Welcome to our Governors’ section.

The Governors of Farley Hill Primary School provide support and challenge to the Leadership of the school to ensure that our children receive the best possible educational experience.

The Governors at Farley Hill are a strong team, representing many aspects of the school and the local community. With a broad set of skills the Governors are able to meet their objectives effectively and professionally:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding the Head Teacher to account for the education performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff.
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school.

The Full Governing Body meets 6 times a year, with Committees (small groups of governors) meeting as appropriate, to cover specialised areas: Teaching and Impact, Resources, ICT Strategic Group and School Nutrition Advisory Group(SNAG).

There are 12 people on our Governing Body, representing School and the Community.

• The Head Teacher

• 1 Staff Governor – appointed by the school staff
• 7 Co-opted Governors – co-opted from our local community to ensure our professional expertise covers as wide a range as possible. This enables the Governing Body to have the skills that are necessary to be a balanced group.
• 1 Local Authority Governor
• 2 Parent Governors – Recently appointed during September 2018 elections.

All Governors are appointed for 4 years. When a vacancy occurs for a parent governor it is advertised to all parents and, if necessary a vote takes place. Parents can be co-opted as a governor, if they fulfill the skills that are required at the time of appointment. For co-opted governors, when a vacancy occurs, it will advertised locally and parents may apply. However, for these positions parents will only be appointed if they show the skills that are required at that time to balance the Governing Body.

We have provided a Register of Governor Interests and an Annual Statement of Issues for your information below.

The Farley Hill Governing Board

Mrs Emma Clarke

Appointed: Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal from 01 September 2014

Headteacher

Mrs Karen Lewis
Elected: 16 September 2018

Staff Governor

Mr Duncan Hamilton - Chair of Governors

Reappointed: 14 October 2019

Governor - Co-opted (Community)

Responsible for: Health & Safety, Pupil Premium, PREVENT, Safeguarding
A solicitor by profession, Duncan has over 30 years’ experience as a lawyer with regional and international law firms, and in senior advisory and legal risk management roles with international finance companies and a major global Bank. A resident of Farley Hill for more than 20 years, Duncan is also a member of the management committee of Swallowfield Parish Allotments Association and performs regularly with local theatre groups.

Mr Ian Skeet - Vice Chair of Governors

Appointed: 14 July 2016

Governor - Co-opted

Responsible for: Resources

I am a father of two pupils at Farley Hill with an interest in their and their peers progress at the school. I have a career in IT that keeps me busy with strategy, projects and commercials. Previously I have been volunteering as the Resources Chair in another local school prior to joining Farley Hill where I am now vice and resources chair.

I am keen to ensure the curriculum is kept creative and broad, access to sporting activities are improved and the school maintains a healthy, supportive and welcoming environment for pupils, staff and parents. The school sector in Wokingham (and the UK) is undergoing various changes and challenges and I want to ensure FHS is on a solid footing for years to come, this will require solid support from Governors, staff and parents for us to achieve our vision.

Mrs Margaret Stead

Reappointed: 21 May 2019

Governor - Co-opted (Community)

Responsible for: SEN

I have lived in Swallowfield for 40 years and have been a Governor at Farley Hill school for 9 years.  My background is in Education where I was a Deputy Head teacher of a large primary school .

In my spare time I enjoy amateur dramatics, having fun with the grandchildren

and going away to warm places.

Mrs Alexandra Park

Appointed: 29 January 2016

Governor - Co-opted

Responsible for: Strategic Planning & SNAG

A resident of Riseley for over 5 years, I am a mother of three girls who have or are still pupils at Farley Hill.  My current role as EMEA Marketing director for a Security IT firm, involves, strategic planning, budgeting, analysis and communications. I look to bring some of my skills and experience to the school in achieving its strategic objectives

I became a Governor as I am interested in ensuring that children go to school in an environment that is safe and one that encourages confidence and independent thought whilst enjoying a creative curriculum.

Mr Jens Alfs

Appointed: 01 December 2016

Governor - Local Authority

Responsible for: Development, Whistleblowing

I have lived in Farley Hill and Swallowfield for the last eight years, and two of my children attend Farley Hill Primary.  I have held a number of senior HR roles in international organisations and aim to bring my experience of communications, development and staff management to the board of governors. I became a governor as I wanted to do my bit to ensure that the school continues to have exceptionally skilled and motivated staff who help our children grow into well-rounded, responsible citizens.

Mrs Louise Henry

Elected: 26 September 2018

Governor - Parent

Responsible for: Visits Co-ordinator

Before having my boys I spent almost 20 years in the corporate world. Always in Financial Services I held a number of risk management roles concerned with analysis and advising the business on management and control of operational, reputational, financial and regulatory risks. I gave this up to raise my boys and was excited to be able put my skills and experience to good use when a Governor role became available.

I am passionate about all children being given the opportunity to achieve their full potential and endeavour to keep this at the front of my mind in the work I do as a Farley Hill School Governor. I live in Farley Hill with my husband Sam, and two boys.

Mr Luke Busfield

Elected: 06 December 2018

Governor - Parent

Responsible for: Curriculum 

I am a father of two children at Farley Hill, and I have been Head of Science at Ludgrove School since 2010.

With a strong background in teaching Science I have been Science advisor since 2016. SATIPS (Support And Training In Preparatory Schools). Previous teaching posts include:

Science teacher at Reading Blue Coat School (2007-2010).

Science teacher at Fernhill School and Language College (NQT) (2006-2007)

Theale Green School (GTP) (2005-2006).

Mrs Tessa Costin

Appointed: 10 October 2019

Governor - Co-opted

I am a chartered surveyor specialising in commercial property valuation, who is also a dyslexic.  I strongly believe that self confidence is very important in overcoming weaknesses and turning them into strengths.  I have two sons, who I raised as a single parent whilst working full time, so I can empathise with Farley Hill families who juggle the demands of parenting, family life and work.

Mrs Fiona Ockwell

Appointed: 14th December 2019

Governor - Co-Opted

I have 3 children at Farley Hill and am passionate about giving children the best opportunities and start in life via education and life experiences. I am a qualified Physiotherapist and after working at an advanced clinical level, I have now moved into senior management. I manage a number of clinical services across Berkshire for the NHS and am also involved in a significant amount of work on equality, diversity and inclusion within the trust

Mr David Edmonds

Governor - Associate Member

Mrs Nicola Smith

Clerk to Governors

The Headteacher and Chair of Governors are automatically members of each committee.