Governors' Role
The Governing Body has three core strategic functions:
- Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Hold the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the performance management of staff
- Oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent
Our Governors
Governing bodies are made up of people drawn from different parts of the community - parents and staff, representatives of the Church, the wider community and the Local Authority. This helps to ensure that the Governing Body has a wide range of skills and experience.
The Governing body is constituted in accordance with our Instrument of Government a legal document held by Gloucestershire County Council. Our Governing Body is formed of:
- 7 Foundation Governors
- 2 Staff Governors (including the Headteacher)
- 2 Parent Governors
- 1 LA Governor
Current Governor Vacancies: Parent governor
Click here for full governing body details and declarations of interest.
Being a Church school means that the majority of our Governors are appointed by the Diocese on the recommendation of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and are known as Foundation Governors.
Individual Governors do not represent any specific group on the governing body. For example, Parent Governors do not represent the parents at the school, nor do they report back to them. It is their own experience as a parent that is important.
What is the role of the Governing Body?
The full governing body meets six times a year. This is to discuss such matters as the School Development Plan, policies, and school performance including analysing data. Governors also sit on committees, these meet once or twice a term. These are:
· Curriculum and Standards Terms of Reference - Chair Julia Finlow
· Finance & Resources Terms of Reference - Chair Michael Vaughan
· Community & Values Terms of Reference - Chair Kathy Lee
Each of these have Terms of Reference. Click on the committees above to access these.
Governor attendance at meetings is recorded here.
Governors visit the school and visits include talking to subject leaders and discussing progress in the subject, watching lessons and attending school events. These visits enable governors to have an in depth knowledge of the school. Click here to read the Governor Visit Policy
The governors operate within a Code of Conduct. It covers the basic principles of Governance, and includes guidelines on commitment, working relationships, confidentiality, conduct, training, mentoring, meetings and visiting the school. The Governing Body also has a set of Standing Orders, which are the agreed procedures that the Governing Body operates within, and a register of interests.
Governors are accountable to parents and the wider community for the quality of education provided, and are responsible for producing an annual statement which describes the key issues that have been faced and addressed over the last year and assesses the impact of the Governing Body on the school.
The approved minutes of Governors’ meetings are held in the school office for anyone to read, as well as contact numbers for all governors and their responsibilities.
The governing body must publish a Statement of Behaviour Principles to guide the headteacher in determining measures to promote good behaviour and discipline among pupils, as described in the Education and Inspections Act (2006).
Contact us
Any Governor can be contacted through the Clerk to the Governors, Mags Ratford, or via the school office.
Mrs Mags Ratford
Temporary Clerk to the Governing Body
Email: chair@horsley.gloucs.sch.uk
Horsley CoE (VA) Primary School
The Street
Horsley
Gloucestershire
GL6 0PU
Tel: 01453 833625
School Office Email: admin@horsley.gloucs.sch.uk
Meet the Governors
Mags Ratford
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I became Chair of Governors on 1st February 2018. I sit on the Curriculum and Standards, Community & Values and Finance and Resources committees. I used to be Playleader at Horsley Playgroup and a Lead Professional in Early Years for Gloucestershire County Council. I am committed to working with the staff and governors to provide the best possible education and opportunities for the children at Horsley School.
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Mike Vaughan
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I am a Chartered Civil Engineer specialising in water and the natural environment, with the London 2012 Olympics, HS2 rail, and Hinkley Point power station on my CV. I sit on the Finances and Resources committee and am Health and Safety governor. My background, away from education, offers a unique input to the governing body, particularly in the STEM subjects.
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Kathy Lee
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I am a newly appointed Foundation Governor serving from 1 September 2016 until 31 August 2020. Until I retired recently I was a Pharmacist and Pre-Registration Tutor and for just over 20 years the manager of a local Community Pharmacy. This has given me some business , teaching and mentoring knowledge coupled with an ability to listen and advise as best I can. I have lived in Horsley for 29 years and both my children have happy memories of their time at Horsley School. As a member of the P.C.C. I am very aware of the mutually supportive relationship between the school and the church and aim to actively promote this to the best of my ability and also to give as much support as possible to the Headmaster and his staff.
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Jo Moore
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Jo Moore is a parent at the school and is a qualified social worker who graduated at Gloucestershire University she is presently a Business Manager for PASS (Placements Adoption and Specialist Services), she has been a social work manager for 18 years setting up and managing various services for children and young people looked after and leaving care, she worked in Gloucestershire Local Authority for 20 years prior to taking appointment as a Social Work manager for Bristol City in 2014.
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Steve Huggett
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Steve has lived in Horsley for nearly 25 years and both his sons went to the school. He’s just retired from a career in special educational needs where he worked first as an Educational Psychologist and then as a manager of SEN services for Local Authorities. More recently he’s worked for the Department for Education as a member of their national SEND adviser team and also working as Director of the Autism Education Trust.
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Reverend Caroline Bland
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I am Ex-officio Governor and Vicar of St. Martin’s Church and the Benefice of Nailsworth. Prior to ordination as a priest I worked in education, supporting children with special educational needs in the school setting and the wider community and then as a primary school teacher.
It is a privilege to be a member of the governing body, taking an active role in ensuring the Christian ethos of the school. I am committed to supporting the Headteacher and staff as they work to bring good education and each pupil to their full potential. |
Julia Finlow
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I joined the governors in September 2013 and sit on the Curriculum and Standards Committee. I have two children, both of whom attended Horsley School. Originally from a primary teaching background, I have recently taken on the challenging role of Office Manager/Bursar at Horsley School. In my spare time, I enjoy cycling, reading, swimming and reading, as well as spending time with my family.
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Gary Price
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Having devoted the first part of my career to music education, I’ve spent the last ten years working in a diverse range of primary schools and loved every minute of it! When I’m not working, I’m either being a dad, lane swimming in the early hours, tinkering on the piano, or tending my prized herbaceous borders
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Mark Carden
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I became a governor in September 2016, and I am also Treasurer of the Horsley Parochial Church Council (not the Parish Council). My wife (a former chair of governors) and I have lived in Horsley for over 20 years, and our two sons attended the school a long time ago. I am a recruiter and consultant specializing in the academic publishing sector, and also the chairman of the annual scholarly publishing conference, Researcher to Reader.
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Pete Feldon
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I am Assistant Headteacher and currently teaching Years 5 and 6. I like to read and discover new children's authors. I have recently acted in a pantomime and thoroughly enjoyed it. Other interests include design and architecture.
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Dan Robinson
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Born and brought up in Gloucestershire, Horsley is a wonderful place to live and it is fantastic to see a successful and thriving local school at the heart of our community. I have taught PE and games at Beaudesert Park School for 20 years and have been involved in a local property development company during that period too. In a former life I was an Olympic athlete, competing in the marathon in two Olympic Games - Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, and managed to win a bronze medal in the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. I'm very much looking forward to becoming part of the Governors team.
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Governors who have served in the last 12 months:
Rev Mike Smith Ex Officio - resigned February 2018
Linda Natrasse Foundation Governor - resigned January 2018
Gareth Tomkinson Parent Governor - resigned September 2018
Daniel Woodhead Parent Governor - resigned September 2018
Sue Sobczak Foundation Governor - resigned January 2019
Catherine McDermott Parent Governor - resigned October 2019
Jenny Bowers Parent Governor - resigned May 2020
Rev Mike Smith Ex Officio - resigned February 2018
Linda Natrasse Foundation Governor - resigned January 2018
Gareth Tomkinson Parent Governor - resigned September 2018
Daniel Woodhead Parent Governor - resigned September 2018
Sue Sobczak Foundation Governor - resigned January 2019
Catherine McDermott Parent Governor - resigned October 2019
Jenny Bowers Parent Governor - resigned May 2020
