GOVERNORS
John O’Gaunt School’s Governors sit on an Academy Committee (AC), whose purpose is to support and advise the Principal and Excalibur Academies Trust’s Board of Trustees in delivering effective welfare, behaviour and extra-curricular provision. In every aspect of its work, ACs look through the lens of the child, asking: “What is it like to attend this school?”, whilst being mindful to avoid adding to the Principal’s workload.
ACs help shape a school’s vision, build links with local community, provide specialist volunteer skills/knowledge and give vital input to statutory processes (for example complaints, exclusions and recruitment).
The responsibility of monitoring and improving educational outcomes lies with the Trust’s professional Academy Improvement Team.
Responsibilities
- To fulfil these functions, the Academy Committee has the following responsibilities:
- Culture, vision and ethos
- Personal development and staff and pupil welfare
- Behaviour and Attendance
- Extra-Curricular provision
- Safeguarding
- Engagement and promotion within local community
- Staffing, behaviour and complaints panels
- Senior management recruitment/performance management
Governor Roles
The Academy Committee must appoint Governors to the following roles: Careers Governor, Health & Safety Governor, Safeguarding Governor & SEND Governor. Depending on the school’s size, additional roles should also be assigned; examples include Education Performance Governor, Pupil Premium & Inclusion Governor and Finance Governor.
Scheme of Delegation for Excalibur Academies Trust
Safeguarding & Training
Excalibur maintains a strong safeguarding culture and ethos, with all Governors applying for an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, in addition to undertaking mandatory safeguarding and cyber-security training. It is the responsibility of the nominated Safeguarding Governor to ensure this is adhered to and the Trust monitors compliance. Supplementary training to support Governors in their role is also available.
All Governors and Trustees must agree to be bound by the Excalibur Academies Trust Code of Conduct, with annual compulsory recommitment and declaration of business interests.
More information
Further information about the Excalibur’s Academy Committees can be found by visiting: https://www.excalibur.org.uk/governance/join-us/ or contacting the Trust’s Head of Governance Cathryn Poole: [email protected]
Chair of Governors – Mr Chris Waldon – (Mr Waldon can be contacted either at the school address or by email)
Ian Binns – Parent Governor
Peter Darby – Community Governor
I was delighted to be appointed as a community governor of John O’Gaunt School in 2023. I recently retired from BP PLC after 36 years in various managerial roles. For 12 of those years I lived and worked in Continental Europe, Latin America, and the USA. I am a physicist by training and also have an MSc in Financial Management. I have lived in Marlborough since 2011 and in the area since 2009. I am married with a teenage daughter. From personal experience, I believe a good education is the foundation of success in life and I am passionate about ensuring all pupils have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Imogen Gray – Community Governor
Sophie MacFarlane-Smith – Parent Governor (Vice Chair)
I have lived in Hungerford for 20 years and I joined the governing body at John O’Gaunt in 2021 as a Parent Governor having previously been a Governor at Hungerford Primary School whilst my two children were there. I am pleased to say that both my children are now, happily, students at John O’Gaunt and I want to support the school and all the children to succeed in whatever way is right for them. My background is in science and engineering, (I have an MSc in nuclear reactor physics) and I have worked for over 25years for a British engineering company delivering international defence, marine and energy projects. My current job is leading the export of the UK’s new nuclear power plant technology globally. I am passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) and inspiring children (and particularly girls) to get involved in those subjects at all levels. My own experience of secondary education was in a school very similar to JoG and I am very pleased to have the opportunity, as part of the governing body, to share my experiences of education and work and help support all our children.
Clive Rothwell – Community Governor
I have been a governor at John O’Gaunt since 2010, initially as a parent governor while my children attended the school. I worked on various committees for a few years and then served as Vice Chair for a year before becoming the Chair of Governors for a number of years. I came to Hungerford in 1998 and my children went through the local Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools and are now enjoying the world of work! I have run my own IT businesses for almost 20 years.
Carrie Thorp – Parent Governor
I am delighted to have recently joined as a Parent Governor at John O’ Gaunt School. Having lived in Hungerford for over thirty years, I cherish the strong sense of community here. My youngest son currently attends John O’ Gaunt School and is incredibly happy, which fuels my passion for contributing to the school’s success.
Chris Waldon – Parent Governor (Chair of Governors)
I am a father of three boys all of which I am proud to say are attending one of the Hungerford schools. I have lived in Hungerford for around 20 years after travelling extensively as a professional engineer in various international secondments. Currently I lead a large engineering team delivering high tech projects and supporting operations proving the viability of a new clean energy source. I originate from deepest darkest Devon and am acutely aware of the pivotal influence my secondary schooling had in developing my personal outlook and providing a launch pad towards achieving my professional aspirations. I am motivated to take an active role in supporting the school to foster the right environment for pupils (and their parents) within the community, enabling them to gain a wider perspective and realise their latent potential.
Debbie Wright – Community Governor (SEND/Safeguarding)
I have four children and we have lived in Hungerford for several years after moving down from the North. My two eldest have left John O’Gaunt and are currently in further education after a successful time at the school. My third has settled in well at John O’Gaunt and my youngest will progress to the school in the near future. I am passionate that all children should have the same high level of education and their full potential be developed according to their specific strengths. I am a local solicitor and I have previously been involved in a number of voluntary roles in the community.
If you are interested in becoming a school governor, or have any questions for the governing body, please contact the Clerk or Chair of Governors.
