Cranham C of E Primary School

Cranham C of E Primary School
Sowing the seeds of learning...

Our Governors and their roles

2023-24

"Governance is committed and very supportive. There is a systematic approach to monitoring and evaluation for encouraging and deepening Christian distinctiveness and the school’s vision....Cranham is like a family where all staff and governors work together for a common goal. They make sure each pupil is known, loved and flourishes."

(SIAMS Report 2023)

Our Governors (ID 1208)

  • Nicki Clapton
    Foundation Governor / Chair of Governors

    Nicki Clapton

    Current term of office 01/09/2020 - 31/08/2024

    Chair of Governors

    Hi, I am Nicki Clapton and have been lucky enough to live in Cranham for over 20years. I work with my husband who is a local farmer of cattle and sheep and I am chair of governors at Cranham School. Although I am a parent of the school, I am actually a foundation governor, appointed by the Parochial church council and along with all the other governors we strive to ensure the vision and values of the school are at the heart of all that happens.
    Outside of school I am the local Beaver leader, I sing in the village choir and play in the village orchestra (not very well but it is good fun!). Cranham is such a special village and the school is one of its best attributes and I am proud to feel part of both.

  • Angela Wilson
    Local Authority Governor / Vice Chair of Governors

    Angela Wilson

    Current term of office 13/09/2022 - 12/09/2026

    Vice Chair of Governors

    Hello! My name is Angie Wilson. I am Vice Chair of Governors and LA Governor at Cranham school. I have been a Governor here at Cranham since September 2021, but was a Foundation Governor at Christ Church CoE School at Chalford from 2000-2021. I was Chair of Governors at that school for 6 years until we closed in August 2021. I really enjoy being a school Governor and find it very rewarding. I enjoy working with teachers and others to develop the learning environment for children.

    I am married to Jeff and have a 15 year old daughter, who attended Christ Church school. My 'day job ' is in the NHS and I enjoy reading and craft.

  • Sarah Scott
    Headteacher, Ex-officio Governor

    Sarah Scott

    Current term of office 01/09/2022

    I feel absolutely privileged to be leading Cranham Church of England Primary School. Just as our vision implies, our school is all about nurturing, and as a keen gardener and a mother of four I've had plenty of experience in just what this means! I live just outside the village with my husband, our children and our huge deerhound. I love to stay fit and healthy and enjoy early morning running in the woods. As a family, we love walking and camping; we even climb the odd mountain. I have a passion for English and one of my very favourite things in the whole world is curling up with a good book - in fact I can't remember a single day when this hasn't been something for me to especially look forward to. I also love art and all things creative.

    Cranham Primary is a very special family to belong to, with staff, children, parents and governors all working together as such a close compassionate community supporting each other and making this school the very best it can be. I'm so fortunate to be a part of this most special place.

    ,

  • Rev Sarah
    Ex-officio Governor

    Rev Sarah

    Current term of office 17/09/2023

    Hi, my name is Rev Sarah and I am the new Rector of the Beacon Benefice (which includes the parish of Cranham) and I am new to this school's governing body, too.

    My family and I moved to Painswick in August, and before then I was a Foundation Governor at another nearby primary school.

    As well as having three school-aged children I have a background in journalism and children's publishing, so I hope to bring my passion for words, children and God to this exciting role.

  • Anna Cheeseman
    Foundation Governor / Chair of Finance Committee

    Anna Cheeseman

    Current term of office 01/10/2020 - 30/09/2024

    Chair of Finance committee

    Hi, my name is Anna Cheeseman and I am a Foundation Governor. My family and I moved to Cranham 6 years ago and I have been involved in the school ever since, as a parent, treasurer of FOCS and, in the last two years, joining the governing body.

    Part of my role as governor is to chair the Finance Committee. Having to lead and develop a school with limited funding and ever increasing demands is an unenviable task for any Headteacher. I try to bring my experience in financial and business management to ensure we prioritise spending in the best interests of the children, the staff and the school.

    I like to spend my spare time with my family and our dog exploring the local area and holidaying by the sea.

  • Linda de Cossart
    Foundation Governor / Chair of Ethos Committee

    Linda de Cossart

    Current term of office 01/06/2020 - 31/05/2024

    Chair of Ethos committee

    Hello, I am Linda de Cossart, a resident of Cranham for 15 years. I have been honoured and delighted to have been a Foundation School Governor for six years and as such was elected to the role by the Parochial Church Council. I have learned a lot about school education and how our school is developing. It is thriving at the moment and the opportunities that lay ahead are very exciting. If you have never thought of doing this role please think about it. You will not regret it. In my former professional life I was a vascular surgeon in Chester and I continue to be actively involved in postgraduate medical education.

  • Sylvia Ardron
    Foundation Governor

    Sylvia Ardron

    Current term of office 01/10/2021 - 30/09/2025

    Hello, my name is Sylvia Ardron, and I've been a Foundation Governor for five years. In this role, I try to do all I can to encourage the strong link between the Church and the School.

    I live with my husband Keith in Upton St Leonards, but we are long standing members of Cranham church, where he is church warden and I occasionally play the organ. We have two grown up daughters and four young grandchildren who like to keep us busy. I am a retired nurse, a former Parish Councillor and a Trustee of a Gloucestershire Dementia charity. In my spare time, I love playing the piano, singing, walking and travel.

  • Mike Campbell
    Foundation Governor

    Mike Campbell

    Current term of office 01/03/2020 - 29/02/2024

    My name's Michael but everyone calls me Mike, which is my preferred name. I've been a Foundation Governor (which means I am chosen by Cranham Church to be a Governor) since 1st March 2020. Although I'm still wondering how I ended up being a Governor it has been a real pleasure to learn about what an amazing school Cranham School is, and what a delightful bunch of children come here. (I'd better also say what an incredible team of staff there is here too, because they really are a great bunch!)

    Just as I became a Governor we were hit with Covid, so I wasn't able to spend as much time in school initially as I would have liked, but now that I am able to come in to school a bit more it is always lovely to see everyone enjoying themselves. Getting a chance to speak to some of you is always good and everyone seems so friendly - I almost wish I could come back to school again!

    I live in Painswick, am now retired and spend quite a bit of my time doing things in Church. I'm interested in railways, especially model railways, so like spending my leisure time pursuing that as a hobby, and going on holiday, especially to Greece.

  • Nikki Hale
    Parent Governor

    Nikki Hale

    Current term of office 01/09/2021 - 31/08/2025

    Hi there, I'm Nikki and I'm a Parent Governor. I joined the Cranham School governors team in 2021 because I wanted to support the school and ensure it continues to provide a great place for children to learn and grow. Being a governor is not easy - there's lots to learn but it's really rewarding, and I hope to contribute my skills and experience - some gained in HR and business - towards the school's continued success. I'm an active member of Friends of Cranham School (FOCS) and for the last three years I have been the team's Chairperson. I live in Cranham with my husband and daughter, and together we enjoy being outdoors, either in the mountains, or spending time by the coast.

  • Ben Nichols
    Parent Governor

    Ben Nichols

    01/09/2023 - 31/08/2027

    I moved to Cranham with my family shortly after my eldest daughter was born. Cranham has been a great place for my kids to grow up and the school has been a huge part of that. Being a parent governor is a good opportunity to give something back to the school that has been so good for my family.

    My day job involves getting people outside and connecting them with nature, which is something that the school is already really good at. In my spare time I enjoy taking long walks around the village, playing cricket ‘up top’, and visiting the coast with my family.

  • Laura Hodges
    Staff Governor

    Laura Hodges

    Current term of office 01/09/2021 - 31/08/2025

  • Laura Cooke
    Clerk to the Governors

    Laura Cooke

    clerk@cranham.gloucs.sch.uk

    ,

  • Victoria Barnard
    Foundation Governor

    Victoria Barnard

Our Governors are always willing to hear from anyone with a comment, an issue or a concern, though formal complaints should follow the Complaints Procedure. To contact the Chair, please e-mail chair@cranham.gloucs.sch.uk

 Governance structure

cranham governors 2023 2024.pdf

Vacancy

governor advert.pdf

VACANCY FOR SCHOOL FOUNDATION GOVERNOR

(Financial expertise desired)

The Governing Body of Cranham Church of England Primary School, Gloucester has a vacancy for a Foundation Governor. This is an important and rewarding voluntary role, offering the opportunity to make a positive difference and to be part of the team working to promote the school’s success.

 The role:

The governing body work as a team in close partnership with the headteacher and staff. The core responsibilities of the governing body are:

· Ensure clarity of vision, ethos, and strategic direction

· Hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff

· Oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent

 In addition to this, Foundation Governors have a special responsibility to:

· Support the Christian ethos of the school;

· Ensure that the Christian character and foundation of the school is preserved and developed; and

· Ensure that religious worship reflects the tradition of the Church of England.

 Your skills:

Whatever your professional background, your skills could transform our school. Our governors work together as a team to ensure a good standard of education is being achieved, and being a governor is an opportunity to develop the skills you have and to improve the futures of children today. You do not need to be a parent or work in the education sector, but we would value having someone join the team with financial experience and/or understanding of school finances, in particular, knowledge of cost control and budgeting. Prior experience as a governor is not necessary as a full induction and regular training is provided and is continually necessary as things change in education frequently.

 The term of office is four years from the date of appointment, though most governors stay in appointment for longer terms. Please note that, for the protection of children, all governor appointments are subject to a clear Enhanced DBS check.

If you have some skills that you think could help our Governing Body and have the time to commit to our school, please contact Nicki Clapton, Chair of Governors, by email chair@cranham.gloucs.sch.uk to discuss the opportunity.

 February 2024

Governor attendance

 

 

 

 

Remit of the Governing Body

Governors are responsible for a number of areas including attainment, finance, policies and procedures. Their role involves working closely with the Head Teacher, as critical friend providing challenge and support to ensure that every child can grow academically, socially, morally, spiritually, culturally and emotionally and create relationships underpinned by our Christian values. Together we aim to ensure all those who are touched by our school share our journey – love, live, laugh, learn.

What are the Governing Body’s core responsibilities?

Establishing the strategic direction, by

  • Setting the vision, values, and objectives for the school

  • Agreeing the school improvement strategy with priorities and targets

Meeting statutory duties Ensuring accountability, by:

  • Monitoring progress towards targets

  • Performance managing the headteacher

  • Engaging with stakeholders

Contributing to school self-evaluation Ensuring financial probity, by:

  • Setting the budget

  • Monitoring spending against the budget

  • Ensuring value for money is obtained

  • Ensuring risks to the organisation are managed