Governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in all St Christopher’s Multi Academy Trust schools. However, the ultimate responsibility for the school lies with the Board of Directors, with much of the work delegated to the Local Governing Body (LGB).
The LGB has three core functions:
Governors set the aims and objectives for the school and set the targets/policies for achieving those aims and objectives. They monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making and act as a source of challenge and support to the headteacher.
Governors bring a wide range of skills and expertise from their professional lives to the governing board and schools benefit greatly from working with skilled volunteers.
We are currently looking to recruit new volunteers for our LGB; please click here for more information.
If you are interested in hearing more about becoming a governor please contact: sid.clerk@stcmat.org
When we decided to move to Exeter, I viewed a lot of schools. As soon as I walked into St Sidwell's, I knew it was where I wanted my children to go. I loved the atmosphere, the strong feeling of care and community, and the diversity of the school.
In my day job, I work for the University of Exeter Medical School raising money for medical research into dementia, cancer and other disease. Before that I spent 18 years raising money for the very best of theatre and the arts in London. I am as passionate about the importance of the arts and creative industries in our life, as I am about curing disease!
I am really proud to be part of the team of governors, staff and parents who together make our school a school to be proud of. As governors we are all here to do our best for the children and to promote the highest standards at the school. If you have any ideas or want to help - please do get in touch.
I have worked in Primary schools, as a teacher and a head teacher, for most of my working life. Whilst I was training for ordination, I worked for the University of the West of England and had various opportunities of doing some work abroad in Eastern Europe and the Caribbean. I was ordained 17 years ago and, as part of my parish duties I was a governor and a volunteer at a Nursery and Children’s centre. I am pleased to be part of the team of governors at St. Sidwell's working with children, staff and parents to provide the very best for the children at the school.
I previously I worked alongside my husband in a busy, multi-cultural parish in Coventry, where I was also a School Governor. In that role I was particularly interested in developing links between the school, the community and the church. Throughout my career I have been involved in supporting families in a variety of ways, so that they can make the best of their situations . I enjoy the company of children and my 4 little granddaughters keep me up to date on current trends. By training I am a pastoral counsellor and have lived in India and worked for short spells in Africa. I really enjoy being outdoors, bird-watching and gardening and we have an allotment beside St James Park Station.
A graduate in Computer Science with a Master’s Degree in Education, Chloe worked for Intel and Accenture, working on projects which took her to California, Russia and China.
Chloe works in secondary education and trained on the school-centred route in London before moving back to her beloved Devon. Working within the Ted Wragg Trust, Chloe has many roles within the school leadership and sits as an associated member of the West Exe School senior leadership team. With a passion for 'Pedagogy and Practice' Chloe has the pleasure of running South West Teacher Training as their Deputy Lead, with 80 trainees across the region. Chloe has a wealth of experience in parent engagement, student voice, IT systems and balances this with her love of sport and two small children, who love being at St. Sidwell's.
William has previously served as a school governor on two occasions and works in an educational setting at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter.
In terms of governance, William has special interests in celebrating the diversity at St Sidwell's as well as staff well-being and recruitment.
I have been a primary school teacher at St Sidwell’s since my NQT year, which began in September 2015. Since then, I have been passionate about providing the best education for the pupils in our school. I am enthusiastic, committed and motivated to take on the role as staff governor to make a positive difference to the school and its pupils. I believe I am someone who teaches children values and skills that enable them to become life-long learners and responsible, global citizens. I have always endeavoured to make a difference to the children, school and community that I teach in. Through my role as staff governor, I am looking forward to supporting and creating opportunities and outcomes for children to succeed and have a flourishing education at St Sidwell’s.
I joined St Christopher’s Multi Academy Trust in 2022 and now clerk for three local schools, providing administrative support to their Local Governing Bodies. Previously, I have taught IB and A Level German, and worked as a junior school Teaching Assistant, as well as in translation proofreading.
I find the clerking role interesting, rewarding and enjoyable, particularly because it is varied and draws on my organisational and written communication skills, and gives me opportunities for continuous professional development and for building relationships with others.
I always come away from Local Governing Body meetings feeling inspired by how deeply our governors and school leaders care about securing the best possible outcomes for our children. I feel privileged to serve our school community in my role as clerk.
To contact Vikki or the Governors please email sid.clerk@stcmat.org
Summary of Governor Information
Name |
Governor Role and Type |
Appointing Body |
Date Appointed |
Term End |
Registered Pecuniary and Personal Interests |
Meeting Attendance 2022-23 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mel Cleveland |
Foundation Governor Lead Governor for Safeguarding, Attendance & Behaviour |
Trust Board |
17/06/2023 |
16/06/2027 |
None |
2/6 |
Chloe Fox |
Parent Governor Lead Governor for Maths |
Parent Body |
17/02/2022 |
16/02/2026 |
Employment: West Exe School, South West Teacher Training and Ted Wragg Trust |
5/6 |
William Gallois |
Foundation Governor / Lead Governor for Science, History & Geography |
Trust Board |
27/03/22 |
26/03/2026 |
Employment: University of Exeter |
5/6 |
Veronica Lee |
Foundation Governor / Vice Chair / Lead Governor for English, EYFS, Early Reading & Phonics |
Trust Board |
15/06/2021 |
14/06/2025 |
Employment: PTO for Exeter Diocese Charity Trusteeship: Member of SOGG Charity Trusteeship: Member of EDEN Governor: Pinhoe C of E Primary School |
5/6 |
Katarina Pennington | Staff Governor | Staff | 21/11/2023 | 20/11/2027 | Employment: St Sidwell's Primary & Nursery School | N/A |
Angie Rowe |
Head Teacher |
Ex-Officio |
05/06/2023 |
N/A |
Employment: Head Teacher at St Sidwell's Primary & Nursery School |
3/3 |
Tania Stapleton |
Parent Governor / Chair / Lead Governor for Disadvantaged Pupils
|
Parent Body |
05/03/2021 |
04/03/2025 |
Employment: University of St Andrews |
5/6 |
Governors who have left within the last 6 months:
Name |
Governor Role & Type |
Appointing Body |
Date Appointed |
Term End |
Registered Pecuniary and Personal Interests |
Meeting Attendance 2022-23 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Angela O'Shea |
Foundation Governor |
Trust Board |
01/11/2021 |
Resigned 22/09/2023 |
Employment: Mentor at Exeter University |
1/6 |
Charlie Walker | Foundation Governor | Trust Board | 26/05/2022 | Resigned 31/08/2023 |
Student: University of Exeter Charity Trusteeship: National Association for Pastoral Care in Education Other Conflict: Work in Parliament for a Minister (Non-Education) of State |
3/6 |
Ed Hodges | Ex-Officio Foundation Governor | Ex-Officio | 01/09/2022 | Resigned 10/08/23 | Employment: Rector at St Matthew with St Sidwell Exeter | 3/6 |
Jackie Willey | Co-Opted Governor | LGB | 01/10/2022 | 30/09/23 | Employment: St Sidwell's C of E Primary & Nursery School | 5/6 |
Jakir Hussain | Foundation Governor | Trust Board | 29/04/2021 | Resigned 03/10/23 | - | 1/6 |
Keith McLeod | Staff Governor | Staff | 15/06/2021 | 20/11/23 |
Employment: Teacher at St Sidwell's C of E Primary & Nursery School Employment: Private Tutor Proprietor of Business: Landlord |
6/6 |
Diversity Data
The board believes that it is important that we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Diverse boards promote inclusive school environments and provide diverse role models for staff and young people. We collect data on the diversity of the board, including age, ethnicity, and gender, and we use this data to inform our recruitment and training needs, ensuring there is always a diverse range of perspectives around the table to support robust decision making. We do not publish diversity data online as individual governors could be identified and we have a legal obligation to protect their personal data.