Ramsden Governing Body
What is it?
All schools in England have a Governing Body which - in conjunction with the Head Teacher - is responsible for overseeing many of the strategic decisions of the school. Whilst this is a fundamental part of their role, they are also there to support, question, challenge and ultimately to represent the school community and its stakeholders.
The Governing Body works in close partnership with the Head Teacher (a member of the Governing Body), staff and the local authority. Whilst the Head Teacher is responsible for the day to day running of the school, the governors are involved in such things as finance, school buildings, capital expenditure, health and safety and staffing etc.
Who are we?
In March 2015, the Governing Body elected to reconstitute under the 2012 School Governance Regulations. Legally this procedure needed to be completed by September 2015 and by taking this decision it allowed us to change the numbers and types of governors we have and to appoint members on the basis of skills they could bring to the governance of our school.
The Full Governing Body (FGB) now consists of:
The Head Teacher
One elected staff governor
One local authority governor
Two parent governors
Four co-opted governors
The standard term of office for a governor is four years and the Chair and Vice Chair are elected by the Full Governing Body (FGB) for two years. As well as the FGB, much of the work is carried out by committees, e.g. Finance Committee, Pupil Progress and Strategy Committee. Any governor can be contacted and minutes from governor meetings can be viewed through the school office.
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There are no relevant business and pecuniary interests related to the Governing Body.
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One governor has unavoidably missed 2 meetings this year due to temporary work commitments in London. These absences were approved by the governing body. All other governors have had 100% attendance at meetings over the last academic year.
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The Governing Body does not have any associate members.​
The Governing Body at Ramsden Primary School is as follows:
Mr John Unwin, Chair of Governors, Local Authority Governor
Term of office expires: 29/11/2024
I have been a local authority governor at Ramsden Primary School since November 2012. I was planning to retire in 2014 and was looking for a way to put something back into the village where I have lived for nearly 40 years. Much of my working life was in sales but for the last 21 years I was General Manager and then Managing Director of a subsidiary of the largest steel group in the world, based in Sheffield.
I have a HND in Business Studies and a Diploma in Marketing and am a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
My term of office expires in November 2024 but I would be delighted to be reappointed to help and guide the school as it strives to achieve its full potential for its pupils and staff.
Mr Christopher Wilson, Headteacher
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After attaining a degree in Law from Leicester University, I decided to change my career path when my own son was born and I realised how much I enjoyed teaching. I studied for a PGCE at Manchester Metropolitan University and qualified as a teacher in 1997. I began working in Calderdale where I spent most of my early career. Following further teaching roles in Rochdale, I eventually became Deputy Headteacher at Ramsden Primary School. After leaving for a short while to be a Headteacher at a small school I wanted to return to Ramsden and was appointed Headteacher in April 2014. My wife, Rachel, is also part of the team and teaches at the school.
Mrs Catherine Garrett, Staff Governor
Term of office: 21/1/2020 - 21/1/2024
I work at Ramsden Primary School as the Business Manager and have been employed at the school since 2008. I have lived in Carlton-in-Lindrick all my life and both myself and my sister attended the school, I have two children who also attended and flourished at Ramsden. I have many happy memories of the school and feel privileged to be part of a team that is committed to making such a difference to the children who attend. I believe strongly that every child has a right to a good education within a safe and secure environment, and I would like to play a part in helping that become a reality for every child.
Working in the office, I have developed a good rapport with parents and staff and liaise with them on a daily basis. Living in the local community enables me to keep in touch with school life outside of Ramsden and attend extra-curricular events such as attending memorial services and supporting our choir at outside school events.
Mrs Shirley Gascoyne, Co-opted Governor, Appointed by The Governing Body
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2nd Term of office: 28/09/2019 – 27/09/2023
I am a married mother of 3 boys. I began my career in practice working in Chartered Accountancy in Sheffield. I specialised in Education Finance following the birth of my sons and joined Portland School as Bursar/Business Manager, where I was employed full time from 1994 – 2008.
I joined Ramsden Primary School as part-time School Accountant in 2015.
Mr Dan Cluderay, Co-opted Governor, Appointed by the Governing Body
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Term of office: 18/01/2020 - 17/01/2024
I am a married father of 2 and have lived in the local area all my life. I've been self employed for 15 years running retail and ecommerce business. My areas of expertise are in marketing, software development, hardware design and ecommerce systems. I hold a honours degree in software engineering and am a Virgin Business Pioneer ambassador.
In 2015 I was honoured to be asked to be a co-opted governor with an expiry term of office in Jan 2024.
Mrs Samantha Howard, Parent Governor
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Term of Office: 30/4/21 - 29/4/25
My 3 girls attend Ramsden Primary School and as a family we are very proud to be a part of the Ramsden community. I am delighted to have the opportunity to give something back to the school that has nurtured our girls.
I gained a Master of Nutrition degree from the University of Nottingham. I am a Registered Dietitian and run a private practice on the farm where we live after many years working in the local NHS Trust. I am passionate about the importance of good education and equal opportunities in all areas of life. I learn so much from working with people, listening and understanding their circumstances and supporting them to find a way through.
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I look forward to learning more about the great work that Ramsden Primary School does and being a part of their journey.
Mr Brett Shelton, Parent Governor
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Term of Office: 30/4/21 - 29/4/25
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I am a Detective Constable working for Nottinghamshire Police on the Public Protection department.
I have served in Nottinghamshire for almost 18 years in a number of different roles across the county.
My experience as a Police Officer has shown me the importance of education and community within our society.
I have two boys at Ramsden, and we are all very proud to be part of the Ramsden family.
I'm delighted to be part of the team, and hope that I can help the school and it's community.
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Ms Jo Munroe, Co-opted Governor
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Term of Office: 13/05/19 - 13/05/23
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Having studied Theatre Design at University, I then steered in a completely different direction and went into Recruitment and then Human Resources. I have held various roles in HR for 12 years now and really enjoy the variety the role brings, and the experience I have gained along the way.
I have three boys, two of which go to Ramsden. I lived in Costhorpe throughout my childhood and my Dad went to Ramsden when he was a child. Ramsden has always been a brilliant village school and so I am very proud to now be a part of it.