Governors

Every aspect of life and conduct of our school is overseen by the Governors.

A message from the Chair of Governors

Before I introduce myself, I’d first like to say a huge thank you to Miss Owen and the staff team who have worked hard to bring about so much change and improvement at Little Paxton. I’d also like to thank Maxine Howells (out-going Chair of Governors) for all she has done to support Miss Owen and the governing board – I certainly have big shoes to fill!

Some of you may already know me as I have held Finance, SEND governor and Vice Chair roles previously and have got to know several families and your wonderful children on my visits to the school. If we have not met, here is a quick bit about me:

I’ve worked in education for over 20 years in a wide range of classroom and leadership roles. Most recently this was as Assistant Head in specialist provision before I decided to set up my own business providing inclusion and leadership
advisory services to schools nationwide. This gives me a fascinating insight into what is happening both locally and in the wider education landscape which I hope will be of benefit to the school and governing body.

I am excited to take on the role of Chair, supporting Miss Owen and the staff team. I know she has great ambition and drive to take the school even further and to build on what Little Paxton has already achieved. I am sure you will have ideas too and I hope to meet as many of you as possible at school events.

We are always interested in hearing from parents and members of the community who would like to join the governing body. If you would like to ask any questions or have an informal chat to find our more, please contact

chair@littlepaxton.cambs.sch.uk  – Claire Cannon

Our Purpose

The main aim of Little Paxton Primary School (like all schools) is to raise the educational achievements of all children, ensuring all pupils make good progress from their starting points. The Governing Body is committed to providing a good education for local children at the village primary school.  Legally the Governing Body is required to support and challenge the school by:

  • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
  • Holding the Head Teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
  • Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

In addition, governors are responsible for ensuring that the school fulfils its statutory duties.

LPPS Instrument of Government 

Annual Governance Statement 23-24

 

Governor Meetings

Much of our work is done through meetings of the Full Governing Body  with particular responsibilities as set out in its Terms of Reference.

The Chair of Governors is elected each year.

The FGB is responsible for monitoring school performance.

The FGB receives regular reports from the Head Teacher and discusses monitoring carried out by link governors.

All meetings start at 6:30pm

Full Governing Body Meetings

Monday 16th September 2024

Monday 9th December 2024

Monday 3rd March 2025

Monday 28th April 2025

Thursday 10th July 2025

 

Full Governing Body meetings are minuted by the Clerk to the Governing Body. The minutes of each meeting are reviewed and agreed at the following meeting. Agreed minutes will be posted on the school website as soon as is practicable.

Governor Meeting Minutes 

The agenda for each meeting is drawn up in advance and circulated at least one week prior to the meeting. Agendas for meetings are set by the Chair in consultation with the Clerk and the Head teacher. They follow an annual cycle of agreeing, then monitoring and evaluating the plans for school improvement. Agendas also include items that reflect local and national priorities and initiatives.

As well as attending formal meetings, the Governors spend time in school, meeting and working with staff and children. Governors make regular visits to school to enable them to get to know more about how it operates and also to monitor aspects of the improvement plans that have been agreed.

Governors are always pleased and ready to talk to parents.  Governors can be contacted either through the school office or by contacting the Clerk, clerk@littlepaxton.cambs.sch.uk

Statutory Committees

There are also some statutory committees (Salary, Performance Management, Appeals, Discipline, etc.) which meet as necessary.

Curriculum and Standards Committee Meetings

Tuesday 5th November 2024

Monday 27th January 2025

Monday 16th June 2025

Resources and Finance Committee Meetings 

Monday 18th November 2024

Monday 17th March 2025

Monday 22nd April 2025

 Composition of Committees 2023-24

Information about Governors 2024-2025

 

 

Composition of Governing Body as at 10th July 2025

  • 3/3 Parent Elected Governors
  • 0/1 Local Authority Governor
  • 1/1 Headteacher Governor
  • 1/1 Staff Elected Governor
  • 5/7 Co-opted Governors

Register of Pecuniary Interests

Name

Responsibilities

Category of governor

Appointment date and method

Term end

Relevant business interests

Governor at other schools

Relationships with governors or staff

Claire Cannon

  • Chair of Governors
  • Curriculum & Standards
  • Head’s Performance

Management

  • SEND

Co-opted

Appointed by GB 24/03/2023

23/03/2027

Owner, Indigo Owl Coaching and Consultancy

No

None

Sarah O’Callaghan

  • Curriculum & Standards

Co-opted

Appointed by GB 22/05/2023

21/05/2027

Member of Staff

No

None

Dom Saxby

  • Curriculum & Standards
  • Resources & Finance

Staff

Elected by Staff 12/10/2023

11/10/2027

Member of Staff

No

In relationship with staff member

Louise Jenkins

  • Vice Chair of Governors
  • Curriculum & Standards
  • Safeguarding

Co-opted

Appointed by GB 29/04/2024

28/04/2028

None

No

None

Richard Fairbairn

  • Curriculum & Standards

Co-opted

Appointed by GB 09/12/2024

08/12/2028

Financial Interest in Kingfisher Church

No

Married to staff member

Mariana Garcia

  • Resources & Finance

Co-opted

Appointed by GB 03/03/2025

02/03/2029

None

No

None

Victoria Parsons

  • Curriculum & Standards

Parent

Elected by Parents 21/03/2025

20/03/2029

None

No

None

 

Jack Armond

  • Resources & Finance

Parent

Elected by Parents 21/03/2025

20/03/2029

None

No

None

Rebekah Owen

  • Headteacher
  • Curriculum & Standards
  • Pay Committee
  • Resources & Finance

Headteacher

Ex officio 01/01/2024

N/A

Husband supports school with web site design and sports teams

No

None

Alison Gatward

  • Curriculum & Standards
  • Resources & Finance

Associate

Appointed by GB

N/A

Member of Staff

No

None

 

Previous governors (served at any point over the past 12 months)

Name

Responsibilities

Category of governor

Appointed by

Date of appointment

Date stepped down

Relevant business interests

Governor at other Schools

Relationships with other governors or staff

Georgina Hamilton-Hobbs

Parent

Elected

24/05/2023

16/09/2024

None

No

None

Maxine Howells

Chair of Governors

Co-opted

Appointed by GB

27/03/2023

16/09/2024

Owner, MH Coaching and Consultancy

No

None

Abby Jordan

Co-opted

Appointed by GB

22/05/2022

16/09/2024

None

No

None

Caroline Entwistle

  • Pay Committee
  • Resources & Finance

Local Authority

Appointed by GB

17/07/2023

20/05/2025

Employee Grafham Water Centre

No

None

Helen Morrell

  • Pay Committee
  • Resources & Finance

Co-opted

Appointed by GB

17/07/2023

11/07/2025

None

No

None

Joanne Spurrell

  • Pay Committee
  • Resources & Finance

Parent

Elected by Parents 

15/10/2023

22/07/2025

None

None

None

 

 

 

Downloadable information about Governors 2024-2025