Governors
Catherine Kelso
ChairBackground:
For the last 5 years Catherine has run her own business, primarily developing and delivering Business and Enterprise Training in secondary schools. Prior to this she worked for 16 years in corporate marketing for a large IT company.Personal Comments:
"I joined the governing body as a Parent Governor in 2003. I am now a Local Authority Governor and became Chair of Governors in September 2009. I feel very privileged to hold this role. Good governance and leadership play a vital role in the success of a school. We should all be proud of the achievements at Temple Grafton and proud to be part of such a successful team."
Linda Jennings
Joint Vice ChairBackground:
Linda joined as a Community Governor in October 2010. Recently retired, she spent her professional life initially in teaching, and then for 25 years as Practice Manager to a local G.P. partnership.Personal Comments:
"My experience of Temple Grafton School has been from a grandparent's perspective and I have always been impressed, not only by the academic excellence, but also by the spirit of a caring community which has been built up between staff, pupils and their families."
Helen Wood
Joint Vice ChairBackground:
Helen has been a Parent Governor since November 2010. Since 1997 she has been working in Education under various roles from class room teacher, learning and behavioural support teacher and as part of the senior leadership team. All of these roles have been in schools in the south of Warwickshire. She is now taking a break to have time with her young family.Personal Comments:
"Since my children's involvement in the school I have been impressed by the way the school encourages and coaxes the children in all directions. This was the reason I wanted my children to attend this school, but it instils more than that; to have children who love learning and see every day as an adventure is more than I hoped for. This is why I want to support the school; it is my way of paying back the excellent learning experience that the children receive."
Clair Willies
Background:
Clair comes from a Financial background having worked for a High Street Bank and then a Mortgage Corporation as an Underwriter. From there she moved into training and had short spell as a Freelance Training Officer. Clair moved back into Finance when she met her husband and now runs the financial arm of his Insurance Brokerage Group and Property Company. In addition she has recently taken up the role of the Schools Finance Officer.Personal Comments:
"I have played an active supporting role in school since joining the PTA many years ago. I can see that parent support for the school is vital to its management and resources. Only with sound management and good resources can our children achieve. I became a Governor in 2009 and am pleased to be able to help with any aspect in our children's educational experience, but have an obvious place within Finance and a particular interest in Special Educational Needs."
Andrew Cain
Background:
Andrew has been a Governor since 2003, firstly as a Parent Governor, then a Community Governor and now a Local Authority Governor. In his professional life Andrew trained as a Chartered Accountant followed by careers financial services and the RSC. After a period of time in the legal sector, Andrew now works for his own business advising small to medium sized enterprises.Personal Comments
"I have had two children pass through the school, with one still attending. The school has dealt fantastically well with all the changes of the last few years and will do so for the changes ahead. The priority is a caring supportive environment for learning. I am proud to be involved with my children's educational experience and with a central part of the local community."
Claire Uttley
Background:
Claire joined the governing body in November 2010. She is a Montessori teacher and ran her own Nursery School for ten years until her youngest son was born. Claire worked as an Early Years Assessor and Mentor at Stratford College for several years and became involved with Temple Grafton Primary as a PTA member in 2001 when her son joined the school. She has donned many hats since then as a Teaching Assistant, Lunchtime Supervisor, PTA Chair, IT co-ordinator and Eco-warrior.
Personal Comments:
"My early years background has given me a strong commitment to developing the whole child. I am in the fortunate position of being able to contribute to this throughout their school life in Eco sessions. This invaluable part of the curriculum gives the children the opportunities to discover the world around them and investigate sustainable energy, the fun of growing, cooking and eating their own food and conservation. I believe passionately that children find their own particular talents and place in the world, given the right experiences. I feel lucky to have the joy of helping them to discover this and am very proud to be part of the Temple Grafton School family."
Amanda Oliver
Background:
Amanda became a foundation governor at Temple Grafton School in November 2010. She is a Music teacher and has spent six years working within primary education as a Special Educational Needs teaching assistant. Amanda has two children, one in secondary education and the other at Temple Grafton School. In addition she is a member of the Church Council at St Laurence Church in Bidford.Personal Comments:
"It is a great privilege to be able to work alongside everyone and Temple Grafton School. I hope that I can help to create in our children the desire to learn, and the confidence to be the very best that they can, from within an environment where the needs of everyone are valued and respected."
Ian Biddle
Background:
Ian has recently joined the school as a Parent Governor. In his professional life he has spent the last 22 years in the financial services industry, working in retail, commercial banking, and wealth management . He currently works as a financial consultant providing financial advice to the legal community.Personal Comments:
"Our family home is near the school so we see it daily. There is nothing better than hearing the noise of play and the bell ringing. In recent years it has become an important part of our lives, especially with our children attending. We have also met some fabulous new friends and now really feel part of this great community. I wanted to get more involved to give something back to the local community and to help maintain the schools excellent performance and reputation for both today's children and future generations."
James Shearn
Background:
James has been a Parent Governor since November 2009. In his professional life he has spent the last 16 years in the medical devices industry, initially working in research and development as an Electronics Engineer, followed by several years as a Project Manager. He currently works for large in vitro diagnostic and medical device manufacturer as a Regulatory Affairs Manager.Personal Comments:
"Since becoming involved with Temple Grafton school, I have been consistently impressed with both the quality of teaching and the level of care shown to the pupils. It is clearly evident that a key factor in the success of the school is the close partnership between the staff and parents. Therefore I feel it is essential for us as parents to support the school in maintaining and continuously improving the excellent learning environment it provides."Lucy Beysens
Background:
Lucy began her professional career in banking and then later, Local Government. Following the birth of her daughter she was given the opportunity to pursue her lifelong ambition to follow a career in teaching. Lucy is currently in her fourteenth year at Temple Grafton School, the first eleven years of which she spent teaching Year One and Year Two pupils. For the last three years Lucy has taught the Reception class.Personal Comments:
"I passionately believe that education is a working partnership between parents and staff. My personal goal is to ensure that each pupil gets a firm grounding in the basics of maths, reading and writing to achieve their full potential during this crucial, formative stage of their education. Keeping parents informed allows them to support and reinforce their child's learning in school which helps to contribute to their child's success. I am keen to support our school in any way I can and as a Governor I am given the privileged opportunity to contribute to the decision making that will impact on the future of our school and its pupils."
Richard Winsper
Background:
Richard has been a Parent Governor at Temple Grafton School since 2009 and sits on the Resources sub committee. Most of his working life has been spent within the building industry and he currently work as a Project Manager for a locally based construction company.Personal Comments:
"I am proud to be a member of the dedicated team of people at Temple Grafton School who are always striving to improve the learning experience for all the children. Due to my background I am very involved with property and facilities management at the school as well as being the Governor responsible for Health and Safety."
Tony Rawlins
Background:
Tony has been a foundation governor since November 2009. His professional life has been occupied for the last 15 years in the technology industry working in various Europe, Middle East and Africa roles for a large communications company. Four years ago Tony established his own content management company which he is growing steadily. Tony has two children currently attending the school.Personal Comments:
"I am constantly surprised by the schools achievement with its available resource. I think they set a great example by not just promising to give their best for the pupils, but in constantly making personal and professional sacrifices to maintain the high standards they attain. I believe the standard they set is a challenge to us all to support them as best we can."
Susan Molloy
Head Teacher
