Welcome to the Governor's Section!

At Cuxton Community Infant School we have a committed and dedicated Governing Body.  All governors work to ensure the effective management of the school, alongside the Head and her Deputy, and contribute a range of skills from a variety of backgrounds.  The relationship between the Governors and the Headteacher and staff is one of support and challenge.

Governors are volunteers who serve a period of four years.  Our Governors are often in school, formally and informally, keeping in touch with school life.  Our Governors meet regularly throughout the year, either as a 'whole body' or in sub committees.

Governors have some input on the following:

• How the school budget will be spent
• Long term plans and the direction of the school
• School policies
• Health and Safety, and the repair and maintenance of the school
• The quality of provision for all children, and setting targets for improvement
• Attendance
• Staffing matters
• Parental queries.

If you are interested in becoming a Governor, or knowing more about the role, please contact the school or Mrs Gill Hutcheon, clerk to the Governing Body.

Ian Harper, Chairman, Chair of Governors, Authority Governor
School Links - Numeracy, Assessment, Performance Management, Exclusion Appeals Panel
I am Chair of Governors at Cuxton Community Infant School. I have been a Governor now for over 10 years and Chair for the last 6 years. I joined the Governing Body when my first son started at the Infants. My second son also attended, before they each progressed through the juniors, and they are both now at the Math school. My connection with the school commenced in September 1971 when I started as a pupil.

My original reason for wanting to become a Governor was to gain a greater understanding of what goes on within the school and to assist wherever I could. I have a background in finance so I take a close interest in the budget and in helping to manage the people that make up the school community. Over the years, the budget has presented us with some challenges (none more so than today) but we have always worked as a team to use the funds we receive from the local authority in the most efficient way possible, taking into account the pupils we have in school at the time. Having said that, I have also turned my hand to painting, gardening, sourcing kitchens, leaflet drops and removals all as part of helping the school run as effectively as it does.

I liaise with the local authority to represent the school, and the Governing Body as a whole, to ensure that issues that are relevant to Cuxton Community Infants are considered and our opinion heard. I also meet with OFSTED when they visit us, most recently at the beginning of February 2011.  I was delighted that they confirmed our belief that we are a good school with some outstanding elements.  This is the first line of the report from the lead inspector:

"This good school provides outstanding care, guidance and support for all its pupils, enabling them to feel exceptionally safe and to grow in confidence."

I really enjoy the role and like to feel that I am making a difference to the education and development of the youngest people in our community.

Jenny Jones – Vice Chair of Governors, Authority Governor
School Links - Sundridge Class Link - Performance Management - Early Years - Sex & Relationships
I have lived in Cuxton since 1966 and my three daughters attended school both at the infant and junior school. I have been a governor at the junior and infant school, mainly at the Infants, for many years where I have helped with SEN children, reading and craft work. On Wednesdays, I have welcomed Senior Citizens in school for lunch with the children as part of the school’s community work.

I have seen many changes over the years, but the school goes from strength to strength, with very good OFSTED results, providing a friendly, happy and excellent learning base for the children aided by a dedicated and excellent teaching staff.

Gilly Knight, Community Governor
School Links - Bush Class Link - SEN & Inclusion - RE - Collective Worship - PSHE & Citizenship
I am now retired after working for twenty years in Education and mainly in the primary sector. I believe the foundation years are critical in shaping a child’s future and I am keen to be involved in the ever changing challenge of education today, in an outstanding school.

Neil Jerome, Community Governor
School Links - Child Protection - Literacy - Art - Design Technology - Exclusion Appeals Panel
Having lived in the village all my life, working locally and having sent my two children to the school I feel strongly about contributing to the life of the school and improving the lives of the young people of the village and surrounding area. The role of the governor is a vital one in providing local accountability, meeting the needs of the local community and acting as a critical friend to the staff and in particular the head teacher. Cuxton infants is a strong school with a supportive ethos and a proven track record in helping children achieve their potential and as a governor I hope to help that to continue for the future.

Claire Curtis, Community Governor
School Links - Marina Class Link - History - Extended Schools - School Grounds
I have lived in either Cuxton or Halling for 32 years, and I became a Parent Governor in 2005, when my daughter started school. She has grown to become a very bright, confident child and I feel that this is due to the wonderful family atmosphere that she was involved in whilst at the Infants. I became a School Governor to help contribute to the fantastic caring ethos of our school and have learnt over time that this is a continuing aspect of its being. The staff are fantastic as are our children. Since taking early severance from work in December 2009, I have been able to help out , in class, on a voluntary basis, this is a very rewarding task, although somewhat tiring!

I am now a Community Governor, following my election to Cuxton Parish Council, and still enjoy the involvement as much as I did when I joined. It is an association that I hope will continue for a long time yet.”

Donna Thompson, Parent Governor
School Links - Ranscombe Class Link - Science
I’m Donna Thompson. I have two children, one in Cuxton Junior school and one in Cuxton Infants.  I work locally within childcare and hold an NNEB qualification. 

Being a parent governor is a super opportunity to become involved in my child's education and to be able to make a positive contribution to Cuxton Community Infant school.  I am enthusiastic about this school and our children's learning.  School is one of the most interesting places, and I am priviliged to be a part of it.

Peter Morley, Parent Governor
School Links - Mays Class Link - ICT
My name is Peter Morley and I have lived in Cuxton most of my life. I attended both the infant and the junior schools. I have three children, two attend Cuxton schools. I work as a computer programmer which I hope will help the school with computer issues. I also have an understanding of children who have been looked after in the community.

Deana Fowle, Parent Governor
School Links - Mays Class Link - PE - School Grounds
I have been a parent governor for 2 years. I wanted to become a governor so I was in a position to be more informed about how schools run and to be in a position to influence decisions around my children’s education. I have one child in the infants and another in the juniors. I am a part time children’s physiotherapist and support Cuxton Infants by running movement groups for children with an identified physical need.

Sharon Ward, Parent Governor
School Links - Ranscombe Class Link - Geography
I am a parent governor.  I have two children, both of whom have been educated at Cuxton Infant school.  I decided to become a parent governor because I am interested in my children's education, and the education of others in the village and beyond.  I want to be able to support our local school and be able to share my personal and professional experiences in relation to children's education, and enable them to make a positive contribution in our community.

Lee Fomes, Parent Governor
School Links - Bush Class Link - Music
Since moving to Cuxton seven years ago, I have been impressed with the village atmosphere, having always felt welcome and able to rely on friends and neighbours for help when needed, and now feel the need to contribute to its success.

The role of parent governor interests me for two reasons: I have two children of my own, currently in Year 1, so am keen to get involved with their education, and because I hope to make education my career in the future, I am keen to immerse myself in the whole process.  I feel I could provide a neutral eye to the running of the school, and am very keen to do so.  Having been impressed with the school, not to mention its impeccable reputation, I am very keen to help in any way I can, and look forward to doing so.

Neil Curtis, Authority Governor
School Links - Marina Class Link - Health & Safety
I am one of the Local Education Authority appointed governors, and the clerk to Cuxton Parish Council.

My daughter attended Cuxton Infant school and I have no doubt that the skill and dedication of all the staff and supportive atmosphere of the whole school was responsible for the fantastic start she has made to her education.

I became a governor to support the school, ensure that children continue to receive the same wonderful start that my daughter received, and in some small way to repay the enormous debt that my daughter and I owe the school.

Sandra Jones, Staff Governor, Headteacher
I joined Cuxton Community Infant school in January 1999 as deputy head teacher and in 2001 became head teacher. Rather a steep learning curve in a short time! Leading and managing change in the current climate can be challenging but I enjoy each day. I am fortunate in working with a fantastic staff team, who have a wide range of skills and talents. They create a wonderful, warm and stimulating environment for our children. We all share the same vision, children first and we hope to give them the Foundations for life and future learning.

I am passionate about my work here, hoping to be a Headteacher for a few years yet, and wanting the school to continue to grow and flourish in order for us to meet even greater outcomes for our children and their families.

Lynda Robbins, Staff Governor, Teacher
I am currently a member of the teaching staff here at Cuxton Community Infant school, where I have taught within both the Foundation stage and key Stage 1. I have a responsibility to oversee the development of several subjects within the curriculum, with English/Literacy being my main focus area. I also mentor teaching students and support other teachers within the area through my work as a Leading Teacher for the local authority. My main purpose on the governing body is to act as a staff representative, sharing the views, issues and concerns of the staff within meetings as well as celebrating successes and achievements. Following meetings, I also feedback to staff regarding matters of interest discussed by the Governors. I recognise that it is important for staff and governors to work together to ensure the school continues to move forward in a happy and successful way, giving the children in our care the opportunity to develop strong “Foundations for life”.

Ann Chitty, Staff Governor, Teaching Assistant
My involvement with the school began when my daughter started in Reception and I came in to help with swimming as a helping Mum. This then grew to helping in two classes four mornings a week! I began working at the school five years ago as a Teaching Assistant, and as anyone who has ever asked me will know, I love my job. I felt the way to become more involved in the school and to help ensure its continued success, was to join the Governing Body, which I did in January 2009.