Governing Body - Great Bardfield Primary School

The Role of School Governor

Governors are a legally required group of unpaid volunteers who work alongside the Headteacher to ensure that our school provides a good education for all pupils. The board has responsibility for ensuring that:

the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school are clearly defined,
the Headteacher is provided with support and challenge in carrying out their responsibility for the educational performance of the school,
the finances of the school are effectively organised.

Great Bardfield governing board consists of 15 governors, and includes school staff, parents and other members of the wider community.

Governors meet all together usually twice a term, when we discuss how the school is progressing. We consider a range of information, such as reports from governors who have visited classes and events in school time, or had meetings with staff; termly reports from the Headteacher; reports of pupils’ attainment and progress, or presentations from staff members.

Underlying all the Governing board activities is a committment to the safe, happy and effective education of all the pupils at our school.

The current board consists of the following members:

Governor Appointments 2024/25

Co-Chairs

Julie Lowe
Jane Tillotson

Vice-Chair

Jan Hitchcock

Governors by appointing body:

Headteacher

Elizabeth Crow

Staff Governor

Nicola Moore

Co-opted Governors (appointed by the governing board)

Christopher Barr
Molly Blackburn
Julia Collins
Janet Dyson
Johanna Goldsmith
Jan Hitchcock
Julie Lowe
Jane Tillotson
Christian Young
Vacancy

Local Authority Governor

Kenneth Cooper

Parent Governors

Daniel Humphreys
Beki Layzell

Governance Professional

Sara Harrison

Governors left in the previous 12 months:

Geoff Gardner – Co-opted governor – resigned March 2025
Sheree Reilley – Parent Governor – term ended November 2024
Darren Hockley – Associated Governor – stepped down, November 2024

IMPORTANT GOVERNOR DOCUMENTATION

Meet the Governors

Julia Lowe

Co-Chair

Jane Tillotson

Co-Chair

Jan Hitchcock

Vice Chair

Elizabeth Crow

Headteacher

Nicola Moore

Staff Governor

Daniel Humphreys

Parent Governor

Beki Layzel

Parent Governor

Jo Goldsmith

Co-opted Governor

Christopher Barr

Co-opted Governor

Christian Young

Co-opted Governor

Molly Blackburn

Co-opted Governor

Janet Dyson

Co-opted Governor

Julia Collins

Co-opted Governor

Kenneth Cooper

Local Authority Governor

Julie Lowe

Responsibilities: Co-Chair, SEND & Disadvantaged, Exclusions, Pupil Discipline, Staff Appeals, Staff Matters

Message to Parents: All four of my children went to this lovely school, and I have been a governor since my youngest left many years ago. My professional life has always been involved in the education of children with additional needs, and I have been the governor with responsibility for monitoring the school’s Special Educational Needs offer, since my governorship began. I am currently also co-chair of the board. I am passionately supportive of the head and staff at the school, which plays such an important role in the life of the village, and I really enjoy working alongside other governors in offering challenge as well as support.

Jane Tillotson

Responsibilities: Co-Chair, Leadership & Management, Admissions Strategy, Exclusions, Pay & Conditions, Pupil Discipline, Safeguarding, Staff Appeals

Message to Parents:

Having originally been a parent governor, while my two now grown up children went through the School, I am now a co-opted governor. I live in Great Bardfield and truly believe we are very privileged to have a school, at the heart of our community, offering a good education. The school likewise ensures that every child is encouraged to develop in to a kind and respectful, individual.

I have huge respect for the staff at our school, who continuoulsy go above and beyond for our children; with all parents and carers working collaboratively with the school, every child will gain the best opportunities to evolve and learn.

Jan Hitchcock

Responsibilities: Vice Chair, Quality of Education

Message to Parents: I have lived in Great Bardfield since 2019 and really appreciate how lucky we are to live in such a vibrant community with so many facilities and a great primary school.

I am now retired, but have spent over 30 years working in education, teaching science and maths in secondary and middle schools.

I feel privileged to be a co-opted Governor at Great Bardfield and I hope that I can use the knowledge and experience that I’ve acquired over the years as a parent and a teacher to contribute to the continuing success of such a good school.

Elizabeth Crow

Main Responsibilities: Headteacher, SENCo, Designated Safeguarding Officer, Curriculum Leader

Other areas of responsibility: Senior Attendance Champion, Pastoral Lead, Assessment Lead, Educational Visits Lead, Pupil Premium Lead, Primary Link Teacher (PLT), Healthy Schools Co-ordinator

Service started: September 2022

Nature of interest: Employed by school

Job: Headteacher

Message to Parents: My role, as part of the Governing Body, is to meet with the Safeguarding Governor to discuss any safeguarding concerns, report to the different committees that link into the Full Governing Body and welcome all Governors into the school as supportive and critical friends. I believe that the collaborative partnership between the Headteacher and the Governing Body is intrinsic to moving the school forwards to provide the best care and opportunities for our children. Our dedicated governors help to cement our links within the community and put our school at the heart of the village. Together we will help your child to reach their full potential, embracing all that is special and unique to them.

Nicola Moore

Responsibilities: Staff Governor

Message to Parents:

Hello, I’m Nicola Moore and I’m proud to be the Staff Governor at Great Bardfield Primary School. I work as a Learning Support Assistant, supporting children across different year groups to help them reach their full potential—academically, socially, and emotionally.

I’ve been part of the Great Bardfield Primary School team for a number of years, and during that time I’ve seen first-hand the dedication and care that goes into creating a positive learning environment for all pupils.

As a Staff Governor, I’m passionate about giving a voice to support staff and ensuring that the valuable work we do is represented in the decisions that shape the future of the school.

I feel privileged to be part of such a warm and inclusive school community, and I look forward to contributing to its continued success through my role on the governing body.

Daniel Humphreys

Responsibilities: Parent Governor, Website Compliance

Message to Parents:

I am pleased to have been appointed as a parent governor. I am passionate about my children’s education and ensuring they have a safe and inspiring learning environment. As a new parent governor, I look forward to playing an active role in the school, helping to ensure our children, and future generations, get the right foundation at the start of their life in education.

Beki Layzell

Responsibilities: Parent Governor, Personal Development

Message to Parents:

Hello, my name is Beki and I am a parent governor at Great Bardfield Primary School – with two children at the school. I am a primary school teacher by trade and joined the Governing Body with an understanding of how a primary school works and a vested interest in supporting Great Bardfield to be the best school it can possibly be.

Jo Goldsmith

Responsibilities: Behaviour and Attitudes, Admissions Strategy, Exclusions

Message to Parents:

I live in the village and I became a governor because I wanted to help make a difference in our local community. I am in my 4th year of being a co-opted governor at the school. My background is in education and I really enjoy my governor school visits focusing on behaviour and attitudes. I look forward to my future school visits seeing different year groups both inside and outside the classroom and on school trips!

Christopher Barr

Responsibilities: Health & Safety, Pay & Conditions,

Message to Parents:

I was keen to “put something back” into the local community and so when asked by a former governor whether I would like to accept the role of Finance Governor, agreed to do so. I served in this role for 4 years and now have a Health & Safety oversight.

My background is in finance and equity markets. I now run a smallholding and couple of small businesses – a wedding venue and Christmas shop, from my home between Steeple Bumpstead and Finchingfield.

Christian Young

Responsibilities: Safeguarding Governor, Leadership & Management, Admissions Strategy, Staff Matters

Message to Parents:

I am a solicitor, married and have two children who have now left home, and one grandchild. I know the school as my wife’s sister lives in the village. I love the role of a governor and the ability to help the school and its pupils.

Molly Blackburn

Responsibilities: The Early Years

Message to Parents:

Janet Dyson

Responsibilities: Quality of Education, Pay & Conditions, Pupil Discipline, Staff Appeals

Message to Parents: I am an academic, writer and researcher with more than 50 years experience in education from primary to university level. My three children went to the school and I have been a governor for many years. Bardfield School is at the heart of our village community and I feel privileged to be a member of the Governing Board.