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): Mrs Sue Hine Foundation Governors: Mr Chris Jones, Mrs Liz Gilkes, Ms Jane Cranston, Mr Doug Watson Ex officio Governor: Reverend Phil Parker Parent Governor: Ms Sarah Wilkinson Teacher Governor: Ms Gemma Leggett Associate Governors: Mrs Laura James and Mrs Helen Barker Helen Barker Associate Governor I have worked at Appleton C of E Primary school for 13 over years, working across Key stages 1 and 2, including in years 2 and 6. My current role is full-time year 5 teacher, as well as leading KS2, maths, computing and e-safety. I am the senior teacher and member of the senior leadership team. I have recently successfully completed the prestigious Chartered Teacher qualification. 
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. 
Vacancy - Foundation governor
. Simon Hawkes - Parent governor
Awaiting bio Susan Hine - Local Authority governor
I was appointed to the governors by the LEA. I have been a governor for six years, and was chair for four years before stepping down to become vice chair. My particular interests are in the curriculum and staffing. My background is in secondary education, and I was a head of sixth form and assistant head teacher in Witney for many years. I enjoy being a governor at Appleton and try to use my experience usefully to support the school 
Laura James - Associate
I have worked at Appleton C of E Primary School since September, 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. 
Chris Jones - Foundation governor
This is my 8th year as a Foundation Governor. I have two children who have attended from Foundation through Yr6 and are now in secondary school. My background is in medical technology and life science businesses where I currently serve as Chair and Director for half a dozen early stage companies across the UK. My particular interests are in the use of data to improve school performance as well as how to get the most out of our physical premises. 
Doug Watson - Foundation 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. 
Sarah Wilkinson - Parent governor
I have been a parent governor since 2018. My children are Tom (now in year 7, but previous attended Appleton) and Alice in Year 4. I work part-time as a civil law barrister and taught history at university level before switching to law. In my spare time, I run and play the piano, both badly. I love to help out with reading and other activities at school, whenever I can. I am the governor responsible for SEN and Pupil Premium children and am very keen to maximise the resources we have to ensure that all our pupils reach their full potential. 
Gemma Leggett - Staff governor
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. 
GOVERNOR DETAILS
Governor Governor Type Date of appointment Helen Barker Associate Member January 2017 Mrs Amy Carnell Headteacher September 2016 Miss Jane Cranston Foundation 15 May 2018 Mrs Liz Gilkes Foundation 3 Feb 2016 Mr Simon Hawkes Parent 1 Dec 2017 Mrs Susan Hine Authority 4 Sept 2017 Mrs Laura James Associate Member 25 Sep 2019 Mr Christopher Jones Foundation 10 Sep 2013 Ms Alana Jackman Clerk Mr Doug Watson Foundation 29 Oct 2018 Ms Sarah Wilkinson Parent 4 Oct 2018 Miss Gemma Leggett Staff 25 Sep 2019 Rev'd Phil Parker Ex officio September 2020 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. |
