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
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Critical Friend - support the Head Teacher and staff as well as challenge their expectations
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Monitor and evaluate progress towards priority targets
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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:
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Curriculum
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Buildings (including Health and Safety)
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Finance
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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
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MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES
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Mrs Jennifer Clements
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Foundation Governor (PCC appointment) |
28.09.21
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27.09.25 |
Personnel & Safeguarding |
Mrs Emily Morgan and Miss Deborah Parsons |
Staff Governor (Elected) |
27.09.18 |
26.09.22
|
Curriculum |
Mrs Sarah Davies |
Parent Governor (elected) |
31.01.18 |
30.01.22 |
Curriculum (Chair), Admissions |
Mrs. Jennifer Clare Downing |
Head teacher (Appointed by the GB). |
01.04.15 |
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Full attendance at all appropriate major committees |
Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Hetherington |
Foundation Governor (Diocesan appointment) |
Re-appointed 28.03.18 |
27.03.22 |
Personnel & Safeguarding (Chair). Head Teacher Appraisal |
Mr. Anthony Patrick Luff |
Foundation Governor (Diocesan appointment) |
Re-appointed 01.12.20 |
30.11.24 |
Pay, Buildings & Finance (Chair, Buildings). HT Appraisal |
Mr Matthew Joy |
Parent Governor (elected)
|
13.11.20 |
12.11.24 |
Hon Treasurer, Pay, Finance & Buildings (Chair, Finance) |
Rev. Jane Louise Walker |
Foundation Governor Ex-officio |
11.10.11 |
|
Personnel & Safeguarding, Admissions |
Mrs. Kerry Weeks |
Foundation PCC Governor |
25.04.20 |
24.04.24 |
Curriculum, Personnel & Safeguarding |
Mr. Richard Michael Wood |
Foundation Governor (Diocesan appointment) |
Re-appointed 31.08.18 |
30.08.22 |
Curriculum, Pay (Chair), Headteacher Appraisal, Personnel & Safeguarding |
Mrs Melissa Downes
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Foundation Governor
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11.07.18 |
10.07.22 |
Curriculum |
Mr Matthew Soden |
LA Governor |
28.03.18 |
27.03.22 |
Chair of Governors (from 07/2020) Buildings, Finance |
Mrs Juliet Williams
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Clerk (Appointed by the Governing Body) |
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Governing Body Details 2019/20
Governor Meeting Attendance 2019/20
Governing Body Details 2016/17 and 2017/2018
Governing Body Details (November 2016)
Governing Body Details (October 2016)
Governing Body Details (November 2015)
Governing Body Details (September 2015)
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. One has now moved on to junior school, and one is still with us. Forest School is 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 Downing I have taught in infant and primary schools in Surrey and Hampshire over the last 16 years. I am delighted to be Headteacher of St Mary's I live in Hampshire with my husband and two children. In my spare time I enjoy swimming, holidaying with my family and shoe shopping!
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Mr Matthew Joy Parent Governor Matt has lived in Farnham since 2016 and has three children, the eldest of which is fortunate to currently attend St Mary's. Matt works as International Tax Manager for a law firm in London. In his spare time, Matt enjoys trying to be active, and whilst not always successful, manages to fit in some cycling and walking as well as coaching with a local junior football team.
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Mrs Jennifer Clements Foundation Governor 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.
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Mrs Elizabeth Hetherington Lizzy has lived in Frensham since 2012 and has recently become a Foundation Governor at St Mary's. She has a daughter at the school and her son - an ex pupil - is now at junior school. Lizzy, an experienced secondary school teacher, is currently teaching piano at More House School. She is a member of the Frensham Church bell ringing-team. |
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Mrs Sarah Davies Sarah is an experienced key stage 2 teacher specialising in Literacy and Music. She has taught in both the private and state sectors and also been involved in training student teachers. Sarah currently works as a supply teacher for a local school and as a marker of the key stage 2 assessments. Sarah has three children, one of whom is now at Junior School, one at St Mary's and one yet to arrive here. In her spare time she enjoys singing, reading, walking and running. |
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Mr Richard Wood Richard is a Management Consultant working in the Construction Industry and has been involved at St Mary's as parent, chair of FOSMs and Governor for over 20 years. He has lived in Frensham for 25 years and his three children all went to the school before they all moved to Waverley Abbey. For winter relaxation he enjoys walking and reading but in the summer you will find him on the cricket pitch where he is a qualified umpire. |
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Mr Tony Luff Tony has lived in Dockenfield since 1999 and became a Governor in 2006. He is chair of the Buildings, Health and Safety Committee and is two sons attended St Mary's. Tony is a partner in a surveying practice based in Guildford and spends most of his working days in schools in South London. A keen sports fan Tony enjoys watching cricket and football and is a long suffering West Ham supporter. |
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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 Melissa Downes Foundation Governor Melissa became a Governor in 2018. She lives locally in Dockenfield with her husband, two young boys, and two black Labradors. Her elder son attends St Mary’s, and she enjoys helping out at school when possible. In her spare time Melissa enjoys training and trialling her working gundogs, and enjoying the great outdoors with her family.
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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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Miss Deborah Parsons Staff Governor Deborah has been a teacher for 15 years in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. She has a science background in entomology and horticulture, which is put to good use on our visits to RHS Wisley! When not in the classroom, Deborah enjoys embroidery, swimming, walking her dog and gardening.
Mrs Emily Morgan Staff Governor
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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.
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