Meet the Governors

Governing Body Information

The structure of the Governing Body.

Lapworth School has a Governing Body consisting of 15 Governors.  We are committed to the DfE’s advised three core functions prescribed for all Governing Bodies:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;

• Holding the Head Teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the performance management of staff; and

• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

The Governing Body is chaired by Ann Cotterill and David Oakley as Co-Chairs and meets at least once a term.  To fulfil the expectations above and work as efficiently as possible, without duplication of time and effort, this governing body has decided to delegate almost all matters to its committees.  The main committees and their key responsibilities are set out below:

In addition to the committees above, the Governing Body may also decide to establish working parties for specific projects and other areas which have a significant workload.  At present, we have one such group, the Pre-School Working Party chaired by Ann Cotterill.

Governors Register of Pecuniary Interests

The following Governors serve on the Governing Body during the school year 2019-20:

Governors Attendance at meetings 2018/19

Meet the Governors

Mary McKay, Chair of the Board of Governors

In the autumn of 2013 I was privileged to be appointed to lead our governing body for the next three years.
I had two reasons for accepting this role.
 
The first is to do with my commitment to the school and to the wider community of Lapworth. Gordon and I moved here in 1981. Our sons were five and seven at the time and attended Lapworth school in the days before it moved into the current premises in Station Lane. Our sons loved their time at the school and were well prepared for their move to secondary education in Stratford. I want to make sure that the primary education experienced by my sons continues i.e. one which recognises the importance of academic achievement but also, crucially, provides a caring atmosphere in which all our pupils learn and grow.       
 
My second reason is about my being able to contribute something to the governance of the school and, therefore, support the continued improvement of our school. I continue to work all over the country in my chosen career in education – as a specialist in school governance - training, reviewing and supporting governing bodies.
 
As Chair I can tell you the governing body has as one of its priorities this year improving communications with parents so you should notice we are in touch with you more regularly keeping you up to date with what we all our work. These are exciting times for our school with plans for expansion well under way but this does not distract us from the main job of providing the best possible education for all pupils who attend our school.

Father Patrick

Fr Patrick has been an ex-officio Foundation Governor since his institution as Rector of Lapworth in May 2010. Fr Patrick has degrees in Mathematics and Theology. He worked for British Gas for 16 years, including postings in India and Brazil negotiating pipeline contracts. He entered full-time ordained ministry in 2006. Currently he is chair of the Diocesan
Subcommittee.

Ann Cotterill

I am the parent of one child who attended Lapworth Primary from Reception to Year 6 and has now progressed to secondary school. I joined the governing body (GB) in October 2011 as a parent governor, later converting to co-opted status. In my previous work role of Director of Higher Education at Warwickshire College, I reported to the college board of governors and now as a governor, I have experience of both sides of the governance process. I am now a higher education consultant and run my own small consulting business.

On joining the GB I also became a member of the Performance and Standards Committee. This committee reviews pupil attainment and progress, among other things. I have found this role very rewarding as it is an opportunity to see what good progress many pupils make at all levels. All pupil information is kept strictly confidential and only year level data is shared not individual pupil data. I have been Chair of the Committee since 2012 and, after six years of service, will soon be passing retiring as Chair while I intend to remain a committee member. I am also a member of the Diocesan Committee.

On a more personal note, I am Australian and lived in a sunnier climate throughout my formative years. I studied chemistry and gained my doctorate from the University of Melbourne have lived in the UK (England and Wales) for around 25 years and in the local area for the last 15 years.

Kerry Newson

I am a parent governor and have served on the governing body since Easter 2016. I put myself forward because I work in education and because I have previously served on the national council of Girl Guiding UK. I sit on the Performance and Standards committee and enjoy the opportunity to monitor different aspects of the school.

I am also currently serving as the governor with a special focus on SEND, so am in constant contact with the school’s SENCo, and feel this has given me an incredible insight into primary education. I feel I am learning and developing in my role all the time, which is very exciting.

I grew up locally and have lived in Lapworth for the past 8 years. I am a qualified teacher, with a literacy specialism, and have a BA in English language and literature. I really enjoy the community of Lapworth and feel honoured to be involved in Lapworth School.

Stuart Baines

I joined the Governing Body as a Parent Governor shortly after my eldest daughter started at Lapworth school and this year have all three daughters at Lapworth.  Working with the Governing Body has given me the opportunity to give something back whilst my daughters enjoy the community, activities and learning that the school provides to all pupils.

During my time on the Governing Body I have learnt so much more about Primary Education than I ever understood before.  From my role in the Performance and Standards Committee I have learnt about the teaching and monitoring of our pupils achievements.  Working on Communications I have assisted with the setting up of this website and learnt about the challenges of communicating with the large audience that take an interest in our school.  I hope to continue providing governance for Lapworth School in the exciting times that the proposed school expansion will bring.

Finally, some background, I have a degree in Engineering and work in Information Technology as part of a global team defining cloud technologies for business solutions.  Since graduating I worked in Cambridge & London for 8 years but happily moved toLapworth over 15 years ago.  I enjoy the rural surroundings and community in the village, taking advantage of the opportunity to walk to school some mornings with the Walking Bus on Station Lane.