Meet The Governors

Welcome to our Governors’ section

Please find below details of  our Governors including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.

We are always interested to hear from parents who may want to consider becoming a Governor and should you wish to discuss this further please do not hesitate to contact any member of the Governing Body.

Hannah Gallimore

Vice Chair of Governors 

Co-opted | Committees: Management, Pay Review | Link role: Safeguarding

First appointed: September 2024 | Current term of office until: September 2028 

With a career in public service spanning Healthcare and Defence, and having previously been a Safeguarding Governor, my experiences in supporting organisational strategy, policy and performance management are invaluable to my contribution to Burford’s governing board. With three children myself, I know the importance of a strong governing body and it is a privilege to play a part in ensuring the continued success of the school. I chose to support Burford School as a Governor because of the school’s ethos – the Burford Body – happiness, wellbeing, and high-achievement being at the heart of the school.

Sally Hillyer

Chair of Governors

Co-opted | Committees: Curriculum, Management, School Fund | Link role: Governor Development

First appointed: September 2019 | Current term of office until: June 2027

I work in educational publishing, developing teaching, learning and assessment resources for primary schools, with a specialism in maths. My two sons have benefited from Burford's wonderful enriched curriculum and the school's dedication to fostering children's wellbeing. I am proud to be part of a great team that works hard to support the fantastic work the school does.

Clare Holdway

Co-opted | Committees: Curriculum | Link roles: English, Maths

First appointed: September 2025 | Current term of office until: September 2029

I am a local parent with 2 children at secondary school within Marlow. I joined the already successful Burford Governing Board with several years Governing tenure, having served on the Board of another Primary school, with the objective of continuing to support children in education at a Primary school level. Professionally, in a previous life I worked on the commercial side of the retail field and more latterly in sales & marketing in the FMCG sector. I now run a digital marketing consultancy with my husband, based out of Bourne End.

Sonia Johal

Parent Governor | Committees: Management | Link role: Website compliance

First appointed: November 2023 | Current term of office until: November 2027

I have already had two children go through Burford school and I have now returned with my youngest. My professional background is in management and business management and I now run my own business. My professional skills, as well as those gained through parenting and general life, support my role as governor. I look forward to helping to shape the school that has been such a big part of my family's life so far and is sure to be for some years to come. 

Sam Kidd

Chair of the Curriculum Committee

Parent Governor | Committees: Curriculum | Link role: Assessment 

First appointed: October 2024 | Current term of office until: October 2028

I have three children, two of which attend Burford School. Having always been impressed by the supportive, cultivating and encouraging environment Burford School provides for young people, I volunteered as a Parent Governor to help the school continue their journey as a successful primary school of choice in Marlow. I work as a Deputy Headteacher at a large secondary school in London and try to bring the skills I have acquired working in education and apply them to governance of Burford. 

Tracey Marshall

Headteacher | Committees: Curriculum, Management, School Fund

I have the privilege of being Burford School’s Headteacher. With the staff and governors, I am confident that together we will help your children grow into well-rounded individuals, ready for the next stage in their education when the time comes for them to leave Burford School. When I am not at school, I am the proud mum of three children and enjoy relaxing at home with a good novel.

Judy Puddephatt

Co-opted | Committees: Curriculum, Management

First appointed: September 2024 | Current term of office until: September 2028 

I am Burford’s Deputy Headteacher, having previously held Assistant Headteacher and Phase Leader roles at the school. I could not wish to work at a more welcoming, community-minded school. I have been a class teacher in Year 6 and really enjoy working with the Burford children, who are as inspiring as they are creative, curious and brilliant. Previously I taught in North Barnes in London and was a phase leader in both KS1 and KS2. Outside of school, I am a mum to two children, both at secondary school, and an unfriendly cat, am originally from Scotland but now live in Marlow and am a season ticket holder at the mighty Brentford FC.

Craig Robertson

Parent Governor | Committees: Curriculum | Link roles: SEND, PPG  

First appointed: November 2023 | Current term of office until: November 2027

I have always worked in education and moved to this area in 1998. Since 2004 I have worked at Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School in Marlow. I currently work with year sevens on pastoral and academic support, and year sixes as they go through transition from primary to secondary. With two children at Burford I am very proud and excited to be part of this amazing school.

Becs Steele

Chair of the Management Committee

Co-opted | Committees: Management, Pay Review, School Fund | Link role: GDPR

First appointed: June 2024 | Current term of office until: June 2028 

I am very keen to support the school and the local community and to be part of helping to create a positive legacy for our children. We moved to the valley in 2019 and I have three children, two are currently attending Burford School. My professional background is as a Finance Director in large corporations so I hope to be able to use those skills to support Burford. 

Kevin Steele

Co-opted | Committees: Curriculum | Link roles: Academisation, Early Years

First appointed: September 2017 | Current term of office until: June 2029

I have two children, who both attended Burford School. I recognise what a fantastic school we already have, but there are always opportunities for improvement! I utilise my industry and management experience to the benefit of the school to help make it more successful with safe, happy and thriving children.

Alison Tolmie

Staff Governor | Committees: Curriculum

First appointed: January 2025 | Current term of office until: January 2029 

I have been a teacher at Burford School since 2024, and I was elected as a staff governor in January 2025. During my time at the school I have been inspired by the drive and passion of all staff members for the school and the children. As staff governor I aim to support and develop Burford’s vision and strategy, promote the educational performance of the school and engage with pupils, staff, parents and the wider school community to understand their views. I hope to use my current skills to help all children and staff thrive, as well as learn new skills. Outside of teaching at Burford, I am a Coach at South Bucks Riding for the Disabled. RDA provides therapy and education to a great range of people, and it is also a place that I can go and unwind. Volunteering for RDA has given me many skills that I have used in the classroom, especially with those that have additional needs.

Tom Venables

Co-opted | Committees: Curriculum | Link role: Science

First appointed: September 2025 | Current term of office until: September 2029

I moved to Marlow Bottom in Summer 2025 with my wife and two daughters. Since we arrived, I have started as the Curate at the Lantern Church (right next to Burford), my eldest daughter has started in Reception, we've had twins arrive (a boy and a girl) and I have started as a governor. Life is busy, but I'm looking forward to serving as best I can in all these different areas. Before I felt a call to ordained ministry in the Church of England I was a Secondary School Science Teacher for 10 years. When I have the chance to, I love walking (the more mountainous the area the better), cooking and classical music.

Matt Weavers

Chair of the Pay Review Committee 

Parent Governor | Committees: Management, Pay Review, School Fund | Link role: Health & Safety 

First appointed: October 2024 | Current term of office until: October 2028

I have one child at Burford who has thrived thanks to the pastoral care provided by the school. The help and support for myself and my son when we suffered bereavement was absolutely first class and fully validated our choice of Burford as a community school underpinned by a range of values covering academic, social and emotional success. In terms of my skills and experience, I am a Chartered Management Accountant with 20+ years of blue-chip finance expertise ranging from the leadership of multinational teams to helping others understand simple numbers on a spreadsheet. More latterly I am the founder and MD of my own successful small business, providing me with a range of transferable skills and crucially the flexibility to dedicate time and effort to the parent governor role. Although willing to ask challenging questions, as a team player I also have natural empathy, emotional intelligence and the ability to listen.