I have been on the governing body since November 2023 and have lived in Crowmarsh Gifford for several years. I have three grown up daughters and 4 grandchildren, 3 of whom attend Crowmarsh Gifford School. I work as a  HR professional, in between childcare and eldercare I enjoy gardening, open water swimming and rekindling my love of piano and violin playing.

Hi, I’m Clare and I’m a parent governor as well as the Vice-Chair.  We are here to help plan the school’s strategic direction and make sure the children of Crowmarsh are in the best possible position they can be, to support their futures.  Every single child matters and all decisions we make have to be in the best interest of the children.  

Part of my role is to be the governor contact for the PE, DT, Computing & PSHE teacher leads. Here I look at how those curriculums are being taught and evidence of learning and look at plans for the next academic year.

I am a College Principal of a private language school and feel I have many transferable skills; my college has passed 5 inspections with outstanding, I am designated lead safeguarding officer, responsible for a very large budget, trained mental health first aider, and health and safety officer to name a few.  I have also been an inspector within my own sector which helps with looking at oversight and accountability.

In my spare time, I’m a rugby coach for the U6’s and am first aid trained for that role.

I’m here nominally as one of three Foundation Governors; as a practising Christian, I want to strengthen the relationship between school and church, and focus on the best foundation of kindness, mutual respect, and compassion, for every child.

I’m also here as an English teacher of ten years’ experience, mainly at a boys’ secondary school, and I would like to support our excellent teachers to reinforce reading and writing skills for each pupil throughout the school. As a mother myself I have very vested interest in everything that happens at school and I hope as an approachable fellow parent I can serve the school well as a Governor.

I was delighted to become a governor at Crowmarsh Gifford in January 2024. I have lived in the local community for over 10 years and am passionate about the role that comprehensive education can play in young people’s lives.

I started my teaching career in South East London and have worked in a variety of different settings and across phases. I have over 15 years experience in school leadership and have a particular interest in the strategic leadership of the curriculum.

The values and ethos of Crowmarsh Gifford Primary School really resonate with me and I am looking forward to providing the school with support and challenge, when appropriate, to ensure the best outcomes for the young people in its care.

I am a retired teacher, now an author, who has lived in Crowmarsh for 4 years, but has had connections with the village for over 20 years. Generally to be seen with a beagle, Buddy,in tow.

I am an enthusiastic member of the congregation at St Mary Magdalene Crowmarsh and generally involved fully in the affairs of the local community.

I feel that it is very important to support the church school in the community. I have been a governor for a number of years and volunteer as a teaching assistant at the school, and enjoy both roles.

Having grown up in the New Forest, then studied in York, I moved to Oxfordshire over 20 years ago to complete my teacher training and have lived here ever since. My husband and I have two children, both of whom go to schools in Wallingford, and we often see friendly Crowmarsh faces as we’re out and about locally!

Since joining the team at Crowmarsh, I have been lucky to teach in both KS2 and KS1. I’m passionate about my role as a class teacher and consider myself very fortunate to be able to combine this with my other roles of SENDCo and Deputy Head. With its wonderful, positive ethos and really supportive wider school community, Crowmarsh is genuinely a great place to work - I enjoy coming to school each day to teach and support the children, staff and families to the very best of my ability.

As a governor, representing the staff on the Governing Body since 2017, I’m keen to strengthen relationships between governors, staff and parents to ensure the effective ongoing development and improvement of our school.

I’ve lived in Crowmarsh / Wallingford for 14 years and have three children currently at the school.

My family have always taken a keen interest in the direction of the various clubs, schools etc that our children have been involved in. I am passionate to work with the school and other Governor’s, to work through key decisions to shape the future of the school and to further enhance its reputation.

Professionally I am a Project Director with a Tier 1 Contractor leading a diverse team in the delivery of a large Project in West London. I am very keen to share any skills learnt from my workplace to the Governing Body and have a vested interest in Crowmarsh Gifford Church of England Primary School.

I have three daughters, all of whom are loving Crowmarsh Gifford School and have done so since joining. Since my first experience of the school I’ve been excited for them to be educated in such a positive environment and hope that I can be a part of the school’s progress in the years to come. 

Away from my role as a governor, I have been a maths teacher and senior leader for over 15 years and very much enjoy using my holidays for long family trips abroad, to get as much sand or snow time as possible. 

I came to Crowmarsh as Team Vicar for the Wallingford Benefice in 2016, joining the governing body soon afterwards.  As I share with the children, I love the fact that Crowmarsh Primary is a Church School and that St Mary Magdalene’s is the school’s church where they can feel at home.  I visit the school each week to lead our Collective Worship and make myself available for any pastoral discussions with pupils or staff.

As a former IT Consultant and Company Director, who finally gave in to my calling to become a priest, it feels like I’m now some kind of holy general manager.  My ministry covers Brightwell-cum-Sotwell as well as Crowmarsh, so I chair two PCCs, am a trustee of two village charities and serve as the Chaplain for our local ATC Squadron.

Having practiced my parenting skills on my two children, now grown up, it is my Springer Spaniel (Ralph) who takes up most of my free time, often joining me in a canoe on the river or in my MG Midget.

I have lived in the village for most of my life. My son attended the school in the late 90s early 2000s.

Since joining the governing body I have been actively involved in the many structural enhancements that the school have undertaken. These have enabled the school to become single year entry and to bring the pre-school on to site.

During my time as a Governor, I have been proud to support the staff and Headteacher to provide a safe and convivial work and learning environment.

I am now enjoying a happy retirement from a varied number of occupations