The Governing Board of the school works with the Headteacher and management team to ensure the school is providing a good quality education for the children. While the Headteacher is responsible for the day-to-day running of the school, the Governing Board works with the Head to set the overall aims of the school and school policies.
At Cropredy CE Primary School, individual Governors link with year group teachers to help them oversee specific elements of the schools work; for example, there is a Governor that has responsibility for Cygnets Class and oversees Early Years provision in the school.
Other Governors oversee other subjects or provide support in specialist areas such as recruitment or Health and Safety.
Governors are often described as the “critical friends” of the school but this only really covers a small part of what they do. Governors at Cropredy CE Primary School play a very active part in school life; they can often be seen in school watching lessons, or helping at school events.
Governors have some key responsibilities:
- To ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- To hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
- To oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent
- Determining how the school’s budget is spent
- The appointing and dismissing of staff
- Hearing appeals and grievances
- Forming policy on the school’s curriculum and collective worship
- Setting standards for pupils’ behaviour and discipline
- Making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe
- Setting and monitoring the school’s aims and policies
Being a Governor is a demanding but rewarding voluntary role that is an ideal way to give back to your local community. There are several ways to become a Governor, Oxfordshire County Council has lots of information about the role of a Governor and how you can become one on their website – click here.
Our Governors are encouraged to attend meetings whenever possible:
The DfE encourages academy trusts to publish easily accessible data about the diversity of their board:
At Cropredy School we are currently recruiting for one Parent Governor and a Local Authority Governor. The current members of the board are detailed below.
Our Governors
Chris Kaye
Co-opted governor
Term of office:
01.09.22. - 31.08.26.
Role(s):
Chair of Governors
I am a qualified accountant (CIMA) with 26 years’ experience across the private sector, higher education and local government. I currently work for Warwickshire County Council where I manage the Commercial & Contracts Team within Finance helping deliver the Council’s outcomes through the development of a more commercial culture, supporting significant commercial programmes, and overseeing procurement and contract management activities. Both of my children attended Cropredy Primary School.
About me
Andrew Johnson
Foundation governor
Term of office:
20.05.2023 - 31.08.2026.
Role(s):
Vice Chair of Governors
After school in Leeds, I went to university in St Andrews where I graduated in medicine in 1966. I trained in Dundee, London, Oxford and East Africa I was appointed consultant surgeon to Ormskirk Hospital in Lancashire in 1978. I retired from the hospital in 1999 and was immediately afterwards appointed chairman of Southport and Ormskirk Hospital Trust where I served for seven years.In 1990 I was elected to West Lancashire District Council, representing the Downholland ward for 12 years. I was a member of the front bench team for 4 years and Chairman of Council in 2000. I served on Downholland Parish Councils for over 20 years and was a governor of Haskayne Downholland C of E School in Lancashire for 31 years.Currently I am a member of the Bourtons Parish Council enjoy reading, crosswords, gardening and my family.
About me
Will Reeves
Ex officio (Head)
Term of office:
20.05.2024 onwards
Sarah Fenby
Foundation Governor
Term of office:
06.02.24. - 05.02.28.
Role(s):
I have been in post as the Vicar of the Shires Edge Benefice (parishes of Claydon, Cropredy, Great Bourton, Mollington, Wardington) since Sept 2023, having been grilled and entertained in equal measure by the School Council as part of my interview process. I have worked in a variety of parishes and training posts prior to this one, and, having been in education before ordained ministry, always enjoy working with schools and young people, as governor and vicar. I bring experience of other governing boards, along with community engagement and education skills, to the FGB in Cropredy.
About me
Stephanie Allen
Co-opted governor
Term of office:
01.09.22. - 31.08.26.
Role(s):
Chair of the Performance Committee; Safeguarding; Pupil Premium; SEND
My family and I felt we had really landed on our feet when we moved to Great Bourton; the proof that we had was Cropredy School. The community is vibrant and warm, and this same spirit is embodied in the staff and children at this school. As a parent of children in both KS2 and Cygnets - and as a teacher of English at a local secondary - I felt that I really wanted to give something back to the community that has given so much to us.In my role as governor, I hope to be able to offer my experience and knowledge as an educator - in terms of how our children progress in their learning - and my passion and time to help our school become the resounding success that it deserves to be.
About me
Mark Parsons
Staff governor
Term of office:
01.09.22. - 31.08.26.
Role(s):
Performance Committee member
Having completed my English and PGCE degrees at Brunel University, I worked at a local school in Uxbridge (north-west London) for 10 years, working across the full range of classes and being both a Lower Phase (Years 1 - 3) and Upper Phase (4-6) Leader for two years each respectively. My time here honed my skills as a teacher in a high attaining yet well-balanced school. After relocating with my wife to Oxfordshire in 2019, I worked across multiple primaries as a supply before settling at Cropredy where I truly felt a sense of belonging and at home within the community. My son is now attending pre-school with my daughter due to join in the summer and the biggest compliment I can give is me showing my trust in the school with my own children. Driving standards of teaching and learning with innovation, rigour and enthusiasm is my passion that I’ve brought to Cropredy since joining and something I’ll continue to do in my capacity as a staff governor. I enjoy chess, reading, all sports and follow Manchester United… for better or worse!
About me
Claire Davis
Parent Governor
Term of office:
16.07.25. - 15.07.29.
As a mum of three, with two children attending Cropredy, I am deeply invested in its continued success and the wellbeing of all pupils. Having always valued Cropredy as a strong and welcoming community, I would be proud to contribute further by serving as a Governor. I believe my commitment as both a parents and a community member, along with my desire to support the school's growth and development, would enable me to make a positive difference for children, staff and families alike.
About me
Emma Harper
Term of office:
01.01.25. - 31.12.28.
I am a Mum of 2 girls who have been part of the Cropredy community since they joined preschool at the age of 2. We loved the preschool and the community and so when it came to Primary places it was a no brainer to apply for Cropredy Primary School. As Co-Chair of the Pre-School Management committee when the preschool officially became part of the school I was asked to transition over to the Governing Board, something I was honoured to do. As an ex-teacher and now founder of an education business I am passionate about supporting the school to create the best future for all of our children.
About me
Chris Handler
Parent governor
Term of office:
10.09.24. - 09.09.28.
I live in Great Bourton and have two children at Cropredy School; both also attended Cropredy Pre-School. I have always wanted my children to grow up in a village environment, as part of a close-knit community which has school life as an important part of it. Being a Governor is one of the ways I try to contribute to this community I personally also benefit from, as I believe that education is crucially important for all children and the foundation for equality of opportunity in life. What I try to bring to the role is an analytical mindset, strategic thinking and a willingness to ask difficult questions, which are skills honed via my career in financial services. I was a Governor of a secondary school in Central London for around six years, and in the dim and distant past I taught Maths at a secondary school in my native Liverpool. Thankfully, I was raised to support the original and best football team on Merseyside, Everton. Other interests include sport (motor racing and horse racing in particular), cars, gardening and (simple!) DIY projects
About me
Maria Morris
Parent governor
Term of office:
08.07.24. - 06.07.28.
Our family made a great decision in moving to Cropredy when our daughter was 6 months old and both our children loved attending Cropredy Primary School. They thrived here, and that experience is a big part of why I became a governor. I want every child who comes through our doors to feel supported, happy, and able to do their best. I believe the school is at the heart of village life. It plays a huge part in bringing people together, and I’m keen to help strengthen those links and celebrate all the things that make our community special. I’ve served as a school governor before and was previously a member of the Cropredy Pre-School management committee. I have also worked in the further education sector, and now at Oxford University, in professional services roles, which gives me a wider understanding of how the education sector works and what helps teams and organisations run well. My parents were primary school teachers, so talking about education has always been a big feature of my life! I’m proud to support the school and hope to play a small part in helping it continue to thrive
About me
