Meet our Governors

Stuart Field Co-opted Governor (Co-Chair of Governing Body)

Appointed by: The Governing Body
Term of office expiry: 29th October 2026

I originally joined the Governing Body in October 2018 and sit on the Standards, Teaching and Learning Committee.

Living locally, I believe schools to be a cornerstone of any community. I believe passionately that children deserve the best education regardless of background or family circumstances and that this should be delivered in a safe and nurturing environment.

Having worked in the City for the past 20 years, I hope to use my professional experience to assist the school continue its great work.  

 

Rob Chidley Parent Governor ( Co-Chair of Governing Body)

Appointed by: The Governing Body

Term of Office expiry: 5th December 2028                         

My daughter has attended the school since reception and I was appointed as a Governor in October 2021. In choosing the school for our daughter, my wife and I were sold on the aspirational Hillcross vision for the students, which extends beyond the classroom. In our time at the school, we have seen the positive impact this has had on our daughter and the wider school community.

I am a Corporate partner in a national law firm and have lived in London for nearly 20 years, although originally from Yorkshire. I focus on private M&A and debt finance and have experience advising and assisting corporate boards in managing businesses from a variety of sectors, both solvently and in distressed situations. I deal with people and paper on a day-to-day basis and consider this good grounding for assisting the board of governors and the teaching staff at Hillcross with their endeavours for developing the school. I am also currently part of my firm’s Social Mobility Strategy Group and am actively involved in various initiatives across the firm. D&I is applicable across all environments and I look forward to helping the school embed a progressive agenda in this regard.

I have a vested interest in ensuring that the school continues to progress and thrive, and I hope to proactively use my experiences to benefit and promote the school, its pupils and staff.

 

Chloe Williams - Local Authority Governor 

Appointed by: Nominated by the Local Authority and Appointed by The Governing Body
Term of office expiry: 29th September 2029    

 

 

Tony Williams Co-opted Governor (Co-Vice-Chair of Governing Body)

Appointed by: The Governing Body
Term of office expiry: 29th October 2026

It is thanks to my grandson Jude that I am now a Governor at Hillcross School joining in November 2018. Picking Jude up from school has given me the opportunity to view the school from both the inside and the outside. What I have seen in terms of quality of education, an ethos of inclusivity and fun and a caring approach in all matters has given me an appetite to be part of the Hillcross School future journey. I feel privileged that I have been given that opportunity.

In respect of my school experience, I am also a Governor at Dysart School (which specialises in children with autism), have been a Board Trustee for the Radius Trust (managed three schools focussed on special educational needs) and was Deputy Chair of Governors at my children’s primary school (Malden Manor) for six years.

My background and work experience is a mixture of public, private and not for profit sectors. I have worked as the Director of HR Services in the Home Office, a consultant for Insight HR Consultancy (I now run my own consultancy Tony Williams Associates) and the Executive Director of People at the Orbit Group Housing Association. I have also set up Project4Africa which focuses on raising funds to Make a difference to the lives of children (we have built a school and maternity unit in Malawi).

What has always driven me is an interest in people and making a difference to their lives. My key skills focus on coaching and mentoring, strategic planning, transforming organisations and people engagement.

In my Governor’s role at Hillcross I am a member of the Business Committee and the Childrens Champion lead. 

 

Cassie Bossman Co-opted Governor (Co-Vice-Chair of Governing Body)

Appointed by: The Governing Body
Term of office expiry: 31st August 2026

I joined the governing body at Hillcross Primary School in September 2022.

I am a Financial Advisor and I have worked in Banking and Finance for over 15 years. My experience is in Relationship management and offering bespoke financial advice. In the last 5 years I changed careers and moved into Education where I gained a qualification and experience as a Teacher. I am now entering the research space by pursuing Doctoral studies in Education. I am a lifelong learner, and I am very passionate about Education and believe that it is a key to the beginnings of self-discovery for all children. I live locally, and I am really excited about this opportunity. I look forward to using my skills and abilities to serve my community and make a positive impact on the lives of the children at Hillcross Primary School.

 

Zan Khan  Parent Governor  - profile to follow

Appointed by: Parents of the School                                                                             Term of Office expiry: 5th December 2028 

I have been a governor at Hillcross since 2024 and am a proud parent of two boys who both attend the school. Hillcross is a wonderful community, and I wanted to play a more active role in supporting the dedicated staff and leadership team who make it such a positive and inspiring environment for our children.

Professionally, I serve as the Director of Programme Management at Visa, where I oversee large-scale transformation and innovation programmes globally. With more than 18 years’ experience in leadership roles within global organisations, I’ve learned the importance of collaboration, inclusion and clear communication — values that I believe are just as vital in education as they are in business.

As a parent governor, my focus is on helping Hillcross continue to provide a nurturing, stimulating and inclusive learning environment where every child can thrive — academically, socially and emotionally. I’m passionate about supporting the school’s vision to help every child reach their full potential while feeling happy, confident and inspired to learn.

Aisha Miller Parent Governor

 Appointed by: Parents of the School                                       

 Term of Office expiry:  3rd February 2028

I have worked in secondary education for 24 years, and have been the Senior Deputy Headteacher in a large comprehensive school in Lambeth for the last 12 years. I currently lead on Inclusion and HR but have experience rooted in the curriculum, but first and foremost, I am a maths teacher! I firmly believe that schools should serve their communities to provide the best possible education and experience for all students, regardless of background or need, and this has been reflected in my own career. Since my children started at Hillcross, I have experienced first hand how much the ethos of the school chimes with my own. I will draw on my experiences from work, and perspective as a parent to support the governing body in continuing to ensure every child has a safe, nurturing environment to learn in, but also one where the school continues to strive for excellence and is ambitious for all our children.

 

Carolyn Hillis Co-opted Governor 

Appointed by: the Governing Body 
Term of Office Expiry: 31st August 2026

I am an HR professional currently working as a Senior HR Business Analyst & Projects Manager.

Professionally, my passion is around continuous improvement, and my career has focussed on transformation programmes, emphasising simplification and harmonisation of processes, policies, and technology, all within the HR function.

In this world where we can find ourselves overwhelmed with options, I’m passionate about ensuring children are aware of the opportunities available to them, and they have the courage and self-belief to be able to achieve their goals. 

Dr Clare Owen Co-opted Governor 

Appointed by: The Governing Body
Term of Office expiry: 16th January 2026

I am very happy to be joining the governing body of Hillcross.  I wholeheartedly believe in the importance of ensuring all children have the opportunity to equity in educational excellence, as well as supporting the school to continue developing and celebrating their pupils and achievements.  I support the idea of a holistic approach to school life and an enriching curriculum which recognises and nurtures individual strengths and passions, so children have the confidence to enjoy learning.

I am a teacher and education consultant with more than twenty years’ experience.  Much of my work has been supporting children and young people with additional needs.  I am committed to helping improve their outcomes both academically and pastorally, and carry out research into how we might best achieve this.  I hope I can support the governing body as it provides both vision and accountability.

Claire Bright Staff Governor 

Appointed by: The Staff Body

Term of Office expiry: 31st October 2027

I recently joined the Governing Body of Hillcross in November 2023.

I qualified for an NNEB in 1997 and have been working in education ever since, with the previous 20 years being spent at Hillcross primary school.

I have 4 children that have all attended Hillcross primary school, and now have a granddaughter that has recently started as a pupil.

I enjoy being part of the Hillcross family, where the children, families and community work together to help the pupils at Hillcross to learn and be nurtured to reach their full potential and blossom into amazing children, ready for their next adventure in secondary school.

 

TBC

 

Hillcross Primary School, Ashridge Way, Morden, Surrey, SM4 4EE

020 8542 6936

info@hillcross.merton.sch.uk