Kate Lehane

I became a parent governor in October 2020 and I have two children who currently attend the school. I became the Chair of Governors in September 2023 and I also sit on the finance committee. Currently I volunteer with the charity Homestart which provides help and support for families with children under the age of 5 and previously I have worked in finance and for a pensions company.

Charlie Mercer

I’m a local resident in Totterdown and am so excited to be a Co-Opted Governor on the Hillcrest Governing Board. In my day job I work with tech entrepreneurs, helping them to influence government policy. I am also an experienced governor, having joined my first governing board in 2018. In the past I was a Chair of Governors for three years.

Shamirra Malik

I have recently become a parent governor at Hillcrest. I have lived in this part of Bristol all of my life and keen to give something back to the local community by having an active role in helping the school and our children.

From university I worked in the financial services sector for many years before leaving to become a foster carer for the last seven years. I have now stepped into adult teaching in the community which I thoroughly enjoy. My experiences have given me a wide skill set to contribute in ensuring the school provides a safe, supportive and inclusive education space for children to develop and set them up for their future.

Nicky Fear

My involvement with Hillcrest spans the last 16 years; I have been a parent, a member of Friends of Hillcrest, the School Business Manager and am now a Governor…..they can’t keep me away ! 

Whilst still living locally, I am now Business Manager at a Secondary School and as part of their senior leadership team my remit is HR, Finance and H&S. I currently chair the Finance Committee at Hillcrest and it is a pleasure to be back involved with the school especially as part of such a strong and committed governing body.

Lisa Sampson

I have been a Governor since 2023. I have a niece at the school and I live in Totterdown. I sit on the Finance committee and I am the Health and Wellbeing Link, overseeing and supporting the school's approach to staff and pupil wellbeing. With 25 years experience in the corporate world in Marketing, as well as mentoring numerous charities on their business strategies, I am keen to share my experience to support the school prosper.

Jessica Bowerman

I have been a Governor at Hillcrest since March 2023 when I moved into the local area. Having spent most of my career as a primary school teacher, I was keen to support a local school in a different capacity. I currently work in teacher training and development. I am the link Governor for SEND and try to champion inclusion and the needs of all learners.

Holly Nicholls

I became a co-opted governor in 2023 and sit on the standards committee. I currently have two children at the school, but have also worked within the education sector, initially as an EFL teacher, for nearly 20 years. I am passionate about the role of technology in supporting and enhancing teaching and learning, and currently work with schools to identify and successfully implement suitable systems within their settings.

Jen Ryder

I am the Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Designated Safeguarding Lead at Badminton School in North Bristol. I have been a teacher for over 15 years and have worked in three different schools. I joined the board in 2019, on the Standards Committee, and am the link governor for safeguarding. I am also an inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate and am currently studying for a Masters in Safeguarding.

Jennifer Martino

Catherine Butler