Who are the governors?
Who are the Governors?
The local governing body comprises the headteacher and people from various groups interested in the school's success, including parents, staff, and the local community. The governors welcome a range of viewpoints and make decisions together. Between them, governors have a wide breadth of skills and experience to enable the governing body collectively to support and challenge the school leadership. As vacancies arise, specific skills are targeted to fill gaps in the governing body. As a result, key professional skills are represented from law, accountancy, and architecture to educational skills.
There are three types of Governors: Community (appointed by the trust), Parents (elected by the parent/carer body) and Staff (elected by the staff body).
Chair of Governors: Patrick Vale
Vice Chair of Governors: Vacancy
Headteacher: Jon Gray
Clerk to Governors: Karen Whitbread
Parent Governors (Voted for by Parents)
Kate Coldwell (13/6/2022 to 12/6/2026)
Patrick Vale (27/2/2023 to 26/2/2027)
Ele Crichton (24/9/2024 to 23/9/2028)
Emilie Ferguson (24/9/2024 to 23/9/2028)
Community Governors (Appointed by River Learning Trust)
Evin Abrishami (13/6/2022 to 12/6/2026)
Susie Cogan (28/11/2023 to 27/11/2027)
Beth Howley (26/9/2022 to 25/9/2026)
Miriam Levene (26/9/2023 to 25/9/2027)
Chris Phillips (2/3/2020 to 1/3/2028) - Second Term
Charlie Rex (16/7/2024 to 15/7/2028)
Staff Governors (Appointed by Staff)
Jane Millin (26/11/2024 to 25/11/2028)
Charlotte Stewart (26/11/2024 to 25/11/2028)
Governors who have stepped down in the last 12 months
Leila Whitworth (Parent Governor - 14/12/2020 to 08/11/2024)
Danielle Ballantine-Drake (Parent Governor - 14/12/20 to 13/12/2024)
Jess Berntsson (Teaching Staff Governor - 28/11/22 to 31/08/2024)
Sara Zumbuhl (Support Staff Governor - 12/7/2021 to 31/08/2024)
Introducing the Governors
Patrick Vale (Chair of Governors & Parent Governor)
I am the parent of two children at Larkrise - In Year 3 and Nursery. It’s a pleasure to watch them enjoy all that Larkrise has to offer. As an early school leaver and self-taught software developer, I have some experience with the different ways in which people can learn best and the environments that do (and don’t!) foster a life-long love of learning. I’m also interested in active, hands-on STEM and computing curriculums. Previously, I chaired a farmer’s market committee, and I have some experience leading a committed group towards a common goal. I’d be delighted to help Larkrise grow and continue to flourish.
Evin Abrishami (Community Governor)
“My name is Evin Abrishami. I am a Community Governor appointed in June 2022. I have two sons and my younger son attended Larkrise Primary School from 2013- 2018. We really enjoyed being part of the Larkrise community.
My professional roles are working with Community Adult Mental Health Team in Oxford. I am a staff governor at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and a member of the Board of Directors for Donnington Door Step Family Centre. In addition, I volunteer for Refugee Resource, Asylum Welcome and work with Maternity Teams as an interpreter for refugees in Oxfordshire hotels. From 2021–2022, I was a city councillor for Donnington Ward. Finally, I am a volunteer First Responder with South Central Ambulance Service.
I joined the Larkrise Governing Board because I am passionate to contribute for the school’s good governance and continued success. My aim is to support parents of children that have English as an Additional Language alongside those from minority groups so they feel more included in the school life.”
Kate Coldwell (Parent Governor)
Hello, I'm Kate, and I have a daughter starting Reception in September 2022. We're all very excited to have been offered a place for her at Larkrise. We had to show Nana Jojo our "big girl school" with the bug hotel!
I teach Science and Computing at Didcot Girls' School, where the teaching staff are unbelievably happy, with a very healthy work/life balance. Passionate, creative teaching staff thrive, students benefit, and outcomes for our students are outstanding. Fortunately, Ofsted agrees. With this as inspiration, I hope Larkrise can be "the best place to teach".
I look forward to helping deliver Mr Gray's vision and meeting more Larkrise families. Please do grab me for a chat.
Beth Howley (Community Governor)
Hello, my name is Beth Howley, and I am your safeguarding governor. I am a qualified children's and families social worker and am now a senior practitioner in children’s social care. My eldest child has just left Larkrise, and my two youngest are still at school; I also went to Larkrise as a child!
I will do my best to support staff in ensuring safeguarding is a priority in all aspects of our school.
Miriam Levene (Community Governor)
I am a retired speech and language therapist with many years of experience working with children with communication challenges. I have three daughters and six grandchildren, two of whom attend Larkrise. I have many years of experience with interfaith activities and personally come from a Jewish background.
Chris Phillips (Community Governor)
My name is Chris Phillips. I am a Community Governor appointed in March 2020. I am a former primary headteacher and educational consultant. I am delighted to have the opportunity to be involved at this exciting time for the school.
Charlie Rex (Community Governor)
My name is Charlie, and I am a Community Governor. My professional role is as the Outreach and Communications Manager for the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford. My background is in Climate Change research, but my true passions are inclusive education, effective communication and community engagement. I am looking forward to working with the Larkrise community.
Ele Crichton (Parent Governor)
My name is Ele and I'm a parent governor. I have four children who are, or have been, at Larkrise and so I've been part of the school community for many years. My work involves overseeing mental health, learning disability, autism and SEND services in local government and the NHS, which means that I support amazing people who do a difficult job, while acting as a critical friend to get the best outcomes for the people who need their support. I am also a Trustee of 2nd Oxford Scout Group and sing in a local women's choir.
Emilie Ferguson (Parent Governor)
My name is Emilie and I am a parent governor. I have two children at Larkrise - one in Reception and one in Year 3. I work in the Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach department at the University of Oxford, where I work to encourage students from under-represented backgrounds and with little school or family support to apply for undergraduate study at Oxford. Prior to this role I spent many years working in publishing, including children’s publishing. I am passionate about encouraging children to love reading and giving them access to inspiring books that reflect their own individual experiences, as well as teaching them about the wider world.
Jane Millin (Staff Governor)
Info to follow.
