Watlington Primary School
Watlington Primary School
Home PageMeet the Governors
Welcome to our Governors’ section.
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.
Sarah Wood
Community Governor
I’ve lived in Watlington for over 20 years and our two children are very happy at the local schools.
Running my own business focusing on providing marketing strategy and copywriting support to businesses and agencies, my background was previously in leading specialist technical teams within major technology and telecommunications providers.
I’m passionate about the need for parents to take an active role in their children’s education, especially as we move to a more technology-driven world. I’ve been part of the governing team at Watlington for the last few years, and along with the rest of the team I’m keen to ensure that all children at Watlington Primary benefit from the best education we can provide.
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.
Jonathan Gale
Since starting my career at Watlington Primary School, I have taught across Key Stage 2 and I am currently the Deputy Headteacher. My leadership and governing body responsibilities are to ensure that the school's strategic direction is clear and that we can aim for 'Bright Futures For All’.
As a Designated Safeguarding Lead for the school, I meet regularly with the Safeguarding Governor to review and monitor safeguarding policies and procedures, as well as complete the school’s annual safeguarding report. I am part of the Data and Curriculum governing sub-committee, with the responsibility for producing and presenting school attainment and progress data.
I take pride in working for such a forward-thinking and successful school, as well as collaborating with colleagues, parents and the local community.
Claire Cointre
Parent Governor
I have lived in Britwell Salome for almost 15years and my son has been at Watlington Primary School for 4 years now and loves it! Like all parents, I want the best education for my child but I also want the best all round education for all the children attending Watlington Primary School no matter their circumstances or needs so that each child can grow their confidence and achieve their full potential.
I am also a full time working mum who has to balance work and home life and knows how difficult that can be for parents who want to support their child’s learning. I manage a marketing team and work in a large IT company which embraces diversity and encourages inclusion.
I feel that I can offer some of my commercial experience to the school to help it continue to be outstanding and ensure that the school delivers on its vision and the overall strategic direction. On a personal note, I am an active member of the Watlington Tennis Club and captain the Ladies B team and I was pivotal in helping the Watlington Club gain CIO status which was essential to keep the club going for the local community. My values are honesty, family and openness and I am looking forward to helping to make a difference at Watlington Primary School.
Gemma Sterjo
Headteacher - Ex officio
I started teaching at Watlington Primary School in , where I taught in Year 2. I am very fortunate to work at our school, with such dedicated staff, supportive parents and enthusiastic children.
During my time at Watlington, I have learnt so much and I am so proud of our school and what we provide for our children and community. I am extremely proud to now be Headteacher. I am also a Designated Safeguarding Lead and 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). As a governor I will ensure any decisions made have the children at heart, as well as being aspirational for our school, led by our improvement plan.
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.
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 | Chair of Finance and Facilities Committee | None | Chair of Beacon Festival, not-for-profit event | Yes |
Jonathan Gale | Deputy Headteacher | Staff body | Data and Curriculum Finance and Facilities Pay committee | Deptuy Headteacher | None | Watlington Education Foundation | Yes | |
Peter Robinson | Community governor | Governing body | 13/03/2021 13/03/2025 | Pay committee | Chair of Data and Curriculum 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 | Data and Curriculum | Headteacher | None | None | Yes |
Sarah Wood | Community governor | Governing body | 23/09/2019 23/09/2023 | Finance and Facilities Pay committee | None
| None | None | Yes |
Mike Speight | Parent | Governing body | 23/09/2019 23/09/2023 | Finance and Facilities Pay committee | Chair of Governing Body SEND governor | None | None | Yes
|
Finbar McGaughey | Parent | Governing body | 01/04/2021 01/04/2025 | Data and Curriculum | Vice Chair of Governing Body Safeguarding governor | None | None | Yes |
Claire Cointre | Parent | Parent body | 19/11/2021 19/11/2025 | Finance and Facilities | None | 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 | None | Yes |
| Mathew Van de Pette | Parent governor | Parent body | Resigned May 2022 | Data and Curriculum | None | None | None | Yes |
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 |
Governing Body Attendance 2020-21
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