Governors

VACANCIES

We currently have two vacancies: a vacancy for our Ex-officio governor and a Foundation governor.

If you feel that you could offer our school your support and experience, please do get in touch with either the Head (Matt Jones) or the Chair (Emma Wilson).

We would welcome applications from anyone with the desire to help develop our school. We would particularly welcome applications people from a wider diverse background or someone with experience in finance and the law.

More information can be found on the NCC website here.

Governor Roles Overview

The governing body has a range of duties and powers and a general responsibility for the conduct of the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement.

Its responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• setting targets for pupil achievement
• managing the school’s finances
• making sure the curriculum is balanced and broadly based
• appointing staff
• reviewing staff performance and pay

THE GOVERNORS: 

As a Church of England school we have a majority of “Foundation Governors” appointed by the Church Council of St. Mary’s and the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham.  Other “Representative Governors” include those representing staff and the Local Authority. Each term of office is for 4 years. A full list of Governors with linked areas in brackets follows:

Our Instrument of Governance is currently 12. This is made up of the following:

7 Foundation Governors: 3 DBE (Diocesan Board of Education); 3 PCC (Parochial Church Council); and 1 Ex-officio.

5 Non-foundation Governors: 1 Headteacher, 1 Staff Governor, 1 Local Authority Governor and 2 Parent Governors.

The clerk to the governing body (NCC employee) is Mrs Alex Raynor

The table and bios below last updated: February, 2024

All minutes from our Full Governing Body meeting and committees are available upon request.

The attendance begins from this year as we have had several new governors.

Meet our governors.

Jan Bird - Foundation DBE

I am a social science graduate and retired chartered accountant who enjoys gardening, zumba and being involved in various committees such as being a member of the PCC, Lowdham's Women's Institute and Nottingham's Shakespeare Society. I am a proud mother and have two young grandsons. I also spend some of my time being a Brownies leader.

Tess Edmonds - Staff

I have had the privilege of teaching at Lowdham since 1999. Over those years I have had two children of my own, both of whom attended the school. I currently teach in Year 2, and I am KS1 lead. I am also lead for Pupil Premium, Science and Music. I am extremely lucky to work with wonderful colleagues, supportive parents, and of course, amazing children. I was teacher governor way back when I started at the school, and am very pleased to have taken on this role once more.

Janice Hewitt - Foundation DBE

I am a former teacher of Home Economics and Food Technology whose later years were spent running a business as an Holistic Therapist and Clinical Aromatherapist, I have spent my retirement devoting herself to family and young grandchildren.

I am a churchwarden in the parish of Lowdham with Caythorpe and Gunthorpe and am dedicated to forging links between school and church.

I particularly enjoy showing groups of children around St. Mary’s Church in Lowdham.

Uzma Johal MBE - Local Authority

I am the founding director of a not-for-profit organisation that uses creative technology for social change. With over 23 years of experience in fund-raising and delivery, I have worked with vulnerable young people and communities in place-based settings, using creativity to enable well-being and life skills, as well as supporting young people in career aspirations. In 2016, I received an MBE on the Queen's New Years Honours List for contribution to the Digital Economy and my work in creating opportunities and mentorship for young people into creative technology careers. In my consultancy work, I also work closely with senior management teams, boards and leaders to orientate change management and strategic development of their organisations. It is a privilege to be the LA Governor for the school and to have the opportunity to support the aspirations of the whole school community. 

Tara Miller - Parent 

I am a recently appointed parent governor. I live in Calverton with my husband Matthew, our daughter Riley who is in Foundation and our 7 month old baby boy Leo. I am a primary school teacher at a school in Arnold and have been teaching for nearly 10 years. Whilst there, I have taught a variety of year groups and lead two subject areas. 

I am enthusiastic and proud to become part of the governor team and to help the school to maintain its standing as a great Church of England school and to enable all staff and children to "shine like stars."

Christine Saunders - Foundation PCC

My husband, Ian, and I have lived in Lowdham for 35 years and I have always been involved in village life. Whilst our children (now parents themselves) attended Lowdham School, I held various roles on the Friends' committee and organised and supported many activities over the years.

After retiring from my career as Head of Sixth Form and teacher of MFL, I became a volunteer with the NSPCC Schools Service, and have delivered hundreds of Speak Out Stay Safe assemblies and workshops in primary schools throughout Nottinghamshire, including Lowdham. I have developed new transferable skills, a greater understanding of safeguarding, and an enjoyment of working with younger children. 

I am enthusiastic about my new role as governor and feel that I can make a meaningful contribution to the life of the school. I look forward to supporting both staff and pupils in whatever way I can. 

Chris Simson - Foundation PCC

I am a foundation Governor and a member of Lowdham, Gunthorpe and Caythorpe Parochial Church Council.  I moved to Lowdham in 2017 to be closer to family and love the sense of community here.  I am also a member of Lowdham FLAG.

I retired in 2015 after a career including briefing Ministers, examining redundancy strategies and being in charge of Freedom of Information in the Attorney General's Office when he advised on the legality of the invasion of Iraq in 2005.  I am health and safety governor.

I want to do all I can to support the Head and fellow Governors in maintaining the excellent Christian ethos of the school.

Emma Wilson - Foundation PCC

I am an Associate Professor in Public Health at The University of Nottingham. I have expertise in health research and higher education quality assurance. 

I am the link governor for Science and Most Able/gifted learners.

I am interested in how preschool age children learn and how we can improve lifelong health outcomes by reducing preschool inequalities. 

I have lived in Lowdham for over 20 years and I am proud to be part of the community in the village. I am a member of Lowdham Parish Council and the Lowdham Flood Action Group. 

Register of business interests.

All governors sign a form every year to declare whether they have any business interests that could be seen as a link to the school. This is done to ensure absolute transparency, especially regarding any appeals that may have to be made or any financial matters.

These can be seen in the table below.

Attendance at governor meetings and commitees gets reset every academic year. We have 3 full governor body meetings and 3 committees every year as standard. Governors can attend either committee.