Governing Board Information
Contents
Welcome to Woolsery Primary School Governors’ Page
On this page, you can find out more about the Governing Board and its work. You can also view minutes of meetings, attendance records and the Governors’ Register of Interests.
Any queries about the work of the Governing Board should be directed to the Clerk, Caroline Boother via clerk@villageschools.org.uk
Our Governing Board:
Our new Board formed in April 2022 following the creation of the Village Schools Partnership. Details of each Governor can be found here:
Alan Jones Chair of Governors and Finance Lead Governor
Following a career in the Construction Industry both in the UK and overseas, mostly in Project Management and Finance, I was persuaded, on retirement, to volunteer as a Governor at a Primary School in Gloucestershire. In the role of Chair I was heavily involved with the conversion of the school to a sponsored academy working with the Local Authority and Department for Education. My wife and I relocated to Devon in late 2013 to be nearer to our daughter and grandchildren in Barnstaple although this is slightly further from our son and other grandchildren in East Sussex and we are gradually getting to explore the surrounding area and have discovered plinth of walks. My main skill sets are Financial and Organisational. I believe passionately about education and learning and on how best to prepare our children to thrive in life in an ever changing world and hope that I may contribute to this.
Sarah Broom Vice- Chair of Governors; Foundation Governor
Peter Cox Foundation Governor
I am retired having served in Devon and Cornwall Police for thirty four years finishing as a custody Sergeant at Barnstaple. I have nearly completed six years as a parent and community governor at Pilton Academy. I live in Littleham and wish to serve the community further as a governor at a local school as well as Pilton. I am committed to assisting in providing the best possible education that the Flying Start Federation can provide .
Siobhan Brennan SEN Lead
Phil Priest Premises and Health and Safety Lead
A Governor since the start of the Federation, I am currently chair of Resources and Lead Governor on premises and health and safety. Both my children attended Parkham and I believe that the heart of a vibrant community is a successful local school.
Sue Kersey
Lizzie Nisbet
I initially became a parent governor when my son joined Woolsery Primary School in September 2021 and am now delighted to be continuing as part of the governing board for the Village Schools Partnership. Although I had no prior governance experience, I have taught as a classroom teacher in primary schools for the last 10 years and am dedicated to delivering high quality education for all children. I previously taught in inner city schools in London but have taught more locally in North Devon since relocating here in 2020.
Miranda Roper Parent Governor
I joined the Flying Start Federation Board of Governors as a parent governor as my daughter is a member of Parkham Primary School. I currently live and work in Parkham. I feel that being a part of the Board will allow me to help to develop the school and the education that it provides for the children.
Heather McCarthy Local Authority Governor
I joined the Governing Board in the summer of 2019 keen to contribute to both Buckland Brewer and Parkham Schools. I have a son at Parkham and I am also on the PTA at Parkham School which I thoroughly enjoy. I work locally and am a Town Councillor in Northam so life is full.
Emma McGuire
Ewan Wallis Parent Governor
Dave Watson SEN and Community
I recently retired after more than twenty years as a Child Care Social Worker with Devon County Council and previous involvement in Community Work. I was born in Buckland Brewer and attended Buckland Brewer School, as have my four children and grandson. I am involved in community activities in Buckland Brewer on the Parish Council and other groups. I am the school representative to the Buckland Brewer Hall. I am also involved in the Methodist Church in the village and wider area, but also with both Churches in Buckland Brewer. I am particularly interested in helping to build up links between both schools and the wider community.
Loyce Peter Staff Governor
Matt Cole Executive Head teacher
I began my teaching career in the mid 1990s having completed my training in Bristol. The experiences I had as a child growing up in a south Devon village and attending the local three class primary school has shaped my values and love of learning ever since. I became Headteacher at Woolsery Primary in September 2007. Throughout my time there, I have worked to ensure that the school is proud of its village and the village is proud of its school: that is something I am truly honoured to be given the opportunity to do with the formation of the new Partnership, in Buckland Brewer and Parkham schools as well. I passionately believe that rural education can give children something special if it is delivered and organised properly, with high aspirations and a no-excuse culture. Small schools of course bring challenges, but those challenges are often also their strengths and I always hope that the years our children will spend in our village schools will shape them for the resrt of their lives.
Di Bennett Associate
Rev Madeleine Bray Associate
In February 2018 I became a vicar in the Hartland Coast Mission Community, with Buckland Brewer and Parkham being two of my parishes. I live in Parkham. I’ve lived in the North Devon area since 1976 – so I’m not quite local yet! I have a son who lives near Taunton and who is married. They have a 1 year old son and on one of my days off each week I go up and look after my grandson while his parents are at work. Since being here, I take the occasional school assembly, including some which are in church, and, as Associate to the Governing Board, I look forward to becoming more involved with each school.
Caroline Boother
Clerk to the Governing Board
Legacy Board Information
Below are the details of the final Board of Woolsery Primary School as it was when the Board was dissolved on the creation of the Village Schools Partnership:
Name | Category of Governor | Office Expires: |
Sue Kersey | Staff | 23/09/2023 |
Kathryn Bass | Foundation (appointed by ACCT) | 5/11/2023 |
Matt Cole | Headteacher | ex officio |
Ben Trevor | Co-opted | 25/11/2023 |
Ewan Wallis | Parent | 12/07/2025 |
Di Bennett | Local Authority | 13/07/2025 |
Emma McGuire | Parent | 18/11/2024 |
Siobhan Brennan(Co-chair) | Parent | 24/02/2023 |
Sarah Broom (Co-chair) | Foundation (Appointed by ACCT) | 11/06/2023 |
Lizzie Nisbet | Parent | 12/07/2025 |
Tracy Buckley (Resigned) | Parent | 29/03/2021 |
Rebecca Vickerstaff (Resigned) | Parent | 13/7/2021 |
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests
Attendance at Governors Meetings September 2020 – August 2021
Governor Link Roles meeting 21st Sept 21
Terms of Reference (legacy board)
Governor’s Terms of Reference may be found HERE
Governing Board Meeting Agendas (legacy board)
The Agenda of the next meeting will be published here (use BACK button to return to this menu):
Agenda 26th November 2019.docx
Agenda 20th Sept 20postponed to 13th October 2020
Agenda 21st September 2021.docx
Agenda 16th november 2021.docx
Governors Meeting Minutes (legacy board)
Items marked “Draft” have not yet been approved by the Governing Board and are subject to change at the next meeting. The Governing Board has recently moved to a Portfolio organisational structure. This means that specific Governors have leading roles for different areas of the school (see table above) and the Governors no longer meet in sub-groups to conduct business.
(Use BACK button to return to this menu)
Minutes of the full Governors 14th February 2019
Minutes of the 24th September2019
Minutes of the 26th November 2019
Minutes of the 28th January 2020 – postponed from 14th Jan 2020
minutes of virtual meeting 29th April 2020
Minutes of the Virtual meeting 21st May 2020
Minutes 3rd September 2020.pdf
Minutes 24th November 2020.docx
Draft Minutes of the meeting of the 16th November 2021