Academy Community Council (Governance)

We are a part of the Co-op Academies Trust, which is a multi academy trust. Our Trust Board is legally responsible for the effective running of the whole Trust. To learn more about trust-level governance, please visit our Trust’s central website here.
Our Academy Community Council (ACC) is made up of our Community Council Members (CCMs) who are responsible for ensuring a high-quality pupil experience that meets the needs of our local community. Learn more about them below.

How our Academy Community Council is organised

The Academy Community Council (ACC) consists of Community Council Members (CCMs), of which at least one is appointed by the sponsor. In addition, the ACC includes staff CCMs, parent CCMs and the Headteacher. The ACC can then appoint a number of community CCMs to be representative of the local community, provide insight into local partnership links, or bring a particular set of skills.

Contact the Community Council Members

Community Council Members can be contacted by writing to the Governance Officer for the academy at:

Co-op Academy Hillside
Ridgeview Road
Wirral
CH43 9HG

governance@coopacademies.co.uk

Our Academy Community Council

Claire Henderson (Chair of the ACC)

Hi, my name is Claire Henderson, and I am the Chair and Sponsor Community Council Member at Co-op Academy Hillside, a role I have proudly held since the school academised. I am also a Sponsor Community Council Member at Co-op Academy Woodslee and have been since it academised in 2018.

I live in Manchester and married with 2 daughters, one of which is in full time further education and one in full time employment.

I work for the Co-op and have been with the organisation for over 25 years! The values that Co-op and Co-op Academies Trust share are very important to me, and I feel passionately about working in the community to have a positive and lasting impact. I find it hugely rewarding and feel privileged to have such a role for the benefit of children, staff, families and community in Prenton.

Full Name	Claire Henderson
Date of appointment	01/05/2023
Term of office	4 years
Category of CCM	Sponsor
Appointed by	Appointed by the sponsor, Chair of ACC
Subcommittee membership (2024-25)	n/a
Declarations of Interest	Oasis Community Partnership Trustee since 2022 - ongoing
Attendance at Academy Community Council meetings (2024-25)	3/3
Attendance at subcommittee meetings (2024-25)	n/a

Amy Arthur (Vice Chair of the ACC)

Hi, my name is Amy Arthur, and I am the Vice Chair and a Sponsor Community Council Member at Hillside ACC, a role I have proudly held for around 18 months. I live in Manchester and work for Co-op. I am passionate about supporting and strengthening local communities. Having attended a Co-op high school myself, this role feels like a full-circle moment for me. It’s incredibly rewarding to give back to a system that played a role in my own education and development. As the Link Community Council Member for Careers-Related Learning, I am dedicated to ensuring that students have access and exposure to meaningful career opportunities and guidance. I work closely with the school to support pathways that help young people build confidence, skills, and aspirations for their future.
Full Name	Amy Arthur
Date of appointment	13/10/2023
Term of office	4 years
Category of CCM	Sponsor
Appointed by	Appointed by the sponsor
Subcommittee membership (2024-25)	n/a
Declarations of Interest	None
Attendance at Academy Community Council meetings (2023-24)	3/3
Attendance at subcommittee meetings (2024-25)	n/a

Jennie Hamer

Full Name	Jennie Hamer
Date of appointment	13/01/2025
Term of office	n/a
Category of CCM	Ex-officio
Appointed by	By virtue of role as Head of School
Subcommittee membership (2024-25)	n/a
Declarations of Interest	None
Attendance at Academy Community Council meetings (2024-25)	3/3
Attendance at subcommittee meetings (2024-25)	n/a

Sophie Lewis

Full Name	Sophie Lewis
Date of appointment	01/05/2023
Term of office	4 years
Category of CCM	Staff
Appointed by	Elected by staff
Subcommittee membership (2024-25)	n/a
Declarations of Interest	None
Attendance at Academy Community Council meetings (2024-25)	1/3
Attendance at subcommittee meetings (2024-25)	n/a

Gugu Masuku

I’m passionate about being within the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) space. I am a Community Council Member because I want to be part of driving positive change and ensuring that all children at Co-op Academy Hillside get the best outcome in their education. I am looking forward to engaging with staff, parents and the community for the betterment of our children’s education. My hobbies are weightlifting and tennis.

Full Name	Gugulethu Masuku
Date of appointment	01/05/2023
Term of office	4 years
Category of CCM	Community
Appointed by	Appointed by the Academy Community Council
Subcommittee membership (2024-25)	n/a
Declarations of Interest	None
Attendance at Academy Community Council meetings (2024-25)	1/3
Attendance at subcommittee meetings (2024-25)	n/a

Loti Nambombe

Full Name	Loti Nambombe
Date of appointment	19/10/2023
Term of office	4 years
Category of CCM	Community
Appointed by	Appointed by the Academy Community Council
Subcommittee membership (2024-25)	n/a
Declarations of Interest	Supporting young people in eradicating stigmas in society at Make Life Kind between 10 November 2023 and 10 November 2027
Attendance at Academy Community Council meetings (2024-25)	1/3
Attendance at subcommittee meetings (2024-25)	n/a

Lisa Wockenforth

Over the many years of being a parent at Hillside, I have always tried to be involved as best I can. I enjoy helping out within the school environment. I love being a mum to 5 children.

Full Name	Lisa Wockenforth
Date of appointment	01/05/2023
Term of office	4 years
Category of CCM	Parent
Appointed by	Elected by parents/carers
Subcommittee membership (2024-25)	n/a
Declarations of Interest	Employed as Midday Assistant at the academy
Attendance at Academy Community Council meetings (2024-25)	3/3
Attendance at subcommittee meetings (2024-25)	n/a

Rebecca Johnson

Date of appointment	23/06/2025
Term of office	4 years
Category of CCM	Parent
Appointed by	Elected by parents/carers
Subcommittee membership (2024-25)	n/a
Declarations of Interest	Information to follow
Attendance at Academy Community Council meetings (2024-25)	n/a
Attendance at subcommittee meetings (2024-25)	NA

Resignations in the last 12 months


Jenny Murphy
Full Name	Jennifer Murphy
Date of appointment	25/06/2023
Date of resignation	04/04/2025
Term of office	4 years
Category of CCM	Parent
Appointed by	Elected by parents/carers
Subcommittee membership (2024-25)	n/a
Declarations of Interest	None
Attendance at Academy Community Council meetings (2024-25)	1/2
Attendance at subcommittee meetings (2024-25)	n/a

Nikki Leising
Full Name	Nicola Leising
Date of appointment	23/10/2023
Date of resignation	14/08/2025
Term of office	4 years
Category of CCM	Community
Appointed by	Appointed by the Academy Community Council
Subcommittee membership (2024-25)	n/a
Declarations of Interest	Executive Finance Director and in an educational setting which provides post 16 education, Hugh Baird College, within the Borough of Sefton, since 16 January 2024
Attendance at Academy Community Council meetings (2024-25)	1/3
Attendance at subcommittee meetings (2024-25)	n/a

Co-op Academy Hillside