Shaping Learning For Life
Our Governors
The Governors at Stockbridge Primary & Pre-School are an important part of the leadership team and support Mrs Jefferies in managing the strategic side of school development whilst ensuring that the School is meeting its statutory responsibilities. They act as the School’s ‘critical friend’ to ensure that the needs of every child are catered for.
In line with our school vision, the Governors are always outward looking and forward thinking. We from a ‘flat structure’ so that Governors could share expertise more closely. Our annual skills audit reflects the breadth of knowledge and skills our Governors bring and we recruit for any vacancies (although rare) based on skills gaps. We currently have: 1 accountant on our team, a barrister, a health and safety expert, HR recruitment specialist, communications specialist, special educational needs specialist, long standing service family links, community governors and HR processes experts.
As well as their specialisms, we moved, in 2022 to an online governance model to accommodate those whose careers take them away from work but they still want to contribute. Our meetings are often hybrids of face to face and online participation. After our Chair completed the Chair of Governors training, we moved to the NGA, The Key and Governor Hub as well as taking up the online ‘learning link’ offer from the NGA so that we could have our finger on the pulse of the most up to date, current thinking in Governance and keep the school at the top of its game.
Chair: Steven Dunn
Vice Chair: Vicky Venables
Contact the Governing Body through our Clerk to Governors, Barry Stay: clerk@stockbridge.hants.sch.uk
Governing body membership comprises a core group of governors which in our governing body number a total of 5 posts; headteacher, Local Authority governor, two parent governors and a staff governor. In addition to this, there are up to 7 co-opted posts giving a total of 12 governors. We also have associate governor posts which are introduced for a time limited period to address a need of the school at any current point in time. Despite the organisational split in posts, no Governor has power over another and the Full Governing Body (FGB) work collaboratively for the good of the children at the school.
Core governing group
- LA post: Vicky Venables
- Parent 1: Nick Sjogren
- Parent 2: Gemma Butler
- Staff post: Chloe Cooper
- Headteacher: Emma Jefferies
Co-opted Governors:
- Tom Horder
- Jennifer Kidd
- Adam Munt
- Andrew O’Brien
- Steve Dunn
- Richie Holliday
- Lorna Thomson
- Stephanie Meakin
Co-opted Governors:
- Dom Reynolds – Communications specialist
Our clerk is Mr Barry Stay and is the main point of contact for any Governing body business. He can be contacted via email at clerk@stockbridge.hants.sch.uk.
Minutes of meetings are public documents and are available in paper copy on request from the Clerk once they have been approved by Governors.
Governor meetings
Our Governing body work from a ‘flat structure’ whereby all Governors meet to discuss all business rather than operating several committees. The driving force behind this was that the skillsets of the Governing body were broad and varied and allowed each Governor to have specialist areas of knowledge but it would be good practice to have others develop skills in the different areas so as to provide challenge and broaden knowledge.
Governors meet monthly and have a carefully mapped out plan of meetings for each academic year to ensure coverage and depth on key issues and ensure they meet the deadlines for things like budget setting, school development plan evaluation and health and safety checks.
Governor attendance
We meet each month as a whole Full Governing Body and then, should any work groups need to get together for specific projects, we meet in these smaller groups which feed back into the FGB. We prefer this flat structure as it strengthens the team and keeps everyone’s ‘hand’ in all areas with some then taking specialisms when required. This means that we meet very regularly throughout the year to discuss business. Attendance at the meetings is key to keeping in touch with what’s going on in school.
Governor details
Governors are recruited depending on their skill sets so that we maximise the benefits and expertise they bring to the school. A skills audit is completed regularly to check that we are covering any gaps in our knowledge and then the training governor feeds this knowledge into the training programme each year so that we are all updating our skill sets and keeping up with new national priorities as well as school ones. This spread of experience is important to a healthy, functioning and most importantly challenging Governing Body.
Governors interests
It is vitally important for the school community that the school makes transparent judgements and decisions as they represent not just the parent and child body but take an oversight of the budget which is ultimately, public money. This is the register of pecuniary interest.
Steve Dunn
Co-opted Governor (Chair)
I was a teacher for 35 years, firstly in Leicestershire and then Cornwall. I really enjoyed my time in education and finished my career as deputy head of an 11-18 secondary school with 1600 pupils. I had a major role in running the school finances, buildings and site and firmly linking the school to the community. With this in mind I made a number of successful lottery applications and raised over £5 million for site developments that included a sports centre, artificial pitch, new drama facilities and improved facilities for the sixth form.
When I retired from teaching I worked as a consultant on school sites and how to attract funding. This included a new hall and artificial pitch for a local primary school and finally an £11 million re-build for the local secondary school.
I have always been very keen on sport ,playing and watching and have been rather competitive but might be less so as I get older.
Three years ago we moved to Hampshire to be closer to our four grandchildren.
Vicky Venables
Co-opted Governor (Vice Chair)
I moved to the area ten years ago and I feel so lucky to be able to live and bring my children up in such a beautiful and community spirited place. My children (Iris in Yr 5 and Max in Yr 3) have had a very happy time at Stockbridge School and have seen the benefit of the school’s emphasis not only on the educational foundations of the curriculum, but also from the extra-curricular experiences on offer.
I joined as a Governor as I wanted to help support the school and offer financial advice where needed. I started my finance career with KPMG where I qualified as a CIPFA Chartered Accountant, specialising in public sector finances. I then moved into the public sector, working at Hampshire County Council where I served as Deputy CFO for Hampshire PCC, before moving to my current role at the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime. All my roles have focused on promoting sound financial management, delivering value for money and ensuring organisational objectives are delivered. I hope I can bring some of these skills to the Governing Body – especially important in these times of ever decreasing budgets and resources.
Barry Stay
Clerk to Governors
Barry has worked in Education since 1970. He has undertaken every post in both Primary, Secondary and Special schools including two special school Headships. He was also a local authority advisor in East Sussex. At retirement, he set up his own educational training company and worked across the country for four years. He then became principal trainer for the largest educational trainer in the UK specialising in behaviour and safeguarding.
Barry has trained in over 1000 schools and 150 FE Colleges. Recently, he worked as the governance professional for a Multi-Academy Trust. In his spare time (!) he travels, loves the gym and does long distance walks. So much for retirement!
Tom Horder
Co-opted Governor
I was brought up in Stockbridge and after moving away returned to live here in 2011. I love the area and became a governor because I wanted to help, if I could, play a part in the continued success of our local school. I strongly believe that our school is vital part of our Stockbridge community.
I am Dad to Eddie (currently in Year 6) and Bee (Year 4)
I am a co-opted governor and am one of the Governors responsible for Health and Safety. I am also the link Governor for both History and Art.
In my professional life I am a barrister specialising in Crime and Regulatory Crime. This involves working with a wide range of individuals and agencies, from vulnerable adults and children to large government agencies. I try to bring my experience of helping to resolve conflicts, working with others and putting across simple and persuasive arguments to my work as a governor.
Adam Munt
Co-opted Governor
I’ve been living in Hampshire for 11 years now after moving from rural Norfolk where I lived and worked for many years. I’ve two grown up children and served as a parent governor for 6 years at the local primary school.
I have over 30 years experience working as a Programme manager in Insurance, Telecomms and Financial services. I’m currently working for an IT company based in London and hope I bring good business, teamwork knowledge and humour to my governors role.
When I’m not working I can usually be found on a bike, in a swimming pool, or in the great outdoors.
Gemma Butler
Parent Governor
I settled in Longstock in 2013, having spent 4 years living and working in Zambia.
My background is Recruitment & HR which I bring to add to the Governing Body’s strengths; I have been working with Mrs Jefferies on recent rounds of recruitment and am also safer recruitment trained to ensure we are keeping our children safe. I have recently completed a course in Understanding Children & Young People’s Mental Health, which is a subject I am passionate about.
I’m mum to Charlie & Harry who both attend Stockbridge Primary & Pre-School. When I’m not running around after a 5 and 3 year old, I enjoy cooking, travelling & music.
Richie Holliday
Co-opted Governor
I live locally and have two children attending Stockbridge primary school. I work part-time as a Non-Executive Director for a small portfolio of HR & Recruitment businesses, this being the sector I enjoyed working in for almost twenty years before relocating back to the UK after many years of living in Asia.
With a wide range of experience across multiple geographies I have had the privilege of working with a broad and diverse set of colleagues, clients and suppliers across several different cultures.
I served in the armed forces earlier in my career, and prior to that I studied Management at Manchester University. I am passionate about seeing the school succeed, and continue to improve, as I believe this can help provide the very best of outcomes for our children and keep the Stockbridge community thriving. I have a keen interest in helping local children achieve the best that they can, having personally benefitted in a primary school that similarly offered genuine opportunity and encouraged inquisitive and independent minds. In my spare time I also volunteer with the local Scouting movement as an adult leader.
Andrew O’Brien
Co-opted Governor
I am the least local governor, living over in Amesbury with my wife and young daughter. Growing up in Bicester (now well known for its shopping village, but back then mostly fields), I moved across a range of areas before ending up just across the border from Hampshire, in Wiltshire. I am eager to give back and leapt at the opportunity to help Stockbridge, which is a fantastic school at the heart of a wonderful community.
My long experience of the Civil Service across a wide range of corporate services and governance functions in both operational delivery and the more strategic/political space gives me a deep respect for how schools like Stockbridge manage. My current focus is parliamentary engagement, however, my key contribution at Stockbridge comes from my background as risk manager and later portfolio manager for a £300 million per year delivery portfolio.
When not working I’m usually visiting members of our numerous extended family and wondering how I will find time to read a whole book, let alone undertake actual outdoor hobbies!
Dominic Reynolds
Associate Governor
I live in Stockbridge – just across the roundabout from the school – with my wife Clare and children Eliza and Arthur. I grew up on the other side of Winchester in Ropley, and came back to Hampshire from London in the middle of the pandemic (we were one of those families). I always loved Stockbridge when I was growing up and we couldn’t be happier to be settled and bringing up the family here.
I wanted to be involved at the school because I know how vital it is for the community for the school to be thriving. My question was whether I could actually make myself useful. Emma reassured me that I could look after communications! For 15 years, I worked as a TV correspondent at ITN and these days am a communications advisor to business leaders. So when it comes to how the school communicates, if you feel you’re getting too much or too little of it, in the wrong medium or at the wrong time, come and talk to me.
Stephanie Meakin
Co-opted Governor
Following a five year sailing adventure after our retirement, my husband and I moved to Longstock and wanted to contribute to the town in some way. I believe a school is central to its community and felt some of the skills gained during my 40 years of work may be of use.
From the mid 1970s, I worked as a nurse and a midwife in the UK, abroad and in the forces, in acute settings and community practices. I then moved to a joint education and clinical practice role, after a few years, transferring to a full time lecturer and researcher in health sciences. My final role was in education management specialising in university admissions and marketing.
I have only just begun the role of School Governor and sincerely hope that my many experiences, including in fields such as public health and educational processes, will benefit this local school
Lorna Thomson
Co-opted Governor
I have been a Primary School teacher for over 20 years across all Key Stages, until I found my passion for Early Years 10 years ago. I have taught in Cumbria, Suffolk, Northumberland and Denmark before arriving in Hampshire and finding Stockbridge Primary School. I now teach Year R in Sprat & Winkle Class and am Designated Teacher which means I oversee the provision for children who are looked after by the LA or adopted.
I have been a Teacher Governor at my previous school for over 5 years. I am also Mum to two girls, aged 12 and 14.
