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.
Nick Acaster
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 committee | 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 |
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