Governors
Governors are like a Board of Directors and make decisions about how the school is run.
Role
The Governing Body is appointed to…
Think and work strategically to help raise standards of education and care
Critical Friend - support the Head Teacher and staff as well as challenge their expectations
Monitor and evaluate progress towards priority targets
Account to all stakeholders for overall performance and decisions made
Meetings
The Full Governing Body meets twice a term. Governors also each serve on one or two of the following committees:
Curriculum
Buildings (including Health and Safety)
Finance
Personnel
Individual governors also have responsibility for Child Protection, Special Educational Needs and links with the Diocese for training.
How are the 12 Governors chosen?
At St Mary’s our Governors are nominated by the Diocese of Guildford, the local PCC, teaching staff and parents. They serve a term of 4 years, although they can continue for subsequent terms.
St Mary’s is a voluntary aided school, which means at least half of the governors must be Foundation Governors. Foundation Governors are representative of the Church of England, and are the school’s link with parishes, deaneries and the diocese.
Parent Governors bring the views of parents to the Governing Body, but they speak and act as individuals. They should not be thought of as delegates or ‘mouthpieces’ of the parents - they do not vote for all parents in general. They have equal status in the work of the Governing Body and have voting rights.
Further information about our Governing Body:
Governance at St. Mary's School
St. Mary’s C of E (Aided) Infant School, Frensham
Governing Body details for those in place for academic year 2019 – 2020
Electoral Division: Waverley West. DCSF No. 3346
Governor Posts (following reconstitution 05.01.15):
7 Foundation (3 PCC, 3 Diocese, 1 Ex-officio)
2 Parent
1 Head teacher
1 Staff
1 LA
Roles and Responsibilities:
NAME |
Type of governor |
DATE APPOINTED |
END TERM
|
MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES
|
Jennifer Clements
|
Foundation Governor (PCC appointment) |
28.09.21
|
27.09.25 |
Personnel & Safeguarding, HT Appraisal (Chair) |
Lucy Allan |
Headteacher (Appointed by the GB). |
01.9.2023 |
|
Full attendance at all appropriate major committees |
Victoria Goodlet | Foundation (Diocese) |
04.06.23
|
03.06.27 | |
Rev. Jane Louise Walker |
Ex-officio |
11.10.11 |
|
Personnel & Safeguarding, Admissions, HT Appraisal |
Mrs. Kerry Weeks |
Foundation PCC Governor |
24.04.24 |
23.04.28 |
Curriculum, Personnel & Safeguarding |
Mrs Katherine Weavil |
Foundation PCC Governor |
15.09.22 | 14.09.26 | Curriculum |
Mr Matthew Soden |
LA Governor |
05.10.22 |
04.10.26 |
Chair of Governors Buildings, Finance, Pay |
Mrs Juliet Williams
|
Clerk (Appointed by the Governing Body) |
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Governing Meeting Attendance 2023 - 24
Governing Meeting Attendance 2022-23
Governing Meeting Attendance 2021-22
Governor Meeting Attendance 2019/20
Governors who have left in the past 12 months:
Mr Matt Joy
Mrs Emily Morgan
Mr Tony Luff
Mrs Sarah Davies
Who are St Mary's Governors?
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Mr Matthew Soden Matthew has lived in Farnham since he was young and whilst he missed out on St Mary's himself as a child, his two boys have benefitted from the experience. Both have now moved on to junior school. Forest School was a particular favourite of boys and father alike. Currently Financial Controller for a communications firm in London, the opportunity to be in the great outdoors in this part of the world is something that he always looks forward to when he gets the chance.
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Mrs Jennifer Clements Foundation Governor (PCC) Jenny has lived in Farnham since 2011 with her husband and two children. Both her son and daughter enjoyed their time at St Mary’s and are now at local junior and senior schools respectively. Jenny is a solicitor and works for an international engineering consultancy. Her original background is in construction law practice, but being in-house she has to turn her hand to a variety of areas. In her spare time she can be found at the side of a football pitch/swimming pool/ballet studio supporting her children’s various activities and enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling and attending the theatre. |
Rev. Jane Walker Jane is the Priest-in-charge of Frensham and Dockenfield, and Chaplain at Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. "Born in Bognor Regis Sussex by the sea a long time ago, I met Mark and had two glorious children who are now all grown up. I always thought I would be a nurse, (and indeed was one for 23 years specialising in Orthopaedics), before God surprisingly called me out of that into the Priesthood. I served my curacy in Alton before becoming Chaplain at one of the most special places in the world - the Hospice at Farnham where I have been for over 3 years now. I became Priest for the people at Frensham and Dockenfield nearly two years ago and love serving here! My hobbies are riding horses, music - piano playing and singing, calligraphy, walking, and entertaining for dinner. It is an utter privilege to be a Governor for St Mary's School - it abounds in light, love and fun with constant learning for all." |
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Mrs Kerry Weeks Kerry has enjoyed a happy association with St Mary's School since 2008 when her eldest child started school. Since then her other two children have attended St Mary's. Kerry also teaches part time in a local primary school and is passionate about the importance that the early years of education play in forming children's attitudes towards lifelong learning. In her spare time she enjoys being a busy parent, spending time with friends and family and shopping.
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Mrs Victoria Goodlet Foundation Governor (Diocese) Victoria has lived in Farnham since 2018 and is actively involved in the local community through school, church and sports activities. Victoria spent over a decade working in financial services, with several years spent in France and Switzerland. Victoria has three school-aged children including twins and volunteers in the non-profit sector. She currently serves as Trustee and Vice Chair of St Peter's School PTFA and can often be spotted on a trail run locally! |
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Mrs Katherine Weavil Foundation Governor (PCC) Katherine grew up in Farnham and after teaching in London is now bringing up her three boys here, benefitting from the excellent education available in the local area. Her eldest is now at junior school, whilst her middle one is enjoying St Mary's and her youngest set to join us in the future. Katherine's interests are theatre, walking and horse-riding. |
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Mrs Juliet Williams
Clerk to the Governing Body Jules has lived in Elstead since 2006 and became Clerk to Governors at St Mary's in 2019. As well as clerking for St Mary's which she thoroughly enjoys, Jules clerks for a number of other local CofE schools as well as two parish councils. Prior to clerking Jules worked in National Accounts selling premium fragrances. In her spare time Jules loves walking in the local area as well as attending concerts and theatre productions. |