The Governing Body: About Us

Geoff Brand - Chair of Governors

I've lived in the community for 12 years and have two children already attending the school, with a third to join in 2017.

I have previous management experience with the Sainsburys group, although have worked in the aviation industry for the last twenty years. I help to run the Parish swimming club and am involved in the local Scouting movement.

I've been a Governor since 2013, Vice Chair for 2014 and Chair from 2015. I find being part of the governing body team an extremely rewarding role. I am able to use my experience to benefit not only my own children's outcome at the school but also the school community as a whole.

Sharon Onley - Vice Chair

I am married to Mark and have two children at the school, currently in Year Two and Year Four. My husband and I moved locally around 12 years ago and we love being part of the community.

I currently work as school business manager for another Northamptonshire primary school. Becoming a co-opted Governor for Pattishall on the resources committee, will enable me to share my skills and enthusiasm to help progress the school. I love working in education and making differences to the wellbeing and outcomes for children. I am now excited to be part of the Governing body team at Pattishall.

Kate Stretton

I have lived in Astcote for the past 35years. Both my daughters attended the School and I was involved with the swimming pool committee during their time there.

I have worked at Towcester Library for the past 27 years, the last 17 as manager. I have visited the School on various occasions as part of my job.

I am an active member of Astcote Methodist Church as a worship leader and am presently the chairman of the church council.

I look forward to being involved with the school and hope that I can bring some of my experience to the role of Foundation Governor.

Heather Whittington - Co-opted Governor

I moved to Northamptonshire in 1996 and after attending University in Leeds, I have built my career around the world of marketing; mainly with a digital focus but more recently with an overall approach.

I have lived in Pattishall since 2007.

My main motivation to join was to be involved in something that will not only benefit my child, but also myself to learn more about how the education system works, bring my marketing knowledge and experience to the role and to help secure a great future for this excellent village school.

Barry Evans

I moved, with my family in to the parish in 1972 and later started my first teaching appointment in Northamptonshire. I trained as a teacher of science and taught through the age ranges from nursery to GCSE both here and abroad.

After three headships I retired from the teaching profession three years ago to focus on breeding rare breed sheep and to compete in the show ring in the many livestock shows around the country.

My passion for education is still very much alive and in addition to school inspections I am a governor of The Northampton Academy and am delighted to join the governors of Pattishall School. I believe that our school is the greatest asset of our parish and I hope my educational experience will be of help to the Head, staff, pupils & parents.

James Brazier - Parent Governor

I became a Governor when my son, Thomas joined the school in 2013. I wanted to understand more about the education system that my children were joining so that I could more effectively support the school and my children.

My daughter, Isla is in Year Two. My parents were both heavily involved with my schools as both Governor and Friend which I can remember with great pride.

I was born in Shropshire and moved to Northamptonshire in 1998 after graduating from the University of Birmingham. I work as a Dental Surgeon in Towcester with my wife, Lesley. I am currently studying for an MSc in Dental Implantology at the University of Warwick and am Vice-chair of the Attainment committee.

Julie Wood - Co-opted Governor

I have lived in the area for over 11 years and my daughter currently attends the school.

I am a scientist by education and spent a decade as a Research Scientist at Oxford University before moving into a commercial organisation. I am currently a business leader managing a team of Technical Sales Specialists across Europe, Middle East and Africa. One of my greatest strengths is motivating people to develop themselves, this also carries over into my hobbies - I am currently training to be a scuba diving instructor.

My motivation for joining the school Governing Body was based on an altruistic desire to give my time and experience to support children in our community and help them to achieve their greatest potential.

Gemma Chapman - Parent Governor

My name is Gemma Chapman. I live in the parish. I have 2 children; both who attend the school.

I think Pattishall primary school is an excellent school that delivers high quality learning opportunities both within and outside the classroom. These are the reasons why my daughters to attend the school.

I have previous experience teaching and working with children in reception and key stage 1. Although I have chosen not to pursue a career in teaching, I still feel passionately about primary school education. I believe that the first years of a child's education are crucial to their later academic achievements and is equally important to the development of their social and other life skills.

I believe I have the energy and enthusiasm to help Pattishall primary to maintain its high standards and meet future challenges, that's why I wanted to become a school governor.

Emma McLean - Head Teacher

What do the Governors do?

Welcome to the Governors section of our school website. We thought you might like to know a little bit about us and what we do.

The Governing Body (GB), Headteacher and senior staff form the school’s Leadership and Management team and share responsibility for the school.

The GB must hold the school to account for the standards it achieves. It must ensure that all resources (including the school budget and staff) are properly used to meet the needs of all children and provide value for money. Governors help to form the School Improvement Plan and are responsible for monitoring all aspects of its effectiveness in terms of outcomes for pupils.

The GB appoints the Headteacher, and delegates to him responsibility for the day to day running of the school.

Who are the Governors?

The Governing Body is made up of four groups who represent the stakeholders of the school: staff, parents, the church (Foundation) and the Local Authority. This range of people is intended to provide a broad and balanced selection of viewpoints and to represent each sector of the school’s community. Individual governors cannot act or speak on behalf of the GB; decisions are made by the board as a whole.

All Governors serve a four year period and may be re-elected. There are 5 full governing body meetings each year and 4 sub-committee meetings which precede these. The minutes of the meetings are available on request from the Governing Body. All correspondence should be sent to Mrs Cheryl Tomkinson, Clerk to the Governors, Pattishall School.

Are you interested in becoming a Governor?

What does the work involve?

The full GB meets approximately once every half term and there are two sub-committees, Attainment and Resources, who meet to undertake some of the work on behalf of the GB. Each governor belongs to one of the committees and these meet four times each year. There are documents that need to be read in preparation for all meetings.

There are also working parties to deal with aspects of work that come up from time to time, such as SEN, Equality policies etc.

Governors visit often to gain a working knowledge of the school as well as on a more official basis to formally monitor aspects of the School Improvement Plan.

What qualifications are needed?

No formal qualifications are required, just a desire to put experience and life skills to good use.

Governors are people with an interest in education and a belief in working together to improve outcomes for local children. They are people who have a few hours to spare each month, and enjoy being part of a team.

It seems like an awful lot of work – why do it?

Most people find it very rewarding to be part of the school team, working in partnership with staff and the community, to secure the best possible education for the children of Pattishall CE Primary School. All governors are welcomed and each plays a vital role in ensuring the governing body is aware of the views of all stakeholders.

For more information about becoming a governor, contact the Head Teacher. Please note that for the protection of children all governor appointments are subject to a vetting process and identity check.