Welcome to the St. Mark's C of E Junior School Governor page where you will find information on our current Governing Body.

If you are interested in becoming a Governor or would like to make contact with the Governing Body for any reason, we would love to hear from you.

Please contact the School Business Manager at admin@st-marks.gloucs.sch.uk who will be happy to discuss your query.

Our School Governing Body

Governors are a voluntary body of people who guide and support the strategic direction of the school. They are members of the school team and their contribution to the running of the school is highly valued.

School Governing Body

The instrument of government states that the governing body shall consist of:

• 8 Foundation Governors
• 2 parent governors
• 1 local authority governor
• 1 staff governor
• 1 headteacher
• 1 co-opted governor

The role of the governing body is a strategic one, its key functions are to:

• Set the aims and objectives for the school
• Set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
• Set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
• Monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
• Be a source of challenge and support to the headteacher (a critical friend)

Governor Structure

Prof. Trevor Cooling

Chair of Governors / Foundation Governor

Term of Office: 1.4.20 - 31.3.27

Responsibilities / Committees: Staffing & Finance Chair / Curriculum / Ethos Chair

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests: None

Full Governing Body Meetings attended in previous academic year: 7/7

Governor Profile

I have lived in Cheltenham since 2003. I am married to Margaret, and we have five adult grandchildren. Now retired, I have spent my career in education as a schoolteacher, university lecturer and CEO of a charity. My specialism is Religious Education, and I was Chair of the RE Council of England and Wales between 2015 and 2021. I retired from my position as Professor of Education at Canterbury Christ Church University in 2021. As a parent and foster parent, I realise how  important a good primary school experience is for children’s futures.

 

Mrs Angharad Fitch

Head Teacher 

Term of Office: in post

Committees: Staffing & Finance / Curriculum / Ethos

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests: none

Governance roles in other educational institutions: none

Full Governing Body Meetings attended in previous academic year: 7/7     

 

 

 

 

Mr John Edwards

Staff Governor - Deputy Head Teacher 

Term of Office: in post

Committees: Staffing & Finance / Curriculum / Ethos

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests: none

Governance roles in other educational institutions: none

Full Governing Body Meetings attended in previous academic year: 0 (new)

 

 

Mr Brian Cripps

Foundation Governor

Term of Office: 01.03.24 - 29.2.27                                                                                

Committees: Curriculum

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests: none

Full Governing Body Meetings attended in previous academic year: 4/7 

Governor Profile

I have lived on Benhall for over 30 years and have three grown-up children, two of whom went through their primary years at St Mark's. I have a lifetime of experience in primary education as a class teacher, as a subject leader and as a deputy head. My subject loves are music and PE, but I am also enthusiastic about the contribution extra-curricular activities and residentials make to children's development. I have been a teacher and a parent governor in other primary schools.

 

Mr Jonathon Gould

Foundation Governor

Term of Office: 01.12.21 - 27.11.27                                                                             

Committees: Curriculum Chair

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests: None

Full Governing Body Meetings attended in previous academic year: 6/7

Governor Profile

I have been a teacher for 23 years. Currently, I work at Dean Close Prep School where I am the Academic Deputy Head. I love learning new things and am passionate about helping children fulfil their potential. I'm married with two teenage children and can often be found out and about on my bike, riding silly distances for fun!

 

 

Mrs Charlotte Jamieson 

Foundation Governor

Term of Office: 01.12.22 - 30.11.28

Committees: Staffing and Finance / Curriculum 

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests: None

Full Governing Body Meetings attended in previous academic year: 6/7

Governor Profile

I have lived in Cheltenham for more than 25 years on the other side of town from St Mark's and have been an active member of the town centre church, St Matthew's. My two grown-up children attended local schools and I was a governor at their primary school for a number of years. I recently retired from UK Research and Innovation, which funds academic research and enjoy all aspects of science (my role at UKRI was funding particle physics!)

 

Mrs Jill Pauling

Foundation Governor

Term of Office: Until 31/01/28

Committees: Ethos

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests: none

Full Governing Body Meetings attended in previous academic year: 5/7

Governor Profile

After leading three Church of England Primary schools in London and Cambridge, John and I settled in Cheltenham. In early retirement, we established an English speaking church and house fellowship in SW France. In 2020 we returned to England. We have two grown up sons and a daughter. One of our sons is the Head of a local secondary school. I look forward to becoming involved in the French experience at St Mark's and generally support this exciting and forward looking primary school.

 

Mrs Helen Lockyer

Associate Member

Term of Office: 28.11.24 - 27.11.27                                                                              

Committees: Curriculum

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests: None

Full Governing Body Meetings attended in previous academic year: 6/7

Governor Profile

My two sons attended St Mark’s and particularly benefitted from the wide range of sporting opportunities on offer.  I am delighted to be involved in supporting the school as an Associate Member. My professional background is in education. I have taught across Key Stage 2 and currently work for the Local Authority as a School Improvement Adviser, working with leaders to evaluate and improve the quality of education and outcomes for pupils. 

I am passionate about all children being able to develop a lifelong love of reading, recognising how this opens doors, builds confidence and has a lasting impact on their learning and future opportunities. 

 

Mrs Carissa Palmer-Little

Parent Governor

Term of Office: Until 31/08/2030

Committees: Staffing & Finance / Curriculum / Deputy Safeguarding lead

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests: none

Full Governing Body Meetings attended in previous academic year: 0 (new)

Governor Profile

I have worked with children and young people for over 20 years in a variety of roles, with the majority of my career dedicated to supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). I am currently an Assistant Headteacher at a special school, where I serve as the Designated Safeguarding Lead, oversee aspects of the curriculum, and am the Designated Teacher for Children in Care.

Throughout my career, I have worked with children and young people across all age ranges and stages of education. I became a Parent Governor because I am passionate about ensuring that every child receives the support, opportunities, and encouragement they need to thrive. I hope to use my professional experience in education, safeguarding and inclusion to contribute positively to the governing body, and support the school's continued development. As both a parent and an education professional, I understand the importance of schools working closely with families to achieve the best outcomes for children. I feel privileged to play a part in helping young people reach their full potential and am committed to supporting the school in providing a safe, inclusive, and ambitious learning environment for all.

Mrs Donna McAlary

Parent Governor

Term of Office: Until 27/11/2029

Committees: Staffing & Finance

Business, Personal & Pecuniary Interests: none

Full Governing Body Meetings attended in previous academic year: 2/7

Governor Profile

I live in Benhall and am proud to have two children in local education, one at Benhall Infants and the other in Year 4 at St Mark’s. As a teacher myself, with 17 years of experience in education, I have a genuine understanding of the opportunities, challenges and importance of ensuring every child is given the very best opportunities to learn, grow and thrive. 

I  have a great love of literature and a particular passion for English, believing that developing a love of reading, language and learning can open so many doors for young people. Above all, I care deeply about children and their futures. I am passionate about being part of a process that supports, encourages and empowers every child, ensuring they are given the opportunities, confidence and support to succeed in their own right.
 

Spotlight on… The Governors’ Staffing & Finance Committee

The Governor’s Staffing & Finance Committee is responsible for making sure the school’s recruitment works smoothly and that we continue to have excellent teachers here at St Mark’s. We help the school’s leadership find the right people to join the school. If you have any questions about Staffing in the school, please do get in touch!

One of the other key roles of the Committee is to be responsible for approving the Budget. We also monitor the policies and procedures for sound budgetary control. The Committee also oversees the Pupil Premium expenditure to ensure effective use of the funds. Additional responsibilities include reviewing Health and Safety issues associated with the building and site. We are currently looking at generating income from other sources.

Spotlight on…The Ethos Committee

The Ethos Committee supports and promotes the school’s Christian ethos, vision and values. The Committee has responsibility to support, advise and challenge on matters relating to the Christian distinctiveness and effectiveness as a Church of England school. We promote links between the school, local parish churches, Parochial Church Council and communities locally, nationally and globally.  We monitor and evaluate the content and impact of Collective Worship and Religious Education on our pupils’ learning and SMSC development. If you’d like to find out more about our work or have a voice on our Committee, please contact us!

Spotlight on....... The Curriculum Committee

The Curriculum Committee is responsible for ensuring that the St Mark's School’s curriculum not only meets statutory requirements but is ambitious and progressive, reflecting our vision and values. The committee is involved in evaluating the choice of approaches and strategies used to teach the curriculum to ensure the best possible outcomes. It also supports staff as they carry out monitoring activities to support the identification of priorities and subsequent actions.

If you would like to see the minutes from any of our Governing Body meetings, they can be requested from Mrs Hicks on 01242 702280 option 3 or admin@st-marks.gloucs.sch.uk

Please allow 10 working days for you to receive them.