Our Governors
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The School’s governing body is made up of eleven governors, consisting of:-
The governing body also has two associate members appointed for their expertise and experience in the education environment. Associate members within the governing body have no voting rights within full governing body meetings, or on any of the committees to which they have been appointed. The Chair of the governing body is Mr Simon Hawkes, and to maximise effectiveness the full governing body meets once per month, with one meeting dedicated to the discussion of strategic issues. The governing body work strategically, using the school development plan to organise special areas of interest. This streamlined arrangement supports the school in improving, as well as allowing governors to have both a wide-angle view of the school as well as a narrowed, more specialist viewpoint. To fulfill our responsibilities we have developed sustainable and flexible strategies that are included in an integrated model of governance that is embedded within the school teams, with our principal focus always being the progression, development and safety of children in our care. In support of that, attracting and keeping the best people is at the heart of our recruitment and retention program, ensuring that we understand the school and its needs and make the very best use of our finances so that we know we are getting and offering the best value for money possible. We also recognise that the relationships between parents and school has a direct impact on learning. To be truly successful teams need to maintain a positive two way dialogue and accordingly we continuing to improve and develop effective communication. If you would like to talk to any of our governors then I would encourage you to contact any of us at any time. To contact the Chair of Governors please write to:
The Chair of Governors Appleton C of E Primary School Church Road Appleton OX13 5JL or you can email our Chair of Governors on: chair.gov@appleton.oxon.sch.uk MEET THE GOVERNORS
The current governing body consists of: Chair of Governors (parent governor): Mr Simon Hawkes Vice chair of Governor (LA governor): Mr Doug Watson LA Governor: Mrs Lucy Stanley Foundation Governors: Mrs Lesley Addison, Mr Micah Coston, Ms Jane Cranston, Mrs Liz Gilkes, Mrs Catherine Mentzel Ex officio Governor: Reverend Phil Parker Parent Governor: Mr Alex Tasker Teacher Governor: Miss Lucy Sutton Associate Governors: Mrs Laura James, Miss Gemma Leggett Amy Carnell - Headteacher
This is my 5th year at Appleton Primary School and my 8th year as a headteacher. I have worked across a range of sectors, including secondary, and have considerable teaching experience. I am passionate about providing the best possible opportunities for every child. 
Jane Cranston - Foundation governor
Jane Cranston has retired from the wine trade where she ran a Wine Merchant’s business she co-owned in Oxford. She is a Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire and was High Sheriff of Oxfordshire for the year 2017/18. Now Independent Chairman of the Oxford Homeless Movement (a group working to bring together the 38 different organisations that work in the Homeless sector in Oxford) and Chairman of the charity Youth Challenge Oxfordshire (YoCO). Locally Jane chairs Appleton Community Shop, is Chairman of Besselsleigh Parish Meeting, and is a member of the PCC. Prior to her current trusteeships she was, for several years, a Governor of the School of St Helen & St Katherine (where she was Chairman), Abingdon School, Abingdon Prep School and the Manor Prep School. She has also recently stepped down as a Trustee of Vale House Dementia Care Home. Jane lives in Besselsleigh. 
Liz Gilkes - Foundation governor
I am a Foundation Governor and currently the Safeguarding Governor for Appleton School. I have a background in social work within Children's Services, having originally worked in London as a Social Services manager, then as a specialist in Fostering and Adoption for Oxfordshire.I have worked as an Adoption Manager for the County Council and am currently a member of the Thames Valley Adoption Panel. I am involved with the local community as a member of Appleton with Eaton Parish Council and as a volunteer for Appleton Community Shop. My own children (now grown up) all attended Appleton School and I now enjoy helping with listening to younger pupils read at the school every week. 
Lesley Addison - Foundation governor
Awaiting bio Micah Coston - Foundation governor
Awaiting bio Catherine Mentzel - Foundation governor
Awaiting bio Simon Hawkes - Chair of governors
Awaiting bio Alex Tasker - Parent Governor
Awaiting bio Laura James - Associate
I have worked at Appleton C of E Primary School since September 2019, working in Year 2 but also as Assistant Headteacher and SENCO. Previously, I worked in Aylesbury at a two-form entry school for four years. 
Doug Watson - Vice chair governor
I have one child at Appleton School and two older children attending secondary school. I’m really delighted to be a Foundation Governor, working with the staff and Governors to help all children develop a love of learning and appreciation of Christian values. In my professional life, I am a company director working across sectors that include Satellite Communication, Electric Vehicles and Innovation Management. In my spare time, I enjoy electronics, gardening, travelling and supporting my daughter who plays for Cumnor Minors. I hope my professional experience and Christian beliefs will be useful to my fellow Governors and staff. 
Gemma Leggett - Associate
Gemma has been teaching at Appleton C of E Primary School for over 10 years and has worked across both Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. Her current role is full-time Year One teacher along with leading PE and Educational Visits. She has developed PE and School Sport, helping the school to achieve School Games Awards, including the highest award of Platinum in 2018-2020. She has also presented the school's work on being a Physically Active school at the National School Games Summit in November 2019. Gemma has also worked towards the school achieving Healthy Schools Status in 2018-2021. 
Phil Parker - ex officio
After secondary school teaching, I began full-time ordained Anglican ministry and spent many years engaged in youth work in schools, churches and activity holidays. I have most recently led a small, but growing Anglican church in NW Surrey. Married to Isabel, with two children – one at university and one who has just started teaching, I manage to climb, run, paddle, bike and ski when I can, although it’s at a slower pace and with longer rests! Before moving to Appleton to serve at Rector and Chaplain at Cothill House, I governed three schools and served as a trustee for various charities. 
Lucy Stanley - Associate
Lucy lives locally and has three small children. She studied Psychology at Oxford University and trained to be a teacher at Cambridge University where she also completed her Masters in Education. Lucy has taught in a range of schools, including Westminster Cathedral Choir School and Francis Holland School. Her most recent post was as Head of English at Abingdon Prep. 
GOVERNOR DETAILS
Governor Governor Type Date of appointment Mrs Amy Carnell Headteacher September 2016 Ms Jane Cranston Foundation May 2018 Mrs Liz Gilkes Foundation February 2016 Mr Simon Hawkes Parent December 2017 Mrs Laura James Associate Member September 2019 Ms Alana Jackman Clerk Mr Doug Watson Foundation October 2018 Miss Gemma Leggett Staff September 2019 Miss Lucy Sutton Staff September 2021 Rev'd Phil Parker Ex officio September 2020 Mrs Lucy Stanley LA Governor September 2021 Mrs Lesley Addison Foundation April 2021 RELEVANT BUSINESS AND PECUNIARY INTERESTS Please click here to see details of pecuniary interests for the governing body. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS – No declarations and no voting rights registered. |
