About the Governors

WHO’S WHO ON OUR GOVERNING BOARD

 

The Governing Board at Chudleigh CE VC Community Primary School consists of a total of 12 governors made up of the Headteacher, one staff governor, four parent governors, three foundation governors, two co-opted governors and one local authority governor, with most governors having a four-year term of office.  You can find out about the members of the Governing Board below.

 

Graham Allen

I joined the governing board as an associate member in October 2023 before becoming a Co-opted governor in September 2024. I was also elected as Co-chair of the Governing Board for a period of two years.  My wife, Liz and I have lived in Chudleigh for over 30 years, Liz worked at the school and our four children all attended the school.  I worked as a Deputy Principal in a large secondary school before taking early retirement in 2022. This has given me experience of curriculum, teaching and learning, safeguarding, health and safety and personnel.  Liz and I also enjoy serving in a local church, exploring local walks and running Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing groups.

 

It is a great privilege to serve the community in this role.

 

Tom Newton

I was appointed as Foundation Governor in January 2021, having been an Associate Member since May 2020.  I live in Chudleigh and have two daughters. I am a chartered civil engineer and work across the UK for a large contracting business. My hobbies include triathlon, playing the piano and beer brewing.

I am delighted to be supporting the school and the local community.

 

Seonaid Beasley

I was elected as a parent governor in 2005, and since 2008 I have been a community or co-opted governor. Currently I have responsibility for managing the Personnel aspect of the governing board’s work.

I run a small training consultancy which specialises in support for leaders and managers in coping with the pressures of their role, and staff development within health and social care settings. 

 

Harry Flower

My name is Harry Flower and I am the Premises Governor here at Chudleigh. My role within the Governing Board is to support the school in ensuring the school premises are well maintained, safe and compliant with all regulations. Although not an operational position, governors help set the strategic direction of the school as a whole.
Outside of school I manage the Forestry team on the Ugbrooke Estate and before this I was the Head Gardener at Blundell’s School. Having worked at Blundell’s for 7 years in a support staff position, this gave me a great understanding of estates management within an education setting. My partner Holly and I have a son in Year 3 and we have lived in Chudleigh for 10 years. I enjoy trail running, spending time on our allotment and generally being outdoors.

 

Kathryn Morley

I was elected as safeguarding Governor in September 2020. I have worked in a variety of roles around safeguarding since 2009, with a specialist role in domestic abuse and education projects in 2011/12. I then progressed to roles within children’s services where I remain now.

I am pleased to be able to bring my experience into the school community and support the continued good practice of the schools safeguarding practices. 

 

Gill Courtenay

As a Governor and staff member, I appreciate being in a privileged position to be able to contribute to the education and welfare of all children. I joined the school as Assistant Headteacher, with responsibility for Inclusion, and was appointed as Staff Governor in September 2021.

I have worked in a variety of large primary schools in London, Tanzania and Devon, initially as a class teacher and later in my career as a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENDCo) and senior leader for inclusion and safeguarding. I have also led and taught alongside a team of staff and children in Devon’s specialist Communication and Interaction Resource Base (CAIRB) in a primary school in North Devon and worked with Devon’s SEND Services and Safeguarding teams as a representative for schools.

I value working alongside children, families and professionals to create a shared aspiration for personal and collaborative achievement, learning and engagement in our school community.

 

Alex Sharp

I joined the governing board in September 2021 when I took up the post of Vicar of Chudleigh Parish Church (part of the Chudleigh Mission Community with St Paul's, Chudleigh Knighton and St Michael the Archangel, Trusham).  As Vicar, I am an ex-officio member of the board, responsible for Christian Distinctiveness.   As well as serving as a Governor, my role as Vicar means I'm often in the school leading Collective Worship which is always a highlight of my week!
 
I have always been passionate about supporting young people.  Before ordination in the Church of England I was a youth worker and lay minister, and my wife and I continue to help organise an annual summer camp for young people aged 14-18 in Dorset.
 
Andrew Bleloch
 
I was appointed as a parent governor in April 2023 with responsibility for Standards and Achievement. We are recent additions to Chudleigh having moved here from Seattle, USA, in August 2022. Our two boys started in years 3 and 5 and the school is a big part of why we ended up in Chudleigh. Now a self-employed Technology Consultant, I am a physicist who moved from UK academia in 2011 to become an entrepreneur in Silicon Valley and Seattle. Our family is relishing exploring our beautiful countryside and seaside. I look forward to contributing my eclectic experience to the school and community.
 
Don Armand
 
I was voted in as parent governor for premises in 2023. I am grateful for the opportunity to add value toward the school. I have four children all of whom are and will hopefully be attending Chudleigh Primary School. I now own a business that specialises in leadership. Dealing with strategy, teams and culture in the corporate world, leaning on experiences and learns from my career as a professional rugby player.