Governing Board Information

Our new Governing Board came into office on 25th April, 2022 when the Village Schools Partnership formed into a federation of schools.

Our Governing Board consists of:

2 Parent Governors
1 Staff Governor
1 Local Authority appointed Governor
2 Foundation Governors (appointed by the Atlantic Coast Co-operative Trust)
7 Co-opted Governors
1 Executive Headteacher

We currently have vacancies for three new Governors. We are particularly looking for Governors with experience and/or an interest in finance and budgets but if you have time and a committment to improving opportunites for the children in our community please contact us to find out more about what the role of being a Governor involves.

The Clerk to the Governing Board is Caroline Boother. She can be contacted via clerk@villageschools.org.uk

The Governing Board of the Village Schools Partnership consists of fourteen governors. Each Governor’s term of office generally lasts for four years but some Governors have provided longer service. The Governing Board also benefits from three Associate Members with special interests in the welfare of the school community and SEN and in literacy.

Governors are responsible for promoting high standards of education and planning for the future of the schools. They are the accountable body to parents and the community, and provide strategic direction to the schools by establishing a vision and setting the purpose and aims of the schools. Governors are not involved in the day to day running of the school- that is the Headteacher’s responsibility. Governors monitor and evaluate the work of the schools and the effectiveness of the school improvement plan. Governors act as a ‘critical friend’, supporting and challenging the Headteacher and leaders and holding them to account.

During the year, we attend a minimum of six full Governing Board Meetings. Our last meeing of the academic year is open to members of the school community. Please locate the terms of reference for each committee by clicking on the committee below. In addition to Chairs of various committees, there are Lead Governor roles which helps to share the workload.

Our Governors

Sarah Broom Chair of Governors and Finance Lead Governor; Foundation Governor

Peter Cox Vice- Chair of Governors; Foundation Governor

I am semi- retired having served in Devon and Cornwall Police for thirty four years finishing as a custody Sergeant at Barnstaple. I have nearly completed eleven years as a parent and community governor safeguarding at Pilton Academy. I live in Bideford and am serving the community further as a governor at local schools as well as Pilton. I am now safeguarding Governor and vice chair at Village schools partnership. I am committed to assisting in providing the best possible education that the Village schools partnership can provide .

Graham Bollands

I have worked in education all my life, including seventeen years as a primary school headteacher in Surrey, and now, semi-retired, I am privileged to be involved in training and supporting new teachers to the profession in my role as an associate tutor for the University of Reading. Married to Jo Richardson, Year 6 teacher at Woolsery, I am extremely keen to make a contribution to the local community - we have both so enjoyed living in this part of the world after moving from the southeast in 2021. I very much hope that my experience will be valuable to the Village Schools Partnership.

Siobhan Brennan Associate Member SEND

I have been a Governor for Woolsery Primary School for over 2 years and since become a co-opted Governor for the Village Schools Partnership. I have 2 children who attend Woolsery and 1 who has recently transitioned to secondary school from Woolsery. Over the years I have worked with children, from teaching dancing, supporting children with additional needs and looked after children in Residential Children Homes. I am passionate for ensuring children and young people are advocated for with their individual needs being met and for all children to have access to a high quality of education.

Phil Priest Premises and Health and Safety

A Governor since the start of the Federation, I am currently chair of Resources and Lead Governor on premises and health and safety. Both my children attended Parkham and I believe that the heart of a vibrant community is a successful local school.

Sue Kersey Curriculum

I have been a teacher at Woolsery School for seven years working across the key stages and now currently in Year 4 /5 class. I have led Literacy across the school, implementing a number of changes to bring consistency, coverage and cohesion. Throughout that time I have been a staff governor and recently changed to a co-opted governor. I moved to Devon over 30 years ago and have two grown up children. I am a keen gardener and runner in my free time.

Lizzie Nisbet Co-opted Governor

I initially became a parent governor when my son joined Woolsery Primary School in September 2021 and am now delighted to be continuing as part of the Governing Board for the Village Schools Partnership. Although I had no prior governance experience, I have taught as a classroom teacher in primary schools for the last 10 years and am dedicated to delivering high quality education for all children. I previously taught in inner city schools in London but have taught more locally in North Devon since relocating here in 2020.

Miranda Roper Parent Governor

I joined the Flying Start Federation Board of Governors as a parent governor as my daughter is a member of Parkham Primary School. I currently live and work in Parkham. I feel that being a part of the Board will allow me to help to develop the school and the education that it provides for the children.

Emma MCGuire Associate Member

I joined Woolsery Primary School Board of Governors as a Parent Governor and have two daughters that attend the school. I am thrilled to be continuing as part of the Village Schools Partnership Governing board. I have been a teacher in primary schools for over 15 years and am passionate about working collaboratively to equip our children with the skills and opportunities they need to become lifelong learners.

Ewan Wallis Parent Governor

Dave Watson SEND and Community

In 2018 I retired after more than twenty years as a Child Care Social Worker with Devon County Council and had previous involvement in Community Work. I was born in Buckland Brewer and attended Buckland Brewer School, as have my four children and grandson. I am involved in community activities in Buckland Brewer on the Parish Council and other groups. I am the school representative to the Buckland Brewer Hall. I am also involved in the Methodist Church in the village and wider area, but also with both Churches in Buckland Brewer. I am particularly interested in helping to build up links between both schools and the wider community.

Loyce Peter Staff Governor

Matt Cole Executive Headteacher

I began my teaching career in the mid 1990s having completed my training in Bristol. The experiences I had as a child growing up in a south Devon village and attending the local three class primary school has shaped my values and love of learning ever since. I became Headteacher at Woolsery Primary in September 2007. Throughout my time there, I have worked to ensure that the school is proud of its village and the village is proud of its school: that is something I am truly honoured to be given the opportunity to do with the formation of the new Partnership, in Buckland Brewer and Parkham schools as well. I passionately believe that rural education can give children something special if it is delivered and organised properly, with high aspirations and a no-excuse culture. Small schools of course bring challenges, but those challenges are often also their strengths and I always hope that the years our children will spend in our village schools will shape them for the rest of their lives.

Di Bennett Associate Member

My husband and I retired to North Devon , near Woolsery in 2016 to be nearer to our daughter and grandsons at Braunton. Previously I was a year 5 / 6 teacher and Assistant Headteacher at a village primary school in South East Cornwall for a number of years. Since becoming a governor at Woolsery five years ago, I have enjoyed maintaining contact with children through voluntary teaching intervention in reading comprehension and grammar, including online throughout the pandemic. I have also worked closely with the English subject leader, this being my area of interest and expertise, and I am keen to continue and develop this work within the Village School Partnership in the role of Associate Governor.

Caroline Boother Clerk to the Governing Board