Members of the Board

Our governing body comprises of the following members:

Head – Kate Gemmell – kgemmell@grindleford.derbyshire.sch.uk

Chair – Neil Roden – nroden@thepeakfederation.derbyshire.sch.uk

I have lived in Grindleford for over 40 years and now retired looked for volunteering opportunities in the valley. Being a Governor is a great way to help contribute to the smooth running of the schools. It can challenging but it certainly is rewarding!

Vice Chair / LA – Christina Webster – cwebster@thepeakfederation.derbyshire.sch.uk

I have been a governor for over twenty years in a number of different schools. I have an education background and understand the importance of small schools within a rural community.

Parent Governor – Jeremy Scholes – jscholes@thepeakfederation.derbyshire.sch.uk

I am one of the two parent governors at The Peak Federation. I am a (by now mostly retired) solicitor. After several years as a partner in a national law firm, I set up my own specialist sole practice based in Bamford (where I have lived for 31 years). I combined that with working as a university law lecturer (Sheffield, London, Manchester) and as visiting professor in a university in France. In addition to my general responsibilities as a governor, I have delegated to me specific subject responsibility for modern foreign languages, music and sport.

Parent Governor – Tom Hodgson – thodgson@thepeakfederation.derbyshire.sch.uk

I have lived in Bamford for almost all of my adult life and have a child at Bamford Primary. I run my own photography business covering weddings, families and commercial clients across Sheffield and the Peak District, drawing on over 18 years in design and marketing. I care about keeping our small village schools thriving, and I hope my experience in communication and running a business can help support the federation's work.

Co opted – Carol Stoddart - cstoddart@thepeakfederation.derbyshire.sch.uk

I joined Bamford as School Business Officer following the sale of a business in 2020 where I was Finance Director. Before that I had a career in Buying & Merchandising. I retired in 2026. I see the challenges and benefits of small village schools and am happy to contribute to the community as a governor.

I love being in my garden, walking in the hills and I bake a mean Victoria sponge.

Co opted – Elizabeth Coe – ecoe@thepeakfederation.derbyshire.sch.uk

Co opted – Gordon Danks – gdanks@thepeakfederation.derbyshire.sch.uk

I am currently a co-opted Governor. I am a retired National Park Ranger and live in Bamford. I was brought up in Bradwell on moving there as a child in 1961. I have had various rolls in my time as a Governor, which began in the 1990's, as both of my daughters went to Bamford Primary School.

Co opted – John Irwin – jirwin@thepeakfederation.derbyshire.sch.uk

I am a retired civil engineer and live in Bamford. I have lived here for over thirty years. Two of my children attended Bamford Primary School. I see being a governor as a great way of putting something back into the community.

Co opted – Bridget Hanley – bhanley@grindleford.derbyshire.sch.uk

I am former headteacher at a Derbyshire Primary School, now retired. I am passionate about the role of small schools in their community.

Co opted – Alan Shackleton – ashackleton@thepeakfederation.derbyshire.sch.uk

l taught languages in the 80s, retrained as a solicitor and, after retiring in July 2025, began volunteering at Bamford in January 2026, becoming a co-opted governor in May. Originally from Halifax, I have lived in the Hope Valley since 2000, I try to keep fit and look after my Spaniel!

Co opted – Holly Moore – hmoore@grindleford.derbyshire.sch.uk

I have been the year 3 and 4 class teacher at Grindleford since September 2019. I have been a staff Governor since 2021 and have enjoyed having the opportunity to support strategic decisions across the federation as a result of this role.

Staff – Jen Chapman – jchapman4@bamford.derbyshire.sch.uk

I have been the Staff Governor since joining the school in 2015 and have greatly valued the opportunity to represent and support colleagues across the federation. I enjoy the additional responsibility of serving as Staff Governor, as it enables me to contribute to the strategic development of the federation and support its continued success for all pupils, staff and families.

Clerk – Beccy Ibbotson – bibbotson@grindleford.derbyshire.sch.uk

Governor Attendance Record – 2024 – 2025

Governor Appointments / Business Interests – 2025 – 2026