Governors

You can contact the Chair of Governors via email: [email protected]

MISSION STATEMENT

The Governing Body of Petersfield Infant School will support the aims and goals of the school, as expressed in the school’s mission statement.

AIMS

The Governing Body will:

strive to have strong and positive relationships between governors and school leaders based on trust, openness and transparency
be informed and knowledgeable because we seek high-quality, accurate information focused on pupil achievement
support difficult decisions in the interests of pupils
ensure absolute clarity about the different roles and responsibilities of the head teacher and governors
be familiar with the school, its staff and pupils
behave with integrity and be mutually supportive
expect school leaders to recognise that governors provide them with a different perspective which contributes to strengthening the school’s leadership
use the skills we bring, and the information we have about the school, to ask challenging questions, which are focused on improvement, and hold leaders to account for pupils’ outcomes
use time efficiently by delegating tasks into established committees and working parties with clear terms of reference to provide high levels of challenge & support
come to meetings well prepared and with pertinent questions ready so that we are able to provide support and constructive challenge
constantly reflect on our own effectiveness and make changes to improve. We consider our own training needs, as well as how we organise our work
ensure that the school uses its resources to ensure it achieves best value

OUR GOVERNORS

Governors are unpaid volunteers and have a responsibility for the effective management of the school, acting within the framework set by the national legislation and by the policies of the Local Authority. They are concerned with, and contribute to, the management of all areas of the establishment. i.e. the budget, employees, curriculum and resources, buildings and grounds, as well as the general ethos and aims of the school.

Governors are elected every four years and represent different sections of the community – Local Authority, co-opted, parents and staff.

Governors have compiled the results from the Year R Parents Induction Survey (Autumn 2018)

Click here to see the results:

Year R Parents Induction Questionnaire Results 2018

The Governors would like to say a very big thank you to the 78 parents (74%) who completed the YR induction feedback questionnaire this year. The overall response has been extremely positive and we are pleased to see from your feedback that the tweaks made to the induction process this year has enabled the children to settle-in quickly and make a fantastic start to school life.

Gathering parents’ views is very important and allows the school to continually look at ways to provide the best possible transition to school. One of the school’s strategic objectives this year is ‘To develop more effective communicate between the school and parents/carers’. This questionnaire is one of the ways Governors hope to achieve this to ensure parents feel valued, listened to, well informed and supported.

Click on the link to see the results from the Year 2 Parents Survey (Summer 2018)

Y2 Survey Results for Parents 2018

BECKY HIGGS - CO-OPTED GOVERNOR

We moved up to Petersfield from Southsea in 2014. We’d visited on several occasions previously, fell in love with the town and its surroundings, and decided we’d like to start our family there. We now have two children (a boy and a girl), a dog, a cat and fish! This year my son has started school at Petersfield Infants and he’s really enjoying making new friends. The same goes for us and there is a real community feel to the town, which is one reason I wanted to be a governor. I work in secondary education as a science teacher and I saw a governors role as a way to get more involved with the local community and perhaps give something back.

In a previous life my husband and I worked as SCUBA instructors in the recreational diving industry and this passion enabled us to travel to many dive destinations around the world, with extended periods working in Thailand, Malta and the Caribbean. Naturally we like being outdoors and our love for the natural world is something we are actively trying to pass on to our children, we spend as much time as we can out walking with the dog, meeting friends in the park, on our bikes or just having fun in the garden.

BIRGITTE ATTLEY - CO-OPTED GOVERNOR

I have lived in and around this part of rural Hampshire for most of my life and was schooled in these buildings more than fifty years ago when it was a Junior School. My two children went to school in Petersfield before going away to university. They both now live in London and I enjoy spending time with them and my wonderful grandchildren. I was fortunate to be at home with my children when they were small and loved every minute. Once they were settled in school I ran my own ceramics studio teaching children and adults, including our head teacher. After that I helped my partner run his manufacturing business. Now that I'm retired and living on a small farm on the outskirts of Petersfield, I have more time to pursue my love of life in the country. Alongside my duties managing the farm with its menagerie of animals, I am a keen beekeeper, sheep advisor and volunteer gardener. I started volunteering at the school as a Year R classroom helper offering pet therapy to those children who might benefit from extra individual attention. Supporting this amazing school further as a governor seemed a natural and rewarding next step.

CLARE PARSONS– PARENT GOVERNOR

I was born and brought up in South Wales, leaving to study at Southampton University when I as 18. I completed a 4 year BEd Hons history course there and got my first job as a teacher in a large junior school in Portsmouth shortly after finishing. After a few years teaching I decided to try a different career and got a job in IT, working for IBM and have been there ever since. I have been lucky to do a variety of roles within the company. Currently I am a Service Manager for one of IBM UK's biggest clients, which is challenging and enjoyable in equal measure. I have lived in Petersfield since 2002. I am married to Will and we have two sons, Evan and George, both of whom thoroughly enjoyed their time at Petersfield Infant School. Since having children my spare time has diminished significantly but when I do have that rare moment I like to go out for a run, read, visit the theatre, cook, catch up with friends or relax with a glass of wine.

JULIAN JAMES - CO-OPTED GOVERNOR

I have lived in Petersfield since 2003, having grown up in Liphook and travelled the world, or at least the West Country, serving as a pilot in the Royal Navy. After leaving the Navy, my working life has mainly been focused on IT related activities including providing consultancy and infrastructure support to schools. Although no longer active in this sphere, I still maintain an interest in education and this was one of the factors that drew me to the role of governor. Petersfield Infant School is of particular interest as both of my daughters have benefitted from the outstanding education delivered by the team. Outside of work and family I can occasionally be found microlight flying and cycling around the local area, although it would be fair to suggest that I’m generally a fair-weather participant in both activities.

PEARL WHEELER – CO-OPTED GOVERNOR

I was born in Odiham but grew up in Silchester and Horndean. My early working life was spent in the manufacturing industry, marketing consumer durables. I moved to Petersfield following my marriage in 1980 and took a career break to spend the pre-school years at home with my two sons, Dan and Luke, now adults. I thought about how I wanted to spend the rest of my working life and decided to retrain as a language teacher at the University of Portsmouth. I spent my teaching practice at secondary schools in Hayling Island, Horndean and Woolmer Hill and later taught in Leigh Park, Havant. The most enjoyable part of this role was as a tutor and mentoring trainee teachers. As part of an MFL initiative, I spent time with primary teachers and helped coordinate language-learning for that age group. Although retired from teaching, I continue to be very interested in the development, welfare and education of children. In my free time I am an avid reader and a member of a bookclub. I enjoy music, current affairs, travel and foreign culture.

REBECCA LEETE - CO-OPTED GOVERNOR

Having grown up in Portsmouth, I moved back to Hampshire in 2007, and live in Liphook. I have a niece at Petersfield Infant School, and a nephew who has now moved on to Herne Junior School. After studying languages at university, I started my professional life working for youth charities, before moving into the public sector. For many years, I worked at the Department for Education (DfE), where I was involved with a wide range of policy areas - from early years and childcare to the English curriculum. Lately, I have focused on corporate services: I was the Board Secretary at the DfE and am now responsible for governance and risk at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I love to travel, and recently crossed China, Mongolia and Russia on the trans-Siberian railway. When I’m at home I enjoy long distance walking, yoga and cooking.

RICHARD CRABTREE - PARENT GOVERNOR

I’ve lived in Petersfield since 2009 moving here with my wife to work in the Portsmouth area, since settling here we have built a family and have a son and a daughter. We have grown to love Petersfield, the people who live here and the local area. My son is at the infant school and as we watch him grow and learn we’re constantly reminded of what an amazing school Petersfield Infant is. I enjoy supporting the school as a parent governor and helping the school to continue to move forwards. I grew up in West Sussex and studied Aerospace Engineering at university, now working as a technical programme manager. In my spare time I enjoy playing sports, taking the children to their various club activities and also coach my son’s year group at Petersfield Rugby Club.

SARAH PIRIE - PARENT GOVERNOR

We’ve lived in Petersfield since 2014, having moved from Southsea in search of a quieter life! Initially we rented a property, but soon decided that we wanted to put down some roots, and we bought our house here in 2016. I live with my husband and daughter, who started at Petersfield Infant School in 2017. I grew up in Fareham, and attended Portsmouth University, before training as a Chartered Accountant at BDO in Southampton. Since qualifying in 2007, I have worked mostly in online businesses (retail / travel) and I’m currently a Head of Finance at an online local retailer in Portsmouth. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family. When we’re not out at a local attraction or going for walks in the forest, we’re at home, making things and spending time in the garden. I’ve recently taken up running again, so you may see me making my way around Petersfield in the evenings!

SUE BARROWS - CO-OPTED GOVERNOR

I grew up in Fleet and left to join the Royal Navy when I was 19 to train as an engineer officer. 17 years of adventure later, I changed career, becoming the Headmistress’s PA at a school in Portsmouth. At the same time, I decided to get involved in my local community and so became a governor at Petersfield Infant School. In 2013, my husband’s job took us abroad for 4 years but on my return I was delighted to re-join the governors. I am currently working as a contractor for the UK Stabilisation Unit in London. I have lived in Petersfield with my husband since 2008. I enjoy singing, cycling, reading, travel and spending time with my nieces and nephews.

WILL HUGHES – CO-OPTED GOVERNOR

I am the vicar of St Peter’s Church, Petersfield and also rector of Buriton. I have lived in Petersfield since 2011years: before that I was vicar of Blackmoor and Whitehill (near Bordon).I was brought up in Dorset and joined the navy after leaving school, but after two years, decided to train for ordination. I have been a school governor of different schools since 2005, and am especially interested in school ethos, curriculum and good governance. I love being involved in schools work, and serve on the Diocesan Board of Education, which looks after all church schools in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. I am married to Hattie, and have four children, two girls and two boys. When I have any spare time, I enjoy woodwork and archery, and spending time with my family.