Governors
Dr Thomas Finnie
LA and Chair
I have come, via an academic background (working and teaching in universities), to providing statistical and numerical analysis to support public health. I currently lead the analytics team within the UKHSA’s emergency response division. All my children are at, or have attended, Sutton Veny School and I believe passionately in the power of good education and internal confidence to provide opportunities that lead to a happy and fulfilled life. Something I want for each and every child in our school.
Mr Adam Lewis
Headteacher
I am extremely proud to have been appointed as the Head Teacher of Sutton Veny School. I have been a member of the Governing Body for a number of years, previously as a staff governor, through my role as a senior leader with the school. I feel incredibly lucky to have the support of such a committed and dedicated team of staff and governors, who all strive to provide the children that we serve with the best possible environment for their personal and academic development. Every child deserves to be happy, cared for and be given the chance flourish, whilst developing the behaviours and attitudes that will enable them to contribute positively to society, lead happy and successful lives and thrive in their relationships with others. It is a real privilege to be in a position to make these aspirations a reality for our children.
Miss Leah Gee
Staff Governor
I first qualified as a teacher in 2003, having completed a PGCE at Canterbury Christ Church University College. I have worked in schools in Kent, London and Wiltshire ever since. I take a great interest in the subjects of English and History, having completed a Joint Honours degree in English and Modern History at the University of Liverpool. I feel privileged to be able to be the English Subject Lead at Sutton Veny. Another specialism of mine is gifted and talented education and I explored this field in great depth when I undertook my Masters in Education with Oxford Brookes University. I was a lead teacher for gifted and talented education whilst in London and, through this role, I was able to visit Germany to review provision and bring back effective techniques and strategies to the UK. I have also led county conferences, where I provided professional development opportunities for other teachers relating to gifted and talented primary education.
Mr Richard Jackman
Foundation
I spent a full career as an engineer in the Royal Navy. Moving 17 times in 35 years, my family settled in Sutton Veny in 2009 and since then I have been drawn into village life. A member of the Parochial Church Council (PCC), I am one of the school’s two Foundation Governors and as such take a close interest in its Christian ethos and also try to promote its links with the local church. With involvement on the Village Hall committee and as a co-editor of the Sutton Veny Village Newsletter, I am well placed to understand and foster the important place the school plays in village life. I am married with 3 grown-up daughters and now several grandchildren who keep me in touch with the needs of a primary school age group. My primary escape from village life is sailing.
Mr Graham Shingleton
Co-opted
I live in Sutton Veny and have been supporting the school since 1991. Firstly on Friends of the School, then as an elected Parent Governor for 2 terms. I have been Co Opted as a governor since then. My three children went to Sutton Veny and now my two grandchildren are here as well. I was a secondary school teacher for 30 years and have a lifelong commitment to education. I believe that my professional experience in education combined with a parental and community perspective offer a balanced approach to my role as a school governor, supporting and challenging the leadership of the school into the future.
Mrs Maria Bairstow
Co-opted
I live in the village with my husband and we have two grown up children and a dog. My background is in financial regulation having worked for 20 years within Retail & Investment Banking. My husband was in the Forces and we moved to Germany where I worked in a Forces Primary School for the first time. Since then I have worked in primary education in a variety of roles and have a good understanding of the challenges faced and the joys it can bring. As a governor, I believe I can undertake a more strategic role whilst understanding the operational practicalities providing a balanced perspective.
Mrs Anna Frapwell
Parent Governor
I live in Sutton Veny with my husband and our two sons. Both our children attend the school and at the time of writing this our eldest is in year 6 and youngest is in reception. We have a long history with the school with many close relatives either attending or working there over the last 20 years. I own and run a thriving digital marketing agency servicing online businesses across the world, so I bring with me a wide range of invaluable skills and experience. I am hugely passionate about equality and well-being for all, and I firmly believe that primary education is part of the essential foundations for continued success. I believe these first few years in education are pivotal in setting children up for personal growth and further development as they navigate their later school years.
Mr Alisdair Wigham
Parent Governor
I have lived in Sutton Veny since 2012 after settling here on leaving the Army. I have 2 children at the school and have been involved in school life as much as possible, mainly through supporting my wife, Caroline, who was treasurer and then co-chair of Friends of School. I come from an education-based family: my father was a University Lecturer, my mother a primary school deputy head and my brother currently lectures in Marine Biology at Newcastle University. I passionately believe in the power of education in unlocking potential and believe great educational opportunities should be available to children of all abilities and backgrounds. As a governor I will strive to ensure all children are supported by a coordinated staff, governor and parent team as they progress through the school.
Mr Steve Tims
Co-opted
I live in Longbridge Deverill and my wife and I hosted a Ukrainian family with a young boy who joined Sutton Veny’s reception class (22/23). My own children are now in their 20s and just before they started at their primary school it was placed in special measures. It felt right to join the governors in working to help the school improve. I served on the governing body for 4 years during which time we all worked hard to secure a new headteacher and make the school a great place for the local community. Prior to moving to Wiltshire, I worked for over 20 years for a group of English language & secretarial schools, so have a good understanding of learning organisations. I am looking forward to working with a school that is already providing an excellent place for study and work in our local area.
Mrs Jayne Melia
Clerk to the Governing Body
Governor Website Information 2023-24.pdf
Governor Website Information 2022-23.pdf
Governor Website Information 2021-22.pdf
Governor Website Information 2020-21
Our governors all have responsibilities relating to the following areas of school life;
Curriculum and Welfare Committee:
Curriculum: Ensuring the curriculum is broad and balanced, the implementation of the National Curriculum, Teaching, learning, assessment, special educational needs, collective worship, religious education.
Pupil Welfare: Child protection, safeguarding, health, sex and relationship education, equality, behaviour, anti bullying and e-safety.
Staffing Committee:
Agree staffing levels and make appointments, redundancies and dismissals, decide levels of pay, oversee performance management, responsible for the performance management of the Headteacher, ensure on-going teacher development and training.
Resources Committee:
Finance: Manage the school budget, make sure accurate accounts are kept, determine pay policy in accordance with School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions. Premises: Health and Safety issues, manage the school premises and building work, oversee and update the school’s maintenance plan.