Who are they?

Please click on the photos of the governors below to find out more about them.

• Katherine Henderson
  Chair of Governors
  Katherine Henderson

  I have lived in Stonham Aspal for 23 years and have been a governor since 2012. I worship at Stonham Aspal church and have been elected by that PCC as a Foundation Governor. My three children all attended Stonham Aspal school.

  I have served in various roles on the governing body over the years, and we've been lucky to have a good team, willing to give their time and experience to help our school succeed.

  Until recently, I was an underwriter for a Lloyd's syndicate and in my spare time, I enjoy gardening, walking and pub lunches.

• Sam Tydeman
  Vice-Chair of Governors
  Sam Tydeman

  I have three children, two of whom are currently at the school with the youngest a couple of years away. We moved back to Stonham Aspal in 2017 having previously been living in Bury St Edmunds via Yorkshire and County Durham! I am a Chartered Surveyor by training and remain a consultant Director with Savills PLC. However, my full-time job is now farming on the family farm in the village. I attended the school myself and feel very lucky to have been appointed a Parent Governor in May 2021.

• Ben Hemmings
  Headteacher
  Ben Hemmings

  I joined the Governing body in April 2022 when I became Headteacher at Stonham Aspal.

• Helena Tiernay
  Governor
  Helena Tiernay

  We moved to Little Stonham from Surrey in the summer of 2016 and my eldest child joined Stonham Aspal Primary School in September that year, going into year 2. He's now at Debenham High School! My two daughters are now both at the primary school, both having 'graduated' from the pre-school.

  When we arrived in Suffolk, we were made to feel incredibly welcome by the school, the pre-school and at Stonham Aspal Church, and felt settled very quickly. It was a privilege to be appointed as a Parent Governor in July 2018. I am now a Foundation Governor and Chair of the Governing Board. I previously worked as an employment lawyer, working mainly with large companies and multi-nationals.

  I really enjoy the opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of the school. It is a really wonderful school and I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to spend time in it, with the brilliant team of staff and incredible children.

• Gavin Hailes
  Foundation Governor
  Gavin Hailes

  I became a governor as a result of my involvement with the Church in Coddenham and have been a governor for more than 15 years. Coddenham Parochial Church Council proposed me as a Foundation governor at the beginning of my first term of office and my current term ends in 2026. I grew up in Gosbeck, went to school in Henley, Needham Market and Stowmarket. This was followed by a spell at university in South Wales. I used to live in Stonham Aspal but now live in Pettaugh. I work for a large construction company and in recent years have spent a large part of my time working on large construction projects some of which are outside the UK. I firmly believe in putting something back into the community in which I live and that children's formative years in primary school shape the rest of their lives.

  In the past I was chair of the Governing Body but have now taken a step back whilst at the same time also becoming a governor at Sir Robert Hitcham Primary Debenham.

  I am a member of the governors Finance and Premises committee which makes use of my professional skills and knowledge. I believe finding a way through the ever increasing, and often unseen, financial challenges that the school faces is really worthwhile when the school helps to develop well rounded children that attain the best results that they can.

  I firmly believe that the Christian ethos within the school is one of its major strengths and the foundation for everything else the school achieves.

• Richard Hart
  Foundation Governor
  Richard Hart

  I have lived in Stonham Aspal for the last 12 years and prior to that I have lived in Crowfield all of my life. I attended Stonham Aspal Primary School myself as a child and remember my time and the teachers there with great affection. My own three children now attend the school and they too are enjoying their learning, friendships and the warm community that exists within the school as well as partaking in the many extra-curricular activities offered. I am on my third term as a foundation governor. My term of office runs until January 2024. I am on the learning and achievement, and personnel and comms committees and various other working parties.

  Stonham Aspal Primary School is a very special place and it's a privilege to be involved with all it has to offer for our children.

• Kevin Blatch
  Local Authority Governor
  Kevin Blatch

  I was elected as the Local Authority governor in February 2018. Having lived in Stonham Aspal from 2001 to 2019, I was pleased to accept the invitation to take on the role, as I consider that to really enjoy the Stonham Aspal community you should take an active part in the important things that affect village life. One of these being the school. I now live in Mendlesham, but SA will always be dear to my heart. It is clear to me that alongside a child parents, the school is a major provider of both education and pastoral care. It is essential therefore, that the school gives the children a safe, active, rounded and enjoyable start to their lives. I hope that I can play my part in achieving that. My own four children are above primary age, but I do have a grandson at the school. He loves it. My background is that of a business owner and professional in construction and therefore I hope my expertise in both commercial and contractual matters, will assist in my role on the Finance and Premises committee and as a part of the overall governor team. Since my appointment, I have come to appreciate the challenges that the school team face and trust that in some way, I can offer them support and advice as and when required.

• Claire Bewley
  Foundation Governor
  Claire Bewley

  Hello, I have been a parent at Stonham Aspal school since 2011 when my oldest started the school. I have 3 daughters that have all now attended Stonham.

  I was a primary school teacher in Colchester for 14 years and I now own and run a children's day nursery.

  I was elected as a foundation governor in 2021. I am on the learning and achievement committee and I am the SEND governor. I hope that I will be able to help shape an ever-improving experience for the children of the school, and encourage in them a lifelong love of learning.

• Debbie Richards
  Safeguarding Governor
  Debbie Richards

  I have four children, two of whom are currently at the school. I have lived in Suffolk for most of my life and moved to Stonham Aspal in 2020 having previously lived in Grundisburgh. I was elected as parent governor last academic year and I am currently a staff governor at the school where I work. I am happy that I am able to support the school through being the named Safeguarding governor.

• Sam Cage
  Sam Cage

  I grew up in Stonham Aspal and attended the school myself, following in the footsteps of both my Dad and my Nanna. I now have two children who attend Stonham Aspal Primary School, which gives me a strong personal connection to the school and its community.

  Through my experience working in the care industry, running two businesses, and leading on safeguarding in my professional role, I hope to bring valuable skills and insight to my position as a parent governor. I am passionate not only about Stonham Aspal, but about ensuring that every child has the best possible school experience.

What is the role of a governor?