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Governors

These pages will contain periodic reports and news from or regarding the school governors.

WHAT DO BURFORD SCHOOL GOVERNORS DO ?

The Burford School Governing Body is made up of parents, members of staff and members of the local community who are committed to the promotion of high standards of educational achievement

Governors bring a wide range of experience, interests and skills to the role and whilst some have professional qualifications, this is not a prerequisite.  More important are enthusiasm and an interest in supporting the school.

The Governing Body acts as a critical friend to the school and is responsible for its strategic direction, policy and overall management and has legal duties, powers and responsibilities.  Governors work collectively and do not take individual responsibility.  The day-to-day management of the school rests firmly with the headteacher and the school staff.

Governors are appointed to work in partnership with the Headteacher and staff to:

Burford School Governors have the chance to develop new skills, practice existing ones, participate in meetings, ask questions, make suggestions, work as part of a team and make a difference.

There are occasional vacancies for new governors.  If you are a parent or a member of the local community and are interested in helping our school to develop and improve, then please contact the School Office who will put you in touch with a current governor who will be happy to talk to you.

A detailed job description for the role can be found by clicking here.


Governor profiles (2009/10):

Heidi Callon Hine – Parent Governor

I have lived in Marlow for 3½  years with my husband Will and three boys - Charlie currently at Burford in Year 3, Oliver in Year 1 and 3 year old Max who will be starting in 2011.

I am a director of a small property development company, working from home alongside Will and have also been involved in the fashion business for 22 years.

I became a parent governor in May 2008 in order to learn more about how the school is run and to offer my help and support in any way I can.  I have recently become Chair of the Premises committee and am a member of the Curriculum and Extended Services committees.  I am the also the Environment/Outdoor Learning Governor and the Music Governor.

In my spare time I enjoy gardening, riding and travelling and of course hanging out with my boys!

Paula Dijoux – Parent Governor

I have lived in Marlow Bottom for a little over 5 years with my husband Bertrand and our 2 daughters, Savannah (Yr 3) and Mimi (Yr 1).

I run a Corporate and Executive Coaching business and whilst my office is at home I am mostly in London with my clients or running training events both in the UK and Europe. This takes up a great deal of my time, so when I am home I like to spend quality time with my family, just chilling out at home or walking, cycling, cooking, arts & crafts, visiting places and with friends.

I Chaired the Marlow Bottom pre-school playgroup for Mimi’s last year there, and became a Governor at Burford after that (2008). I am the Early Years and Art Governor and sit on the Personnel and Community Committees.

Ingrid Galbraith – Parent Governor

I have lived in Marlow since 2000 with my husband Neil and our two children - Matthew and Rebecca.

I became a parent governor in October 2008 and currently sit on the Curriculum, Community, and Extended Services Committee’s and I am also the Science Governor.  I am on the School Travel Planning Committee where my main responsibility is the termly newsletter.

I work part-time as an LSA (Learning Support Assistant) at Great Marlow School in the Special Needs Department.  When I am not working or reading the many interesting documents that come my way as a governor, I love to spend time with my family - having long social lunches, going to the movies, reading and eating out.

Simon Crossley – Parent Governor

I am the father of Harry who joined the reception class this term.  I have lived in the Wycombe district for just over two years now, previously in Burnham for nearly ten years.  Originally from Blackpool I moved to London after university.

I currently work in adult education as a manager of a centre.  Previously, I have worked in community safety and local regeneration covering grant funding and monitoring performance.  Also, I have been on a management committee for a small local charity in which I became involved in recruiting staff, bidding for funding, and supporting volunteers. 

I became a parent governor in October 2009 and joined the Premises Committee.  I hope to be able make a real contribution with the use and development of the schools’ buildings.  So far I have learnt from the Governing Body that there is a wide range of areas to oversee – I look forward to learning all about how the school works.

I became a governor so that I could support the work of parents and teachers – to make the most for our childrens’ education.

I am part of a local squash club, enjoy walking holidays and am keen to spend time with my son involving him in lots of interests and sports that the school has to offer.

Leanda Robson – Chairman of Governors – Community Governor

I live in Marlow Bottom just a few hundred yards from the school gates with my husband Graham and our daughters Anna and Cerys who are in years 6 and 3 respectively.

Prior to leaving work to have our daughters, I worked for almost 20 years in a variety of senior secretarial and administrative roles for a large engineering and construction company.

I was elected as a parent governor in October 2004 and at the end of my 4 year term of office I was asked to remain with the governing body as a Community Governor.  I became Vice-Chairman in 2006 and was elected Chairman of Governors in October 2007 and was subsequently re-elected to the role in 2008 and 2009.

I am a member of the Curriculum, Community, Finance, Personnel and Premises Committees.  My curriculum responsibilities are for PSHE (Personal, Social & Health Education) and Young, Gifted & Talented. 

Sarah Cooper – Community Governor

I have lived in Marlow Bottom for the last 6 years. We have three children, Max who is in year 3 at Burford, Elena who will start school in September 2010 and new baby Sophia.

I have enjoyed a successful career in purchasing spanning some twenty years, during which time I worked and lived overseas, latterly I specialised in change management and mentoring / coaching of diverse teams.  However, following the birth of Elena I decided to take a break from corporate life and to spend some quality time with my family

I became a Community governor in 2007. My interest in becoming a governor stems from my belief in the state education system and the fond memories that I have of my Bucks school days. 

Since becoming a governor I have taken on the responsibility of being the Chair of the Curriculum Committee and the Chair of the Extended Services Committee as these activities relate back to my interest in how children are taught during their time at school and the support school can give to both working and non working parents.

John McMillan – Community Governor

I have lived in Wycombe District for nearly 20 years and in Marlow Bottom since November 2000. I became interested in becoming a Governor when our son Alex started in Reception and was appointed as a Community Governor in 2007.
Since joining the Governing Body I have become Chairman of the Personnel Committee and a member of the Finance Committee.  I have also taken on the role of Development Governor and Child Protection Governor.

I have a general interest in most things sporting though more a spectator than participant these days - apart from regular games with Alex and his pals.

Malcolm Blanksby – Community Governor

Gill and I moved to Marlow Bottom with our new baby in October 1968 intending to stay for about two years.

I spent the whole of my professional life in the bus industry principally in the role of Personnel and Training but became involved in consultancy assignments with The British Council and World Bank in designing training packages for managers in developing countries.   On the privatisation of the transport industry I took early retirement and did freelance consultancy for some years.

In 1995 I was elected to Wycombe District Council as Councillor for Marlow Bottom and have been privileged to be re-elected on each occasion since, latterly for the enlarged ward of Greater Marlow.  I am also involved on the wider stage of Local Government through my work with the Local Government Association, currently as Chairman of their Scrutiny Panel.

Both our sons attended Burford and in the 1970s I was appointed as a Parent Governor and Gill and I have always been involved in the Marlow Bottom Community and its many organisations.   I was delighted to be appointed as a Community Governor in January 2007 and am currently a member of the Finance, Personnel and Premises Committees and the School Travel Group.   I hope that I can contribute both to the current work of the school and to its future development.

Peter Lerner – Vice Chairman of Governors – Local Authority Governor

I was appointed to Burford’s Governing Body by the local education authority, although I am also a parent, of Nick (who was at school between 2000 and 2006)  and Saskia (currently in year 6).

I serve on the Curriculum Committee, chair the Community Committee, and am also lead governor for Special Educational Needs (SEN). I am also the governor for Diversity and would be pleased to hear from parents/carers/guardians who may wish to raise any issues concerning my areas of responsibility.

I was elected in 2009 to the Buckinghamshire Schools Forum, which means that I will hopefully be able to help to ensure that Burford continues to improve in line with all current educational initiatives.

After a long career in local government, rising to the level of chief executive, I am now managing director of my own consultancy, specialising in local government improvement and change management. I am a season ticket holder at Wycombe Wanderers and enjoy music, theatre and being with my family.  

Sam Kelly – Local Authority Governor

I have lived in Wycombe for over ten years with my husband and children.  We chose Burford school because of its reputation. Hannah is in upper KS2, and Harry is in KS1, so I am lucky enough to see both “ends” of the school.  I became interested in becoming a governor when Hannah started in reception & was elected a parent governor in November 2004.  In 2008 I was asked to take on the role of a Local Authority Governor.

I joined the Finance committee, of which I am the Chairman, and personnel committee which covered my interests in particular. I am also the Numeracy and ICT governor. I also serve as a Trustee of the School Fund. Being a governor has given me a real insight into the issues and challenges that schools face.

Originally from Bolton, I moved south in 1995 with my husband.  I have a small accountancy practice working from home.  I enjoy reading, eating out & going to FOB events!!!!

Saleema Burney – Local Authority Governor

My husband and I moved to Wycombe two years ago with our four girls, the third of whom, Haala Khan, has recently started at Burford in Reception. Prior to this, we had lived in West London, and it was many years of voluntary work with children there that made me realise how much I enjoy working with them. My keen interest in education, furthermore, led me to a career in Primary teaching and I can say I have thoroughly enjoyed my time teaching KS2 in two different London schools. My husband works as a consultant paediatrician in North London, and also shares my enthusiasm for community involvement.

However, I have now been a full-time mum for five years, leaving work when I had my youngest two girls. The demands of mothering four girls keep me very busy, but I have always tried to maintain my involvement in their schools as far as possible. During my teaching years, I developed a particular interest in Primary Mathematics, and have recently delivered a number of workshops on the subject, aimed at parents from minority ethnic backgrounds. Currently, I have enrolled on an Open University MA in Education, and anticipate a few challenging years juggling children and dissertation papers!

Karol Whittington - Head Teacher – Staff Governor

Originally from Wales I studied at Weymouth College of Education in the mid seventies. Having trained in the Primary age range I gained my teaching qualification majoring in Art and Music. I took up my first post in the London Borough of Hounslow in Southall, Middlesex with my introduction to teaching being with a Reception class of 40 non-English speaking children – and unfortunately classroom assistants weren’t heard of then!  I then moved to a large Primary school called Isleworth Town, in Isleworth, Middlesex where I taught a variety of year groups for ten years. After this I changed Authorities and worked in the London Borough of Hillingdon, firstly at Hillingdon Infants for two years and then a large C of E Primary school in Hayes. I became Deputy Head whilst at Dr Tripletts C of E Primary, completing my MA in Education whilst there and staying for 10 years. I then moved to Buckinghamshire as Headteacher of Chalfont St Giles Infant school. I was in this post for 6 years before being successful in gaining the headship at Burford in September 2006!

I am delighted to be Headteacher of such a lovely school with the best children I have ever encountered! I enjoy working in an environment where the staff are so warm and friendly and the parents are enthusiastic and supportive. As I live in Fulmer, near Gerrards Cross I have a convenient journey to school and I am looking forward to enjoying Burford for many years to come!

Debbie Williams - Deputy Head - Staff Governor

I was appointed as Deputy Head teacher at Burford School in September 2007. I trained at Oxford Brookes University where I successfully completed a BEd with Maths. My first appointment as an NQT was at Meadowcroft First School in Aylesbury (now renamed Thomas Hickman School). I then moved to Bierton Combined School, also in Aylesbury. I taught there for nine very happy years in which time I successfully fulfilled roles as a Year 2 class teacher for four years; Year 5 class teacher for 2 years; Year 3 class teacher for 2 years and a mixed year 4/5 class teacher for 1 year. I was also ICT coordinator for six years before becoming maths coordinator for 3 years were I led the introduction of the new framework before I left. I was also KS2 coordinator for 4 years during which time I applied for and attained Advanced Skills Teacher status for Literacy and ICT. In my 2 year role as an AST I was lucky enough to take part in training for teachers across Bucks County as well as taking part in videoing with my Year 3 class for a national teacher training resource. I have worked within a number of schools, supporting teachers with Literacy and ICT – a role which I thoroughly enjoyed.

After taking on the role of Acting Deputy I decided I was ready for the next challenge in my career and applied to Burford School for the post of Deputy Head teacher.  It was a school I immediately knew I would enjoy working in as it has such a warm and welcoming atmosphere from both staff and children alike.

Paul Collinswood – Non Teaching Staff Governor

I moved to Marlow Bottom in 2006 and joined Burford School in April 2006 as Site Manager. I previously worked as a Harbourmaster at Bray and Windsor marinas on the River Thames.

I was elected as non teaching staff Governor in October 2006 and primarily sit on the Premises committee but also attend Finance and Personnel committee meetings wherever possible.

Together with Mrs Whittington, I am responsible for most things outside of teaching in the school – buildings, grounds, maintenance, security and fire systems, health & safety and contractor liaison to name but a few. With pupils, staff and visitors in mind, I also ensure the school operates efficiently and safely on a day to day basis.

I enjoy boating, motorcycling, driving, DIY and tinkering with anything mechanical.

Emma Legassick – Associate Staff Governor

I obtained my BEd (Hons) degree from Reading University where I studied music as my main subject. My first teaching post was in Maidenhead where I taught mixed Rec/Year 1 classes for 4 years. I then moved to Tylers Green First School in High Wycombe and taught there happily for over 10 years, taking responsibility for Music, Literacy, Science, RE and PSHE.

I was appointed at Burford at Easter 2008, and feel privileged to work alongside such a dedicated team of professional, caring staff. As well as teaching a Year 1 class, I work throughout the school to provide a variety of musical opportunities for children of all ages, and enjoy preparing Burford Choir to sing at concerts throughout the year. I am currently an associate member of the Governors and sit on the Curriculum Committee.