Meet the Governors

A warm welcome to you from your school governors!  The Local Governing Body plays an important part in the life of your school. The members of the governing body reflect a wide range of interests from local businesses and the community, staff members and, of course, parents.

The Governing Body is charged with many specific responsibilities and powers but has general responsibility for oversight of every aspect of the school and its activities. Formally, the Department for Education requires governors to:

• Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
• Hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff.
• Oversee the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

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As we are part of an Academy, the Watchfield Primary School Local Governing Body is accountable to the Faringdon Academy of Schools Board for ensuring that these statutory responsibilities are met.  In carrying out its duties the governing body may lobby organisations or individuals on behalf of the school.  It may also suggest or - in some circumstances - require that the affairs of the school are conducted in a certain way.  We take a keen interest in school performance data but recognise that our school is unique and data is but one measure of a child's performance.   One of our strengths is in the whole school experience at Watchfield where a child's mind, body and spirit benefits from the rich tapestry of cultures, nationalities and experiences that the children in our school bring. Consequently, the governing body has an important job to do in ensuring that the welfare of the school and its culture, values and ethos are maintained.  In summary, the role of governors is one of both challenge and support in a constructive way.  We are always open to feedback and ideas.  If you would like to offer a suggestion, your governors can be contacted by email via: clerk.watchfield@faringdonlearningtrust.org

Ian Wright (Community Governor) - Chair of Governors

Georgina Wintle (Headteacher, ex-officio Governor)

Appointed: Sep 19

Andrew Atkinson (Parent Governor)

Appointed: Oct 18                      Term: 4 Years

Speciality: data

Science link governor

Andrew has returned with his family to Watchfield, after serving the last 7 years overseas with the British Army in Kuwait and the USA.

"I have been fortunate to travel and live overseas with my family I am passionate about the role that schools play within the community and providing that assurance to families, whether transient or not, that the education of their children is in good hands. It is a great privilege to be able to serve on the governing body; I can honestly say that Watchfield is a wonderful school with fantastic opportunities to embrace its unique position in the local and international community. With 3 children , who have been or are now at Watchfield, I truly believe that for them every day matters, whether at the school for a year or for longer. Together with my first hand experience of dealing with the impact of family moves, my leadership experience in the military, as a parent and a husband to a very capable EYFS and KS1/2 teacher, I feel that I have much to offer and I am looking forward to my term as a parent governor."

Mike Butler (Associate Governor)

Appointed: Sep 19                      Term: 4 Years

Link governor for PE and for PSE

Alan Chapman (Community Governor)

Appointed: Sep 19                      Term: 4 Years

Speciality: policies and processes

Maths link governor

Alan is an experienced Chartered and European Patent Attorney with a background in physics. Having worked within a variety of different organisations, including a multi-national defence company, the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA), two private practice firms and a university spin-out, Alan currently works for a private technology company as the lead attorney with overall responsibility for a core technology category of the business.

"My wife, two sons and I moved to Watchfield in 2018. Since then our experience has been that not only does the School provide a wonderful learning environment for its pupils but also that the School plays a particularly important role in the unique community here in Watchfield. With the knowledge that this would not be possible without a dedicated team of staff and a strong local governing body, I was inspired to volunteer as a governor in the hope that I can make a valuable contribution to the School and that in doing so I will also make a significant contribution to the well-being and cohesion of our community. As a governor I look forward to working with the school leadership team and other governors to support and constructively challenge the School in order to ensure its continued success."

Rob Hart (Associate Governor, CO Shrivenham Station)

Appointed: Sep 18                                  Term: 4 years

Wing Commander Rob Hart became an associate governor in Sep 18 as part of his role as Commanding Officer for Shrivenham Station. Having joined the RAF as an aerosystems engineer in 1999, Rob has extensive experience, focused in equipment procurement and support, in addition to overseas service in numerous locations across the Middle East. Rob has 3 daughters aged 8 to 11 and lives locally in Uffington. He is married to Lorraine who is a nurse working with the Great Western Hospital and Community Health Team. His main role within the Governing Body is to ensure appropriate representation of the needs of the military families, that the school is informed about activity on Shrivenham Station and to facilitate assistance from the station and the wider Ministry of Defence where appropriate.

Duncan Jenkins (Parent Governor)

Appointed: Jan 19                      Term: 4 Years

Speciality: finance governor

Geography link governor

Duncan became a parent governor in January 2019. His elder son attended the school five years ago, and his younger son started in 2018, after the family relocated to Shrivenham. Duncan has spent almost three decades in the Army and together with his wife, they have so far experienced being parents at seven different schools.

“I am keen to see our son, and indeed every pupil at the school, receive the greatest start in their educational journey.  I would like to think that my knowledge of the education system, along with my personal experience as a parent of children at various and varied schools, will stand me in good stead to assist the board of governors in focusing on the strategic direction of the school.

It’s a privilege to be on the board of such a unique school and I look forward to representing the views of parents to ensure Watchfield Primary School remains such a special and individual place to learn”.

Julia Jones (Community Governor)

Appointed: Sep 18                      Term: 4 Years

Link governor for reading and for art

A teacher for over thirty years, Julia retired as Head of an independent primary school and returned to her childhood village of Shrivenham of 2013.

Elected to Shrivenham Parish Council in May 2015, Julia also enjoys taking part in plays and pantomimes with Shrivenham Amateur Dramatic Society as well as attending live theatre - professional or amateur productions. She is also a committee member for Shrivenham Heritage Society, a member of the National Trust and a communicant member of the Church of England in Shrivenham.

"My husband and I enjoy living in the village and I am looking forward to being involved with the  children, parents and staff at Watchfield Primary School."

Jody Lewis (Staff Governor)

Appointed: Sep 19                                  Term: 4 years

Jody is an experienced primary school teacher with over 20 years’ experience and has been a teacher at Watchfield Primary School since 2013. She is one of the Year 2 teachers and is also the English as an Additional Language Coordinator; an important role in such a unique school. She joined the Governing Body in September 2019 as the Staff Governor. Jody’s husband is based at the Defence Academy and their two children are former Watchfield pupils.

“Watchfield is unlike any school I have taught in during my 20 years of teaching. The culture and environment created by such a diverse student population makes teaching at Watchfield incredibly rewarding. I am passionate about high quality education and treating every child as an individual so they can reach their true potential. As staff governor I will serve as a useful link between our school staff and

the governing body”.

David Robinson (Community Governor)

Appointed: Sep 19                      Term: 4 Years

Link governor for writing and for RE

Diana Sheldon (Community Governor)

Appointed: Jul 20                                  Term: 4 years

My first connection with the school was when my eldest attended in year 2 during a short posting to Watchfield in 1986!  Obviously, many things have changed over the years including the arrival of the Defence Academy.  Since settling back in Shrivenham in 2011 I have known many children, parents and members of staff at the school. I am conscious of what a wonderful job is done in such a unique environment and everyone I know enjoys their time at Watchfield as well as having a great educational experience.

Having been a teacher for almost 40 years, in many different schools, I am well aware of the challenges and pressures that face the staff and governors.  I am honoured to have been selected as a governor to have the chance to support all the hard work that goes on at Watchfield school in order that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential in the time they are there.

Clerk to the Local Governors - vacant

Governors who have resigned

Emma Wight Boycott (Previous Community Governor) Stepped Down: Jul 20

Katie Brudenell (Previous Community Governor) Stepped Down: Jul 20

Clare Hamilton (Previous Community Governor) Stepped Down: Jul 19

Jayne Russell (Previous Community Governor) Stepped Down: May 19

Rev Phil Burrows (Previous Associate Governor: Defence Academy Chaplain)  Stepped Down: May 19

Jennifer Roberts (Previous Staff Governor)  Stepped down: Aug 19

Alison Saunders (Previous Parent Governor)   Stepped down: Dec 18 

Anda Fitzgerald O'Connor (Previous Community Governor)   Stepped down: Sep 18