A warm welcome from our Governing Body

To contact our Governors, please email Jane Hinde (Chair of Governors) at hinde.j@welearn365.com

Governors are the strategic leaders within schools and have the responsibility of promoting high standards of educational achievement, ensuring every child in their school receives the best quality education.  The DfE Governance Handbook (August 2021) states the governing body has three core functions:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
• Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the performance management of staff; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.

Governors are appointed by different groups.  Within Church schools like ours, Foundation Governors are appointed by the Church, and have additional responsibilities within the governing body:

Foundation governors have the responsibility to secure the character of the school as a Church of England voluntary school, that is preserved and developed in accordance with the school's trust deed and its ethos statement.  This will include facilitating links between the school and its parish and being involved in the preparation of the school's self-evaluation prior to a Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) inspection, and possibly attending the inspection itself.

The Full Governing Body (FGB) usually meets six times a year, and there are different focusses at each meeting, although all major issues relating to the efficient management of the school feature on each agenda. Also the Strategic Leadership Group, which comprises key members of the school staff and governing body, meets three times a year, as does the Collective Worship Committee.

 Jane Hinde, Chair of Governors and Foundation Governor

I joined the governing body at Barford St Peter’s in September 2019; four years ago. However, it doesn’t feel like very long as for many months, because of Covid, we had to meet via Zoom and were not able to visit school to spend time with the children and celebrate with them. I am really enjoying being able to get into school on a regular basis now that the restrictions have lifted.

I was in education for over 30 years as an English and Drama teacher in secondary schools, and before retiring I was Head of English in a secondary school in Nottinghamshire where I also worked as an Advanced Skills teacher across the county.

I moved to the area from my home in Lincoln in 2018 in order to be near to my children and grandchildren, all boys, aged 10, seven and two. So, as well as my knowledge and skills in education, I also have a close understanding of the primary curriculum.

 Amanda Wood, Vice Chair of Governors and Parent Governor

I have a little boy at Barford St Peter's and feel very strongly about being involved in the life and workings of the school community; in particular, ensuring that the work of the school fulfils its needs to all our children.  As a representative parent on the governing body, I have a unique perspective experiencing the delivery of the curriculum via my child and can share how the school is perceived by parents.

The first part of my career in publishing focused on the commissioning and production of teaching and learning resources for the early years, including phonics and special educational needs.  I spent a lot of time in schools understanding the challenges for teachers and children, and - hopefully - translating those into the products we created.  The last 20 years of my career have been in academic publishing, and I'm currently focussed on developing and changing the culture of our organisation, which is an incredibly interesting and challenging role!

It is important for me to be aware of parents' views and concerns, so I am always available to listen, impartially, to other parents and to advise on appropriate actions or procedures.

 Ann Fawcett, Collective Worship Chair and Foundation Governor

 Wendy Barlow, Foundation Governor

I have been involved in teaching all my working life.  For the 18 years before retirement I was Head of 2 village schools.
I became involved as a helper with Pre-school on my retirement in 2004 and have subsequently enjoyed a similar role with the foundation years at St.Peter's.
I have 2 children.  My son lives in the village and attended Barford St Peter's as will his three year old son.  My daughter lives near Bath and I have two more grandchildren aged 19 and 22.
I am an active member of the local Drama Group, organise the weekly Scout Hut Coffee morning and have been a Parish Councillor for more years than I care to remember!
I have an allotment and am keen on gardening.  You will catch me round the village with my dog or grandson.
I am currently a member of the Scout Supporters Group, working towards a new building which will serve both uniformed groups and the community at large.

 Ann Holliday, Foundation Governor

I was employed in a variety of educational settings for most of my working life, and my aim has always been to help children to develop to the full level of their potential.  I have a lot of experience in helping children to acquire literacy skills, and particularly in supporting children with specific learning difficulties.

I have lived in Barford with my husband, Jon, for 29 years, and our three sons were all pupils at Barford.  As a child, I also had a very positive experience of attending a Church of England primary school, and this was a determining factor in my decision to apply to be a governor at Barford St Peter's.

I am an active member of Barford St Peter's Church and enjoy many interests, chiefly spending time with my two grandchildren, playing the piano, reading and crochet.

 Tim Sewards, Staff Governor

I am delighted to have been appointed as staff governor in 2021 in order to further represent and support our excellent school. I have been teaching since 2010, and I joined Barford St. Peter's in 2016 when it was still a mixed-form entry school. Before then, I have taught in Rugby, Nuneaton, Coventry and Leamington, predominately in areas of social disadvantage. This has given me a great deal of teaching and management experience, especially when considering the varying challenges families and especially children face in their daily lives, which is enabling me to provide valuable insight into ensuring our school continues to provide for all of our school community. 

I am fortunate enough to live in the village of Barford, which enables me to become more widely involved in village life. I am a current member of our PCC and have previously sat on our King George's Playing Fields committee too. I'm also involved in a local football group within the village, as well as playing badminton and golf and visiting my five nieces and one nephew in whatever spare time I can muster!