Governors
Governors are the school’s critical friends. We are there to support Nicki set the school’s direction and stay focused on it. We establish the school’s vision, which we use to help our strategic thinking.
Role of the School Governors
The purpose of any school governing body is to ‘Conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement at the school’.
As with all schools, our governing body has a strong focus on three core strategic 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; and
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Parents can contact governors at any time, either via parent governors they know, or via the school office.
Becoming a School Governor
There are many ways to become a governor – just speak to Ms Boast or one of us through the school.
The Full Governing Board
Our Governors (ID 1042)
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Keith RatcliffeChair & Foundation Governor
Keith Ratcliffe
Lead Governor for Quality of Education, SIAMS, Mathematics, Data, Finance, and School Website / complianceMy eldest child is in reception and I have two younger children. I have a long-term interest in the whole school community, supporting the educational performance of the school, its pupils and staff, and helping to move the school forward. I have a strong academic background and hold a doctorate in Applied Mathematics. I am locally employed as a manager in the Civil Service, responsible for the delivery of a large Science and Technology programme to time, cost and performance. -
Richard ShirreffVice Chair & Foundation Governor
Richard Shirreff
Lead Governor for SIAMS, SEND & Inclusion, Wellbeing, CareersI was born in Kenya in 1955 where I spent my early years. Educated in England, I graduated from Exeter College, Oxford (Modern History) before being commissioned into the British Army from Sandhurst. In my 37-year career, I commanded soldiers on operations at every level from platoon to division. This has included combat in the Gulf War of 1991 as a tank squadron leader and again in Iraq as a divisional commander, together with other operations in Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Bosnia. In addition, I had extensive staff experience at brigade, Army HQ and in the Ministry of Defence.I commanded NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps andmy final military assignment was NATO’s 4 Star Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR). In February 2016, I co-founded Strategia Worldwide Ltd, a global risk advisory company, which has since built up a sizeable portfolio of clients across different industrial sectors. In May 2022, Strategia was acquired by Sigma7 Global Risk Outcomes of which isIam now Executive Vice Chairman. In 2016my novel ‘2017: War with Russia’ was published in the UK, USA and Poland. It became a best seller and has been translated into eight languages. I am an honorary fellow of Exeter College, Oxford. -
Canon Eleanor RanceFoundation Governor
Canon Eleanor Rance
Lead Governor for Pupil Premium/ Disadvantaged, Early Years (Primary), SIAMSI have been ex-officio governor at this school since 2013 and before that a community governor in primary and nursery education in a variety of different settings since 2000. Here, I am particularly interested in supporting staff with the vision and values of our school, with the curriculum and with pastoral matters. Having served as a chaplain in the RAF, I also highly value the support extended to service families in schools. As the Rector for this parish, I enjoy spending time with this community regularly - either in church for collective worship or in school for class visits. -
Antoinette FishFoundation Governor
Antoinette Fish
Lead Governor for Safeguarding & attendance, English, Religious Education, SIAMSI live in Market Lavington, I'm married and have two grown up children. By day I’m a self employed first aid, health and safety and mental health trainer. By night I’m an avid reader, love going to the cinema and theatre and my guilty pleasure is “strictly come dancing”! -
Hannah GrummittFoundation Governor
Hannah Grummitt
Lead governor for Quality of Education
I am currently a full time Mummy to 3 fabulous children. My background is in the management of outdoor therapy and riding centres. I am qualified in social and therapeutic horticulture and as a horse-riding coach. I am a keen gardener, horse rider and love being outdoors. I firmly believe that school should be fun, and want to see all children develop a love of learning during their time at St Thomas a Becket.
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Nicki BoastStaff Governor
Nicki Boast
I meet with governors regularly to report on curriculum, budget, resources and progress relating to the school improvement plan. Governors hold me to account by asking challenging questions during meetings and monitoring visits. I have worked at St Thomas à Becket since 2016. As a leader, I am committed to our school’s vision and Christian values. I lead with love by building and nurturing high-quality and meaningful relationships between all members of our school community to enable all to flourish. Our values can be seen in the quality of our relationships which are based on respect for all and an understanding that we are all valued.
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Chloe StobbartStaff Governor
Chloe Stobbart
I am a class teacher in our Skylark class, teaching Reception, Year 1 and Year Two. I also lead EYFS, English and Phonics and Early Reading and have recently been appointed as a national trainer for our phonics programme, Essential Letters and Sounds. I have worked at St Thomas a Becket for four years after joining following my training at the University of Plymouth. Outside teaching I enjoy travelling, reading and swimming and am also currently completing a Masters degree in Educational Psychology.
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Lydia CoventryParent Governor
Lydia Coventry
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Venetia TuckerClerk to the Governors
Venetia Tucker