Please find below details of our Local Governors, including categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment.

We are always interested in hearing from members of the local community who may want to consider joining the Local Governing Body. Should you wish to discuss this with one of our governors, please contact the School Office.

Sally Hillyer – Chair 

Trust Appointed Governor | Link roles: Health and Safety, Risk Register | School Fund Trustee

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-Vice Chair 

Trust Appointed Governor | 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.

Becs Steele – Co-Vice Chair 

Trust Appointed Governor | Link roles: Finance, Governor Development | School Fund Trustee

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. 

Sonia Johal

Parent Local Governor | Link roles: Inclusion/DEI, Wellbeing

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

Parent Local Governor | Link roles: Assessment, Attendance  

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 | School Fund Trustee

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

Trust Appointed Governor 

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 Local Governor | Link roles: SEND, Behaviour, Sports Premium

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.

Emily Tarrega

Trust Appointed Governor | Link roles: Early Years, Science

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

I have two children at Burford and have been struck by the school’s dedication to nurturing an inclusive environment with positive values. As a University Biology lecturer with keen interests in child development and inclusive education, I look forward to contributing to the school’s brilliant work on ensuring every child thrives. I am also grateful for the opportunity to support the school as a part of the wider Marlow Bottom community, which has welcomed our family warmly since we moved here in 2023.

Alison Tolmie

Staff Governor 

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

Trust Appointed Governor | Link role: Safeguarding

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

Parent Local Governor | Link roles: Pupil Premium, Sustainability | School Fund Trustee

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.