Governors

The governing body has 12 members, all of whom are actively involved in the life of Hatherop Church of England Primary School. Primarily, we have collective responsibility for three key functions:

  1. Setting the strategic direction
  2. Holding the Head Teacher to account for school improvement and education performance.
  3. Overseeing the finances to ensure money is well-spent

We currently have two committees and a working group that report to the full governing body:

  1. Curriculum and Self-evaluation (Interim Chair: Camilla Bowring)
  2. Finance & General Purposes with Grounds & Buildings (Chair: Sam Lawson)
  3. Buildings working group (Chair: Lisa Clayton)

We are committed to providing constructive challenge and support, working with integrity, trust and transparency, participating in appropriate training, and dedicating time and energy to our role. You can find our answers to the National Governance Association 20 questions every board should ask itself here: Hatherop NGA 20 questions March 22

The governing body as a whole meets quarterly and each committee meets three times a year. Further information on the purposes and delegations of these committees is provided below.

Committee details:

Governors Roles & Responsibilities March 2022

Governor Terms of Reference:

The Full Governing Board

Code of Conduct:

Code of Conduct for the Governing Board

Mrs Milly Bowring
Parent Governor – Chair of Governing Board – term of office 01.04.2020 – 31.03.2024

Appointing body – Parents

I am mother to Maggie who is thriving in Kingfisher, and little Iris who joined Reception in September 2021. We live in Aldsworth. I have a background in education, having worked for the last nine years at the Education Endowment Foundation, the government’s What Works Centre for Education, commissioning evaluations of teaching and learning programmes. I look forward to using some of what I have learnt to support this wonderful, nurturing school and its excellent team. 

Register of interests – none declared.

 

Mr. Edward Wilson.
Co-opted Governor – Vice Chair of Governing Board  term of office 29.06.20 – 28.06.24 

Appointing body – Governing Board

As a Governor who has interacted with educational systems in a wide range of countries on three continents (Europe, North America and Africa), I hope I can bring a global perspective to the challenges faced by the Hatherop CoE Primary School. Throughout my career in conservation and sustainable development I have placed the highest prioity on building the capacity of individuals to live and work in a way that is environmentally responsible and there is no better place than a primary school to begin to develop an understanding of the importance of the natural world.

Register of interests – none declared

Mrs Taryn Hancock

Head Teacher – term of office began 01.09.20

I was delighted to be appointed Headteacher at Hatherop in September 2020 after teaching at a Primary school in Surrey for 20 years.  Over the years, I have taught across both KS1 and Ks2 and spent many years in EYFS classes.  Recently, along with my family, I relocated to Gloucestershire and my daughter now also loves attending Hatherop and is thriving here. I am looking forward to working with the staff, governors and parents as we strive to keep Hatherop C of E Primary School the very special school while at the same time making improvements that will benefit all that attend.

Register of interests – none declared.

Mrs. Jackie Cullum
Foundation Governor – term of office began September 2017

Appointing body – Diocese of Gloucester

Register of interests – none declared.   

I moved with my husband to the parish of Coln, Hatherop and Quenington in January 2015. I have three married children, a daughter and two sons, and nine grandchildren.  I am on the PCC and part of the Open the Book team who visit the school once a fortnight in term time.  When my own children were young, I was involved with the Playgroup Association and Chair of West Oxfordshire for a year.  Education is close to my heart and I am committed to working with fellow governors and teachers to provide the happy and stimulating environment that I see at Hatherop.

Ms. Angie Bray

SEN Governor

Co-opted Governor – term of office 01.03.2020 – 29.02.2024

My partner and I moved to Coln St. Aldwyns 22 years ago.  At the time, I was still based during the week in London where I served as a member of the London Assembly and then as the Member of Parliament for Ealing and Acton. I am now enjoying living here in Coln full time and was delighted to be taken on as a school governor for Hatherop Church of England Primary school. I have always been passionate about the importance of excellence in education and was a school governor at an Acton primary school during my time as the local MP. It is therefore a huge pleasure to become a governor at Hatherop Primary School which enjoys such a great reputation.

Mrs Lisa Clayton
Parent Governor – term of office 01.04.2020 – 31.03.2024

Appointing body – Parents

We moved to Fairford in 2012 and our son Harley started reception at Hatherop in 2016. We have loved seeing him thrive as part of the Hatherop school family.

I am really looking forward to working as part of the Governing body with the teaching staff to help support and ensure the continued success of the school and the pupils.

Register of interests – none

Mrs Rebecca Balloch 

Staff Governor – term of office 01.05.2020 – 30.04.2024

Appointing body – Staff

I have lived in Quenington with my husband and three children since 2012, all three children having attended Hatherop Primary. As such, I have been both parent and teacher at this thriving village school.

I have taught Skylark Class (Reception/Year 1) since January 2017, having previously taught in Oxfordshire. It is a privilege to work with the younger learners in our school community.

I look forward to working alongside fellow governors and our Headteacher to support our school’s vision and values.

Register of interests – none

Mr. Sam Lawson
Parent Governor – term of office 21.10.2021 – 20.10.2025

Appointing body – Parents

Register of interests – none declared.

Mr. Michael Birnie
Co-opted Governor – term of office 22.11.2021 – 23.11.2025

Appointing body – Governing Board

Having lived in the area for a number of years, we were very pleased that our daughter Emma was able to join Hatherop Primary school in 2020, and we hope our youngest daughter will be able to do the same, when she reaches school age. My professional background is in rural property, land management and strategy and I currently work for locally based, national education charity, the Ernest Cook Trust, which has long-standing links with the school. I have been inspired by the hard work of the team at the School leaving me with a desire to support the School’s long-term future and the fantastic work being done. I’m very grateful for the opportunity.

Register of interests – none declared.

Mr. Michael St Aldwyn
LA Governor – term of office 26.01.2022 – 25.01.2026

Appointing body – County Council

Register of interests – none declared.

Mr. Ben Platts 
Parent Governor – term of office 02.03.2022 – 01.03.2026

Appointing body – Parents

Register of interests – none declared.

Mrs. Penny Ibbotson.
Clerk to the Governors

Mike and I moved to Quenington with our two daughters in 2009, having previously lived in Fairford; we have now been in the area for nearly 30 years. Originally I trained as a Landscape Architect but moved into Local Government, working for Fairford Town Council for 10 years and I am currently Clerk to Quenington Parish Council. I became Clerk to Governors in 2013 and then increased my involvement with the school by becoming part time Administrator in 2018; I enjoy both my roles and I am proud to work at this popular local school.

Simon Brignall

Mr Simon Brignall

Foundation Governor – term of office 01.07.20 ex officio

Appointing body – Diocese of Gloucester

Register of interests – none declared

It is a joy to be working with you and a privilege to be part of such an excellent team.
I have previously worked with rural churches and small rural schools in Oxfordshire and Dorset and have seen what a precious resource they are to every community.
In between parishes in England Clare and I have worked in Peru and Chile alongside the local Anglican community. Our  5 children all seem to have a taste for travel one living in Norway, the other in Germany and our daughter, studying in Portugal.
We love living here, finding ourselves once more at home after all our travels. We hope that we will be staying.

Previous Governors:

Mr Mike Francis – LA Governor – retired from post Dec 2021

Mrs Louise Cowan – Parent Governor – retired from post Oct 2021

Mrs Ginette Chalmers – Co-opted Governor – retired from post Sept 2020

Mrs Lauren Nolan – Staff Governor – resigned April 2020

Mr Andrew Hartley – Parent Governor –  retired from post March 2020

Mrs Kate Roberts – Parent Governor – retired from post March 2020

Rev. John Partington – Foundation Governor – retired from post September 2019

Mrs Verity Gardiner – Co-opted Governor – retired from post July 2019

 

For details of Governor attendance at meetings, please see the attached documents.

Governor attendance:

Governor Attendance September 2021- March 2022

Governor Attendance September 2020 – July 2021