Governors

The Governing Body consist of two committees: Finance, Staffing and Premises and Self Evaluation. The full Governing Body also meet once a term and chairs of each committee feed back information about their committee work. If you would like to speak to a member of the Governing Body please ring the school office to make an appointment or ask a Governor to contact you.

chair@stroudvalley.gloucs.sch.uk

GOVERNOR UPDATES

February 2025

The full governing body had an interesting meeting. We looked at possible plans for a new playground for both EYFS and the main school which is much needed but very expensive!

The governing body are tasked with overseeing all of the school activities, not just teaching and learning. Miss Sleep gave the governors a full update on the many extra curricular activities undertaken by the school including the three residentials and the wonderful Young Voices which provides such important experiences for our young people.

Governors also looked at what the school in doing to improve attendance as this remains a challenge.

GOVERNOR DETAILS

Jackie Terry (Chair of Governors)	I have lived in Stroud for 20 years and my daughter had 7 very happy, years at the school. I have been Chair for 9 years and am supported by a group of incredibly knowledgeable and passionate volunteers. I also chair the Self Evaluation Committee with a specific link to the maths curriculum. I believe a good, solid education in “the basics” is the best way to help all our children enjoy learning throughout their life.
Debbie Sleep	As Headteacher of Stroud Valley I am also a member of the Governing Body and work with them to continually look at the provision we offer our children and families. I am usually outside school most mornings at drop off time, please feel free to come and chat about anything that you may be worried about or thoughts you may have about future developments for your school.
Sarah Heague (Teaching, Learning and Assessment)	As Deputy Head Teacher at Stroud Valley no two days are ever the same. I enjoy teaching as much as I ever did; there’s always something new and exciting taking place! As a teacher governor I support the governing body in interpreting and understanding the curriculum, ensuring we’re all up to date with new initiatives.
Christine Minett (Finance, Staffing and Premises Committee-Chair)	I live locally and have been a governor at Stroud Valley Community school for over 25 years. During that time my three children have attended and flourished at the school. I am Chair of the Finance and Staffing Committee and I serve on the Self Evaluation Committee. My lifelong career has been in supporting employment and further education.
Christine Barrett (Teaching, Learning and Assessment)	As a class teacher and the School Senco my life at Stroud Valley is very busy and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have been on the Governing Body as the teacher representative for the last couple of years and serve on the behaviour and safety and teaching and learning committees.
Simon Pizzey (Teaching, Learning and Assessment)	I was approached to become a school governor a number of years as a co-opted governor. At the time I was a staff press photographer for local press with many contacts in the local community and in education at all levels. The school was always willing to co-operate with the press at short notice and I developed a good relationship with Debbie Sleep the head teacher. In the year of Brunel’s Bicentenary I ran a workshop based on the famous photograph of Brunel in front of the chains of The Great Eastern Steam Ship and later on pinhole camera workshops. Many of my family members are teachers and I have always been passionate about the value and importance of education particularly at primary level. I have run many photography based workshops from Primary to University. I hold Further and Adult Education Teaching Certificates. In 2014 I was made redundant and re-trained to become a teaching assistant working one day a week in year 6 for a year at Stroud Valley as part of my qualifications through Stroud College. Presently, I work as a freelance photographer and an agency Teaching Assistant mainly supporting Special Needs students in a variety of primary level settings. I have a strong interest in SEN and have personal experience of dyslexia in my family.
John Walton (Finance, Staffing and Premises)	I live locally and have been a co-opted governor for five years and serve on the Finance, Staffing & Premises Committee with a particular responsibility for Health & Safety and matters to do with the school buildings and grounds. I work locally as a construction surveyor and consultant and it is very rewarding to be able to give something back to the community which has served me so well over the years.
Claire Murphy	I studied for my BEd(Primary) in Aberdeen straight from school and graduated in 1992 when at the time education was still in early stages of implementing a National Curriculum and, disillusioned with what that looked like (emphasis on ticking boxes and paperwork rather than children) decided to follow a slightly different career path. Over the next 10 years I was a Trainer (customer service and management development) leading on to being a Training Manager, HR Project Leader, Change Manager and HR Consultant within the contexts of retail, law and various financial services. Whilst I enjoyed these roles, I decided that I didn't want to work for 'The Shareholder' anymore and decided to do a course to return to teaching. Since my return I have worked as a teacher in early years, primary and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) settings and led curriculum within SEND. As a former lead for a Teaching School Alliance and as part of my current role over the last 6 years I have had the pleasure of managing cohorts of trainee teachers through School Direct ITT programmes and co-ordinating/ delivering SEND CPD to mainstream and SEND schools within Gloucestershire and across the South West. As SAND Training & Outreach Manager I am a member of the SAND Academies Trust strategic management team with responsibility for CPD for more than 600 staff as well as our external training and outreach arm. SAND Training & Outreach is a partner of both Odyssey Teaching School Hub and Balcarras Teaching School Hub. As well as being a member of the Strategic Boards for each, I sit on the workstreams to support development and implementation of Initial Teacher Training (ITT), Early Careers Framework (ECF) and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) across Gloucestershire and on behalf of the hubs am Cluster Lead for two clusters of mainstream primary and SEND ECTs in Gloucestershire. Outside of work I am lucky enough to be mum of Alfie who is 15, and my partner George is lucky enough to have me! I really enjoy SUPping, marathon kayaking (my car is easy to spot with a strange metal contraption on top to carry boats) and getting muddy in the garden...I'm not particularly good at any of them but I am a firm believer in the process rather than the end result!
Steve Hodgkinson	Steve is a parent governor, and is also Head Teacher of North Nibley C of E Primary School.
Julie Howe (Associate Governor)	I am an associate governor serving on the Finance, Staffing and Premises Committee. Until summer 2021 I had previously served on the full GB since 2015. At the point of stepping down I was asked to continue using my experience to support the finance commitee of the school and agree to become an associate member. All three of my children went to SVCS in their primary years. I work in the creative industry.
Rachel Scott (Local Authority Governor)	I joined in December 2023 and live locally to the school. I am passionate about supporting schools within my local community. In my career I work as a School Improvement Lead for the Corinium Education Trust, Cirencester. Here, I support head teachers across our primary schools with their strategic development plans, with a focus on raising standards in teaching and learning.
James Vandenbergh-Harwood (Parent Governor)	I am James Vandenbergh-Harwood and am a parent governor. I have three girls at the school and wanted to join the governing body to help make a positive difference and ultimately support the school. I have been in banking for around 18 years and currently hold a role in strategy following a number of years in customer facing functions. I will use these skills to support the finance committee and also provide oversight and challenge on a number of areas including the school development plan and vision. In addition to this I am passionate about financial literacy and believe there is a clear link between financial education that we receive as children and our relationship with our finances as adults. I have seen the impact of this first hand from my time as a Director for the Stroud Valley Credit Union. My aim is to support the school to boost this understanding and knowledge over my term as governor.