Meet the Governors

For the Governors' secure area, please click here

What is a governing body?
The Government requires that each school has a management team, a governing body. This team is made up of the various stakeholders that the school serves, parents, local authority, staff, community and dioceses. Governors are either elected or appointed, e.g. Parent Governors are elected from the parent body; the Local Authority (LA) appoints LA Governors, the governing body appoints Community Governors.

What does a governing body do?
The governing body works in partnership with the headteacher, staff, parents and the Local Authority to raise standards of achievement in the school, led by the Chair of Governors. The main functions of the governing body are to:
a.) provide a Strategic view
b.) act as a Critical Friend; and
c.) ensure Accountability

Yattendon Governors

1 x Vacancy:
1 x Community Governor
As you can see, we currently have 1 vacancy on our Governing Body team. If you are interested in helping to make Yattendon the best school it can be and want to be more involved in school life please contact our Ckerk to the Governors - Lorna Dimery -jdimery@talktalk.net for more information.

	Sarah McHardie - Chair of Governors Local Authority Governor I was appointed as the Local Authority governor in November 2010 following my daughter joining the school in September 2010. I enjoy being able to support the school in helping every child develop. My responsibilities relate to monitoring of pupil progress and assessment. I hope my background in public sector audit and previous governor experience will help me to contribute to making the governing body as effective as possible.
	Rachel Bowron - Vice Chair of Governors Parent Governor I was elected as a parent governor in September 2010, shortly after my elder child joined Yattendon. I am enjoying getting to know the school as a member of both the Pupil & Standards and the Resources committees. I am responsible for monitoring the maths and science curriculum and for developing stronger links with parents, carers and the community.
	Dave Cole Headteacher and Governor I am a member of the governing body and attend all the sub-committee meetings as part of my role as the Headteacher. As the Headteacher, it is my core aim to ensure that we provide our children with both the opportunity and the confidence to be happy, fulfilled and successful in their future years. I am firmly committed to ensuring that each child achieves their potential and leaves our school with the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to flourish in the 21st Century. We strive to ensure that our children will develop a deep love of learning and a real zest for life as a result of their time at Yattendon. I will be working very hard with the rest of the Yattendon team to ensure that every child benefits from an outstanding education.
	Guy Perkins Deputy Headteacher and Associate Governor Having taught for a number of years in Surrey primary schools, I joined Yattendon in September 2010 as Deputy Headteacher. I was soon struck by the unique atmosphere at Yattendon; in particular, the enthusiasm of Yattendon children. I have always had a passion for education, and am particularly keen to develop in children a sense of responsibility and enthusiasm for their own learning. I live fairly locally near Dorking and have a young daughter who is being educated in a Surrey school. Parenting is not easy in the twenty-first century. Pressures that come with being a working parent make engaging with your child’s education particularly challenging. With the Headteacher, Dave Cole, I am keen to involve parents and carers as much as possible, and help them feel part of the school community.
	Stella Coulson Staff Governor I started at Yattendon in September 2011 and am honoured to now be a staff Governor of this great school. Since I have started, I have been astounded by the welcome I have received from children, staff and parents and thank you all for making the first few weeks so very enjoyable. Prior to working at Yattendon, I worked in another Surrey Junior school and upon taking the role of Year 5 leader here, I thought it would be great to further my understanding of the school and join the Governing body. This gives me many opportunities to see the inner workings of the school and enhance its development further.
	Ian Newton Community Governor I have lived in Horley since 1962, when I began working as an Immigration Officer at Gatwick Airport. My son and grandson are both Yattendon "old boys", and one of my granddaughters is a current year 5 pupil. I became a governor about 12 years ago, after I retired from a career in the Civil Service (Home Office). I currently chair the Governors' Pupils and Standards Committee, and have a particular interest in Special Needs and the Humanities.
	John Jennings Community Governor Although not having a child at Yattendon School, I have been a Community Governor for over ten years. Now retired but as a result of my background in industry and human resources my prime focus has been as a member of the Resources Committee. Yattendon is a special school and I feel privileged to have been involved with it.
	Elvira Mackenzie Parent Governor 2010/2011 was my first year as a parent governor having been elected in September 2010. I am married and have two children, my eldest is in year 3 at Yattendon, and have lived in Horley for 8 years. Before becoming a full time Mum I worked in the travel industry for Continental Airlines and Lastminute.com where I worked as a Manager in Customer Services. Impressed by the school, when my son started, I thought it would be great to get more directly involved and look forward to seeing the school continue to flourish.
	Gill Labbett Support Staff Governor I was elected as Support Staff Governor in 2009 and have worked at Yattendon School since 1991. My current role in school is as a Senior Learning Support Assistant in Special Educational Needs and I am part of the new Home School Link Worker Team. I have always been very passionate about my work at this school and know that at Yattendon every child really does matter. I am Link Governor for continuing professional development and training and sit on the Pupil and Standards committee. I take great pleasure in being a member of the Governing Body at Yattendon School.
	Colin Gibbons Partnership Governor I have lived in Horley for 44 years and worked in industry all my life. My expertise is in Building Services. I also served an apprenticeship in engineering. My grandaughter is in Year 5 at Yattendon and previously at Horley Infants School where I am a part time Caretaker. I hope my experience will be an asset to the school.
	Jan Clark Parent Governor I moved to the area in January 2010 and have a son in Year 5. I work in the public sector in Human Resources and specialise in employment policy and pensions. In the last year I have been impressed by the changes that are taking place at Yattendon and the drive and determination of the staff who make the learning environment an enjoyable experience for our children while teaching them values that they can build upon for life. With this in mind, I hope to use my HR experience to support the school in whatever capacity I can, in particular to help deliver the best and most inclusive education to our children.
	Penny Holmes Parent Governor As a parent, I have had an association with Yattendon School since September 2001. My two sons are former pupils and currently my daughter attends in Year 5. Over the years I have seen several changes and developments and enjoyed many school events both as a member of the school Friends and parent volunteers. In my working life, I care for children in the community with complex health needs, and in a children's hospice; a job I pursue with a passion, so often inspired by the sheer courage of the children and parents I have the privilege to meet. I hope these various experiences will guide me to become a very enthusiastic and motivated governor for this school.
	Claire Creed Parent Governor I have just been elected a parent governor and from September both my children will be at Yattendon. I am currently on a career break having worked for 14 years as an export manager for a freight company and I am looking forward to getting to know the school better. As well as an interest in Literacy, as a speaker of French and German I am keen to promote Modern Foreign Languages. I hope to make good use of my previous governor experience and am very much looking forward to being a part of the team.
	Lorna Dimery Clerk to the Governors