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St Paul's C of E Nursery & Primary School

Governors

Our Governors (ID 1066)

 

The Role of a Governor

The governing body's main aim is to help raise standards of achievement and make sure the school provides a good quality education.

The day-to-day management of the school is the responsibility of the Headteacher and staff. Governors are there to help shape the school's future direction and focus.

Governors work as a team and are at the heart of how our school operates. It's important they get things right. How they do their job affects the interests of our children and staff, and how the school is seen by parents and others in the community. To make best use of the skills on the board, we operate two committees.  The Resources committee meet three times per year to examine the school finances and issues relating to staffing and management of the buildings and premises.  The Performance committee meet three times per year to consider the progress and performance of our pupils.  Both committees feed back to the Full Governing Body which meets a minimum of three times per year.

The governing body is responsible for how the school is performing. They have to be prepared to support and challenge their Headteacher by gathering views, asking questions and deciding what's best for the children.

See below for a full list of our Governors, their roles and review of their attendance at Governors meetings.

Governors do not manage the operational day-to-day functions of a school, but are required to oversee its long-term development.

For schools like ours there are five types of governor:

  • Parent governors: are governors with children at the school. They are elected onto the governing body by other parents.
    • Staff governors: the head teacher and deputy head teacher attend governing body meetings. Also there is a representative from the teaching staff.
    • Local authority governors: are nominated by the local authority but appointed by the governing body.
    • Co-opted governors: are appointed onto the governing body by the other members because they possess a particular skill which can contribute to the effective governance and success of the school.
    • Foundation governors: are appointed by the diocese and have responsibility to ensure that the Christian ethos of the school is maintained and developed.
  • What do we do?

    We work as a team. We are responsible for making sure the school provides a good quality education for all our children. We do this by working closely with the head teacher and the school staff.

    Why do we do it?

    We all care deeply about St Paul’s C of E Primary School and Nursery and want the best for the whole school family – children, parents, staff and the wider community. We are a governing board that is passionate, committed and cares about the school’. BUT it’s really important that we, and you as parents, understand what our role is as governors – you never know, you may like to join us on the board as a parent governor when there’s a vacancy!! We work on the strategic direction of the school. We are ‘Eyes on, Hands off’! The head teacher and staff work on the day-to-day operational running of the school.

     

The Governing Body 2025-2026

Name of Governor Category of Governor Responsibilities Committees Term Dates Relevant business or pecuniary interest declared/governorship at other schools
Mrs Jayne Bevan Headteacher - by virtue of office

Performance

Resources 

16.04.2023 - None declared
Mrs Margaret Ash Local Authority - nominated by LA appointed by GB

Chair of Governors

Health and Safety

Performance (Chair)

 

20.10.2020 - 19.10.2028 None declared
Mrs Sara Bevan Co-opted - appointed by the governing body

SEND & Inclusion

Performance

27.01.2025 - 26.01.2027

None declared
Mr Peter Millward Co-opted - appointed by the governing body

Vice Chair of Governors

Finance

Resources (Chair) 22.06.2021 - 20.06.2027

Minister at Gloucester Elim Church

(Including Gloucester foodbank)

 

Governor of Severn Vale School

Mrs Karen Paterson Staff - appointed by staff

EYFS & Nursery

Resources 27.03.2023 - 26.03.2027 None declared
Revd James Njue Foundation - appointed by the Diocese of Gloucester Ethos & Values

 

Performance

21.05.2023

-

 

None declared
Miss Nicola Reeder Parent Governor - elected by parents

 Safeguarding

Performance 

Resources

04.07.2025 - 03.07.2027

Has a child in year 4 of the school.

Governor Attendance 2025-26

Governor Attendance 2024-25

 

Historic Information

Name of Governor

Category of Governor

Responsibilities

Committees

Term Dates

Relevant business or pecuniary interests declared/governorships at other schools

Miss Nicola Reeder

 

Parent Governor - elected by parents

The Arts 

(PHSE, Music and Art) 

Performance

16.11.2023 

- 15.11.2027

(resigned 25.9.2024)

None declared

Ms Farida Bobat

Co-opted - appointed by the governing body

SEND

Phonics and Early Reading

Performance 

05.12.2022 - 04.12.2024
(resigned 18.11.2024)

None declared

Revd Patricia Gifford

Foundation - appointed by the Diocese of Gloucester

Co Vice Chair of Governors

Safeguarding & PE

Resources

01.10.2021 - 30.09.2025

(resigned 03.09.2025)

None declared

Mr Gayan Perera Parent Governor - elected by parents

 

Resources

16.11.2023

-15.11.2025

(resigned 07.10.25)

None declared

 

 

About our Governors

  

Margaret Ash

I have been a governor at St Paul’s since 2016 when both my children attended the school. As they have now both left I have been nominated as a local authority governor. I work full time as an Occupational Health Manager for EDF Energy and I am passionate about health and safety and enjoy transferring my knowledge to our visionary and inclusive school.

 

Peter Millward

I am a minister at Gloucester Elim Church in Park End Road. I am married with four children (17, 15, 14, 12). As a member of Gloucester Elim Church I am passionate about seeing the lives of those in the vicinity of our church being blessed and improved and I support anyone trying to support the community in any way.  

I am also a parent governor at Severn Vale School (2 years), and the joint deputy Safeguarding co-ordinator. I was a governor at our children’s Catholic primary school in Bristol for approx. ten years until March this year. My experiences as a governor in a socially deprived area of Bristol have given me an understanding of some of the challenges that like-minded schools and education practitioners face. No longer are schools simply places of learning, but a significant port of call for support and intervention for families with a wide range of needs. I am proud to be a part of that process for local families.

 

Revd James Njue

I am a minister in the Church of England and currently the Priest in Charge at St Paul and St Stephen’s in Gloucester. I have been an ordained minister for 15 years and have served in various contexts within the Anglican Communion.

I am passionate about creating environments that enable people to thrive. I want to use my skills and experience to help the school build an environment and culture that enables both children and staff to thrive. 

As foundation governor, I am also passionate about how faith, Christian values and the church can support the school in creating this environment in which all can thrive.

Sara Bevan

I am a co-opted Governor, and proud to support your children, parents, carers and our Staff.

I am a parent of 3 children. For the last 25 years I have worked in Children’s Services in Gloucester Hospital as a Paediatric Consultant. During this time, I recognised again and again the truly valuable role that Education plays in building your child's knowledge of all in our world, but also the important role education plays in securing the child’s understanding of long term health, happiness and general wellbeing for their future . Over my time in Gloucester Hospital Children’s Health Services, I worked closely with the Local Authority Education team, and with the other important child and family support services.

As a governor, my wish is to use my experience to support and strengthen all that is offered at St Paul’s school. 

Karen Paterson

I am the Pastoral Care Lead and DDSL at St Paul's Primary School. I have 3 young children of my own and love being an active part of their learning journey, and relish in the lessons they teach me along the way. 

I have worked in education for over 25 years, ranging from children nursery aged to year 6. I believe that the role education plays in a young person's life is pivotal in providing the best opportunities for their, and our, future. 

I chose to be the staff governor as I know how hard educators (teachers, teaching partners, and all support staff) work and how under valued our job can be. I want to make a difference. I believe our voice should be heard, as the more staff are heard and recognised, the better they will be in shaping the lives of those children they are around everyday. 

My favourite word is 'hope'. I hope that the children we care for believe in themselves. I hope for a school, and a world, where our children feel safe. I hope for a better future and I am proud to be part of the future of St Paul's.

 

Nicola Reeder

I am proud to be returning as a parent governor to St. Paul's governing board. I am committed to helping our school thrive. With children currently attending St Paul's since 2016, I have a deep personal investment in the school's success and the well-being of its students. I look forward to working collaboratively with the other governors, staff, and the community to ensure St Paul’s continues to provide an engaging and supportive environment for every child, while bringing a current parent voice to the Governing Body.