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:

• The Head teacher
• One elected staff governor
• One appointed local authority governor
• Four elected parent governors
• Five co-opted governors
• One Clerk

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 - Derek O'Sullivan.
  • This group focuses on resources, both human and practical, as we consider how to spend the budget to obtain best value for money.
• The Standards and Improvement Committee: Chair - Alex Craig.
  • The remit of this committee is to look at the curriculum and the impact this has on children's life chances. 

Our Governors

Sarah Mulford

I joined Alderman Payne as Headteacher in September 2024. I am passionate about children's holistic education, including academic excellence, social and emotional wellbeing and wider opportunities to help children to discover and develop their interests, passions and talents. The primary phase of education creates the foundations on which children's whole lives will be built and the school role in this vital. Although not living locally, I believe in a strong community, both within the school and within the local area and I plan to ensure the school continues to be 'a part of village life.' However, we also need to prepare children for the wider world in all its diversity and with all it has to offer, accepting our own roles and responsibilities to sustain a healthy future and engage in the modern world. I am thrilled to be part of this community and to join the children, families and staff in their educational journey.

Paul Stratford

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.

Derek O’Sullivan

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 is for one purpose: making sure that every child matters.

Alex Craig

I am a parent to two children. 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.

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 skills 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.

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 fourth 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.

Anna Lee

My two sons attended Alderman Payne Primary many years ago, they are now 29 and 27! However, they both enjoyed and benefited greatly from their attendance and have fond memories of the fabulous and infamous Mrs Goose in Key Stage 1. Back then I was very busy with work and had little time to support school activities. Having recently taken early retirement from my commercial career in manufacturing industry, I would now like to see how I can assist the school, hopefully utilising my work/life experience. I am also very interested in environmental and human health and will be keen to see how we can encourage our primary students to also gain a key interest in these important topics, which will stand them in good stead in the years to come. I am looking forward to joining the governor team and supporting the staff to continue to deliver a high quality and happy learning experience for all children.

Danielle Gibbs

I have a background in scientific research although I currently run my own genealogy business. I am interested in science, history, literacy and fostering a love of learning in children. Diversity, inclusion and removing barriers to learning are close to my heart. My two children attend Alderman Payne and we have found it to be a welcoming and supportive community to aid them in their learning and development. I look forward to using my role as governor to maintain and build upon this.

Martin Thorner

I am the clerk to the Governing Body at Alderman Payne Primary School where I am responsible for organising governor’s meetings, recording the minutes of those meetings and supporting governors as required. This includes providing advice on school governance issues.

Prior to taking on this role, I served in the RAF for 35 years, retiring in 2022. Although I was lucky enough to serve in many locations across the world, I have lived in the local area, on and off, since 1992. During my service I have been involved in the training of service personnel, the governance of training for service people and civil servants and I was even the chair of governors of a pre-school for service children while serving in Italy. On retirement from the RAF, I was seeking an opportunity to contribute to our community and this role has offered that opportunity.