Governors
You can contact the Chair of Governors by calling the school office, in writing or by email.
Petersfield Infant School, St Peters Rd, Petersfield, Hants, GU32 3HX
01730 263048
governors@petersfield-inf.hants.sch.uk
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MEET THE GOVERNORS!
Allyson Crew Julie Amor
Governing Headteacher Staff Governor
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. Once the children were at school I ran my own business and then helped my partner run his manufacturing business until we retired. We now live on a small farm on the outskirts of Petersfield and managing the farm with our menagerie of animals keeps us busy. I got to know Petersfield Infant School by volunteering as a Year R classroom helper offering pet therapy to those children who might benefit from extra individual attention. Supporting our amazing school further as a governor seemed a natural next step and has been very rewarding.
CARA SCHWICK - CO-OPTED GOVERNOR
I have lived around Petersfield all my life, and I live with my husband and children in my childhood home in Sheet.
Prior to working at the Infant school, I worked as an Operations Manager at a local company. This involved implementing policies and procedures, having responsibility for health & safety, and co-ordinating training for staff members. I also enjoyed reviewing and analysing where improvements in performance had been made.
I have two daughters, both of whom enjoyed their time at Petersfield Infants. During their time at the school I began volunteering, initially by listening to readers and helping with phonics, moving on to become a member of staff in 2016.
I completed an apprenticeship course in ‘Support Teaching and Learning’ with Hampshire Futures and spend some of my time attending courses to further develop my knowledge, as well as understanding the Governor role fully.
When I am not at school, I like to spend time with my family, walking, reading, or gardening.
I really enjoy working at the school and I’m enjoying being a school governor. It is extremely rewarding to be involved with a school who actively encourages children to be the best they can be and to be part of their learning journey.
CLAIRE CHEESEMAN - CO-OPTED GOVERNOR
I have recently moved to Petersfield with my family and love the town and the surrounding area. My eldest daughter now attends Petersfield Infants School, we love the ethos and family feel of the school. I currently work as a Finance Manager in the healthcare industry. I am new to the Governing Board and wanted to take the opportunity to make a difference and support children and their families so that they all achieve their maximum potential.
CLARE PARSONS– CO-OPTED 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 degree 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 was fortunate to do a variety of roles within the company, including being a Service Manager for one of IBM UK's biggest clients. I have since returned to teaching which I am thoroughly enjoying; it definitely delivers job satisfaction! I have lived in Petersfield since 2002. I am married and have two sons, 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.
HARRIET WHEELDON - ASSOCIATE MEMBER
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.
MARIANNE HARRIS-BRIDGE - ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Having graduated from Loughborough University with a Business Degree, I have spent most of my life in the East Midlands before moving to Hampshire in 2019.
My career spans corporate and public sector marketing and communications, and sales and then developing marketing and business strategies for a wide range of organisations in the UK and internationally, including many Universities and Colleges. I have undertaken many interim roles and consultancy projects; exposing me to a wide range of sectors and volunteering along the way to serve as trustee and board member of several companies.
I have been a school governor, chair and vice-chair for 16 years, in MATs, secondary, primary and special schools and am delighted to join Petersfield Infant School.
My two daughters live in the South East and I enjoy many hobbies, including spending time with my grandson.
PATRICK PEREZ-LOPEZ - CO-OPTED GOVERNOR
I was born in Tunbridge Wells and brought up in Kent. My work experience has mostly been with hydrocarbons, primarily with Shell. I feel very lucky to have worked in a variety of countries and cultures and with people from differing disciplines, backgrounds and levels of seniority. My wife and I have two adult sons and are Guardians to a little lad who joyfully attends the school. We moved to Petersfield a few years ago and love the town and just about everything in and around it. We have family and friends dottted around our lovely planet and like to spend as much time with them as we can. I find most things interesting but science, art, music, sport, travel and history are especially absorbing.
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 - LOCAL AUTHORITY GOVERNOR
Having grown up in Portsmouth, I moved back to Hampshire in 2007, and now live in Petersfield. I have a niece and nephew who attended Petersfield Infant School, and have 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 public appointments at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I love to travel, and in 2018 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 - ASSOCIATE MEMBER
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, and has now moved on to Herne Junior School. 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 Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at a global travel company. 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.
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 HR manager in a school in Portsmouth. I enjoy singing, cycling, reading, travel and spending time with my nieces and nephews.
SUSAN PHILLIPS – CO-OPTED GOVERNOR
I live in Petersfield having moved here from London in 2010. My working background is in the public sector, beginning in a central London local authority and now as a civil servant in Westminster. I have had a number of roles in each organisation, most of which centred around children and young people and improving their life chances and opportunities. Away from work I enjoy the theatre, music and reading, working on my garden and allotment and I am becoming increasingly interested in the environment. I enjoy my role as a governor for Petersfield Infant School and hope that my life experiences help support the school team to make pupils' time here the best it can be.
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Click HERE to look at the
Schools Financial Benchmarking Service information for Petersfield Infant School
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Here are the results from this years Year R parents induction questionnaire. Thank you to everyone who took part in this!
YR induction questionnaire – 2019-20 intake results – website version
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.
Governor Body Membership 2020-2021
Governor Declarations of Pecuniary Interest 2020-2021
Declaration of Pecuniary Interest 2020-2021
Governor Attendance 2019-2020
FGB Terms of Reference Sep 2020 HTPMC- Terms of Reference- Sep 20 Terms of Reference Resources Committee 21Sept20 Terms of Reference School Improvement Committee