Meet The Governors

Welcome to our Governors’ section

Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, 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.

Jason Batten

I joined the governing body in 2013 and was co-opted in February 2021. I currently sit on the Management Committee and have Governor responsibility for premises. Both my children attended Burford School and have now left secondary education. My primary reason for joining the Governing Body was to represent the local committee on the Governing Body as I also serve on the Parish Council

Sarah Cooper

I have been involved in the Governing Body since October 2007 and in September 2014 I became Chair, a role that I thoroughly enjoyed until October 2020. My primary reason for becoming a Governor was my belief that all children deserve a great primary education to prepare them for the next stage of school. My three children previously attended Burford School and thoroughly enjoyed their time there.

Steven Griffiths

I joined the Governing Body in 2021 as a Parent Governor and have thoroughly enjoyed being part of a fantastically dedicated group who are focussed on helping to improve the whole school. My family and I moved to Marlow Bottom in 2020. We have two children who attended Burford School, one still attending in Year 5. They both found a warm welcome and settled in amazingly fast. I believe that is a testament to all the people who make the school; the parents, teachers, staff and pupils and I would very much appreciate being able to contribute to the continuation and growth of the community spirit that has made us feel so welcome and allowed our children to settle and thrive. I intend to use my time as a Parent Governor to continue driving a safe, healthy, ambitious environment and help lay the foundations for future success

Jane Hawksworth

I am delighted to have been appointed as the Chair of Governors again this year. I was co-opted onto the Governing Body in April 2016, to sit on the Management Committee as the Development Governor, I then took on the role of Vice Chair in 2019 and was appointed Chair in 2020.  I have had three children go through Burford, with my youngest still there, in Year 5.  I joined the Burford Governing Body as I wanted to be able to contribute as much as I can. My professional background before retiring to have my family was in HR and I felt I could use these skills to support the school.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Governing Body, have made some good friends and am proud and grateful to be part of such an excellent team at Burford.  

Sally Hillyer

I joined the governing board in September 2019, starting off as a parent governor, then becoming a co-opted governor in 2023. I'm currently the chair of the Management Committee, and the link governor for safeguarding. 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. My professional background is in educational publishing, developing teaching, learning and assessment resources for primary schools, with a specialism in maths. This has given me a good insight into the curriculum side of education, and I've enjoyed learning about all the other many and varied things involved in running a school. 

Sonia Johal

I was delighted to join the governing body in 2023 as a parent governor. I have already had two children go through Burford school from Reception to Year 6 and I have now returned with my youngest as she starts her journey through school. My professional background is in management and business management and I have recently set up a brand-new business. I am hoping to use my professional skills, as well as those gained through parenting and general life in 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.   

Tracey Marshall

I have the privilege of being Burford School’s Head Teacher. 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. I look forward to working in partnership with all stakeholders of Burford School, especially the children

Jonny Patten

In January 2023, I joined the fantastic Burford Team as Deputy Head Teacher. Using my previous experiences as school SENDCo and Assistant Head Teacher, I am looking forward to working with stakeholders at Burford School to give all pupils the learning opportunities they need in order to develop through our seven core values. Outside of school, I enjoy the juggling act of raising three young children and swimming competitively

Rachel Rayner

I joined the Governing Body in March 2021. I have always been very passionate about Burford School and the fantastic education that they provide for our children. I have always spent as much time as I can in school helping and understanding the curriculum and how the children learn. I have a background in Engineering and I subsequently moved into Information Technology. I currently work for a large software company and I have a huge passion for things STEM. I am absolutely delighted to the Chair of the Curriculum Committee, and focus on the area of Science

Craig Robertson 

I have recently been elected as a Parent Governor and look forward to working as part of the Governing body ar Burford. I grew up in Nottinghamshire and graduated from Exeter University in 1997, with a bachelor of arts in education. I have always worked in education and moved to this area in 1998, teaching for six years at Chalfont community College in Gerrards Cross.  In 2004, I became the head of PE and sport at Sir William Borlase’s grammar school in Marlow.  Since 2014 I have been the head of key stage three -  working with year sevens and eights on pastoral and academic support, and year sixes as they go through transition from primary to secondary. 

I’m a keen sportsman and play hockey at Marlow, and golf/football recreationally. I have two children, one of which started at Burford in 2023.

Kevin Steele

I was delighted to be Co-opted to the Governing Body in 2017. For this academic year I have been elected as Vice Chair of Governors. I have two children, both attended Burford School. I recognise what a fantastic school we already have, but there are always opportunities for improvement! I am excited to utilise my industry and management experience to the benefit of the school to help make it more successful with safe, happy and thriving children.

Bruce Watt

I was appointed a Parent Governor in 2021. Me and my family have lived in Marlow Bottom since 2014 and Burford School was the main reason why we moved to the area. I have a daughter in Year 6. I have worked in banking for 37 years and currently work I High Wycombe. Having previously been a community governor at a primary school in Hillingdon, I appreciate the challenges of running a primary school. I was keen to join the Governing Body to help keep Burford School the great school it currently is.

Reverend Graham Watts

I moved to Marlow Bottom in 2014 when my wife and I were appointed Vicars (we job share) of St Mary’s Church in Marlow Bottom. I became a Co-opted Governor at Burford School in February 2015. All three of our children have been through Burford School and we were very thankful for all they received here. The Church in Marlow Bottom is committed to serving the Village in as many ways as we can and so being a Governor at Burford School is a great way for me to do that. The kids are great but my favourite part of being a Governor is supporting the Staff and seeing them develop professionally and grow in their skills.