Our Governing Body
On behalf of the Governing Body, I would like to warmly welcome you to Bure Park Primary School. We are a large, inclusive and popular school serving the Bure Park area of Bicester and the surrounding local community. As Governors we are committed, passionate people who wish to support and challenge our school to be the best that it can be. As a body, we are made up of parents, staff, representatives from the Local Authority and members of the community. We are organised in committees and work closely with the Head Teacher to ensure that all children at our school are given access to the very best teaching, are offered exceptional learning opportunities and above all, enjoy coming to a very happy, respectful, creative and safe environment.
Our role at the school is that of a ‘critical friend’ – we support the Head Teacher and the staff in developing the very best opportunities for our children, and help keep everything in good working order, continually challenging ourselves to improve, and ensure that every child can reach their potential as a unique individual.
Should you wish to talk to me for any reason, I can be contacted through the school office.
Alastair Deacon
Chair of Governors
The Role of the Governing Body
The governors' main responsibilities are to establish the aims and policies of the school; to advise on spending the school's budget; to determine the school's curriculum policy and make sure that the National Curriculum and Religious Education are provided; select the Headteacher; appoint, promote and support staff; provide outside advice and act as a link between the local community and the school.
They meet regularly, both as a whole body and in subcommittees, and they aim to establish a good relationship with both children and staff by visiting the school and taking a genuine interest in its everyday life and activities, thus becoming involved on a personal basis and always working for the best interest of the children.
All Governors regularly declare any business or financial interests. These documents are held by the Clerk to the Governors.
Governors Diversity Statement
The governors believe it is important that boards reflect the diversity of the school communities they serve. Diverse boards promote inclusive school environments and provide diverse role models for staff and young people.
The governors are currently collecting data on the diversity of the board, including data on age, gender, and ethnicity. They will use that data to inform their recruitment and training needs and ensure there is always a diverse range of perspectives around the table to support robust decision making.
Due to our relatively small governing board, we will not publish this diversity data online as individual governors could be identified, and we have a legal obligation to protect their personal data.
Current List of Governors:
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Mr Deacon Co-opted Governor (Chair)
-
Mrs Ellison - Co-opted Governor (Vice-Chair)
-
Miss Moon - Headteacher
-
Mrs Kelly - Co-opted Governor
-
Mrs Moore - Staff Governor
-
Mr Leighton - Co-opted Governor
-
Mrs Macintyre - L.A. Appointed Governor
-
Mr Ash - Parent Governor
-
Mrs Dawe - Parent Governor
-
Mr Gratwohl - Associate Governor
-
Ms Martin - Clerk to the Governor
Alastair Deacon - Co-opted Governor (Chair)
Hi, I’m Alastair Deacon, Chair of Governors for Bure Park Primary School and Nursery. I began as a Parent Governor in 2016 when my children were at Bure Park and was asked to continue as a Community member and then Co-opted governor after that. I worked for BBC News in London for many years before leaving to start a business that runs community-based projects wherever we feel our skills can help, and I am currently a Project Manager on a project to help Adults with Learning Disabilities called Making Care Fair.
Type of Governor:
Co-opted
Lead Governor For:
Health & Safety
Committees:
-
Finance & Premises
-
Pay
-
Disciplinary
-
Health & Safety
-
Personnel
-
Local Governing Board
Term of Office Start Date:
13th October 2024
Term of Office End Date:
12th October 2028
Meetings attended the previous academic year (2023 - 2024):
100%
Governance roles in other educational institutions:
None
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between school staff (spouses, partners and close relatives):
None
Isobel Ellison - Co-opted Governor (Vice-Chair)
I was appointed as a co-opted governor and vice chair in November 2023. I have a background in Human Resources. I currently work in the field of further education. I have a deep respect for the school, having had the privilege of seeing both of my grown-up sons attend and thrive here. I am committed to supporting the school in its mission to provide a high-quality education and contribute to the ongoing development of the school community.
Type of Governor:
Co-opted
Lead Governor For:
Whistleblowing
Committees:
-
Personnel
-
Disciplinary
-
Local Governing Board
Term of Office Start Date:
23rd November 2023
Term of Office End Date:
22nd November 2027
Meetings attended the previous academic year (2023 - 2024):
50%
Governance roles in other educational institutions:
None
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between school staff (spouses, partners and close relatives):
None
Sarah Moon - Headteacher
I have been the proud Head Teacher of Bure Park Primary School since September 2022. Prior to this, I worked in three other primary schools with roles ranging from Phase Lead, Senior Teacher and Deputy Head. I was a staff governor in one of these schools for eight years and associate governor for five years. I work with the governing body to create and fulfil the strategic vision for the school. We aim to continually re-evaluate our work so that all children can embody the school’s motto of being the best that they can be. The Governing body is very involved in the life of the school, regularly coming in to work with staff and pupils.
Type of Governor:
Head Teacher
Lead Governor For:
Head Teacher
Committees:
-
Teaching & Learning
-
Finance & Premises
-
Health & Safety
-
Pay
-
Personnel
-
Local Governing Board
Term of Office Start Date:
1st September 2022
Term of Office End Date:
Meetings attended the previous academic year (2023 - 2024):
100%
Governance roles in other educational institutions:
None
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between school staff (spouses, partners and close relatives):
None
Tara Kelly - Co-opted
After growing up in rural Herefordshire, I moved to Oxfordshire initially for teacher training and never left! After 28 years, having had a range of roles in schools across the county, I took the opportunity to take a career break to spend quality time with my two seemingly very quickly growing teenage children! After loving the job I was doing, I still, inevitably, have a very keen interest in education and how it can make a difference to a child and can appreciate how the different stakeholders each have a role in making that difference.
Type of Governor:
Co-opted
Lead Governor For:
Pupil Premium
Committees:
-
Finance & Premises
-
Personnel
-
Teaching & Learning
Term of Office Start Date:
28th November 2024
Term of Office End Date:
25th April 2028
Meetings attended the previous academic year (2023 - 2024):
17%
Governance roles in other educational institutions:
None
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between school staff (spouses, partners and close relatives):
None
Lisa Moore - Staff Governor
I have worked at the school for 10 years and was elected as staff governor in July 2022. I am deeply committed to the continued success and improvement of our school. As a staff member, I believe that I offer a valuable perspective on the governance and the daily operations of the school. I wanted to become a staff governor because I am passionate about our children’s education and am committed to supporting the strategic vision and ensuring its success. It is a privilege to be part of both the school family and the governing body. I enjoy seeing how both roles can make a difference to all stakeholders.
Type of Governor:
Staff
Lead Governor For:
Swimming
Committees:
-
Health and Safety
-
Personnel
-
Teaching & Learning
-
Finance & Premises
-
Local Governing Body
Term of Office Start Date:
12th July 2022
Term of Office End Date:
11th July 2026
Meetings attended the previous academic year (2023 - 2024):
83%
Governance roles in other educational institutions:
None
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between school staff (spouses, partners and close relatives):
None
Peter Leighton - Co-opted Governor
Type of Governor:
Co-opted
Lead Governor For:
Literacy
Committees:
-
Disciplinary
-
Teaching & Learning
-
Local Governing Body
Term of Office Start Date:
28th September 2021
Term of Office End Date:
27th September 2025
Meetings attended the previous academic year (2023 - 2024):
67%
Governance roles in other educational institutions:
None
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between school staff (spouses, partners and close relatives):
None
Mandy MacIntyre - L.A. Appointed Governor
I started my teaching career in Berkshire in 1989 and then joined Bure Park Primary School in 2002 when my own children were in Years 1 and 2. I was predominantly a Year 1 and P.E. teacher at Bure Park and I retired in the summer of 2022, many years after my own children had left. I have since enjoyed pursuing other interests, including long walks with my dogs in the countryside and travelling both in the U.K. and abroad. After 20 plus years at Bure Park, I missed school and didn’t stay away for long! I joined the Bure Park governing body as a co-opted governor a few months after retiring. I am privileged to still be part of the Bure Park family and I really enjoy the role. My experience as a teacher and my knowledge of Bure Park Primary School adds to the different skills we all bring as governors, working with the staff to support the vision and long-term success of the school.
Type of Governor
L.A. Appointed
Lead Governor For:
-
Safeguarding
-
S.E.N.D.
-
Sports
Committees:
-
Teaching & Learning
-
Health and Safety
-
Pay
-
Personnel
-
Local Governing Board
Term of Office Start Date:
26th September 2022
Term of Office End Date:
25th September 2026
Meetings attended the previous academic year (2023 - 2024):
100%
Governance roles in other educational institutions:
Exam Invigilator
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between school staff (spouses, partners and close relatives):
None
Edward Ash - Parent Governor
I was elected as a parent governor in October this year and have been a parent at the school since 2016. As an IT Service Manager at Nominet UK, I bring valuable IT expertise to support the school board. My role includes working with a social impact team that supports initiatives like the BBC micro:bit and the Institute of Coding, which focusses on digital skills and coding education for young people. I am committed to contributing to the school’s success and ensuring it remains a nurturing environment for all students.
Type of Governor:
Parent
Lead Governor For:
-
I.C.T.
-
I.T. Monitoring
Committees:
-
Personnel
-
Finance & Premises
Term of Office Start Date:
4th October 2024
Term of Office End Date:
3rd October 2028
Meetings attended the previous academic year (2023 - 2024):
0%
Governance roles in other educational institutions:
None
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between school staff (spouses, partners and close relatives):
None
Sarah Dawe - Parent Governor
I’m a Solicitor employed part-time by Gowling WLG.
Type of Governor:
Parent
Lead Governor For:
-
Numeracy
-
Attendance
Committees:
-
Teaching & Learning
-
Local Governing Body
Term of Office Start Date:
17th November 2022
Term of Office End Date:
16th November 2026
Meetings attended the previous academic year (2023 - 2024):
83%
Governance roles in other educational institutions:
None
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between school staff (spouses, partners and close relatives):
None
Rory Gratwohl - Associate Governor
Prior to becoming Deputy headteacher at Bure Park primary school, I was deputy headteacher at a primary school in Oxford as well as fulfilling other roles such as assistant head and core subject lead. During my time there, the school transitioned from a school with high levels of deprivation, low attendance and high behavioural needs into achieving the school’s first good OFSTED inspection in the school’s history. This was achieved by the use of conscious discipline and other trauma-based behavioural systems. I support the governing body on operational matters within the school, lead school attendance and support in the strategic decision and planning of the school for the bright future we have ahead of us.
Type of Governor:
Associate
Lead Governor For:
Deputy Head
Committees:
-
Teaching & Learning
-
Finance & Premises
Term of Office Start Date:
July 2023
Term of Office End Date:
Meetings attended the previous academic year (2023 - 2024):
100% of Full Governing Board Meetings
Governance roles in other educational institutions:
None
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between school staff (spouses, partners and close relatives):
None
Clare Herbert - Co-opted (Former)
Type of Governor
Co-opted
Lead Governor For
Whistleblowing
Committees:
None
Term of Office Start Date:
12th July 2022
Term of Office End Date
January 2024
Meetings attended the previous academic year (2023 - 2024):
33%
Governance roles in other educational institutions:
None
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between school staff (spouses, partners and close relatives):
None
Donna Ford - LA Appointed Governor (Former)
Type of Governor:
LA Appointed
Lead Governor For:
None
Committees:
-
Local Governing Board
Term of Office Start Date
28th September 2021
Term of Office End Date:
January 2024
Meetings attended the previous academic year (2023 - 2024):
17%
Governance roles in other educational institutions:
-
Oxfordshire County Council - County Councillor
-
Cherwell District Council - Bicester Town Councillor
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between school staff (spouses, partners and close relatives):
None
Simon Shepherd - Parent Governor (Former)
Type of Governor:
Parent
Lead Governor For:
Health & Safety
Committees:
-
Health and Safety
-
Finance & Premises
-
Pay
-
Local Governing Body
Term of Office Start Date:
17th November 2022
Term of Office End Date:
July 2024
Meetings attended the previous academic year (2023 - 2024):
83%
Governance roles in other educational institutions:
None
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between school staff (spouses, partners and close relatives):
None
