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Our Governors
Governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in all St Christopher’s Multi Academy Trust schools however, the ultimate responsibility for the school lies with the Board of Directors with much of the work delegated to the Local Governing Body (LGB).
In trusts, the purpose of local governance is to provide:
- strategic leadership
- accountability and assurance
- strategic engagement
Governors set the aims and objectives for the school and set the targets/policies for achieving those aims and objectives. They monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making and act as a source of challenge and support to the headteacher.
Governors bring a wide range of skills and expertise from their professional lives to the governing body and schools benefit greatly from working with skilled volunteers.
Co-Chairs of Governors: Jacklyn Barry and Sally Eales
Safeguarding Lead: Sally Eales
Clerk to the LGB: Ruth Cadoux
If you are interested in hearing more about becoming a governor please contact;
Name of Governor |
Monitoring Responsibilities |
| Jacklyn Barry | English (Writing) |
| Sally Eales | Safeguarding, Attendance & Behaviour |
| William Noble | Disadvantaged Pupils |
| Rev. Tatiana Wilson | Ethos & Christian Distinctiveness |
| Nisha John | SEND |
| Ryan Proctor | Achievement (Progress & Outcomes of Pupils) |
| Lucy Babb | Operations (Health & Safety, Risk and Wellbeing) |
Suzie Ottewell
In her role as Headteacher for St Matthew's, Suzie is also part of the governing body. She works closely with all of the governors through school visits and at our termly meetings.
Jacklyn Barry
Co-Chair to the Governors
First as an elected parent governor and now as a foundation governor, Jacklyn (known as Jackie) has been a member of Saint Matthew’s local governing board since 2019. She is an experienced teacher, lecturer in education, mentor to training teachers and she has recently earned her doctorate which focussed upon the impact of evidence-based practice on teachers’ pedagogies. She uses this expertise to hold leaders to account, ensuring that our school’s strategic priorities are maintained and that all our pupils are able to let their light shine.
Sally Eales
Co-Chair to the Governors
Sally is a foundation governor and has been involved with the school since before it was even built! It's been great to see the development over the years and a privilege to work with such committed staff and enthusiastic pupils. She has recently retired after working for 20 years at Marjon where she worked in training primary school teachers. Prior to that she was a teacher in primary schools in Devon for almost 18 years. She is interested in all aspects of school life but particularly passionate about English and reading. She lives in Derriford and loves walking on the moor and coast, gardening, swimming and reading!
Nisha John
Nisha offered to volunteer her time as a parent governor as she wanted to be more involved in the school that her children love.
She is the link-governor for the SEND provision at St Matthew's, meeting with the staff who have this area of responsibility within school. She truly admires the dedication and commitment of the teachers she interacts with and is looking forward to being part of the school's progress in the coming years.
Prior to becoming a full time mum, she worked in the banking, retail and public relations sectors.
Lucy Babb
Lucy has been elected by the staff at St Matthew's to be the staff governor for St Matthew's.
William Noble
Awaiting photo and introduction
Ryan Proctor
Awaiting photo and introduction
Andrew Sinclair
Awaiting photo and introduction
Rev. Tatiana Wilson
Awaiting photo and introduction
Rev. Joanne Parker
Awaiting photo and introduction
Diversity Data
The board believes that it is important that we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Diverse boards promote inclusive school environments and provide diverse role models for staff and young people. We collect data on the diversity of the board, including age, ethnicity, and gender and we use this data to inform our recruitment and training needs, ensuring there is always a diverse range of perspectives around the table to support robust decision making. We do not publish diversity data online as individual governors could be identified and we have a legal obligation to protect their personal data.