Meet Our Governors
Our Governing Body is formed of eleven Governors drawn from staff, parents, local authority representatives and members of the local community. In addition to the appointed Governors, we also have one Associate Member of the Board, who is a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Associate members input expertise to the business process but do not have voting rights on the Governing Board or on any committees. Each Governor serves a four-year term of office, which may be renewed by agreement, and is appointed to the Full Governing Body (“FGB”).
All of our Governors are expected to abide by a Code of Conduct detailing their roles, responsibilities and the standards expected of them. A copy of the Code of Conduct is included in the Files section at the foot of this page.
Details about each of our Governors are provided below. Further information about the Governing Body and its structure and operation is provided on the Governor Information page which can be accessed via the link in the panel to the right or through the drop-down menu above. A copy of the Register of Governors is available in the Files section at the foot of this page.
Governors
Ruth Doughty (Chair) - Co-opted Governor (first Term of Office)
Dave Dawson (Vice Chair) – Local Authority Governor (third Term of Office)
Kit Hardee – Headteacher
Ruth Walters – Co-opted Governor (second Term of Office)
Samantha Atkinson – Co-opted Governor (first Term of Office)
Vacancy – Co-opted Governor
Cloudi Lewis – Parent Governor (first Term of Office)
Emilie Moorhead - Parent Governor (first Term of Office)
Danielle Trow - Parent Governor (first Term of Office)
Vacancy - Parent Governor
Jago Chapman – Staff Governor (first Term of Office)
About our Governors
Ruth Doughty - Co-opted Governor
Specific Responsibilities: Chair of Governors
Pen Portrait: I moved to the area in January 2023 after holidaying here since 2015. Previously I lived in London and worked in Kent as the CEO of a multi-academy trust. I have many years’ experience as a Head Teacher and then CEO and therefore a wealth of knowledge within the education system to support Hazeldown in the role of governor. During my time in the education sector, I have been privileged to work alongside some extremely dedicated governors and trustees and now that I have more free time I am delighted to give something back to the system. Hazeldown was an easy choice for me to begin my journey as a governor as the ethos and values of the school sit very comfortably with my own. Mental health, well-being and inclusion are very important to me.
I live with my husband and cat and I enjoy reading, walking, swimming and Pilates.
Dave Dawson – Local Authority Governor
Specific Responsibilities: Vice Chair of Governors, Safeguarding Portfolio Holder, Pay Committee & Finance Portfolio Holder
Pen Portrait: I moved to the area 4 years ago after taking early retirement from a senior position in a multi-national building materials company. During my years as a business manager, leading teams of people to achieve organisational goals, I came to realise how vital it is for young people to leave school/college / university with the necessary social and subject skills for life after education and to allow them to progress to a fulfilling career.
I have been a Governor since mid-2016 and from my involvement so far, I firmly believe that Hazeldown is committed to providing the very best outcomes for local children. I am presently using the skills gained during my working life to hold the school Finance Portfolio and to help with, and constructively question, decisions relating to financial expenditure.
Kit Hardee – Headteacher
Pen Portrait: to follow
Ruth Walters – Co-opted Governor
Specific Responsibilities: Vulnerable Pupils Portfolio Holder
Pen Portrait: I became a Governor in March 2021 as I live in Teignmouth and wanted to get more involved in the local community.
Having been a primary school teacher, and supported adults on probation who often missed out on their childhood education, I’ve seen first-hand the importance of a good education. I am currently doing national policy work for the prison and probation service.
On the home front, I live with my two dogs, son and husband (yes, the dogs come first). We all love living in Teignmouth and having the moors so close by too. I am also in a virtual choir and, like so many, discovered during lockdown that I enjoy a bit of crafting.
Sammy Atkinson – Co-opted Governor
Specific Responsibilities: Curriculum Portfolio Holder
Having lived locally for the past decade, Teignmouth is very close to my heart. The beaches, scenery and community all make this part of Devon a very special place to bring up my young family. We enjoy all that the area has to offer from summers spent on the beach to winter walks on the moors. My eldest has just joined Foundation Stage and is thriving on the care and support from Hazeldown Primary as he takes his first academic steps in school.
As a local deputy headteacher I appreciate the important role that education plays in our children’s lives and strongly believe in the power of learning to foster and nurture well rounded children capable of taking their unique place in this world. At a point where the world is changing rapidly, school is perhaps more important than ever, offering stability and a sense of belonging to all. I am committed to helping young people do their best and enjoy the challenge of working with other likeminded people to shape our tomorrows.
Vacancy – Co-opted Governor
Cloudi Lewis - Parent Governor
Specific Responsibilities: Vulnerable Pupils Portfolio Holder
Pen Portrait: I grew up in the local area but after university I ended up settled in Bristol for a number of years. Once we started our own family we made our way back to Devon to give our children the benefits of growing up around family in a lovely tight knit community next to to the sea. I have a very varied CV as I have always been a self-employed musician which covers everything from vocal tuition to performing, and alongside this have retail management experience, optical assistant qualifications and lots of experience working with children as a TA, usually children with behavioural issues or special educational needs.
Emilie Moorhead – Parent Governor (appointed December 2025)
Specific Responsibilities: Personnel Portfolio Holder
Pen Portrait: I have recently become a parent governor at Hazeldown. My daughter is currently a pupil here and I have a younger son who will start in due course. I therefore have a vested interest in ensuring that Hazeldown continues to maintain its high standards of education.
Professionally, I am a Consultant Clinical Psychologist. I specialise in supporting Neurodivergent people to thrive. As a parent governor, I hope to use this knowledge by making sure that both mental wellbeing and Neurodiversity remain at the core of Hazeldown’s ethos.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, painting and going for walks on Dartmoor.
Danielle Trow – Parent Governor (appointed March 2026)
Specific Responsibilities: to be agreed
Pen Portrait: I am delighted to serve as a Parent Governor at Hazeldown Primary School, where my children are current pupils and where I see daily the positive, nurturing environment the school provides.
Vacancy – Parent Governor
Jago Chapman – Staff Governor
Specific Responsibilities: Vulnerable Pupils Portfolio Holder (shared role)
Pen Portrait: to follow
Join the team
As at July 2026, we have one vacancy for a Parent Governor (chosen by parents) and one vacancy for a co-opted Governor (chosen by the Governing Body). We will be advertising the former role among all parents and carers in September to find a candidate for this vacancy. We have also started a search for a co-opted Governor. This latter role is filled directly by appointment made by existing Governors.
We are interested to recruit Governors with a wide range of backgrounds and experience; the essential quality of a Governor is a person who wil work well with the Governing Body to further the interests of the School and help us to set and follow the School's strategic objectives. At present, we are keen to find someone with some financial experience who would be interested in assisting with governance of the School's finances. Experience of maintained school finance is not essential and training will of course be given. We are also keen to find a Governor with some awareness of premises and/or health and safety matters.
If you think that you might be interested in contributing to the work of FGB and to the life of the School, please do drop us a line to find out more about the role and about opportunities. In the first instance, please contact either Kit Hardee (Headteacher) or Tim Synge (Clerk to the Governors; contactable at [email protected]) for an informal chat. If you do not currently have a child at the School but you feel that you can support the Governing Body by sharing your links with the local community, whether through local government, local business activity or other connections with Teignmouth and Teignbridge, then we would be pleased to hear from you. If you are interested in becoming a school governor, see this guidance from Devon County Council.
All new governors are supported in their work through an induction programme. All governors, both new and existing, are provided with access to a range of training opportunities to keep them informed about their responsibilities and developments in education and to help them perform to the highest standard.
Governor skills and knowledge are regularly audited each year and a training and recruitment plan is drawn up to address any gaps as necessary.
Wherever possible, the governors aim to be a visible presence in school. We are always keen to speak to our parents, carers and children. Your thoughts and feedback are important to us. If you have any concerns or questions you would like to ask, you can often find one of us on the playground before or after school for an informal chat. Alternatively, you can leave a message in person, by phone or by letter through the school office. You can also contact governors by emailing us at [email protected]. We will get back to you as soon as we can.