Welcome to our community of dedicated school governors

A team of passionate volunteers who help guide our school’s strategic direction and champion the best outcomes for all our children.

Our governors bring a wide range of experience, skills and perspectives from across our local community. They work collaboratively with school leaders to provide thoughtful support and constructive challenge, ensuring that our strategic priorities, wellbeing, and educational excellence are always at the heart of what we do. Together, they help shape a learning environment where every pupil feels valued and inspired.

Through their commitment and service, our governors help ensure strong governance, meaningful engagement with families and stakeholders, and thoughtful oversight of the school’s vision for growth and improvement. We are grateful for their time, insight and dedication to our community.

 

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  • Andrew Matthews

  • Andy is a parent governor, with one child currently at Hallam and one who joined in September 2024. He has 25 years teaching experience in secondary education and from September 2024 will be the Director of Science at a local secondary school. He also has 4 years previous experience as a primary school governor. He is passionate about education and the life chances that this affords young people, and is using his experiences to support the Senior Leadership Team. His aim is to ensure that all Hallam students have a wonderful enriching time whilst at the school.
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  • Ben Fielding

  • Ben has worked at Hallam since early in 2017 and currently teaches in Year 4. Prior to this he ran his own sports coaching company which delivered PE sessions to schools across Sheffield. He feels strongly that school should be a place where children are challenged and motivated to be their best, but also a place to create great memories and friendships to take with them when they leave for secondary school. Outside of school Ben is a keen cricketer for Sheffield Collegiate and plays badminton for Abbeydale Badminton Club. Ben also enjoys his music and knows just enough guitar chords for a campfire singalong!
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  • Isabel MacAskill

  • Isabel has worked at Hallam since September 2017, starting as an NQT and now working as the SENDCo and a teacher in the Integrated Resource. Before teaching, she worked for a music theatre company and as a freelance choreographer, which she still does on a smaller scale, alongside her role with ‘Imagine’. She believes schools should be warm, welcoming places where both children and staff can flourish. Outside of school, she enjoys making the most of a green city, spending time running, walking, and attending the gym and dance lessons.
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  • Melike Bulut Al Baba

  • Melike is a senior lecturer in teacher education at Sheffield Hallam University. Previously she volunteered as an English as a second language (ESOL) teacher for refugees and asylum seekers in various charitable organisations across Yorkshire region. She is interested in Hallam Primary School not only as a parent but also as an informed member of the local community. In her role as a governor, she seeks to transfer her personal and professional skills to contribute to the success of the school and its students.
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  • Naomi Harvey

  • Naomi is a GP at a large health centre caring for University of Sheffield students. She also teaches medical students and mentors new to practice healthcare professionals. She is passionate about supporting young people to make positive lifestyle choices, manage health problems and improve overall wellbeing. Her previous governance experience is in healthcare settings which she is looking forward to applying in an educational context. Naomi has two children at Hallam. She became a Governor in 2023 with the aim to support the school to continue achieving its vision and provide young people with the best possible foundation for a healthy future.
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  • Matthew Rhodes

  • Matt serves as the Head of Sport at the Association of Colleges and brings over 20 years of experience in sport and education. His commitment to the health and well-being of children and young people has led him to advise the government on key policy areas such as Physical Activity, AI & Educational Technology, and Qualification Reform. Matt views schools as vital community anchors, whose roles extend beyond the school day. He is dedicated to ensuring that Hallam School remains a source of pride for the entire community
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  • Ian Robinson

  • Ian works for HSBC in a corporate strategy and governance role. He was previously HSBC’s Sector Head of Public Sector and Education through the COVID pandemic and brings that passion for the education sector, experience with strategy and governance to his position at the school. Ian has a daughter at Hallam, and a younger son who attends a local nursery. He is passionate about the local community and wants to bring that passion to his role on the school governing board.
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  • Paula Harris

  • Get to know Paula — profile coming soon!