AWAITING PHOTOGRAPH
Alec Burns - Appointed by GB/board from 17th June 2021
Alec lives in Ely with his family and is our Health and Safety governor. Alec is proactive in his role to ensure that children with SEND are provided every opportunity available to them to help them reach their full potential.
Rebecca Butland - Non-voting staff representative. Appointed by GB/Board from 22nd November 2022
Becka began her career in Special Education after graduating from the University of East Anglia with a PGCE. She has been working with young people with Special Educational Needs and disabilities for 10 years, having moved from Meadowgate Academy in Wisbech. Becka became Department Leader for KS4/5 in 2021. She has a keen interest in supporting young people to achieve their full potential post-Highfield and has recently has helped set up and run ‘Muddy Boots Farm’ and the ‘KS4OS’.
Adam Daw - Appointed ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher at Highfield Ely from 1st December 2020
Adam undertook his role as Head of School at Highfield Ely in September 2017 and then as Headteacher from March 2024. He previously led the SEND 6th Form provision at Cottenham Village College for several years. Adam is passionate about getting the best possible outcomes for all students, whatever their starting point. In his spare time he tries to balance a love of cooking and eating with keeping fit.
Stephanie Neal (Clerk) – Appointed by GB/board from 24th February 2023
Steph has worked in Education for over 15 years in a variety of different roles, across both Primary and Secondary schools. This followed a previous career in the Civil Service, working at the UK Hydrographic Office and finally the Office of the Leader of the House of Commons. Following a move to Cambridgeshire from London, she started at Highfield Ely Academy in 2019 as a Student Administrator and EHCP Co-ordinator. When the position of Clerk to the Board of Governors became vacant, she decided to take on a new challenge.
When not at work, Steph likes nothing more than spending time with her two sons, road trips around the country and devouring a good book.
Jan Scarborough - Appointed by GB/board from 21st October 2024 to 1st Nov 2028
Originally from Newcastle, Jan trained as a secondary school PE teacher but from 1993 she taught in a range of Special Schools in North Yorkshire. She was Deputy Headteacher of an Outstanding all-age Special School in Scarborough for nearly 20 years. In 2022 she retired and moved to Cambridgeshire to be nearer family. In 2023 she returned to teaching part-time for just a year and enjoyed teaching in the Primary Dept at Highfield Ely Academy, an experience which will be invaluable in her role as governor.
She remains a trustee of Scarborough and District MENCAP and plays indoor and outdoor bowls in her spare time. She has 3 children and 7 grandchildren.
.jpg)
Victoria Leeks - Appointed by GB/board from 28th June 2021 to 27th June 2025
Victoria's son is a pupil at Highfield Ely. She is passionate that children with SEND are provided every opportunity available to them to help them reach their full potential. Victoria also has a young daughter, so is a busy mum of two. She enjoys long walks with her dog, family time and catching up with friends.
Lorna Robinson (Chair/HEA Safeguarding Lead) - Appointed by GB/board from 16th May 2018 to 15th May 2026
Lorna lives in Ely and has two children at a local school. She has worked in central and regional government for over 16 years, mostly in education related areas. Currently she works on careers policy and employer engagement with schools and strongly believes that every young person should be aware of the opportunities available to them and the information and support to help them go as far as their talents can take them. In her spare time Lorna likes starting (but not always finishing!) craft projects, days out with the kids, a good book and a nice cup of tea.
Yvonne Skillern - Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal at Highfield Littleport from 1 December 2020
Yvonne has been Head of School at Highfield Littleport since it opened in September 2017 and Headteacher since February 2024. She was involved in the early planning stages of the build to create a bespoke learning provision. Her previous roles include being Department Leader for EYFS & KS1 at Highfield Ely, a mainstream SENCo and EYFS & KS1 teacher. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, walking the dog and reading. Yvonne is passionate about providing a nurturing, individualised approach for learners to achieve their full potential.
Highfield Governing Body Information
Governors Attendance Record