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

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

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

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

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

A 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

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