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

NameShared withAppointed byFromTo
Kay BraithwaiteNot recorded Appointed by GB/board8 July 202131 August 2025

Local Governors

NameShared withAppointed byFromTo
Anna GardnerNot recordedElected by parents16 January 202315 January 2027
Dave ElliottNot recordedAppointed by foundation/Trust8 July 202131 August 2025
Emma Cook-SmithNot recordedAppointed by GB/board8 July 2021
31 August 2025
James BromyardNot recordedAppointed by foundation/Trust10 November 2023
9 November 2027
Jenifer WilsonNot recordedElected by parents3 December 20202 December 2025
Joanne KnoxNot recorded
Elected by school staff

1 September 2022
31 August 2025
Joanne TickleNot recordedAppointed by GB/board
27 January 2022
26 January 2026
Karen EdmensonNot recordedEx-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.

Vice-ChairMr Dave Elliott

Trustee Appointed Governor

Term of Office: 08/07/2021 – 31.08.25

I was a Secondary school teacher for over 40 years which I found enjoyable and very rewarding. As part of that role and then for some time in my retirement I worked as a tutor with trainee teachers.  I am passionate about education and see so much to be proud of at Hemlington Hall Academy.

I spend quite a lot of time in the school and I am always so proud of what I see from the children, the staff and the parents. We really are ‘going places’ and I have high hopes for the future of our school. I also am proud of the excellent team of committed Governors who are all determined to support the staff and Head Teacher in ensuring the best for Hemlington Hall Academy.

Headteacher GovernorMrs 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 GovernorMr James Bromyard

Trustee Appointed Governor

Term of Office: 10.11.2023 – 09.11.27

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 GovernorMrs Emma Cook-Smith

Trustee Appointed Governor

Term of Office: 01/09/2017 – 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 GovernorMrs 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 GovernorMs Anna Gardner

Elected by Parents/Carers

Term of Office: 16.01.23 – 15.01.27

Pecuniary Interest

Staff GovernorMrs Joanne Knox

Staff Appointed Governor

Term of Office: 01.09.22 – 31.08.26

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)

NameRoleAppointed By From To
Mr James BromyardParent GovernorParents08.07.2109.11.23

Governor Information and Links

https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/145136#school-governance

Local Governing Body Terms of Reference

Are you interested in serving as a Governor?