Our Governors are a group of volunteers who work together to provide strategic leadership and support to our school. They are committed to the success, wellbeing and future development of our pupils.

Governors play a vital role in:

• Setting the vision, values and strategic priorities for the school

• Making sure the budget is used effectively

• Monitoring school performance and progress

• Supporting and challenging school leaders in the best interests of pupils and families

Our Governing Body

Below is a summary of our current Governors, including the roles they hold and how long they serve:

Stuart Samuels – Chair of Governors
Role focus: Strategic leadership and school development
Category: Co-opted Governor
Term: 2025–2029

Kate Pizzey – Vice Chair and Safeguarding Lead
Role focus: Safeguarding & wellbeing
Category: Parent Governor
Term: 2021–2025

Mrs Julie Lillycrop – Headteacher (Ex-Officio Governor)
Role focus: School leadership
Category: Headteacher Governor

Michelle Ablitt – Staff Governor
Role focus: Attendance reporting and staff perspective
Category: Staff Governor
Term: 2025–2029

Jeremy Harrison-Porter – SEND Governor
Role focus: Special educational needs and inclusion
Category: Local Authority Governor
Term: 2022–2026

Sarah O’Donnell – Cyber Security Lead
Role focus: Online safety and digital safeguarding
Category: Parent Governor
Term: 2025–2029

Linda Amis – Governance Lead for Sustainability
Role focus: Environmental and sustainability priorities
Category: Co-opted Governor
Term: 2025–2029

Dawn Harvey – Co-opted Governor
Role focus: School improvement and community link
Term: 2025–2029

Stuart D’Costa – Pupil Premium Governor
Role focus: Supporting equity and opportunity
Category: Parent Governor
Term: 2025–2029

Lisa Strutt – Trust Representative Governor
Role focus: Links with our Trust partners
Category: Trust Governor
Term: 2025–2029

Sarah Leamon – Website and Communications Governor
Role focus: Information and community engagement
Category: Parent Governor
Term: 2025–2029

We also have an Associate Member, Josephine Leveridge, who supports the Governing Body. Associate members do not have voting rights.

What Governors Do

Our Governors meet regularly to:

• Review school performance and pupil outcomes

• Oversee key areas such as safeguarding, SEND and pupil wellbeing

• Work with school leaders to develop policy and future plans

• Ensure the school is financially sound

• Act as a “critical friend” — offering support, insight and challenge to help the school improve and grow

How They Work With Us

Governors do not get involved in the day-to-day running of the school — that is the responsibility of the Headteacher and leadership team — but they do hold leaders to account, celebrate achievements and help shape the school’s priorities for now and the future.