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.
Georgina Davis
I joined as a parent governor in September 2020, and I am enjoying taking an active role in supporting the school to achieve it's aims. I am responsible for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and I am passionate about ensuring our school in one where all can grow and flourish. I have two children; one has recently left the school to start his secondary school journey and I have one child in Year 5.
I have been working with children as a Clinical Psychologist since 2005 but have worked with children for a long time before that. Currently I work in the NHS and lead a team of psychological practitioners to support a variety of children including those with SEND. I hoping that my experience will be helpful in ensuring all children at this school fulfil their potential and are happy at school.
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 qualified in a Social Work Masters in 2013 and have worked within frontline children’s services since this time. I started my career in Nottingham City, before making a whole family move to Devon in early 2019. I now hold a position as a team manager in Torbay.
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
Cliff Barnes
I was appointed in 2013 as a foundation governor. I am a charterd quantity surveyor and following various roles in industry I currently run a small business providing project management consultancy advice primarily to the NHS. I have two daughters who both went to the school and in my spare time I enjoy running, cycling, tennis and skiing and helping out at the youth centre in Chudleigh.