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 2025/26
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
- Penny Aitkin
- Sarah Boon
- Julia Collins
- Janet Dyson
- Johanna Goldsmith
- Jan Hitchcock
- Kathy King
- Julie Lowe
- Jane Tillotson
- Vacancy
Local Authority Governor
- Vacancy
Parent Governors
- Daniel Humphreys
- Lauren Fitt
Governance Professional
- Sara Harrison
Governors left in the previous 12 months:
- Geoff Gardner – Co-opted governor – resigned March 2025
- Molly Blackburn – Co-opted governor – resigned July 2025
- Christian Young – Co-opted governor – resigned July 2025
- Sarah Kenning – Co-opted governor – resigned September 2025
- Rebecca Layzell – Parent governor – resigned October 2025
- Kenneth Cooper – LA governor – resigned January 2026
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
Janet Dyson
Co-opted Governor
Jo Goldsmith
Co-opted Governor
Christopher Barr
Co-opted Governor
Julia Collins
Co-opted 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.
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.
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.
Julia Collins
Responsibilities: Finance, The Early Years, Pay & Conditions, Staff Appeals
Message to Parents: I am an accountant and have worked as a bursar at a college. I am the co-opted governor for finance. I live in the village and am committed to the ethos of the school in promoting the all-round development of every child.