THE GOVERNING BOARD
School Governors offer their time on a voluntary basis and the Board is made up of parents, teachers and members of the local community and authority. We use our skills and interests to support and work with the Headteacher in managing the school. The Governors monitor and evaluate the school's progress by regularly reviewing everything that is happening in the school - from pupil progress, to absences, facilities and health and safety.
You may like to join our Governors for an informal chat during the annual Governors Day, usually held in September.
Parents are welcome to contact the joint Chairs of Governors by e-mail (bpymm@saunceywood.herts.sch.uk or cnoakes@saunceywood.herts.sch.uk) or by telephoning the School Office. However, it should be noted that Governors do not get involved in individual pupil issues or specific complaints about, for example, teaching or playground matters. Parents and carers should speak to the class teacher in the first instance or to the Headteacher. If a matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of all parties, then Governors may become involved via the school’s formal Complaints Procedure, but this would always be a last resort.
The Governing Board comprises of the following roles, each with a four year term of office:
Five Parent Governors - elected by parents
Five Co-opted Governors - appointed by the Governing Board
One Local Authority Governor
Two Staff Governors - one is elected by the staff; the second place is reserved for the Headteacher by virtue of office
We currently also have two Associate Governors - elected by the Governing Board.
Governors (other then the Associate Governors) have equal rights to participate in the work of the Governing Board and to state their own views, but always work as a team and are bound by the collective decisions of that team.
For a list of current roles and responsibilities on the Governing Board, please click here.
Each year the Governing Board reviews and records the impact it has had on the school in an Impact Statement.
Governing Board Impact Statement 2019-20
We are also required to publish a record of our meeting attendance for the previous academic year:
Sauncey Wood GB Meeting Attendance 2019-20
If you would like to find out more about the role of a Governor, please click here
Former Committee Members
Elizabeth (Liz) Redway - Former Vice Chair of Governors
I became a parent governor in 2012 to give support this wonderful primary school. I feel passionately about the way we grow curious and well-rounded children at Sauncey Wood, and have been delighted by the broad learning opportunities my own children have had here. I have two children, one of whom is will at Sauncey Wood, the other having recently moved on to a local secondary school. I have a background in Human Resources and run my own small business.
Responsibilities: Resources Committee Chair
Declaration of interests: Self employed as freelance HR consultant through Redway HR
Date of Appointment: 9/3/12 (re-elected in 2016 and 2020)
Appointed By: Parents
Heather Burns - Former Associate Governor
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Mrs Burns is our reception teacher and as associate governor covers the early years and key stage 1.
Date of appointment: 1st January 2017
Helen Parkinson - (Former Committee Member)
HParkinson@saunceywood.herts.sch.uk
I was a Community Governor at Sauncey Wood when my children attended the school. I enjoyed the varied challenge of the role and seeing the school develop and continue to improve. I worked in Luton tackling obesity and physical inactivity amongst children and at home I love walking with my great dane and practising yoga.
Responsibilities: Early Years Stage
Date of Appointment as co-opted governor: 10th June 2017
Date of Termination: July 2019
Declaration of interests: Director of Harpenden Secondary Education Trust
Martyn Allison (Former Committee Member)
Martyn had a background in critical and constructive reviews of organisations, supporting them through periods of significant change, and leading targeted performance improvements. He would like to use his skills as a management consultant specialising in strategy and business planning, and his particular focus on finance and efficiency improvement. Martyn strived to make a positive contribution to the long-term future of schools in the local area, to secure better education for young people of all abilities regardless of their background.
Responsibilities: Key Stage 2, Strategy KPI
Declaration of interests: Allison Thompson Consulting
Date of Appointment as Co-opted Governor: 10th June 2017
Natalie Bellwood - Former Committee Member
Natalie was a Co-opted Governor and joined the Board in January 2018. I was very keen to get involved in the local community and am passionate about early years education. I am also a Partner in an international law firm, and I specialise in employment law, so I felt that I could bring my legal and anayltical skills to the Governor role, offering support to the Headteacher and his team of teaching staff. I live in the local area with my husband and son.
Responsibilities: Equality
Declaration of Interests: none
Appointment date as Co-opted Governor: 5th February 2018
Date of Termination: 10th January 2019
Linda Williams - Former Committee Member
Linda was a co-opted Governor. She was appointed Vicar of All Saints Church, Batford in 2010. in Harpenden. Before becoming a priest, Linda was a trained HLTA and brings 15 years experience of Primary/SEN education. Linda also worked as a chaplain at Croydon University Hospital. Linda is most interested in pastoral care and well-being of the whole school community as well as RE, Art & DT which were her school specialism.
Responsibilities: Key Stage 1
Date of Appointment as Co-opted Governor: 25/3/14
Date of termination: 31st August 2018
Declaration of interests: Works in many other local primary schools through her work as associate vicar
Steph Russon - Former Associate Governor
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Mrs Russon was our year 4 teacher and as an associate governor covers key stage 2.
Date of appointment: 1st January 2017
Declaration of interests: none
Jo Williams - Former Committee Member
I enjoy using the skills I have gained over the past 14 years as a School Business Manager at a Primary School in St Albans. I have set and managed the school budget, interviewed and appointed HT’s, teachers and support staff etc. Although I have now recently retired, I have a lot to offer to a school to enable them to educate and nurture children for the future.
Responsibilities: Finance, safeguarding
Declaration of interests: None
Date of Appointment as Co-opted Governor: 5th February 2018
Date of Termination: 11th April 2018
Ada Jabaru - Former Committee Member
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Duties: Behaviour and Equalities
Declarations of interest: Nistad Ltd Consutlant
Date of appointment: 11th July 2017
Date of termination: 31th October 2017
Fiona Snailham - Former Committee Member
Fiona was community governor and a secondary school English teacher. She lives in St Albans with her family.
Declaration of Interest: None
Responsibilities: Year 6, Literacy
Date of appointment: 22nd January 2016
Date of termination: 14th September 2017