What is a Governing Body?
The Government requires that each school has a management team known as a governing body. This team is made up of the various stakeholders that the school serves (parents, local authority, staff and community). Governors are either elected or appointed, e.g. parent governors are elected from the parent body; the local authority (LA) appoints governors, the governing body appoints community governors.
The Governing Body has three core functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff;
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Structure of the governing body:
At Yattendon we meet as a Full Governing Body on at least seven occasions throughout the year. Unlike some schools, we no longer operate with separate committees focusing on resources and pupil standards but instead work collaboratively to monitor these through an ongoing cycle. In addition, where working parties are required to monitor particular areas of school life, these are formed as necessary. We do however operate a pay committee and a headteacher’s appraisal committee.
Yattendon Governors
If you are interested in helping to make Yattendon the best school it can be and want to be more involved in school life then please contact us (governor@yattendon.surrey.sch.uk) for more information.
If you would like to contact any of our governors or our chair of governors please do so via: clerk@yattendon.surrey.sch.uk
Greensand Governance Information can be found here: https://www.greensandacademytrust.co.uk/governance
Meet the Governors
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Ashlee Woodruff Chair I joined the governing board in early 2023. I believe that being a school governor is a valuable way of serving the local community, whilst having an opportunity to support the school, the parents and importantly the children. Elected as the Chair of Governors in October 2023, I am committed to leveraging the skillset I have gained in an executive capacity to lead the governing board in ensuring it fulfills its duties well. I look forward to working with Mr. Perkins and the school’s leadership team and all whom have an interest in the success of the school. I am invested as a parent of three boys at the school, and look forward to supporting the strategic direction of the school. One that supports the highest aspirations and teaching standards for our children in order for them to achieve the best possible outcomes. I am a mother of four wonderful and very active children I spend a lot of my personal time watching football and attending swimming galas. A Secretary in the Executive Committee of Redhill & Reigate Swimming club. An accomplished senior data transformation, operations, and client services executive for the shipping sector. Providing expertise to industry bodies, to impact global initiatives. An expert on behalf of S&P Global, a recognized Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) for the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Founder of Women in Maritime, responsible for the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategy within the S&P Global Market Intelligence, Research, Advisory & Specialty Solutions business. |
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Guy Perkins Headteacher Having taught for a number of years in Surrey primary schools, I joined Yattendon in September 2010 as Deputy Headteacher and was appointed Head Teacher in 2016. I have always had a passion for education, and I 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 daughter of eighteen and two young sons. Parenting is not easy in the twenty-first century. Pressures that come with being a working parent can mean that engaging with your child’s education is particularly challenging. I am keen to involve parents and carers as much as possible, and help them feel part of the school community. |
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James Butcher Staff It was my pleasure to join the governing body at Yattendon in November 2023. I have been a member of staff here for three years and during that time have taught in Year 5 and Year 6 alongside leading English. When I started, my introduction was largely via Zoom and ‘bubbles’ as we were in the depths of the Covid pandemic. Even though this was the case, I felt the warm community spirit and the family atmosphere straightaway and very quickly felt very much at home. In my role as a governor I hope to support the school in a slightly different way and be part of the strategic steering of our school as we enter the new and exciting chapter of the Greensand journey. |
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Viresh Singh Co-opted Governor |
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Chris Parker
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Steve Wotton |
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Laura Barton I chose to become a governor at Yattendon School because I am passionate about supporting high-quality education and contributing to my local community. As a parent, with a son in Year 4 and a daughter in Year 1 who will join in the future, I have a strong personal interest in the school’s continued success and long-term direction. In my professional role as a strategy manager in financial regulation, I bring experience in governance, oversight and strategic decision-making, which I hope will support the school in maintaining strong standards and delivering the best possible outcomes for pupils. I am keen to contribute to the governing body’s role in providing both support and challenge, helping to ensure the school continues to thrive. I am particularly motivated by the opportunity to support the school’s vision and ensure that all perspectives are heard. I look forward to working collaboratively with staff and fellow governors to help ensure Yattendon remains an inclusive, ambitious and supportive environment for every child. |
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James Pickard I joined the Yattendon School governing body in Spring 2026 and am a proud parent of two children currently attending the school. In my working life I have been involved in recruitment and leadership within the technology, financial, and government sectors. I am eager to support our school community and help ensure the best possible environment for all our pupils. |
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Simon Dent I’d like to become a governor because I want to support the school and be more involved in its community. I am motivated by the chance to make a positive difference for pupils and staff, while also developing my own skills in a new setting. I am also looking forward to meeting new people and working as part of a team with a shared purpose. My son Henry has just started Year 3, and I would like to be more involved in the school he is growing up in. I want to support the school however I can and play a small part in helping it continue to do well for all its pupils. |
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Tim Dobisz |
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Nicola Pearce Parent Governor My son is currently in Year 4 and I have a younger daughter who will join the school in the near future; I’ll also admit to being a previous Yattendon pupil myself! I’m passionate about race equity, diversity and inclusion and am particularly keen to ensure through my role as governor that all children at Yattendon have access to education and opportunities to thrive at school regardless of background, race and needs. |
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Sarah Pemberton I became a governor at Yattendon in spring 2023. When I moved to Horley I was keen to become a school governor as a way to become involved in the local community. I have also been interested in the education sector for a number of years and have worked in it in various ways previously. I have been a civil servant for over 10 years and am currently on a career break looking after my young son. |
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Patrizia Rudisser-Street |
