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Our School Governors

Welcome to St. Andrew’s School governors page. The governing body is proud to work alongside the headteacher and senior leadership team as an efficient and effective team within a caring, Christian environment. We aim to achieve a standard of excellence, enriching, encouraging and equipping each child for their future education. 

The governing body of St. Andrew's Primary School has three core functions:

  • Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent
  • Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
  • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

The day to day running of the school is the responsibility of the headteacher and staff. The governing body set the long-term strategic (3 - 5 year) plan for the school. This informs the annual school development plan created by the headteacher and agreed by the governing body, which sets out the key short-term priorities for continuous improvement and monitoring.

The governing body is responsible for monitoring the school’s progress towards these strategic priorities.

The Governing Body is a voluntary group made up of members appointed by the Local Authority and the Diocese as well as parents, staff and the local community. All our governors show great personal commitment and knowledge of the local community to both support and challenge the work of the school.

The full governing body meets at least six times per year, informed by a series of subcommittees and link roles, ensuring governors are well-informed about the school. 

Membership of Committees

Ethos: Sarah Betty (Chair)Graham Pike, Simon Carey, Stephen Youngs
Finance, H&S, Pay & Buildings: Anna O’Brien (Chair), Graham Pike, Mark Nesden, Sarah Betty
Staffing & Curriculum: Julie Doyle (Chair), Tony Parker, Jemma Donnelly, Steen Clarke, Graham Pike

Link Governors

Nominated Safeguarding Governor  Mark Nesden
Nominated SEN Governor Julie Doyle

Meet our Governors

Mr Tony Parker

Mr Tony Parker

Chair, Co-opted Governor

I have worked in education for my entire career, as a teacher, in school leadership, as an OFTSED inspector and as a strategic director in Children’s Services in Bath and NE Somerset Council. Now retired, it is a privilege to be Chair of Governor at St Andrew’s.

  • Member of the Curriculum & Staffing Committee

Mrs Julie Doyle

Mrs Julie Doyle

LEA Governor

I was a local primary school teacher, working mostly in the early year’s foundation stage, for 22 years. I was also the school SENco for a number of years. 

  • Member of the Curriculum & Staffing Committee

Mrs Jemma Donnelly

Mrs Jemma Donnelly

Parent Governor

I have two children who love attending St. Andrew's School. I’ve been a secondary teacher for over twenty years and have been a teacher governor in the past.

  • Member of the Curriculum & Staffing Committee

Mrs Anna O'Brien

Mrs Anna O'Brien

Parent Governor

I have two children who are flourishing as pupils at St Andrew’s. I am a Consultant Geriatrician and have previous experience of governance within the healthcare system.

  • Member of the Buildings. Finance & Pay Committee

Mr Mark Nesden

Mr Mark Nesden

Associate Governor

I am resident in Cromhall and love the village. I have recently taken early retirement from my role as head of SEN and safeguarding of disabled children. I am a qualified social worker and trained in the leadership of SENDs. I am enjoying retirement, spending time exploring the local area with my chow chow, Harley bear. I also enjoy travelling. A passion of mine is recycling and restoring furniture. I am keen to use my skills to maintain and improve the standards within the school.

  • Member of the Buildings, Finance & Pay Committee

Mr Mark Steen Clarke

Mr Mark Steen Clarke

Associate Governor

As a career Army Officer I can say, with confidence, that have seen people at their very worse and very best.  I have worked most of my life in overseas in Central Europe, Africa and the Middle East.  However, three years ago I returned to Cromhall where I spent much of my childhood.   My working experience and those of a primary school pupil, parent, grandparent and over eight years as governor has taught me a lot.  Above all, it is that it is at primary school that the values and skills needed to make the right choices in later life are acquired. To be a governor at St Andrews is a great privilege and responsibility; but it's also great fun!

  • Member of the Curriculum & Staffing Committee

Ptr Simon Carey

Ptr Simon Carey

Foundation Governor

For the first 15 years of my working life I worked in the building industry. Then my wife and I studied at Bible college for three years before spending 23 years in Thailand, serving as missionaries. Since May 2021 I have served as pastor of Cromhall Chapel and also volunteer in the village store.

  • Member of the Ethos Committee

Mrs Sarah Betty

Mrs Sarah Betty

Parent Governor

I live in Cromhall and have 3 children who are pupils at the school.  I’m a specialist in aviation safety management systems and have served as a Royal Air Force officer for over 20 years.

  • Member of the Ethos Committee
  • Member of the Buildings, Finance & Pay Committee

Mr Stephen Youngs

Foundation Governor

  • Member of the Ethos Committee