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

We encourage all parents to use the Ofsted ‘Parent View’ link https://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk to express your views on our school? Your feedback is essential for continued improvement. Every September the previous year’s comments are erased for the new academic year. So, if you have not used the service since September 2023, please take a minute to do so and give your valued feedback on our school, it is much appreciated. The more submissions the better and do note that BOTH parents can submit their views (from separate e-mail addresses). Thank you.

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

Current term started: June 2023

Term ends: May 2027

Job: Lecturer in Speech and Language Therapy

Message to Parents: My involvement with Great Bardfield Primary School began many years ago when all four of my children had a wonderful primary education here. I became a parent governor when my youngest child was in the school, and have for many years been the governor with responsibility for monitoring the school’s special educational needs provision.

Over the years I have seen the school manage many structural and procedural changes and challenges without ever losing sight of the core responsibility to educate our children in the fullest sense: to be thoughtful, enquiring, responsible and caring.

We are very lucky to have a new dynamic head teacher who demonstrates an extraordinary level of commitment to maintaining this caring perspective, alongside an explicit determination to work with her staff to raise standards of attainment across the school.

Jane Tillotson

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

Current term started: June 2010

Term ends: July 2023

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.

My wish is to encourage all our parents and carers to focus on how much their children can gain from providing the school with their support, a positive attitude and mutual respect.

Jan Hitchcock

Responsibilities: Vice Chair, Quality of Education

Current term started:

Term ends:

Message to Parents:

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

Current term started:

Term ends:

Message to Parents:

Daniel Humphreys

Responsibilities: Parent Governor, Website Compliance

Current term started:

Term ends:

Message to Parents:

Beki Layzell

Responsibilities: Parent Governor, Personal Development

Current term started:

Term ends:

Message to Parents:

Jo Goldsmith

Responsibilities: Behaviour and Attitudes, Admissions Strategy, Exclusions

Current term started: September 2021

Term ends: September 2025

Message to Parents: I currently work part time as a Humanities teacher in a local secondary school. My specialist subject is Geography. I have worked in a variety of schools in my career so far, a boys school, a girls school and 2 mixed schools. I worked my way up to Head of Humanities and did this job for a few years until I had my first child. I now have three young children and I work part time. I have extensive experience of organising and leading school trips, from day trips to residential trips abroad.

Before teaching I used to work abroad, in France, for a holiday company. I was a resort manager, managing their operations and their staff in a few different French ski resorts. I love sports, particularly skiing and cycling.

I recently moved to Great Bardfield (from Stansted) so I am new to the community. I am very pleased to be a Governor at Great Bardfield Primary School.

Christopher Barr

Responsibilities: Health & Safety, Pay & Conditions,

Current term started: May 2023

Term ends: May 2027

Message to Parents: Having a background in finance, I am a partner of Morrel, Heard and Barr having previously worked at a number of investment banks for 30 years, specialising in Asian Equities. As such I hope to apply my business and finance insight to support the school.

Living locally, I am married with three adult children and I also run a smallholding, a Christmas tree and decoration business and a wedding venue at our home, just outside Steeple Bumpstead.

Christian Young

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

Current term started: May 2023

Term ends: May 2027

Message to Parents: I am a solicitor, married and have two children who have now left home. 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

Current term started: January 2023

Term ends: January 2027

Message to Parents:

Janet Dyson

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

Current term started: June 2023

Term ends: June 2027

Message to Parents: I have been connected with the school for over 40 years as a teacher, parent of three children and as a governor. I enjoy being a governor and believe that we have a major role in ensuring that the school provides the best education for our children. I have a particular interest in links with the community and feel that we are fortunate to have such a successful primary school at the heart of this lively village.