Governors
Welcome to our Governors’ section.
Please find below details of how our new, Federation Governing Body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor. We became part of the Three Rivers Federation, with Stoke Canon Church of England Primary School, on 23rd April 2019.
Our other governors come from all walks of life and include volunteers from our community. We have excellent parent representatives on our governing body and we value all the contributions that our governors make to school life.
The governing body meets each term as a group. Many of the responsibilities of the governing body are delegated to committees that meet before the main governing body eg Resources and Teaching and Learning.
Our governors have various legal responsibilities and duties: they are responsible for the effective management of the school, for the school budget and for Health & Safety. They help to set, and monitor the school ethos and policies. Governors support the Headteacher and staff in the running of the school.
To contact any of our governors please send your enquiry to the clerk to Governors, Mrs Lyn Flack, by emailing admin@stokecanon.devon.sch.uk and this will be passed onto the appropriate governor.
Governing Body Minutes are available from the school office.
The Federation Governors are:
Chair of Governors Tanya Smith - Local Authority Governor
I joined the Governing Body at Clyst St Mary in 2015. I currently sit on the Teaching and Learning Committee of the newly formed Federation. I have 3 boys and I work full time for South Gloucestershire Council’s education department as the Strategic Lead for School Place Planning and Capital Investment. I develop policy and practice in the delivery of key statutory functions of the Local Authority including school admissions and school organisation and I lead in the commissioning of new schools. I am also an Independent School Admission Appeal Panel Member and School Exclusions Review Panel Member for Devon County Council and I work with other governing bodies to model good governance. I look forward to providing effective support and challenge to both Clyst St Mary and Stoke Canon Church of England Primary Schools as part of the Three Rivers Federation.
Jos Greenhow - Co-opted
I have been with Devon and Cornwall police since 2008 and I am currently a police sergeant at HQ. Prior to moving to Devon and joining the police I was a barrister in self employed practice in London in Middle Temple for 6 years. I worked mainly in Criminal and Family law so am used to dealing with difficult subjects and people in perilous personal circumstances with tact and empathy.
I am an Associate Governor and and a member of the 2nd Committee.
Peter Grierson - Co-opted Governor
I am Deputy Head at Stoke Canon Church of England Primary School and involved in the Quality of Education Committee.
Lucy Topliss - Co-Opted Governor
I have served as a parent governor and chair of the PTFA at Clyst St Mary Primary School for 3 years. I would like to continue in this role in the new Three Rivers Federation.
I have two children at Clyst St Mary Primary School and am passionate about representing the views of fellow parents. I will endeavour to continue to put forward the voice of all parents as a member of the new governing body.
I hope you all see me as an approachable member of the school community who ensures comprehensive challenge of school leadership.
Mandie Rose - Associate
Associate Member on the Quality of Education Committee. I have been involved with Clyst St Mary Primary School since 1998; as a parent, a volunteer, class teacher and over 8 years as a governor.
I hope that my skills and experience will be useful in supporting the staff and the Three Rivers Federation governing body, in maintaining a supportive learning environment, continuing the high standards of education, and the well-being of all of the children in Clyst St Mary Primary School and Stoke Canon Church of England Primary School.
Lesley Hockin - Staff Governor
I have worked at Clyst St Mary Primary School, in a variety of roles, since 1998 and served on the governing body for many years but my first contact with the school was when my children were pupils here. My background in medical research has provided me with a keen interest in the teaching of science and my self driven interest and determination to conquer computers enabled me to help the school move forward in its IT provision and teaching. My current role is that of administrator and singing co-ordinator.
Julia Hocking - Foundation
Briony Kempton - Co-opted
I was a co-opted governor at Clyst St Mary Primary School for several years - my son is a pupil at the school so I have a vested interest in supporting the school and being involved in its governance. I am now a co-opted governor of the Three Rivers Foundation and I am involved in the Resources Committee as my background is in finance. I am a chartered accountant and for many years worked at EY where I was an audit director.
Vice Chair Clare Werry - Co-opted
I was a parent governor at Clyst St Mary Primary School from 2015 and, when Clyst St Mary and Stoke Canon Church of England primary schools federated, I was co-opted as a governor of the Three Rivers Federation. I am Chair of the Quality of Education Committee and I’m particularly involved with school performance data and school improvement. My children were at Clyst St Mary Primary School and I was previously chair of Clyst Valley Pre-school. I enjoy playing an active role in school life, and am keen to give support and challenge as a governor to help ensure that all children across the Federation have a high-quality education. I’m a solicitor in private practice.
Ellie Wilkinson - Associate
I am Deputy Headteacher of Clyst St Mary Primary School and am involved with the Quality of Education Committee. I have been teaching for thirty two years, nineteen of which have been at Clyst St Mary.
Janine O’Donnell – Parent Governor
I have previous experience as a parent governor and teacher of 16 years.
I believe it is important for parent governors to feel comfortable and confident when representing the views of parents and the local community, in addition to supporting (and occasionally challenging) the Senior Leadership Team who are accountable for running the Schools. In my 4 years as parent governor for a large inner-city Primary School, I held a position which oversaw the curriculum and safeguarding. The training I received for safeguarding assisted my role as a teacher and vice versa; a role I thoroughly enjoyed.
Danielle Sparks - Parent Governor
I have worked in business management in the financial services industry and have 15 years of experience of providing UK and International recruitment and HR advice. I currently work in People Operations for a global animal welfare charity. I have several family members who have all attended Stoke Canon Primary School and my daughter also attends the preschool. My strengths lie in being able to build and maintain productive relationships and forge cohesive partnering and I hope to use these skills in the role of Governor.
