School Governors
| 
| Hits: 1590See leaflet on "Who we are & what we do"
| Pete Grigorey* Chair Foundation Governor  |
My name is Pete Grigorey and I am very pleased to have joined the Board of Governors in May 2011. I am married to Marilyn and have two boys, Harry, who is at nursery and Charlie who is in Year2. For the last twenty years, since graduating from the University of Bristol, I have been working for the Environment Agency (formerly the National Rivers Authority) in our regional office based here in Exeter. I am currently an Environment Planning Manager and manage a team working on regional fisheries, conservation, sustainable communities and agricultural issues. My family and I worship at Exeter Vineyard Church (which meets at St Peter's C of E school) where I am part of the core leadership team. I am a bit of a techno / gadget geek and avid sports enthusiast. I'm a big fan of Manchester United and, time allowing, play golf at the Downes in Crediton. |
| Rev. Jane Ollier Vice Chair Ex -officio  |
Many of you will know me as Rev Jane and I am the Priest-in-Charge in the parish of St Sidwell and St Matthew which is privileged to have St Sidwell’s school within the parish. It has been lovely getting to know the children, staff and parents at St Sidwell’s Primary School over the past two and a bit years since I started in my current post and it is always a pleasure to have the school services at St Matthew’s. If you see me out and about please say hello and introduce yourself |
| Kay Tregenna* Foundation Governor  |
My name is Kay Tregenna. I have a son, Samuel, currently in Year 1 and a baby. I was born in Torbay and educated in Devon prior to undertaking a University Education in Newcastle upon Tyne. I returned to Devon following completion of my degree and am now a qualified Architect working in Exeter. My hobbies include art and design, travel and culture, languages, playing and listening to music, and spending time with my family. My family and I have recently moved to the Newtown area of Exeter. We are really enjoying becoming involved in the local community and worship at St Matthew’s Church. I am committed to equal opportunities and a high standard of state education for all pupils. I would like to be accessible to, and represent the interests and concerns of, parents, in addition to supporting the headteacher and staff in their hard work. |
| Stephanie Aplin Foundation Governor  |
I was Chair of Governors at St. Sidwell’s from April 2011-February 2013. In my early years, because my parents had emigrated after WWII, I lived in South Africa and completed my initial teacher-training there. I taught in Johannesburg for about two years, then came to London to study at the Institute of Education, before coming to Exeter to teach. I had a long and interesting career as Head of R.E. during which I learned a great deal and enjoyed the variety which teaching brings. I married a local businessman, Chris Aplin; we settled in Exeter. We have two children, now grown up, one living in Cardiff and one in Exeter. Education has been my life and I am still fascinated by children’s responses to discovery and learning. Now that I have retired, I am learning another language, putting my love of art and creative work into practice with painting, drawing and printing classes, cake-making and decorating, flower-arranging in my parish church and watching with awe as my grand-daughter flourishes at St Sidwell’s. |
| Vacancy Foundation Governor |
|
| Dave Vinall Foundation Governor  |
I came to Exeter in 1995 to study Visual Arts and have been in Exeter, more or less, ever since. My wife, Sarah, and I are the ministers at Exeter Vineyard Church, a family church that meets at St. Peter's School on Sundays. We oversee a number of community activities run by volunteers. I love travelling and experiencing new cultures and as part of my job I have been able to go to India, Albania, Malawi and Wales. I'm passionate about music, I play guitar and enjoy movies and reading. In my spare time I try to keep fit by running and playing football. I am a Spurs fan and regularly feel depressed as we blow significant leads in the race for Champion League football. I enjoy learning interesting things, and I'm a big fan of education. We have two children at St. Sidwell's. |
| Belina Monteiro* Parent Governor  |
I have a B.A. in French and Spanish from Memorial University of Newfoundland and a B.Ed. from Universite Sainte-Anne in Nova Scotia. I enrolled my children at St. Sidwell's after moving to Exeter in 2007, making beautiful England my home and the fifth country I have lived in. I believe that the extensive traveling, which included a one year stay in Paris, France, where I taught English as a second language, has given me a rather unique perspective on the world, and has greatly facilitated my learning four different languages. Although I taught French in Canada, I have only been giving private French lessons since my children were born. Now that they are both in school, I am thinking about returning to full time teaching. Being a governor at such a well run school like St. Sidwell's has helped me gain valuable insight into how the school system works here. |
| Chris Patterson* Parent Governor  |
I am Chris Patterson and I am a Parent Governor. I have a two children who attend this school one in year 2 and the other in Reception and I used to be a teacher in a private primary school so I was very keen to get involved in life at St Sidwell's. I have been a Governor of St Sidwell's School for over a year. I am part of the Curriculum and Community Committee. In this Committee we have been looking at St Sidwell's School policies, how they comply with National Standards and how well the school is performing as a whole. I am taking an active interest in the science education of the school and liaising with Mrs Matchett about how Science is taught throughout the school. I am also involved in the Sub-Committee for Fun Club and the excellent work that is done there before and after school. I am also involved with FOSSS and help out in the school on one afternoon a week |
| Keith McLeod Teaching Staff  |
I have taught at St. Sidwell’s since January 2007 where I began in Year 4, and I am enjoying a new class in what I really do think is a great school. I coordinate ICT in the school and I am jointly responsible for the Eco Schools and DT. Before becoming a teacher I worked in Birmingham as a project Manager for a company that surveyed roads for winter maintenance purposes! During that time I also taught basic education in the evenings and it is here that I got the teaching bug. Sadly my legs no longer allow me to play football but I dabble in other sports such as badminton, cycling, korf ball, krav maga (self-defence) and surfing (or floundering in the waves). I am also learning to play the guitar-again! And have been re-living my youth with some of the Year 5 musicians as we attempt to form a band. |
| Jackie Willey Non Teaching Staff  |
I have been involved with St Sid's for many years. I attended school here from the age of 5 until 11 years. Well I mean the old school. My 3 children were pupils here & I was & still am heavily involved in F.O.S.S.S. I have been an M.T.A. for many years & am now supervisor. I have a passion for the school & feel I can support the non teaching staff in my role as governor. I am looking forward to the task of helping with all aspects of promoting an outstanding school. |
| Mrs Nazima Khan* Local Authority  |
My Name is Nazima khan. I was born and educated in Mombasa, Kenya. I have four children all at St Sidwell’s Primary school who all enjoy a wide variety of learning experiences through trips, culture days and of course classroom teaching. Oh.. I miss those school days, lovely warm weather, summer holidays by the beach (Mombasa) and trips to Tsavo national park where my family owned a ranch. Most of my school holidays were spent in the National park which I really enjoyed and still do when I go back to Kenya. I have a degree in travel and tourism. In the UK I've worked mostly in finance which I really enjoy. Currently I'm Treasurer to 2 local charities in Exeter as well as treasurer to both the school's Governors fund and FOSSS. I am also a Cultural Champion which I really enjoy, this involves visiting schools and colleges giving presentations mostly on Kenya and Islam. Salaams |
| Anne Hood Headteacher  |
My name is Anne Hood and I am the Headteacher at St. Sidwells’s and also a governor. I have been teaching now for over 35 years and still love it! I was Headteacher of a large infant school in West Sussex for 7 years before coming here in 2005-just as the builders began the new school. I have taught in lots of schools over the years but St. Sidwell’s is one of the best and I am very proud to be part of it. On a personal note, I am a farmer’s daughter and had a very privileged childhood riding on a tractor with my Dad and playing in the haystack with friends. My brother and nephews still run the family farm in Leicestershire. Now, I live in the middle of the countryside down a Devon lane with my husband and the cat! I love the outdoors and spend most of my spare time weeding and looking after plants and vegetables in my lovely garden. It’s a great place to go home to at the end of a long school day. |
| Sam Lawton Clerk  |
Hello, I am Clerk to the Governors and employed by them to organise their meetings, take notes and keep their records. St Sidwells is a really interesting school to be involved with and I’m enjoying the job. I’ve lived in Exeter for 10 years and worked in primary education for most of that time - as Clerk and in the school offices of a few Exeter primary schools and currently as Administration Manager for the Devon Primary SCITT, which trains primary school teachers in 40 schools around the county. I moved here just for a year with my family while my husband trained as a teacher and we liked Exeter so much we stayed – I love it that we have the moors and the beaches so close yet still live in a city |
School governors are responsible for the strategic direction of the school. They offer support and advice to the staff and act as a “critical friend” to the school’s leadership team – particularly to the Headteacher. As our school is a Voluntary Aided school they also have additional responsibilities. See Church aided status. They are volunteers who devote much time and energy into helping move our school forward.
The governors are well aware of the good reputation the school continues to enjoy, and are committed to doing everything within their power to ensure that high standards are maintained.
All governors, but parent representatives in particular, are keen to hear ideas and suggestions from parents and friends as well as being there to give advice and information and to address any concerns. They make every effort to be available to parents - some are able to pop in during the school day or attend school events and special occasions but they can always be contacted in writing via the school, or by email at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Education is an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world which makes ever greater demands on teachers and on governors. Central to it all however, must be the child; your child. With this in mind our priorities remain:-
- To give your child the benefits of a full, rounded, first rate education.
- To maintain the highest standards of professional skill and dedication in our excellent teaching and support staff.
- To make the most of opportunities above and beyond the curriculum.
If you are interested in becoming a school governor, please ask in the office about future vacancies.
