Governors

Brief Overview of the Governors' role

We joined St Christopher's Multi Academy Trust on 1st September 2018 and then created a new Local Governing Body.

A school's governors are its strategic leaders and have a vital role to play in ensuring every child gets the best possible education. There is a basis for this in law, which states that the purpose of the governing body is to "conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement at the school".

School governors have a focus on three strategic functions:

a. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;

b. Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and

c. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

Summary of Governors, Roles & Attendance

Governors Who's Who

GEORGINA TARLING - Co-opted Governor / Chair of Governors

Committees: Teaching & Learning

I have been a parent at St Leonard's for the last six years and am grateful for the many purposeful, rich and creative learning opportunities the school community has offered my children.  In my professional life I am a former English teacher and education researcher with an interest in creative and socially responsible uses of technology.  I currently work at the university supporting public engagement with sustainability research and also run a project for young people with physical and learning disabilities in Exeter Library’s Fab Lab.  I will draw on my practical experiences and research to act as a critical friend to the staff and the school.

NEIL SEWELL - Parent Governor / Vice Chair of Governors

Committees: Resources (Chair)

As parent of a child at school and having a background in university pedagogy, I believe that education is the most valuable gift for children.  The desire to learn, explore and investigate is innate and primary education is the place to nurture curiosity to give our children the best tools to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s world.  But schools must currently be highly strategic to balance teaching needs, reducing budgets and increasing pupil numbers – a tricky task!  I will bring my management, education, strategic leadership and common-sense skills to this role to help the school be the best it can be.

CHRIS KEANE – Ex-Officio Foundation Governor

Committees: Teaching & Learning (Lead Governor for Ethos & Communication)

I have had strong links with St Leonard's Primary since arriving in Exeter in 2011, as a parent of three children at the school, as Associate Rector of St Leonard's Church, and as a member of the previous Governing Body since 2015.  It has been a joy to be part of such a warm and vibrant school community, and one which has such strong links with the local church.  Before becoming a minister, I did a degree in Computer Science and worked in IT. My wife and I love running and exploring the Devon countryside with our children.

CHRIS CAMPBELL - Parent Governor

Safeguarding Lead Governor

I am Chris Campbell a local GP who has worked in the community for over 10 years.  I am heavily involved in Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education as well as Senior Medical Management.  I am keen to bringing the principals and knowledge I have learnt over the years to Primary Education and further improve the school.  I have a daughter, Amelie, at the school.

RUTH CLARKE - Foundation Governor

Committees: Teaching & Learning (Chair), Lead Governor for Standards

I have been a member of St Leonard’s Church since arriving in Exeter as a student 15 years ago and am actively involved in the youth and children’s work there.  I am a qualified teacher and currently teach a Year 2 class for 4 days a week at Feniton C of E Primary School.  I have previously served as a Foundation governor for St Leonard’s Primary from 2011-2015.

DANE WILKINS - Co-opted Governor

Committees: Resources (Finance Lead)

I came on board as a Governor at St Leonard’s in 2018 when my daughter started her first year at the school. I believe strongly in the school’s ethos and close connection with St Leonard’s Church.

Professionally, I trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with one of the big 4 international firms and have over 20 years’ experience in Corporate Finance, currently I head the Energy & Infrastructure Advisory team at a global consultancy firm and hope my expertise, financial skills and leadership capability can bring another dimension to the parent governor committee and thus help the school to flourish.

SARAH LAVIS - Headteacher

HANNAH FUJITA - Clerk to Governors

I am very pleased to support the work of the Local Governing Body, especially as 2 of my children attend the school.  As Clerk it’s my role to provide advice on governance and procedural matters, give administrative support and manage information in accordance with legal requirements.  I have a background in contracting and procurement processes, compliance and data management. 

In order to contact the Governors please use my email address (governors@slpscloud.co.uk) and I will pass on the mail to the most appropriate member of the LGB.