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;
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Holding the Head Teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the performance management of staff; and
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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:
Committee |
Chair |
Responsibilities |
Governing Body (GB) |
Ann Cotterill David Oakley
Co Chairs |
|
Performance and Standards (P&S) |
Kerry Newson |
|
Resources |
Karen Baker |
|
Pay |
David Oakley |
|
Ethos & Values |
Father Patrick Gerard |
|
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.
Governors Register of Pecuniary Interests
The following governors serve on the Governing Body during the school year 2020-21
Governor Name |
Type of Governor |
Chair (CH) or Vice Chair (VC) |
Committee Chair |
Resources Cmte member |
Performance & Standards Cmte member |
Ethos & Values Cmte Member |
Connection to Staff (Yes or No) If Yes, who & how |
Term of Office End Date |
Other School Governor Posts Held |
Business Interests Declared (Yes or No) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mary McKay |
LA |
|
|
Y |
Y |
|
N |
31 Jan 2023 |
N |
Y see below |
Ann Cotterill |
CG |
Co-CHAIR |
|
|
Y |
Y |
N |
29 April 2023 |
N |
Y see below |
VACANCY |
CG |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VACANCY |
CG |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VACANCY |
CG |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fr Patrick Gerard |
FOU |
|
Y |
|
|
Y |
N |
None |
N |
Y see below |
Judy McCluskey |
HT Ex Officio |
|
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
None |
N |
N |
Heidi Copland |
PG |
|
|
|
Y |
|
N |
29 Nov 2020 |
Y see below |
Y see below |
Debbie Thompson |
STF |
|
|
Y |
|
|
N |
4 Oct 2024 |
N |
N |
Stuart Baines |
FOU |
|
|
|
Y |
|
N |
30 Sep 2024 |
N |
N |
Kerry Newson |
AS |
|
Y |
|
Y |
|
N |
n/a |
N |
N |
VACANCY |
PG |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clare Kimpton |
FOU |
|
|
|
|
Y |
N |
30 June 2023 |
N |
N |
Karen Baker |
PG |
|
Y |
Y |
|
|
|
|
N |
N |
David Oakley |
CG |
Co-CHAIR |
|
Y |
Y |
|
N |
April 2022 |
N |
N |
David Woodbourne |
PG |
|
|
Y |
Y |
|
|
15 Dec 2023 |
N |
N |
Key:
LA – Local Authority nominated or appointed governor
PG – Elected or appointed parent governor
STF – Staff governor
FOU – Foundation governor, appointed by the Diocesan Education Service
CG – Co-opted governor, appointed by the Governing Body
AG – Appointed by the Trustees of the Academy
PTN – Partnership governor
AS – Associate Member
Mary McKay
WCC Governor Services – Associate Trainer since 2006 to present
Newport Educational – Trainer since 2006 to present
Heidi Copland
COO at the National Governance Association (NGA) since March 2016 to present
Fr Patrick Gerrard
Chairman of Parochial Church Council, Trustee of Lapworth Charity, Post holde at Diocese of Birmingham, Chair of Lapworth Old School Trust and Trustee of Melson Memorial Trust
Ann Cotterill
Director of Cotterill Creative Education Solutions Ltd – management consultancy for higher education providers Feb 2017 to present
Judy McCluskey
Husband is a director of Gilbert McCluskey Limited (dormant) and manager at Insight Trans Logistics which is a haulage company.
The following Governors serve on the Governing Body during the school year 2019-20:
Governor Name |
Type of Governor |
Chair (CH) or Vice Chair (VC) |
Committee Chair |
Resources Cmte member |
Performance & Standards Cmte member |
Diocesan Cmte Member |
Connection to Staff (Yes or No) If Yes, who & how |
Term of Office End Date |
Other School Governor Posts Held |
Business Interests Declared (Yes or No) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mary McKay |
LA |
|
|
Y |
Y |
|
N |
Jan 2023 |
Y see below |
Y see below |
Ann Cotterill |
CG |
Co-CHAIR |
Y |
|
Y |
Y |
N |
29 April 2023 |
N |
Y see below |
VACANCY |
CG |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VACANCY |
CG |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fr Patrick Gerard |
FOU |
|
Y |
|
|
Y |
N |
None |
N |
Y see below |
Judy McCluskey |
HT Ex Officio |
|
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
None |
N |
N |
Heidi Copland |
PG |
|
|
|
Y |
|
N |
Oct 2020 |
Y see below |
Y see below |
Debbie Thompson |
STF |
|
|
Y |
|
|
N |
Sep 2020 |
N |
N |
Stuart Baines |
FOU |
|
|
|
Y |
|
N |
Sep 2020 |
N |
N |
Kerry Newson |
PG |
|
|
|
Y |
|
N |
13 April 2020 |
N |
N |
Keisha Eve |
PG |
VICE CHAIR (until end of term of office) |
|
|
|
Y |
N |
Nov 2019 |
N |
N |
Clare Kimpton |
FOU |
|
|
|
|
Y |
N |
7 July 2023 |
N |
N |
Karen Baker |
PG |
|
Y |
Y |
|
|
|
July 2019 |
N |
N |
David Oakley |
CG |
Co-CHAIR |
|
Y |
Y |
|
N |
April 2022 |
N |
N |
Denise Gumley |
CG |
|
|
Y |
|
|
|
26 Mar 2023 |
N |
N |
David Woodbourne |
PG |
|
|
|
Y |
|
|
15 Dec 2023 |
N |
N |
Key:
LA – Local Authority nominated or appointed governor
PG – Elected or appointed parent governor
STF – Staff governor
FOU – Foundation governor, appointed by the Diocesan Education Service
CG – Co-opted governor, appointed by the Governing Body
AG – Appointed by the Trustees of the Academy
PTN – Partnership governor
AS – Associate Member
Mary McKay
Other School Governor posts held – Chair of IEB at Salford Priors Primary since 2016 to present
WCC Governor Services – Associate Trainer since 2006 to present
Newport Educational – Trainer since 2006 to present
Heidi Copland
COO at the National Governance Association (NGA) since March 2016 to present
Fr Patrick Gerrard
Chairman of Parochial Church Council, Trustee of Lapworth Charities, Chair of Lapworth Old School Trust and Trustee of Melson Memorial Trust
Ann Cotterill
Director of Cotterill Creative Education Solutions Ltd – management consultancy for higher education providers Feb 2017 to present
The following governors served on the Governing Body during the school year 2018-19:
Governor Name |
Type of Governor |
Chair (CH) or Vice Chair (VC) |
Committee Chair |
Resources Cmte member |
Performance & Standards Cmte member |
Diocesan Cmte Member |
Connection to Staff (Yes or No) If Yes, who & how |
Term of Office End Date |
Other School Governor Posts Held |
Business Interests Declared (Yes or No) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mary McKay |
LA |
Co-CHAIR |
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
Jan 2023 |
Y see below |
Y see below |
Ann Cotterill |
CG |
CO-CHAIR |
Y |
|
Y |
|
N |
Apr 2023 |
N |
Y see below |
Fr Patrick Gerard |
FOU Ex Officio |
|
Y |
|
|
Y |
N |
None |
N |
Y see below |
Judy McCluskey |
HT Ex Officio |
|
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
None |
N |
N |
Heidi Copland |
PG |
|
|
|
Y |
|
N |
Oct 2020 |
Y see below |
Y see below |
Debbie Thompson |
STF |
|
|
Y |
|
|
N |
Sep 2020 |
N |
N |
Stuart Baines |
FOU |
|
|
|
Y |
|
N |
Sep 2020 |
N |
N |
Kerry Newson |
PG |
|
|
|
Y |
|
N |
13 April 2020 |
N |
N |
Keisha Eve |
PG |
VICE CHAIR |
|
|
|
Y |
N |
Nov 2019 |
N |
N |
Clare Kimpton |
FOU |
|
|
|
|
Y |
N |
July 2023 |
N |
N |
Karen Baker |
PG |
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 2019 |
N |
N |
David Oakley |
CG |
|
|
|
Y |
|
N |
April 2022 |
N |
N |
Denise Gumley |
CG |
|
|
Y |
|
|
|
26 Mar 2023 |
N |
N |
Mike Sexton |
CG |
|
|
Y |
|
|
|
26 Mar 2023 |
N |
N |
Patrick Hooper |
FOU |
|
|
Y |
|
|
|
Term ended Jan 2019 |
N |
N |
Adam Marsden |
CG |
|
Y |
Y |
|
|
|
Resigned Oct 2018 |
N |
N |
Key:
LA – Local Authority nominated or appointed governor
PG – Elected or appointed parent governor
STF – Staff governor
FOU – Foundation governor, appointed by the Diocesan Education Service
CG – Co-opted governor, appointed by the Governing Body
AG – Appointed by the Trustees of the Academy
PTN – Partnership governor
AS – Associate Member
Mary McKay
Other School Governor posts held – Chair of IEB at Salford Priors Primary since 2016 to present
WCC Governor Services – Associate Trainer since 2006 to present
Newport Educational – Trainer since 2006 to present
Heidi Copland
CO at the National Governance Association (NGA) since March 2016 to present
Fr Patrick Gerrard
Chairman of Parochial Church Council, Trustee of Lapworth Charities, Chair of Lapworth Old School Trust and Trustee of Melson Memorial Trust
Ann Cotterill
Director of Cotterill Creative Education Solutions Ltd – management consultancy for higher education providers Feb 2017 to present
Governors Attendance at meetings 2019/20
Full Governing Body | |||||||||||||
Name of Governor | Date of meeting | ||||||||||||
01-Oct-19 | 27-Nov-19 | 06-May-20 | 13-Jul-20 | Total attended | |||||||||
Mary McKay | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | out of 4 | |||||||
Ann Cotterill | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||||
Fr Patrick Gerard | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||||
Judy McCluskey | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||||
Stuart Baines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||||
Keisha Eve | 1 | 1 | n/a | n/a | out of 2 | Left the board after her term as a parent governor ended | |||||||
Kerry Newson | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | out of 4 | Attended as Associate after the end of her term as a parent governor on 16 April | ||||||
Karen Baker | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||||
Clare Kimpton | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||||
Heidi Copland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | out of 4 | |||||||
Debbie Thompson | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||||
David Oakley | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | out of 4 | |||||||
Denise Gumley | 1 | 1 | 0 | n/a | 2 | out of 2 | Resigned as a governor | ||||||
Mike Sexton | 0 | 0 | n/a | 0 | out of 2 | Ceased to be a governor in Jan 2020 | |||||||
Performance & Standards | |||||||||||||
Name of Governor | Date of meeting | ||||||||||||
26-Sep-19 | 06-Dec-19 | 12-Mar-20 | 18-Jun-20 | Total attended | |||||||||
Ann Cotterill | 0 | 0 | n/a | n/a | 0 | out of 1 | Left the Resources Committee in Nov 2019 | ||||||
Mary McKay | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||||
Judy McCluskey | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||||
Stuart Baines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||||
Kerry Newson | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | Became an associate at the end of her term of office as parent governor | ||||||
Heidi Copland | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | out of 4 | |||||||
David Oakley | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | out of 4 | |||||||
Denise Gumley | 0 | 1 | 0 | n/a | 1 | out of 3 | Joined the Resources Committee in Nov 2019 | ||||||
David Woodbourne | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | out of 2 | Joined the Resources Committee in March 2020 after election as parent governor | ||||||
Resources | |||||||||||||
Name of Governor | Date of meeting | ||||||||||||
22-Oct-19 | 16-Apr-20 | 17-Jun-20 | Total attended | ||||||||||
Mary McKay | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | out of 3 | ||||||||
Judy McCluskey | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | out of 3 | ||||||||
Karen Baker | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | out of 3 | ||||||||
Debbie Thompson | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | out of 3 | ||||||||
David Oakley | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | out of 1 | ||||||||
Denise Gumley | 1 | 1 | n/a | 2 | out of 1 | ||||||||
Mike Sexton | 0 | n/a | n/a | 0 | out of 1 | Left the board in Jan 2020 | |||||||
David Woodbourne | n/a | 1 | 1 | 2 | out of 3 | Joined the Committee in March 2020 after election as parent governor | |||||||
Pay | |||||||||||||
Name of Governor | Date of meeting | Total attended | |||||||||||
22-Oct-19 | |||||||||||||
Judy McCluskey | 1 | 1 | out of 1 | ||||||||||
Karen Baker | 1 | 1 | out of 1 | ||||||||||
Ann Cotterill | 0 | 0 | out of 1 | ||||||||||
David Oakley | 1 | 1 | out of 1 | ||||||||||
Denise Gumley | 1 | 1 | out of 1 | ||||||||||
Ethos & Values (prev Diocesan) | |||||||||||||
Name of Governor | Date of meeting | ||||||||||||
16-Oct-19 | 05-Feb-20 | 03-Jun-20 | Total attended | ||||||||||
Fr Patrick Gerard | 1 | 1 | 2 | out of 3 | |||||||||
Judy McCluskey | 1 | 1 | 2 | out of 3 | |||||||||
Clare Kimpton | 1 | 1 | 2 | out of 3 | |||||||||
Keisha Eve | 1 | n/a | n/a | 1 | out of 1 | Left the Board after her term as a parent governor ended | |||||||
Ann Cotterill | 0 | 1 | 1 | out of 3 | |||||||||
Deborah Yardley | |||||||||||||
Clerk to the Governing Body | |||||||||||||
09-Sep-20 | |||||||||||||
Governors Attendance at meetings 2018/19
Full Governing Body | |||||||||||
Name of Governor | Date of meeting | ||||||||||
02-Oct-18 | 29-Nov-18 | 27-Mar-19 | 08-Jul-19 | Total attended | |||||||
Mary McKay | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||
Adam Marsden | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | out of 1 | Resigned after meeting on 2 Oct 2018 | ||||
Ann Cotterill | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||
Fr Patrick Gerard | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||
Judy McCluskey | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||
Stuart Baines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||
Keisha Eve | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||
Kerry Newson | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | out of 4 | |||||
Karen Baker | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | out of 4 | |||||
Clare Kimpton | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||
Patrick Hooper | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | out of 2 | Left the board in Jan 2019 | ||||
Heidi Copland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | out of 4 | |||||
Debbie Thompson | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||
David Oakley | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||
Denise Gumley | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | out of 1 | co-opted at meeting on 27 March | ||||
Mike Sexton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | out of 1 | co-opted at meeting on 27 March | ||||
Performance & Standards | |||||||||||
Name of Governor | Date of meeting | ||||||||||
28-Sep-18 | 07-Dec-18 | 25-Jan-19 | 23-May-19 | Total attended | |||||||
Ann Cotterill | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | out of 4 | |||||
Mary McKay | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||
Judy McCluskey | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||
Stuart Baines | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | out of 4 | |||||
Kerry Newson | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||
Heidi Copland | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | out of 4 | |||||
David Oakley | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | out of 4 | |||||
Resources | |||||||||||
Name of Governor | Date of meeting | ||||||||||
23-Oct-18 | 12-Mar-19 | 20-Jun-19 | Total attended | ||||||||
Mary McKay | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | out of 3 | ||||||
Judy McCluskey | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | out of 3 | ||||||
Karen Baker | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | out of 3 | ||||||
Patrick Hooper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | out of 1 | Left the Governing Body in February 2019 | |||||
Debbie Thompson | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | out of 3 | ||||||
Ann Cotterill | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | out of 1 | Attended as Co Chair in absence of MM | |||||
Denise Gumley | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | out of 1 | Joined the Committee in June 2019 | |||||
Mike Sexton | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | out of 1 | Joined the Committee in June 2019 | |||||
Pay | |||||||||||
Name of Governor | Date of meeting | Total attended | |||||||||
23-Oct-18 | |||||||||||
Mary McKay | 1 | 1 | out of 1 | ||||||||
Judy McCluskey | 1 | 1 | out of 1 | ||||||||
Patrick Hooper | 1 | 1 | out of 1 | ||||||||
Karen Baker | 1 | 1 | out of 1 | ||||||||
Ann Cotterill | 1 | 1 | out of 1 | ||||||||
Diocesan | |||||||||||
Name of Governor | Date of meeting | ||||||||||
10-Oct-18 | 06-Feb-19 | 05-Jun-19 | Total attended | ||||||||
Fr Patrick Gerard | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | out of 3 | ||||||
Mary McKay | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | out of 1 | Left the Committee after the 10 Oct 2018 meeting | |||||
Judy McCluskey | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | out of 3 | ||||||
Clare Kimpton | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | out of 3 | ||||||
Keisha Eve | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | out of 3 | ||||||
Ann Cotterill | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | out of 3 | ||||||
Deborah Yardley | |||||||||||
Clerk to the Governing Body | |||||||||||
06-Sep-19 | |||||||||||
Total attended | |||||||||||
4 | out of 5 | ||||||||||
3 | out of 5 | ||||||||||
5 | out of 5 | ||||||||||
3 | out of 5 | ||||||||||
4 | out of 5 | not invited to attend 13 Mar meeting | |||||||||
5 | out of 5 | ||||||||||
5 | out of 5 | ||||||||||
4 | out of 5 | ||||||||||
4 | out of 5 | ||||||||||
3 | out of 5 | ||||||||||
5 | out of 5 | ||||||||||
4 | out of 4 | appointed Oct 2016 | |||||||||
4 | out of 5 | not invited to attend 13 Mar meeting |
Meet the Governors
Ann Cotterill, Co Chair of the Governing Body
I am a management consultant working predominantly to support higher education providers meet their regulatory requirements and deliver high quality programmes. As a co-opted governor, I help to support Mrs McCluskey and the leadership team in maintaining high standards for pupils and staff. I have been a member of the governing body (GB) since October 2011 and am now Co-chair of the GB. I find being a governor is a highly rewarding role as it provides opportunities to see the educational progress of the pupils as well as their wide and varied achievements.
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. I have lived in the UK (England and Wales) for around 30 years and in the local area for the last 20 years. My child attended Lapworth Primary from Reception to Year 6 and is now enjoying secondary school.
Mary McKay, Local Authority Governor
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 Ethos & Values Committee.
Karen Baker, Parent Governor
I was initially elected as a parent governor in 2015 and then re-elected for a second term in 2019. As well as serving on the Full Governing Body, I am currently Chair of the Resources Committee. This committee deals with non-curriculum matters such as finance, HR, Health and Safety and premises. During my time as a governor, I have been involved with some exciting decisions and projects including the expansion of the school to one-form entry, the creation of The Orchard and bringing the Pre-School under the school's management.
I enjoy being a governor as it provides an opportunity to play an active role supporting the Head Teacher and the rest of the staff with the strategic management of the school. It also allows me to give something back to the setting which has played a significant and valuable role in our family's lives since our eldest child joined the Pre-School at the age of 2 back in 2010.
My professional background is as a chartered accountant and I have worked in both the private and public sectors. When my children were younger, I held the role of Treasurer on the committee of the Pre-School when it was run as an independent charity and I have also worked as a school business manager in schools in Birmingham and Warwickshire. This has provided me with relevant, current experience to bring to my role as a governor. I have lived in Lapworth since 2007. Having children here and getting involved in the community via the Pre-School, Scarecrow festival and the school has provided us with many friends locally and I am privileged to be able to give something back by supporting the school as a governor.
David Woodbourne, parent governor
My eldest daughter started Lapworth School in 2017 and, all being well, my youngest daughter is due to leave in 2032! As the school is such a large part of our lives rather than follow my natural introverted instincts, I took the opportunity to take an active role in supporting the school and became a parent governor.
In my first year I was involved in an OFSTED inspection, a pandemic, and elected chair of the Performance & Standards committee. Lapworth is a great school with fantastic teachers who have a desire to make a difference in the lives of our children and impart life lessons they’ll never forget.
It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to support them by influencing school strategies and policy. My perspective on primary education is it should nurture key skills such as imagination, cooperation, problem solving, communication, critical thinking, and empathy. I believe the common path to nurturing these skills, is to foster fun, happiness, play and creativity in the classroom.
Professionally I have a background in IT, currently managing a team responsible for a Universities' data warehouse and analytics architecture. My hobbies include rock climbing, squash, and running. However, it’s quality time with my family I value most, whether on the floor playing, reading stories, walking the dog or building yet another den.
Stuart Baines, Foundation Governor
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.