Governor Pen-Portraits

Canon David Truby

Foundation Governor (Ex-officio)

I am the Rector of the Wirksworth Team Ministry, and with colleagues I have responsibility for the ten Anglican churches within the team. Our area includes a number of church and county schools, and with the other clergy we play an active role in each of them. As Governor at Carsington School I am able to provide the perspective which is focused on the spiritual needs of the children as well as representing the local church and Diocesan Board of Education. Throughout my ministry I have had an interest in education and very much enjoy working with children in assemblies and the after school activities which are organised with the local churches. I believe that education consists of encouraging the natural curiosity of children who are keen to discover what it means to grow and contribute to their local community as well as exploring their Christian heritage and a life of prayer.

Mrs Kirsty Woodfield

Parent Governor

I have two children, who are both now in the infant class at Kirk Ireton. We moved to the area nearly four years ago and own a smallholding near Hognaston where we run a livery and training yard alongside a landscaping supplies business. As well as too many horses we have pigs, sheep, dogs and cats which the whole family help to care for meaning that we enjoy a very outdoors lifestyle. My main work and interest has always been horses, I have an MSc in Equine Science and have worked with top level horses both in this country and internationally. I have worked with and love racehorses and now own 3 ex-racehorses and am trying my hand at training point to pointers so fingers crossed! Although we don’t actually live in the village we feel very lucky to be a part of it and I am looking forward to making my contribution towards school and village life.

Mrs Heather Duncan

Co-Opted Parent Governor

I have one child at Kirk Ireton in the junior class. My background is in Landscape Architecture, though I have had a varied career, becoming a Teacher of Art and Head of Art before setting up my own business as a Professional Artist and Designer. I enjoy the outdoors, particularly gardening, hiking, running and cycling. Amongst my other interests I would include photography, cooking and reading. I enjoy living and working in the village, and being an active participant in both village and school life.

Mrs Aimée Tinkler

Staff Governor

I am the senior teacher and have the Reception, Year One and Year Two children in my class. I have been working at Carsington school since April 2014.

Mrs Rebecca Cole-Morgan

Parent Governor

I have a child in the Junior class at Carsington and one that has now moved on to secondary school. My more recent background is in secondary teaching, though before that I worked in television for the BBC as a researcher on a variety of different programmes in both Bristol and Manchester. A passion of mine is exercise in all sorts of different forms and I am a qualified Personal Trainer and also a Children’s Fitness Instructor. I live in the village and enjoy being an active participant in both village and school life. I am the current Vice Chair of Carsington and Hopton’s Friends of School and try to foster links between the School, Church and community.

Mrs Jacky Skipper

Foundation Governor

I moved to Hopton from Sussex four years ago to help in the care of my grandson while his parents work. I am a regular churchgoer at Carsington, and I help voluntarily in school on a weekly basis. I have been a primary school teacher most of my working life, ending up as a deputy head in a Brighton primary school. I then moved into Higher Education as an adviser overseeing primary school trainees on their school placements, which I did for ten years, as well as assessing Higher Level Teaching Assistants. My other duties included interviewing prospective new university trainees. My interests include singing in a local choir and visiting the theatre, both locally and in London.

Mr Peter Johnston

Headteacher Governor

I have been the headteacher at Kirk Ireton for nearly ten years and also live in the village. I joined Carsington as part of a ‘Leadership Collaboration’ in 2012 and am now proud to be the headteacher of the ‘Village Federation’. Prior to my headship I worked in three different Derby City Schools, including an infant, a junior and a primary school. I also support the work of the Local Authority, providing training for governors and also school improvement work alongside mentoring new headteachers. Outside my professional life (sort of!), I have three children, who are now all at Kirk Ireton. Other interests include scuba diving, running, swimming, cycling and any other sport that someone invites me to play! I also enjoy playing board games and being part of the acoustic duo ‘Wobble and Wheeze’. I am also a magistrate sitting on the Derby Bench, which I have been doing for the past eleven years.

Mrs Maggie Plimmer

Foundation Governor

I live in Kirk Ireton with my husband and daughter who is currently in the juniors at Kirk Ireton Primary. I qualified as a Dental Hygienist in 1999 whilst living in London, but moved back up to Derbyshire once my daughter was born, to be closer to my parents (who live just up the road!). I am currently working 3 days a week, at a dental practice in Ashbourne. I also sit on the Parochial Church Council. In my spare time I enjoy music, particularly singing, theatre, and sitting with a good book, when time allows!

Mr Glyn Parsons

Foundation Governor

I am married to Judy and we moved to Kirk Ireton in 2007. We have two married daughters, Lindsey & Sarah who now both live in the village as well. Our eldest daughter Sarah, who is married to Seth, has given us two grandchildren, Dylan and Georgia, who will both attend our village school. Although initially I trained as an Instrument Engineer I have worked for an Insurance company since 1989 in a variety of roles but they all have one common theme of giving excellent customer service. In the past I played Table Tennis for Derbyshire and like to use my skills to coach others.

Mrs Alison Howard

Foundation Governor

I have lived in Hopton for the past 14 years and am a mother of two children, one of whom attends the school and one who has now moved on to secondary school. I've been a governor here for 8 years and delight in all the school, church and community have to offer. I very much enjoy giving my support wherever possible. I work as a Learning Support Assistant within the Inclusions Department at a secondary school in Denby. In my spare time I enjoy karate, jogging, cycling, hill walking and generally most sports.

Mr Phil Derbyshire

Foundation Governor

I have been associated with Carsington School since 1999 when my eldest son started school. All my three children have attended the school. I became a governor in 2011 and was heavily involved in the project to deliver the new junior classroom which has made a significant improvement to the school accommodation. I am a Chartered Building Surveyor having worked in the construction industry since leaving Anthony Gell Secondary School in 1981. I currently lead a team of Design and Maintenance Professionals at Derby City Council looking after the council’s property portfolio. In my spare time I enjoy practicing the martial art of Jujitsu having become a black belt a few years ago.

Ms Hannah Williamson

Foundation Governor

I am a mother of four children, one of whom currently attend Carsington School. I work part-time in the Adult Care Accountancy Department of Derbyshire County Council but lived in London before having children where I worked in accountancy practice and then for an investment bank in their regulatory department. I am originally from Derbyshire and love the area and its beautiful countryside. I enjoy being outdoors; walking, a bit of running and maybe cycling!

Mrs Rachel Hathaway

Co-Opted Staff Governor

I have been a teacher at Kirk Ireton for nearly 4 years and have been teaching primary aged children for about 12 years. I have 2 children, one at Brassington School where I was a parent governor for 3 years, and one at Anthony Gel. I also have 2 dogs that I enjoy walking with the family in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside. I also train my dogs in agility and I now compete with both dogs and have many rosettes and trophies to show for our efforts. I also enjoy swimming, Geocaching and family holidays.

Ms Harriet Hempshall

Local Authority Governor

Having originally studied education I was very keen to be involved in primary education at school level once more. I currently work for the Devonshire Educational Trust, based at Chatsworth, and working in partnership with schools, universities, Local Authorities and a range of charities in the area. I enjoy being outdoors, walking, running, swimming, cycling and windsurfing when I get the chance.

Mrs Lizzie Delves

Foundation Governor

I work as a doctor, but am also mother to two children who are in the infant class at Kirk Ireton. Apart from supporting the school as a governor, I enjoy volunteering in the community and particularly with the work of the local Church.

Mrs Kim Meakin

Clerk to the Governors

I became the Clerk to Governors at Kirk Ireton when I moved into the area in 2011 and was later appointed to the same position at Carsington & Hopton in early 2014. I am proud to record the minutes of the Governing Body meetings and hope they reflect the dedication and ambition of a group of governors who play an essential role in setting the strategic direction for the school.