THE GOVERNORS
Amberley Parochial School is a Voluntary Aided School which means that our Governors have an important role in working with our Headteacher to determine the direction of the school. Our Governors are comprised of a varied group of parents/ex parents and members of the local community who care about the school and how it works best to benefit our children. The Governors bring a variety of skills and backgrounds to help make decisions on matters of staffing, admissions, premises, curriculum, finance and health and safety always remembering the three key roles Governors hold:
1.
To provide a strategic view
2.
To act as a critical friend
3.
To ensure accountability
Our Full Governing Board meet six times a year and is made up of two staff governors, two parent governors, one local authority governor and seven foundation governors as listed below. We occasionally invite people with particular expertise to be associate members of the governing board; their role is to assist and advise the governors in the decision making process.
Sharon Cale
Sharon Cale joined Amberley Parochial School as the Heard teacher in January 2015. She has been teaching for over 25 years and enjoys being involved in teaching and learning. Miss Cale enjoys playing and watching sport; she is a keen netball player and umpire.
James Holmes
James Holmes has been a Foundation Governor since September 2013 and is currently FGB chair. He lives in Amberley and has 2 daughters in school. He works as a local GP at Rowancroft Medical Centre in Stroud.
Revd John Spiers
F&R Chair/ Ex-officio Governor
Reverend John Spiers is the associate priest with responsibility for Amberley with the benefice of Minchinhampton, Box and Amberley. Because of this role, John is an ex officio- Governor. He is the lead Governor for Religious Education and Class Governor for Belted Galloway Class. Prior to becoming a priest, John worked in the oil industry, primarily in IT project management. After taking early retirement, he trained on the Oxford Ministry Course at Cuddesdon, a theological college near Oxford. He was curate in two parishes in Winchester Diocese, one suburban and one rural, before becoming a part-time priest here in Amberley.
James Gegg
F&R Vice Chair/ Parent Governor
James Gegg joined as a Parent Governor in January 2019, and is vice chair of the Finance and Resources Committee. He has two sons at Amberley.
Matt Anderson
F&R / Foundation Governor
Matt Anderson joined as a Foundation Governor in September 2019 and is a member of the Finance and Resources Committee. He has recently been appointed as LA Governor by the Diocese. He has two sons, one currently attending Amberley and another at Amberley Playgroup. He moved to Nailsworth, with his wife, in 2007 and runs his own architectural practice in Nailsworth. He enjoys playing table tennis in the local Stroud league and practicing yoga on a regular basis. The latter interests allow him to keep up with two energetic boys!
Jessica Mitchell
Jess Mitchell is a Parent Governor and has two daughters at the school. She is responsible for the Arts curriculum and sits on the Finance and Resources Committee. With a degree in Arts Management, Jess has worked in theatre, television and audiobook production. She is also an experienced choral singer and soloists, and supports the school's singing programme as a volunteer.
Cliff Hodgson
Cliff Hodgson is currently an Associate Member, having previously held the post of LA Governor since November 2012. Husband, father and grandfather, Cliff is married with two children and four grandchildren! He (officially!) retired in 2006 and now lives in Minchinhampton. His hobbies include clocks, poetry, his grandchildren and fixing things!
Joanna Wood
P&S Vice Chair/ Foundation Governor
Joanna Wood is the lead Governor for Safeguarding and EYFS, in addition to being part of the Performance and Standards Committee. She has a son currently attending Amberley Parochial and lives in Littleworth, enjoying the scenic walk to school in the mornings! Joanna is a primary school teacher in the Stroud area, with over 16 years teaching experience.
Simon Stanhope
Simon Stanhope joined the Governors in September 2020 as a Foundation Governor, and has a daughter who currently attends the school. Simon is an actor and voiceover artist, and has worked in theatre, television, film and audio throughout the UK - locally he has appeared several times at the Cheltenham Everyman Theatre, including a stint in panto 2017-18. He trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, following a degree in English at the University of Birmingham. Subjects areas of particular interest to Simon include literature and reading, history, and of course, drama and performance arts.
Clare Atherton
Clare is the lead Governor for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, part of the Performance and Standards Committee, and Class Governor for Dexter Class. She has two children who, having been at Amberley, have now moved on to secondary school. Prior to having children, Clare worked as a teacher in primary schools in Gloucester and now works part time as the SENDCo here at Amberley, as well as continuing her role as a pre-school teacher at Amberley Playgroup.
Sarah Holden
Miss Holden joined the teaching staff in September 2016 and teaches Hereford Class. Although she lives in Gloucester, she taught in the area prior to starting at Amberley. Miss Holden has taught both KS1 and KS2, and leads English and DT in the school. Miss Holden enjoys playing netball, socialising with friends and travelling.
Sam Russell
Mrs Russell is the School Business Manager and Clerk to the Governors. She joined the school in September 2015, having previously worked in schools and banking. She spent her childhood living in Minchinhampton and currently lives with her family in Nailsworth.
Our Governing Board is made up of two committees. They are the Performance and Standards committee and the Finance and Resources Committee, both meet regularly and report back to the Full Governors Meetings. The Structure of the committees are listed above.
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