Foundation Governor - Davina Preston

I am thrilled to join the governing body of Howden Infant School as a Foundation Governor. Both of my daughters attended the school, during which time I volunteered to read with children, which in turn led me on the path to training to become a Teaching Assistant. I have worked as a TA at Howden Junior School since 2018, working across the school delivering Phonics and Language interventions. I feel passionate about supporting children with their reading and language skills to enable them to access the wider curriculum. I have been a member of Howden Minster’s Parish Church Council since May 2021. As a Foundation Governor, I am looking forward to upholding the school’s Christian ethos, making sure that the school is distinctively Christian and strengthening and enriching the dynamic relationship between school, Church and the wider community.

Foundation Governor - Mrs Rosemary Stewart

I have lived in Howden and been a Foundation Governor at Howden Infants School since 2014. I graduated with an Honours degree in History and French from the University of Southampton before gaining my PGCE at the University of Reading. I have taught French and History in Secondary Schools and Year 6 as well as teaching adults unable to read and worked in Adult Education. I retrained as a Personal Assistant and also as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language. I have lived in many locations including Germany and Belgium as a Service spouse. I am married and have 3 grown up boys and 2 granddaughters. I worship at Howden Minster and am on the Parochial Church Council as well as being the Lay Dean of the wider Howden Deanery. As a Foundation Governor I work to try and ensure that the school is maintaining it’s Christian ethos and am Governor responsible for Collective Worship and provision of RE. I believe that all children should be given the opportunities to achieve their full potential. My hobbies include travel, reading, crafts, cooking, foreign languages and music and the arts.

Foundation Governor - Mrs Anne Shone

After forty years of running my own lighting manufacturing company, I’m recently retired and excited to contribute my professional skills to the local education sector. My background includes finance, leadership, human resources and project management, which I bring to my new role as a governor at Howden Church of England Infant School. I also serve as a trustee and have been Chair of The Shirehall Trust CIO for the past five years, and I sit as a Director of the Howden Action Group. I moved to Howden in 2010 with my husband and our two sons, who have since grown up and moved on. I remain deeply committed to supporting young people and am confident my community roles will complement and strengthen my work with the school

Foundation Governor - Mrs Ann Hyde

Parent Governor /Vice Chair of Governors - Dr. Emma Burton

Parent Governor - Ben Warden

I currently work at Leeds Arts University and have worked within Higher Education governance, quality and administration for over 15 years. I have a strong belief in the transformative powers of education and creativity and a passion for reducing inequality and broadening opportunities. My family moved to Howden in 2023, after being struck by its vibrancy and sense of community. As a proud parent of a new FS2 student and seeing the fantastic civic values being instilled so quickly through the schools church routes, I was very keen to offer any support I could. I am looking forward to working with the governing body to continue to underpin the excellent work done and ensure a healthy future for the school and its pupils. 

Parent Governor - Adam Holt

I am a Cyber Security Executive working at a leading global firm. In my role, I provide leadership on technical strategy and innovation across Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region, working closely with boards and senior leaders to strengthen organisational resilience in an increasingly complex digital landscape. I have a strong interest in the responsible use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and how these can be harnessed safely and ethically. As a parent governor, I am particularly keen to support the school in safeguarding children and staff in the new digital era, helping to ensure that technology is used securely, responsibly and to the benefit of learning and wellbeing. I am committed to contributing my professional experience to support the school’s strategic direction and its role at the heart of the local community.

Parent Governor - James Serella

I am delighted to join the governing body at Howden Church of England Infants’ School as a parent governor. I live in Howden with my husband and two daughters, the eldest of whom is currently in FS2. Having a child at the school gives me a strong personal connection and insight into the values and community that make it such a special place.

I have worked as a librarian for 18 years and am also a published children’s author, writing under the pen name James Nicol, best known for The Apprentice Witch series. Over the past decade, I have worked with hundreds of schools delivering creative writing talks and workshops. I am passionate about literacy, creativity and inclusive education, and about helping children develop a lifelong love of reading.

I have volunteered as Patron of Reading at Howden Infants for the past two years, having previously held the same role at Howden Juniors. I am particularly interested in the role of reading and the arts in supporting children’s wellbeing.

As a governor, I see my role as a supportive but constructively challenging “critical friend”, working with school leaders and the wider community to ensure every child feels valued, supported and inspired to succeed.

Staff Governor - Mrs Jenna Rich 

Having family in and around Howden, alongside attending the senior school here has meant that I have always felt the pull towards the welcoming nature of Howden’s bustling community. I am proud to see it continue to grow.  I applied for a position at the Infant school once completing my masters degree in Primary Education and am thoroughly enjoying seeing our schools flourish together. My background at university includes business and information management and a passion for physical education which I took as a specialist subject during my final year.  I am lucky to be surrounded by passionate educators, and am grateful for the opportunity to represent them as staff governor. Together as a team we are striving for excellence for our children’s education. 

Staff Governor - Miss Kate Frith

	Howden CE Infant School Governors Table updated Jan 26	[pdf 27KB]
	Howden Infants School Governors Declarations of Interest 2025-2026	[pdf 77KB]
	HIS TEAL LGB Attendance Register 2024-25	[pdf 142KB]