Meet Our School Governors
Meet Our School Governors
Mrs Ann Johnson – Chair of Governors
Appointed on 1st March 2023
(Member of the Governing Body since November 2014)
Term of office 4 years
My name is Ann Johnson and I have been a member of Exhall Cedars Board of Governors for many years. I am a great grandmother and was a teacher for more than thirty years in Warwickshire. I was also previously a Governor of a school in Warwick for more than twenty years. I have lived in Nuneaton for more than thirty years and have a wide variety of interests. I have always been passionate about the education of young people, especially those with special needs. I intend to keep up with new developments. I will continue to support the staff, parents and children of the school in any way that I can.
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Mrs Sharon Hillyard – Head Teacher
Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher
Appointed on 1st January 2008
Hello! My name is Sharon Hillyard and I have been in the privileged position of being the Head Teacher at Exhall Cedars since January 2008. I have now led Cedars through three ‘Good’ Ofsted inspections and I am continually striving to make further improvements to the school, for the benefit of your children. My aim is to make Cedars the best school that it can be, with the best staff possible, to support your children in achieving their full potential. It is a genuine pleasure working so closely with the school staff and the Exhall Community and I relish the challenges that Headship brings. I live in Rugby with my husband and I enjoy socialising with my friends and taking relaxing holidays in the sun.
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Mr Lee Groom – Co-opted Governor
Appointed on 19th January 2022
Term of office 4 years
Hi, my name is Lee Groom and I have worked for Harry Shaw Business Computers Ltd a company based in Bedworth for over 22 years fixing computer issues for many companies around the Coventry & Warwickshire area. We have looked after Exhall Cedars’ IT issues for about the last 5 years. I have lived in Bedworth for most of my life other than a brief ten years spent in Nuneaton. I am married to Laura and we have a 4-year-old adopted son who keeps us busy in one way or another but has been an the most amazing experience.
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Mr Rafal Bolek - Parent Governor
Appointed on
Term of office 4 years
Hi, my name is Rafal Bolek, I am married to Kasia and we have 2 girls that are fully utilised our free time. The older daughter is in Secondary School and the youngest is in Nursery in Exhall Cedars.
I am originally from Poland and lived in Coventry for last the 19 years. I am a professional electrical engineer and I worked for a company that supports Nuclear Power Station to ensure the electricity is in every socket always when needed.
I am honored to be Parent Governor and work with Governors Team. I hope that my work skills and parental experience allow me to being a great Parent Governor.
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Mr Stuart Iley - Co-opted Governor
Appointed on 30th January 2022
Term of office 4 years
I have worked in the education sector since 2004 holding roles as Finance Manager in the FE sector and more recently as a Financial Controller for a Multi Academy Trust. Outside of work I am a big rugby fan and enjoy playing golf. I live locally with my wife, two grown up daughters and an extremely mischievous French Bulldog.
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Mr Pete Venner - Co-opted Governor
Appointed on 7th February 2022
Term of office 4 years
Hi I'm Pete Venner and I'm a semi retired engineer living in Rugby with my wife Ali and our dog Stanley. We have 2 grown up boys who also live in the area.
I enjoy watching sports on TV, mostly football, rugby and F1, and I go to see Leicester Tigers play.
I was a school governor at Cawston Grange Primary School for 10 years where I held the positions of Vice Chair, Health & Safety, Head Teacher Performance and Finance Governor. I am hoping to bring my previous experiences to Exhall Cedars to support the School and Staff in reaching th highest levels, so that they can provide the quality education every single child deserves.
Working together with integrity and respect will allow every child to develop to be the best they can be.
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Miss Leah Paxton - Staff Governor
Appointed 17th March 2023
Term of office 4 years
Hi, I am Leah Paxton. I have worked for Exhall Cedars for 2.5 years as a learning support assistant. I am also studying for my degree in Early Childhood part-time at Warwick University. I enjoy reading, yoga, and spending time outdoors in my free time.
I look forward to being a part of the Board of Governors. It will provide me with further opportunities to learn whilst working together to ensure our pupils receive an enriching curriculum in a nurturing environment.
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