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Meet the Governors

Welcome to our Governors' section.

 

The Governors of St. Leonard’s Lower School play an important role and are fully involved in the life of the school, helping to set the school's vision and aims and ensuring accountability.  Our Governors are a committed group of elected and co-opted volunteers who help the school provide the best possible education for its pupils.

The Governing Body meets at least once each term.  Minutes of recent meetings of the Governors are available from the school office.

 

At full capacity there are 12 members on the Governing Body. We currently have a vacancy for a local authority governor.

 

Should you wish to contact the Chair of Governors, Theresa Allen, please do so in writing via the school office or via email chair@stleonardslower.co.uk

Mrs Theresa Allen, Chair of Governors

Theresa worked for 12 years in the railway industry in various roles (Booking office clerk, Conductor, Assistant to Controller, Duty train crew manager) before having children. She has one child at St Leonard's and one child who previously attended St Leonard's. Theresa is trained as an Early Years level 3 educator. She works as a teaching assistant for SEND pupils in a local lower school. Theresa was elected Chair of Governors in September 2022. 
CategoryResponsibilityCommittee MembershipTerm of OfficeGovernance roles in other institutionsRelationships school/staffBusiness/Pecuniary interests

Parent governor

Appointed by parent nomination/ballot

Chair

Curriculum

Curriculum and Standards01/02/20 until 01/02/2024NoneNoneNone

 

Mr Alan Gomersall, Vice Chair of Governors

Alan joined the governing body as a Foundation Governor in 2004 and shortly after took over as Chair. He is a Mechanical Engineer and Visiting Research Fellow at King’s College London. Alan has a keen interest in the environmental subjects in the curriculum. Alan stood down from being the Chair of Governors in September 2022 after over 10 years of service in this role. He is committed to remaining a Governor of St Leonard's Lower and will be working alongside the new chair to support in her in this role. 

CategoryResponsibility

Committee

Membership

 Term of Office

Governance roles in

other institutions

Relationship

School/Staff

Business/Pecuniary

interests

Foundation

appointed by St Leonard's Church PCC

Vulnerable Children

Curriculum

Curriculum and Standards

Finance, Premises and
Personnel

09.03.21 until 09.03.25

NoneNoneNone

Rev’d Noel McGeeney (ex-officio)

 

Revd. Noel McGeeney is an ex officio member of the Governing Body as vicar of St Leonard’s Parish Church.

Noel delivers Collective Worship weekly at school; he has also participated in RE lessons and accompanied children on faith tours. As a vicar and pastor he enjoys being a resource and support to the teachers, staff and the Governing Body.

CategoryResponsibilityCommittee MembershipTerm of Office

Governance roles in other institutions

Relationship School/Staff

Business/Pecuniary interests

Ex Officio

St Leonard's Church

Distinctiveness and

Effectiveness as a Church

School

Curriculum and StandardsN/ANoneNoneNone

Mrs Margaret Smithers

 

Margaret Smithers has been a governor for many years. She was re-appointed in 2021 by the PCC. Margaret’s three children previously attended St. Leonard’s Lower. She originally worked in a large financial company as a personnel manager. She re-trained when her children were young and is now the Pre-School Manager and trained Early Years teacher at Heath Barn Pre School.

 

CategoryResponsibilityCommittee MembershipTerm of Office

Governance roles in other institutions

Relationship School/Staff

Business/Pecuniary interests

Foundation

Appointed by St Leonard's Church PCC

Early years

Safeguarding

Finance, Premises and Personnel

reappointed  19.3.21 until 19.3.25

 None

None

Manager Barn

Preschool

Mr Steve Barrett

Steve Barrett became a governor in 2016.  His two daughters previously attended the school.  Steve is a qualified accountant and he set up his own accountancy business three years ago, which is based in Leighton Buzzard. 

CategoryResponsibilityCommittee MembershipTerm of Office

Governance roles in other institutions

Relationship School/Staff

Business/Pecuniary interests

Foundation

Appointed by St Leonards Church PCC  

 

Health and Safety

Finance, Premises and Personnel (chair)14.10.20 until 14.10.24NoneNoneNone

Mr Dean Clarke

Dean joined as a Foundation Governor in February 2018 and has 2 children who previously attended the school. He has served previously within church leadership and actively participated in running a church youth group. Dean manages a business unit within Microsoft that supports their enterprise customers within both the public and private sector.

CategoryResponsibilityCommittee MembershipTerm of Office

Governance roles in other institutions

Relationship School/Staff

Business/Pecuniary interests

Foundation

Appointed by the Diocesan Board of Education

24.2.18

Governor Training Finance, premises and Personnel24.2.22 until 24.2.26None

 

None

 

Works for Microsoft
Mr James Newens

James Newens currently has 1 daughters who attends St Leonard's Lower, his other two daughters previously attended the school. James has been a Quantity Surveyor working for a main contractor in the Construction Industry for over 20 years, and has previous experience in School refurbishment projects. James lives in Heath and Reach with his wife Joanne, who is a Teaching assistant at the School.

CategoryResponsibilityCommittee membershipTerm of officeGovernance roles in other institutionsRelationship school/staffBusiness/Pecuniary interests

Co-opted Governor

Appointed by the Governing Body

Buildings, School SportsFinance, Premises and Personnel12th September 2019 until 12th September 2023 Nonewife employed at schoolJames works for  large construction and property services company as a surveyor. He has been involved with a variety of school refurbishment projects. 

 

Mrs Stephanie King

Since graduating from Warwick University Steph pursued a career in PR in the fields of education and HR and she is currently a director of a niche PR consultancy. As the daughter of professional educators, and a parent at school, she is keen to bring her skills to support St Leonard's in providing a first rate academic, ethical and moral education for its pupils. 

CategoryResponsibilityCommittee membershipTerm of OfficeGovernance roles in other institutionsRelationships school/staffBusiness/Pecuniary interests

parent governor

Appointed by parent nomination/ballot

SEND CurriculumCurriculum and Standards17/11/21 until 17/11/25NoneNoneNone

 

Mrs Linda Page

Linda Page is a member of St Leonard's Church PCC.  She is now retired, although very busy with grandchildren and helping family. Linda has an interest in St Leonards School as she used to attend the school when it was in Woburn Road by the allotments, as did her sister and Grandfather in the early 20th century.  Linda's sisters children and grandchildren have also attended St Leonard's. Before Linda retired she worked at Barclays Bank and Leighton Buzzard Health Clinic, with Health Visitors and District Nurses. Linda is happy to be a Foundation Governor for what she describes as a 'lovely school'.

CategoryResponsibilityCommittee membershipTerm of officeGovernance roles in other institutionsRelationships school/staffBusiness/Pecuniary interests
Foundation Governor elected by St Leonard's Church PCCCurriculumCurriculum and Standards9/11/21 until 9/11/25NoneNoneNone

 

Mrs Lauren Suffling

Lauren has spent the past 12 years working as a police officer. She now works in a secondary school. Lauren has a deep knowledge of safeguarding and the importance of the school setting in this. Her current role is within school attendance. Lauren is passionate about supporting young people and is keen to help in the school's success. Lauren has two sons at St Leonard's Lower. 

CategoryResponsibilityCommittee MembershipTerm of OfficeGovernance roles in other institutionsRelationship school/staffBusiness/Pecuniary interests

Foundation Governor elected by the

PCC (St Leonard's Church)

CurriculumCurriculum28.09.22-28.09.26NoneNoneNone

 

Mr Samuel Davies

Sam is an alumnus of St Leonard’s VA Lower School and father to a son who has just started in 4+.

Sam has extensive experience in governance, communications and fundraising. Both he and his wife work in the third sector, with specific interest in developing social good projects and supporting people across a wide range of social challenges. As part of his work, he helps others to see the underlying need for cultivating good habits, strong belief in the good that can be done when working together, and an environment which nurtures inclusivity and a growth mindset.

CategoryResponsibilityCommittee MembershipTerm of OfficeGovernance in other institutionsRelationships school/staffBusiness/Pecuniary interests

Foundation Governor

Elected by the DBE

 Finance, premises and Personnel25.11.22-24.11.26NoneNoneNone

 

Mrs Siobhan Ryan 

Siobhan has been a teacher at St Leonard's for 18 years. She is also the senior teacher at school and part of the school leadership team. Siobhan is proud to be serving on the governing body as a staff representative. She is also a member of the Curriculum and Standards Committee. Siobhan joined the governing body in September 2017. 

CategoryResponsibilityCommittee MembershipTerm of Office

Governance roles in other institutions

Relationship School/Staff

Business/Pecuniary interests
Staff- appointed by staff in schoolCurriculumCurriculum and Standards01.09.17 until 01.09.21NoneEmployee of the schoolNone

Mrs Sarah Bowley

Sarah Bowley has been Headteacher of the school since 2010. She is proud of the successes that the school has seen during her time as head. Sarah attends all governors meetings and is a member of all committees. Sarah is a Central Bedfordshire Leader in

Education and has supported other Central Bedfordshire Lower Schools. 

 

 

 

 

Category Responsibility Committee Membership Term of Office

Governance roles in other institutions

Relationship School/Staff

Business/Pecuniary interests
ex officio   All committees N/A None Employee of the school None

Attendance at Governors Meetings 2021-22

Name of GovernorTotal number of committee meetings possibleCommittee meetings attendedTotal number of Full Governing Body meetings possibleFull Governing Body meetings attended
Alan Gomersall5455
Theresa Allen3354
Sarah Bowley5555
Siobhan Ryan3255
Margaret Smithers2155

Kim Anwyl

(Foundation Governor, resigned 9.05.22)  

1132
Dean Clarke2251
Steve Barrett2253
James Newens2255
Noel McGeeney3255

Steph King

2243
Linda Page2242