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Watlington Primary School

Watlington Primary School

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Meet the Governors

Welcome to our Governors’ section.
 

The Governors can be contacted via the school office, or via the office email address: office.2459@watlington.oxon.sch.uk

Mike Speight

Chair & Parent Governor

I have lived in the Watlington area since 2005 and have a son in the school. 

 

I come from a family of teachers so have some understanding of the issues facing schools and as a parent, I am committed to doing what I can to support the school in delivering the best possible opportunity to all children.

 

Professionally, I work with colleges, local authorities and training providers delivering adult skills training and work-based learning. I am involved in governance and compliance activities, ensuring the organisations adhere to the requirements of a heavily regulated environment and deliver high quality learning.

 

Finbar McGaughey

Vice Chair & Parent Governor

I currently work in the UK education, health and social care sectors for a major consultancy business delivering programmes of work, often to some of the most vulnerable in society. I have a solid understanding of some of the challenges and pressures in the current UK education system as a result of the work we do with national and local government in this space. I also believe strongly that schools have never had a more important role in society than they will have in the coming years as we begin to understand the long term effects the pandemic has had on the wellbeing of our children. I understand that whilst policies are often set nationally that is the job of the school and the staff to successfully adapt and implement these to enable the best outcome for children and families.

 

As a parent of two young boys with additional needs who attend the school I can see and appreciate the effect that strong, positive role models and interventions have on their development. I am delighted to be a parent governor so I can help contribute to the continued success of the school and the role it has in the wider community.

 

Nick Acaster

Parent Governor

I have lived in Watlington for the last 9 years with my wife and we now have two children at the school.

 

I have been involved with many community activities in Watlington, and currently chair the Beacon Festival which is run by volunteers and gives its surplus funds raised back to the local community.

 

I now run my own business in Watlington to complete the dream which enables me to spend time with family and to be fully involved in the local community.

 

Peter Robinson

Community Governor

My family and I moved to the area when we returned from Boston, MA, USA. We enjoyed 2 years in Boston and prior to this we lived in Monmouth, Wales, UK for ~15 years. My daughter Elan enjoyed her time in Watlington Primary School and now Elan and my son Tom are both at local secondary schools.

 

My mother was a teacher, spending the last 15 years before retirement focused on education for children needing specialist support. I spent much of my youth hearing about how to create an environment that builds engagement and allows children from whatever starting point to make great progress. 

 

I have worked with General Electric (GE) for 21 years, most recently leading Human Resources for our Life Sciences Global Commercial teams. My experience includes managing large scale business integrations, creating global leadership development programs, diversity improvement projects and UK union and employee relations. A significant part of my role is to coach 1:1 our executive leaders and mentor our next generation of leadership talent.  I now lead the Commercial activities to improve the way we work with our largest strategic accounts that are global pharmaceutical companies.

 

Gemma Sterjo

Headteacher - Ex officio

 

With 'Bright Futures' and our school values at the heart of our school, I am extremely proud to be Headteacher of Watlington Primary.  I am very fortunate to lead a vibrant, motivated and driven school community, with dedicated staff, supportive parents and enthusiastic pupils. 

 

As a Designated Safeguarding Lead, I work closely with the safeguarding team in school, to ensure our children are safe and happy.  A true advocate for providing the best early years experiences for our children, I am also an Early Years SLE (specialist leader of education). 

 

I see my role as Governor as an opportunity to strengthen links between parents, the community and our thriving school.  Our strong Governing body is challenging, as well as supportive to drive school improvement and raise standards.   

 

Amanda Flynn

Staff Governor

 

I have been a teacher at Watlington Primary School for the past 10 years, working across both Key Stages. I am so proud of what the staff, children and community have achieved over this time. I currently teach in Owls Class (Year 2). It really has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with such a hard-working and dedicated staff team. I am passionate about education and I am looking forward to the opportunity to become involved as a staff governor, ensuring communication is two way between the team and the Governing body.

 

Helen Smith

Community Governor

Having worked within Local Authority and charities as a qualified children and families social worker for 13 years I have seen first hand the impact that good quality education and pastoral support for children can have on their lives and outcomes and the challenges that children and families can face in their relationship with education. I consider myself a very child focussed practitioner and have high aspirations for all children and young people.  


Having moved into the lovely town of Watlington in summer 2022  I was keen to contribute to the community. My role of community governor will enable me to widen my portfolio outside of safeguarding and use my skills and experience in working with children and families to support our local community and Watlington Primary School. 
 

Register of Governors September 2022

 

 

Current governors

Governor category

Appointing body

Term of office (Start / End)

Committee membership

Position of responsibility

Declared pecuniary or material interests

Other educational establishments governed, or charity trusteeships

Voting rights

Nick Acaster

Parent

Parent body

16/04/2022

15/04/2026

Finance and Facilities

Pay committee

Chair of Finance and Facilities Committee

None

Chair of Beacon Festival, not-for-profit event

Yes

Peter Robinson

Community governor

Governing body

13/03/2021

13/03/2025

Pay committee

Chair of Quality of Education Committee

Health and safety governor

None

None

Yes

Amanda Flynn

Staff

Staff body

01/09/2021

01/09/2025

None

None

None

None

Yes

Gemma Sterjo

Headteacher - Ex officio

Ex officio

01/09/2021

31/08/2022

Quality of Education committee

Headteacher

None

None

Yes

Mike Speight

Parent

Parent body

23/09/2019

23/09/2023

Finance and Facilities

Pay committee

Chair of Governing Body

SEND governor

None

None

Yes

 

Finbar McGaughey

Parent

Parent body

01/04/2021

01/04/2025

Quality of Education committee

Vice Chair of Governing Body Safeguarding governor

None

None

Yes

Helen Smith

Community

Governing body

03/11/2022

02/11/2026

Quality of Education committeeNone

None

None

Yes

 

 

Governors who have resigned since 2020

 

Governor

Governor category

Appointing body

End of office

Committee membership

Position of responsibility

Declared pecuniary or material interests

Other educational establishments governed, or charity trusteeships

Voting rights

James McHardy

Parent

Parent body

Resigned March 2021

None

Safeguarding governor

None

None

Yes

Louise Wiltshire

Staff

Staff body

Resigned August 2021

None

Staff governor

None

Special Effect Charity

Yes

Yvonne Hammerton Jackson

Headteacher

Ex officio

Resigned August 2021

Finance and Facilities

 

Data and Curriculum

Headteacher

None

None

Yes

Michael Hall

Parent governor

Parent body

Resigned September 2021

Finance and Facilities

None

None

NoneYes
Mathew Van de Pette

Parent governor

Parent body

Resigned May 2022

Data and Curriculum

None

None

NoneYes

David Marcou

Community governor

Local Authority and Governing body

01/10/2021

01/10/2025

Data and Curriculum

 

 

 

None

None

Chair of governors, Icknield Community College

ACER Trust

Watlington Education Foundation

OYAP Trust

Yes

Sarah Wood

Community governor

Governing body

23/09/19 to 01/09/2022

 

Finance and Facilities

Pay Committee

 

 

 

None

None

None

Yes

Jonathan Gale

Deputy Headteacher

Staff Body

01/09/2021 to 31/08/2022

Data and Curriculum

Finance and Facilities 

Pay Committee

 

 

 

Deputy Headteacher

None

Watlington Education Foundation

Yes

Claire Cointre

Parent governor

Parent body

19/11/21 to March 2023

 

Finance and Facilities

 

 

 

 

None

None

None

Yes

         

Governing Body Attendance 2021 - 22

 

Governors Minutes 

For paper or email copies of governor meeting minutes, please contact the school office:

 

Tel: 01491 612474

Email: office.2459@watlington.oxon.sch.uk 

Welcome to our wonderful school!
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