Jon can be contacted via the school office: c/o Cockburn Haigh Road Academy, Haigh Road, Leeds LS26 0NQ
After over 30 years working in commercial businesses, leading change and transformation programmes in the legal, insurance, financial services and technology services sectors, I’ve now worked full time in both a professional and voluntary capacity in the education sector for the last nine years, in varying settings across West Yorkshire and Lancashire. I currently serve on, or work with, a number of IEBs/governing bodies/trust boards.
As a ‘National Leader of Governance’, my primary focus is upon supporting schools which have been categorised by Ofsted as ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’, which have an identified need to improve standards of governance, or which face other significant challenges, e.g. a substantial financial shortfall. Over the last eight years, I have been able to contribute to ensuring that many such schools rapidly returning to performing at a ‘good’ level.
Recognising that excellent teaching changes lives, I am passionate about improving the quality of education and about the important role governors can, and must, play in driving up standards.
Register of interests: Director of Jon Hairsine Limited (provider of education consultancy services). Trustee of Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust. Governor of Middleton Primary School, Bankside Primary School, Riverside Junior School, Colden Junior and Infant School, Todmoden High School, Calder Learning Trust, Whitegate Infant School.
Term of office: 19th September 2019 until 18th September 2027
I have been teaching since 2011 and joined Cockburn Haigh Road in 2012. Throughout the years, I have taught across Key Stage One, led a range of subjects and I am now in post as Headteacher. This breadth of experience means I have a strong insight into teaching, learning, curriculum and assessment.
Having dedicated many years to working at Cockburn Haigh Road Academy, I am passionate about serving the local community. I enjoy working with the wonderful families attending the school and have formed fantastic relationships with them over the years. My role as Designated Safeguarding Lead has given me a deeper insight into the challenges and struggles some families experience and the impact this can have. I believe that all the children and families within our community deserve to be safe and supported, particularly the most vulnerable groups within school, to ensure that they have access to a good education and to provide them opportunities that broaden their life experiences.
My role as governor will allow be to see school from a different perspective and I look forward to being able to contribute my ideas and experience to the team.
Term of office: 1st September 2026 until 31 August 2050
I have been teaching since 2023 and joined Cockburn Haigh Road in 2025. I currently teach Reception and lead music, art and design and technology. Prior to studying a degree in Primary Education at Leeds Beckett University, I worked in the hospitality industry for over a decade. This breadth of experience has given me strong communication and stakeholder management skills as well as a deep understanding of teaching and learning.
As a staff governor, I am proud to play an active role in supporting our school community and helping to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive. I value the opportunity to bring my experience and perspective as a member of staff to the governing body, while working collaboratively with colleagues, parents and governors to make informed decisions that benefit our pupils. I am committed to promoting a positive, inclusive and supportive environment where children feel safe, valued and encouraged to achieve their full potential.
Term of office: 1st September 2026 until 31st August 2030
I am a Secondary school Teacher and Director of Year with over 7 years experience in an educational setting, across a wide range of subjects and education phases. .
As well as a school governor, I am also trustee for a non-profit charity, who strive to work with convicted prisoners by encouraging the maintaining of family ties whilst serving their sentence, with support of families, research suggests offenders are far less likely to reoffend. The charity recently saw the roll out of a “consequences of actions” programme with a youth group in Kirklees.
My own experience as a student didn’t come without it's challenges. From the age of 8 years old I was a young carer of a single parent family, growing up in an area where deprivation and unemployment was alarmingly above national average. From my own experiences, I have always felt a strong desire to make a difference to young lives and help others achieve their full potential, no matter their upbringing. Education should not be a postcode lottery. I believe in a broad and balanced curriculum which prepares young people to be model citizens in modern Britain. I feel proud to be part of the Cockburn community and strongly believe in the well rooted values and expectations, My primary focus at Cockburn Haigh Road is SEND provision.
Term of office: 30th September 2022 until 31st August 2027
I like to think that I am “putting something back” into Society by being a School Governor. The whole of my working life was spent in Social Housing, working in both Local Authority and Housing Association housing management and retiring at the end of 2012. For me, retirement hasn’t meant putting my feet up as I have continued to be very active- for example I am a Volunteer Reading Helper for “ Coram Beanstalk” - a national Charity, assisting children to improve their reading skills. I also enjoy gardening, decorating, walking, swimming, going to the theatre and holidays in Greece, as well as spending time with my (11) grandchildren.
Term of office: 1st September 2025 until 31st August 2028
I recently retired from the NHS having worked as a consultant paediatrician at Pinderfields hospital, Wakefield, for over 30 years. Over this time I developed a number of special interests including medical education, diabetes, injury prevention and safeguarding. I grew up in Hertfordshire and attended medical school in London. I have 3 grown up children and, so far, 3 grandchildren. I live with my partner in Altofts. My motivation as a governor is to do my bit to reduce the inequality of opportunity for those growing up with fewer advantages than I had. My pension lump sum was spent on a narrow boat on which I plan to explore the canal network!
Term of office: 1st September 2025 until 31st August 2028