potential.
All our Governors bring a wide range of different skills and experiences to enhance the leadership and management of the Academy and we will continue to work hard to give our children the best possible education. I believe with the right commitment from everyone – governors, staff and yourselves we will forge a great partnership that will enable this to happen.
I look forward to meeting you, please do come and say ‘hello’ at school events but if you would like to contact me before then, or any of the governors, please do so by contacting the Academy office.
Governance at Hemlington Hall Academy
Chair of Local Governing Body
| Name | Shared with | Appointed by | From | To |
| Kay Braithwaite | Not recorded | Appointed by GB/board | 8 July 2021 | 31 August 2025 |
Local Governors
| Name | Shared with | Appointed by | From | To |
| Anna Gardner | Not recorded | Elected by parents | 16 January 2023 | 15 January 2027 |
| Emma Cook-Smith | Not recorded | Appointed by GB/board | 8 July 2021 | 7 July 2025 |
| James Bromyard | Not recorded | Appointed by foundation/Trust | 10 November 2023 | 9 November 2027 |
| Jenifer Wilson | Not recorded | Elected by parents | 3 December 2020 | 2 December 2024 |
| Joanne Knox | Not recorded | Elected by school staff | 1 September 2022 | 31 August 2025 |
| Joanne Tickle | Not recorded | Appointed by GB/board | 27 January 2022 | 26 January 2026 |
| Karen Edmenson | Not recorded | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | 1 September 2017 | Not recorded |
Meet the Governing Body
| Chair of Governors | Kay Braithwaite |
Trustee Appointed Governor
Term of Office: 08.07.21 – 31.08.25
I am a Member Appointed Governor and became Vice-Chair in November 2013 and then Chair in October 2019. I retired as a Police Inspector in 2009, having had a varied and interesting 30-year career with Cleveland Police and latterly with the National Policing Improvement Agency, where I specialised in management of radio communications and control rooms.
My career experience means that I have the confidence to ask challenging questions, from an informed perspective. I will always aim to support the Academy to ensure that each child has excellent opportunities to enable them to reach their full potential, in the safe, happy and well-resourced environment.
I am married with two grown up daughters. In my spare time, I enjoy flower arranging, cooking and getting out and about in the English countryside.
| Headteacher Governor | Mrs Karen Edmenson |
Term of Office: 01/09/2017 – Ex-Officio
I qualified as a Primary School Teacher from Ripon & York St John in 1994. I joined Hemlington Hall in 2010 as Head Teacher having worked previously across 5 local Authorities, progressing my career with each move. My passion became Early Years and I delivered training to a wide variety of audiences across authorities . Whilst working in Hartlepool, I took on the additional role with the Education Authority as a Cluster Advisor for Gifted and Talented students. In an area of high deprivation, it inspired my drive to continue my career and strive for all children to aim high and be the best they can be with the support of a great school.
| Trustee Governor | Mr James Bromyard |
Trustee Appointed Governor
Term of Office: 08.07.2021 – 07.07.25
Hi, I’m James and I have two children who attend Hemlington Hall Academy.
I worked in education for the first part of my career, taking a leadership role on 14-19 courses at Middlesbrough College. In more recent years, I’ve worked in the private sector as a manager of an Employee Recognition Scheme for BT.
I’ve been delighted with the quality of education offered at HHA ever since my eldest joined the nursery, and I’m very proud to help with the Leadership team’s drive forward to ever greater standards for our HHA and our community.
| Trustee Governor | Mrs Emma Cook-Smith |
Trustee Appointed Governor
Term of Office: 08/07/2021 – 31.08.25
I am Emma Cook-Smith and I joined the Governors in November 2013. My husband and I have two children, Edward and Patrick who both attend Hemlington Hall Academy. Although I am not originally from Middlesbrough, I have had links to the school for several years through family and friends whose children have attended the school.
I graduated from the University of Bradford with a MEng in Chemical Engineer in 2005. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, motor sports and rugby.
| Trustee Governor | Mrs Joanne Tickle |
Trustee Appointed Governor
Term of Office: 27/01/2022 – 26.01.26
My name is Joanne Tickle and I am a mum of two teenage children, I have been a governor at Hemlington Hall Academy since 2012. I have worked in the community of Hemlington for 22 years currently leading Hemlington Children’s Centre as part of the 0-19 service. The school has strong links with the Children’s Centre and we work closely around transition to ensure children are ‘ready for nursery’
I have recently been involved in an Early Years Quality Mark inspection at the school which highlighted the excellent practice and environment within the Early Years provision.
I am very proud to say I am a Governor at Hemlington Hall Academy and feel the teaching team and the Support staff are passionate about the best outcomes for our children.
| Parent Governor | Ms Anna Gardner |
Elected by Parents/Carers
Term of Office: 16.01.23 – 15.01.27
Pecuniary Interest
| Staff Governor | Mrs Joanne Knox |
Staff Appointed Governor
Term of Office: 01.09.22 – 31.08.25
My journeys as a musician (BA in Music) and music technologist (MA in Music Technology) brought me to the wonderful North East of England in 2002. After working at the University of Sunderland, I decided on the pathway of training to be a primary school teacher. My training days at Yarm Primary instantly ignited my passion for teaching and my desire to make children experience the ‘magic’ of learning! I joined Hemlington Hall in Sept 2008 as Lead for IT. I have been heavily involved in every aspect of school life, from musicals to managing the everyday! In September 2022, I was appointed Deputy Head. I am very passionate about our school, our community and the town of Middlesbrough and I am excited for what the future holds for our children in Teesside and beyond.
| Parent Governor | Mrs Jennifer Wilson |
Parent Appointed Governor
Term of Office: 03.12.2020 – 02.12.24
My name is Jenn, my two children currently attend Hemlington Hall School.
The reasons I want to be a Governor at the school are I play an active part in my children’s education and believe that every child is important and should have a positive experience. We are building/guiding the adults of the future and they should be encouraged to live their best life by having a sound educational base. I have obtained a teaching assistant qualification and I have done voluntary work in a primary setting which has given me the knowledge and experience to enable me to making sure the
children are given the right tools for their journey into adulthood. I have a knowledge and understanding of policies, procedures and data protection. I have also done a counselling course which I am sure can only benefit all at the school. I have organised and been actively involved in fundraising for numerous charities and feel this knowledge could be put to good use in upcoming school events. I am keen and enthusiastic and would love this opportunity
Please use the link below for the Lingfield Trust Governance Website.
https://www.lingfieldeducationtrust.com/governance-and-policy
All academies and Trusts must publish their annual accounts as well as key legal governance information, such as Funding Agreements, Articles of Association and accounts information. For these documents relating to Lingfield Education Trust, please click here.
Local Governing Body Attendance Records
Register of Business Interests (2023 – 2024)
Historic (left within the last 12 months)
| Name | Role | Appointed By | From | To |
| Mr Dave Elliott | Vice-Chair | Foundation/Trust | 08.07.21 | 31.08.24 |
| Mr James Bromyard | Parent Governor | Parents | 08.07.21 | 09.11.23 |
Governor Information and Links
Local Governing Body Terms of Reference
Are you interested in serving as a Governor?
