Our Governing Body
What is it?
All schools in England are required to have a Governing Body which is responsible for overseeing many of the strategic decisions made by the school. The head teacher is responsible for the day to day running of the school and the governors are involved with things such as staffing, curriculum, school buildings and finance.
Who are we?
The Governing Body consists of:
A term of office for a school governor is 4 years, with the Chair and Vice-Chair being elected annually at the first meeting of the academic year.
Our Chair of governors is Paul Stratford, who can be contacted via the school office or directly by emailing chair@aldermanpayne.cambs.sch.uk
At Alderman Payne we have three full governing body meetings a year. We also have two committees that each meet three times a year.
The Finance and Resources Committee Chair is Derek O'Sullivan. This group focuses on resources, both human and practical, as we as considering how to spend the budget to obtain best value for money.
The other committee is called the Standards and Improvement Committee. The Chair of this is Alex Craig. The remit if this committee is to look at the curriculum and the impact this has on children's life chances.
The governing body at Alderman Payne is currently:
Mr. Paul Stratford. Chair of Governors
"I was a teacher for nearly 30 years, becoming Vice-Principal at Neale-Wade Community College, but left the profession in September 2012. I now have a part-time role with Cambridgeshire County Council as an educational ICT consultant. I moved to Murrow in 2015 and you may have seen me running around Murrow and Parson Drove trying to keep fit.
I want to be a governor as I feel that I have an understanding of schools and the way in which the education system operates. It was important for me to become a governor of a school close to home as I want to support a local school to improve the life chances of the children in the community in which I live."
Mr. Derek O’Sullivan. Vice-Chair
"I started as a Co-opted governor at the Peel Community College in Long Sutton whilst my son was attending. It seemed right to give back some of my time to try to make sure that children have the best start in life as they can.
I was then asked if I would come along as an associate member of the Governors at Alderman Payne to give a little more experience. Subsequently I became a full Co-opted Governor.
This allows me to see children's progress through their school lives. From reception to Yr 6, transition to Yr 7 and senior school, with its challenges through to Yr 11, it is worth the effort to see the progress of all children of all abilities. Being a Governor if for one purpose: making sure that every child matters.
Ms. Sue Blyth. Head Teacher
" I started teaching in 1988 in London and have worked for the London Boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich and Southwark. I have previously been the Head Teacher of a large inner city multi cultural school. As the Head Teacher of Alderman Payne I value the support and varied experiences that the Governing Body bring to help to run the school."
Miss Sophie Ingle. Assistant Headteacher
I began teaching in 2004. My career started in secondary schools, as a PE teacher and then moved to a large primary school to lead PE and Co-ordinate year 5/6; this has enabled me to fully appreciate the journey that children take in education. Over the last 15 years I have taught years 2-6, coordinated ks2 and been Deputy Head at a large primary school and private forest school. I enjoy my role as a governor as I get to collaborate with a variety of people to ensure that our school provides excellent education for our children.
Mrs. Nicola Hempsall
I am currently working as the Inclusion Coordinator across two Fenland schools.
Since graduating as a qualified teacher 10 years ago I have experienced teaching all Key Stages in both large and small primary schools and have taken on a variety of leadership positions.
At the heart of work, I aim to improve teaching and learning for children with SEND. I promote excellence, inclusion and high expectations for all pupils. The key responsibilities of my present role include: Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo), Designated Looked After Children (LAC) Teacher, Teaching Assistant Team Leader, Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Lead and Science Subject Leader.
Mr. Colin Killingworth
“I had 37 years working for the Post Office and was an official representative of the CWU (Communication Workers Union) for the Royal Mail. I represented the drivers in their duty changes. I bring these skill with me to my role as governor.
Being a school governor gives me the opportunity to support the staff and children in different ways on their journey from reception to year 6.”
Mr Gavin Booth
I have 20 year experience working in the financial services industry in compliance, risk and project management roles. I believe the skills I have attained will assist in undertaking the school governor role and being a "critical friend". I have also extensive experience in the voluntary and local governance sector. This work has brought me into regular contact with the school through various projects such as the safer routes to school traffic calming measures to providing advice and guidance on grant funding sources such as John Bends United Charity. I have also worked with the school on a regular basis through Parson Drove Street Pride.
Christine Killingworth
"I have been married to Colin (caretaker) for forty seven years, we have three grown up children and five grandchildren who keep us very busy. Laura our youngest is a TA at the School.
I went to Alderman Payne School as did my parents before me, we are now on our forth generation at the school.
When I left school I worked in a garage in Wisbech for 12 years. After I had the children I went to work in a garden nursery for twenty years until I retired.
Following my retirement I continued to work with the school in various capacities.
The interests of the children are very close to my heart. I feel as a governor I can continue to help enhance their learning.
I am also a Parish Councilor which I enjoy very much."
Alex Craig
Parent Governor
"I am a parent to two children one in reception class. I am married to Steven Craig and we are both teachers in a large secondary school. Steve is Head of House and I am Deputy Headteacher. I have worked at the school since 2005 and my responsibilities include the curriculum attainment, assessment and departmental/House line management. The school recently became part of a Multi Trust Academy with four feeder Primary Schools and therefore I am now working with each primary's attainment lead to share good practice and identify and address common targets such as reducing the disadvantaged gap. My son has had a fantastic start at Alderman Payne and I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute and support the school further."
Dale Pike
Parent Governor
I am a mum to two children, one in year 2 and one who will hopefully join the school in September. I think it is very important for all students and teachers that the school runs smoothly with the best interests of the students at its heart. I believe in a holistic approach and that students and teachers can't work at their best if the right things aren't in place.
I am a Paramedic who works nights a week.
Wendy Willis
"I am a Chartered Accountant, business owner and mother of 5. I volunteered to become a parent governor as I felt that my financial experience may be of benefit to the school. I also wanted to get an insight into how the school operated and how the strategic decisions were made. Having 2 children in the school at present and having 3 that will be in the school in future years has encouraged me to take an interest in the decisions and strategies that will affect the future of the school. I am driven to see the school fulfill its full potential and hope that I can partly achieve this by being a school governor."
Mrs. Emma Kavanagh
I am mother to four children, with the eldest two current attending Alderman Payne and the younger two hopefully joining the school over the next three years. I am a registered social worker of twelve years and maintain a full-time career of over fifteen years within Children’s services, spanning three local authority areas.
From a social work background, I currently hold management responsibility for children in care services of a neighbouring local authority and have significant involvement in multiagency work to deliver robust safeguarding practice and outstanding, aspirational outcomes for looked after children, young people and care leavers.
My practices as a local authority corporate parent have been crucial in helping improve the educational progress and attainment of looked-after children and young people; including tracking and monitoring their attainment; ensuring that they have a robust personal education plan (PEP); and championing the needs of looked-after children and young people within their respective schools, across the authority and those placed out-of-authority. As such I have great insight into the importance of teachers and carers understanding the impact of abuse and neglect on learning and the likelihood of looked after young people entering higher education.
I firmly believe that all children need the best start in applying the knowledge, skills and understanding that will enable them to become successful at learning, confident as individuals and to start on a path that encourages them to realise their aspirations for their future adult lives. I hope that my experiences as a birth parent and as a ‘corporate parent’ will assist me in becoming a critical friend to Alderman Payne, in a way that ensures the school values are upheld to meet the needs of each child.
Sharon Bingham
Unfortunately not the ones with chocolate chips.
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