Governors

Welcome to our Governors’ section 

Our Governing Board consists of elected parents, members of the local community, representatives of the Church, and school staff.  The Governing Board has responsibility for monitoring all aspects of school standards.  This is a strategic role and we operate and make decisions as a group. Our work falls into five main areas:

To set the vision, ethos, aims and objectives for the school

To work with staff to define the policies for achieving the above

To work with the Headteacher to set the targets and plans for achieving those aims and outcomes

To monitor the progress that the school is making

To be a source of support and challenge (a critical friend) to the Headteacher

It is essential that our Governors have a wide range of skills in order to lead the school effectively and this drives the regular skills audits that are undertaken.

The Diocese appoint our two Foundation Governors, parents elect our 2 parent governors and staff elect the one staff member. The Headteacher is also (Ex Officio) a member of the Governing Board. 

Sally Walsh – Chair of the Governors

I have lived in Little Kimble for more than 20 years and have five boys all of whom have attended Great Kimble and had a magical start to their education. On leaving school I studied for five years at St Andrews University gaining a BSc Honours degree in Biochemistry and Anatomy.  Following this I spent some time as a Clinical Research Associate in the pharmaceutical industry before going to the Royal Northern College of Education to do a PGCE. 

I taught for the majority of my career at St Albans School, but decided to turn my hand to tutoring from home in 2000 so that I could raise my boys.

I have been a governor since 2004 and Chair for the last few years. This has allowed me to fulfil my love of helping children to learn and develop whilst having a hand in ensuring that an excellent education is available to all our local children. I hope to be involved with the school for many years to come.

Clare Lodge - (Ex Officio) Headteacher

I am delighted to be the Headteacher at Great Kimble C of E School, taking up post in September 2021. I have been a teacher for over 20 years and hold a strong belief in the power of education to change children's lives and the right of every child to receive an excellent education.

In 2016 I was appointed Headteacher of Cippenham Infant School, part of a Multi Academy Trust in Slough and in 2019 I supported the school through an amalgamation with a large Primary School to form Cippenham School. I have held teaching and senior leadership positions across all age ranges over my career in education. 

Tom Audley - Community governor and Vice Chair

I have lived in the in the local area my whole life except for when I went to University to study for a degree in Sport Science and Business. A couple of years later I went on to study for a Law degree. I qualified as a Solicitor in 2007 and practised Property Law and Private Client work for over 10 years. Whilst I currently still take on Locum work, I now run my own Personal Training Company and a Gardening Company. I like variety in my working life!

I am a keen sportsman with a particular preference to football and rugby. I helped set up Risborough Rugby Football Club and have been a committee member of the club for 10 years.

I attended Kimble School, together with my four siblings, many years ago and now my son is a pupil. It is a privilege to have been elected as a Parent Governor and provides me with the opportunity to assist the school in continuing the outstanding quality of education it provides for its pupils.

Peter Cotton – Co-opted Governor

I live in Terrick and am currently Deputy Chair of The Guinness Partnership (a housing association) and Chair of Guinness Care and Support, a residential and domiciliary care company; also a trustee of a nursing home and a volunteer at a hospice.

Previously, I was a managing director of train companies (Gatwick Express and Scotrail) and of Del Monte UK, a management consultant and a marketing manager at Cadbury Schweppes.

I have an MA in philosophy, politics and economics.

Many years ago when living in Little Kimble my two children were very happily at Great Kimble School when I was then a parent governor (at a time when things were very different!).

Robert Martin - Community Governor

Robert is a retired history graduate and chartered company secretary, having held public company administration roles during his career.

Robert has lived in Great Kimble since 1995 and has been active in the community as a Trustee of the Friends of Kimble Churches and member of the Kimble Neighbourhood Plan Working Group.       

Lynda Swinbourn - Foundation Governor

Having emigrated to England from South Africa in 2019, I chose to settle in Great Kimble to be close to my daughters and grandchildren, one

of whom attends Great Kimble School. Upon joining the church, I was appointed a Foundation Governor in May 2021.

For the past 38 years I have been involved in teaching in some capacity. I started my teaching career as a Senior Physical Science and Biology teacher until I founded an NGO in South Africa to assist teachers with the teaching of English as an additional language, writing materials, developing community projects, and facilitating community programmes. I worked as an Academic Curriculum Director, leading the professional development of the academic staff as well as mentoring Teachers. Since coming to the UK, I have been involved in tutoring several students, both face-to-face and online.

As I reach retirement, my role as Governor will allow me to continue to be involved in education and to fulfil my passion of helping students to reach their academic potential. I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to fulfilling it for many years to come.

Tim Harper - Foundation Governor

Tim is a qualified and experienced secondary teacher, Rector and Area Dean in Amersham for 24 years, a Trustee and current member of the Oxford Diocesan Board of Education and a former Church Schools (SIAMS) inspector. He has a particular interest in Collective Worship and Religious Education in the context of the school's Church School Status and its core values. People matter even more!

Kai Türck - Community Governor 

As pastor of Kimble Free Church in Little Kimble, a Baptist Church, I have the Kimble community very much in my heart. In a world full of challenges, it is a privilege to be able to be governor and be involved in supporting the school’s values and vision for the future of the children here.

To this day I work ‘bi-vocationally’ meaning I spend part of my time looking after Kimble Free Church and the other part involved in the sale of dental equipment. During my sales career I have worked in the dental field in many roles in the UK as well as across Europe, also living in France and Germany. 

I found faith relatively late in life (it is never too late!) and studied Theology at the Bristol Baptist College whilst continuing to work, as I wanted to learn more about my new found faith. This journey has led me to Little Kimble today where I am excited to be able to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in word, thought and deed with adults and young people.

Liz Jones - Community Governor

My son started Great Kimble School in 2017 and my family and I have really enjoyed becoming part of this close and caring community. I soon joined the parent’s committee, Friends of Kimble, and enjoy helping in events such as the Christmas and Easter Fayres. Having seen the way that the parents and school pull together for these occasions I was keen to take up the role of a Parent Governor.

During my time working in holiday camps, whilst I completed my degree in accountancy and management, I soon realised that I had a passion for working with and supporting children. I have been a primary school teacher since completing my Primary PGCE in 2005. I have specialised in teaching within the Early Years Curriculum which inspired my interest in early intervention strategies, helping to support children with special educational needs. I am now teaching part time, supporting an Early Years department and their Special needs provision. In addition to my role as a Governor, I enjoy coming into school once a week to support the children in their reading.

Ben Smith - Parent Governor

I have really enjoyed becoming increasingly involved in the school community since my eldest daughter started Reception in 2017 and now

have three children thriving at Great Kimble School. 

I have lived locally all of my life, enjoying a varied career in engineering and more recently plumbing and heating. I enjoy designing and making things, particularly wood craft.

Having been involved with Friends of Kimble and various school events, I look forward to working with the school to continue to provide a supportive and nurturing community for all of our children.

Mrs Sam Ing

I have lived in the village since 2016 and have loved being a part of Great Kimble. Prior to moving to the Village, I lived in High Wycombe with my husband. 

Having completed a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science, I spent some time working as a fitness instructor as well as working in a Secondary School and a specialist SEND School as a TA. This work confirmed my interest in teaching and education. I then went on to study my PGCE at Oxford Brookes University in 2012. During my time in Primary Schools, I have led on a number of curriculum subjects prior to specialising in Special Educational Needs and qualifying as a SENDCo in 2018.

My daughter started at Great Kimble School in 2023 and we found the parent community to be very welcoming from the beginning. I joined Friends of Kimble early on, getting involved in organising different events. I know the sense of community a School can instil amongst its parents and the local area is important. I now work part time as a Primary SENDCo and enjoy spending more time at home with my youngest. I feel very fortunate to be elected as Parent Governor and look forward to supporting the School in this role.

Responsibilities

We have three meetings each term that all governors attend. We also have a link Trustee from the GLT who attends some meetings.

Great Kimble is very fortunate that our governors are actively involved in all areas of school life. Many visit the school on a regular basis taking part in collective worship, supporting early literacy, participating in working parties and supporting the children in their classes and on school trips.

Governors are volunteers and do not get paid.  The school can only flourish with dedicated governors, but we want it to be open to everyone who is interested.

Our Chair of Governors is Mrs Sally Walsh and she can be contacted by using the following email: swalsh@gkglt.co.uk .

Many of our governors are linked to specific subjects or areas for monitoring and this governor also liaises with the subject leader for that area. Our governor who is responsible for monitoring Safeguarding is Mrs Swinbourn.  The following list shows the areas specific governors are responsible for:

The governors are also responsible for ensuring the school meets its Public Sector Equality Duty. In practice this means that the governors audit the school to ensure that any issues with things such as under performance, poor progression, and bullying are dealt with without any prejudice or bias. The school has an Equality Act statement which can be accessed by clicking the link below.

One of the ways this is monitored is through governor visits ensuring the effectiveness of the Christian vision, Headteacher reports and the LGB meetings. The school is committed to ensuring that all groups of pupils have equal opportunities within a mainstream school to access a broad and balanced curriculum.

Would you like to become a School Governor?

If you think you would be interested in joining our Governing Board, either representing  the Church, the Community, or as a parent please contact the School Office:

email: office@gkglt.co.uk or tel: 01844 346189.

It is possible for you to undertake ‘shadowing’ to enable you to see some of the roles, responsibilities and ways that we work. 

We currently have a vacancy for staff governor which is internally advertised at the school. This page will be updated once a successful appointment has been made.

If you would like to be a governor, no formal qualifications are required; you will need common sense, time, enthusiasm and a commitment to working as part of a team. Our Kimble governors come from different backgrounds and have a variety of skills and life experience. However, we all share a commitment to the school and to maintaining high quality education within our local village for all pupils.

Any governor can be contacted by leaving a message with the school office or via email to the Chair of Governors on swalsh@gkglt.co.uk 

Questionnaires and feedback

Part of the Governing Board’s role is to see where the school is performing well and also those areas that we could improve further. Whilst we appreciate that, as part of a small school, many of you will regularly pop in to speak to members of staff when issues arise or when you need clarification about a certain date, it is one of our duties to distribute a formal questionnaire. Previous questionnaires have led to the introduction of ‘Over subscription to extra-curricular clubs policy’, information sheets on childhood diseases and how long to keep children off school, and a half termly opportunity for parents to come in after school and see their children’s work. We have also noted your request to have more prompts in newsletters about how to help your child at home.

It is always useful to have feedback from parents and other stakeholders as it helps us to evaluate and move the school forwards.  If you wish to give feedback in between the formal questionnaires it will be gratefully received and reviewed. Please email or leave any comments in a sealed envelope at the school office.

Financial Information

Financial information can be found on The Great Learners Trust website on the MAT Statutory Information page and the Financial Reports page.

Please click here for Great Learners Trust - Local Governing Boards and Schemes of Delegation