The Governing Body are proud to be part of the process at Cedars Primary School & Nursery that has created a safe and vibrant learning environment in which all our children can reach their potential and benefit from an exceptional standard of education. We feel privileged to be able to support the Head Teacher, Senior Leadership Team and the wider staff and support teams that work with the professionalism and dedication to make this all possible.
Mr Paul Wilson Chair of Governors
A Governing Body has the responsibility for ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction; holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils; overseeing the financial performance of the school; and making sure its money is well spent.
At Cedars the Governing Body meets once a term in full but most of the work is carried out in two main committees, the Teaching and Learning Committee, and the Resources Committee. These groups meet at least once a term with additional meetings held as required.
Governors at Cedars also do much more than this. They can be regular visitors to school, help out in class and be present at school events. They also bring a wealth of life and relevant professional experience from their different personal and career backgrounds, often helping with specific projects and initiatives.
The Governing Body of Cedars Primary School is structured in the ‘circle method’ of Governance. This means that all Governors oversee all aspects of the school’s work and meet regularly, every half term to discharge their duties.Â
As a school we recognise that a diversity of thought, voices and perspectives is essential to good governance and the effective running of any organisation. We regularly collect diversity information from our governors and, depending on current data, can use this to:
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However, we are unable to publish this information as it would mean that individual members of our governing body are identifiable.Â
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Elected by Parents
John Burgess
Jon Twilley
Elected by School Staff
Claire Pollendine
Appointed by Local Authority
Paul Wilson
Appointed by the Governing Body
Luke Smith
Claire McGarragh Charlotte Armstrong
Jo Goldsmith
Background
I am a long-term resident of Newport Pagnell and the father of an ex-pupil at Cedars with over 35 years working in the Information Technology sector, both in the UK and overseas across a range of sectors and many roles. Since January 2022 I have been leading an IT strategy and architecture team for a UK based transport project, giving me the opportunity to invest some time in the voluntary sector.
Skills Brought to the Governing Body
Strategic thinking & development, change control and management, customer service, vendor and 3rd party relationship management, technical knowledge (especially with IT), leadership & mentoring, plus a generally different (non-educational background) view to help challenge and support the brilliant team at Cedars.
Interests and Hobbies
Relaxing and spending time with my family including my gorgeous granddaughter, some very simple gardening.
Background
I moved to Milton Keynes at the age of 17 having joined the civil service in which I have now served 21 years. I moved to Newport Pagnell in 2005 and a few years later I then spent approximately 10 years serving overseas, before finally coming back to Newport Pagnell in 2019 with my young family. My professional background is Technology and Engineering based but upon my return my role has now developed into one as an adviser and risk owner on bespoke policy.
I am a professional member of two industry recognised bodies which envelopes core behaviours around professionalism and the need for continual professional development, over the years I have come to value those elements more and understand how they can affect the wellbeing of staff and feel that knowledge and experience is key to providing the best opportunities for all
As a parent of a pupil at Cedars, I am passionate about ensuring the future of our children at Cedars and wanted to give something back to the school. Hopefully utilising my experience in service delivery through to policy management which I have carried out in diverse settings and challenging environments I would like to help shape and support the school in delivering the best education it can to our future generations.
Skills Brought to Governing Body
Policy Management, Service Delivery Management, Health and Safety, customer service, technical knowledge, Continual Professional Development Knowledge, Risk Management. Other personal attributes such as a parent’s perspective, reliability, objectivity and an ability to critically analyse multiple perspectives.
Interests and Hobbies
Spending time with my family including watching my son learn to swim and attending Karate lessons with him. I enjoy fishing and taking my son on bike rides.
Background
I have been a resident of Newport Pagnell for 9 years. I have 13 years’ experience in the Education Technology sector, both with schools and in higher education. I have worked as a professional dancer as well as a dance and yoga teacher to children of all ages overseas. I currently teach dance to children with special needs in the local area.
Skills Brought to the Governing Body
I am passionate about the education of young people, as well as ensuring schools are running efficiently. I like to focus on strategic direction as I have a great understanding of the challenges schools face, with a keen focus on Personnel, professional development and special educational needs. I am keen to support Cedars in achieving their vision in a positive way.
Hobbies
I enjoy venturing to new places with my dog and partner, spending time with my goddaughter, reading and of course, dancing!
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Background
I have been a resident of Newport Pagnell for 9 years. I have 13 years’ experience in the Education Technology sector, both with schools and in higher education. I have worked as a professional dancer as well as a dance and yoga teacher to children of all ages overseas. I currently teach dance to children with special needs in the local area.
Skills Brought to the Governing Body
I am passionate about the education of young people, as well as ensuring schools are running efficiently. I like to focus on strategic direction as I have a great understanding of the challenges schools face, with a keen focus on Personnel, professional development and special educational needs. I am keen to support Cedars in achieving their vision in a positive way.
Hobbies
I enjoy venturing to new places with my dog and partner, spending time with my goddaughter, reading and of course, dancing!
BackgroundÂ
I moved to MK when a large oil company made MK its headquarters in 1996. In the late 90’s I joined another large city employer focused on retail where I stayed until 2013. During the course of my commercial career, fullfiied almost every retail role from sales forecasting, replenishment management up to Supply Director for our Chinese joint venture. Returning to the UK 2013 I called time on that chapter of my life to seek a new challenge. I spent 4 years running my own company which was successful in the short term, but would become unsustainable in the long term. In 2019 I became a qualified teacher, teaching mathematics. Have not had a more challenging, rewarding, stressful and enjoyable job sincei started working in the early 90’s
Skill Brought to the Govering Body
Excellent grasp of data, it’s interpretation and making use of that insight. An understanding of the challenges faced by all schools with a perspective of how commercial companies would address these. Financial management, budgeting and forecasting. Recognising that in all our lives change is the only constant.
Interests and Hobbies
Completed cycling the end to end (John o’Groats to Land’s End) in 10 days and like to get out on the bike as much as I can. Took up tennis last year and playing twice a week and loving it. At home we like to watch movies and play cards and games, every evening ends with a games of UNO with the kids before bed. Â
Background
I am Milton Keynes born and bred. I have also lived in and around Newport Pagnell for the last 6 years. I work as Head of Alliances for a Microsoft professional services company and have been in the IT sector for over 15 years. My son attends Cedars and my wife, mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law all attended the school, so we have a long historical family connection to the school.Â
Skills Brought to the Governing Body
Process and program development, strategic management, contract design and review, people management and leadership. As someone who is neurodiverse, I hope to support the growing voice of children with similar challenges. I am also a parent so have a vested interest and bring a parent’s perspective.Â
Interests and Hobbies
I love spending time with my wife and kids (I also have a daughter who will attend Cedars in the coming years). IÂ am a big football fan; I play as well as managing my sons U7 team at Newport Pagnell Town. I enjoy history, holidays and evenings out with friends.Â
Background
Having over 30 years experience of working in education: I have worked in a variety of schools in Milton Keynes. Cedars is the second school that I have been privileged to work in as Headteacher and I was a Deputy Head at a third school. I am passionate about early education and you will often find me with the youngest members of our school supporting the initial blocks of learning.
Skills brought to the Governing Body
I enjoy the challenge of school improvement and recognise the importance of the continuous journey. I have worked alongside the Ambition Institute delivering the transforming teaching project to my staff and I am currently working with the UCL Institute of Education facilitating courses for Early Careers Teachers. I have been a Governor at four different schools excluding my own schools!Â
Interests and Hobbies
I have a large family of four children but try to find time for reading, gardening and going on holiday!
Background
I have been teaching for 20 years and worked at Cedars for 15 of those. During my time at the school, I have had many roles but I am especially proud to be the Deputy Head. I have a passion for teaching and learning and developing myself professionally. In 2023, I completed my training as a Primary Mastery Specialist and I work for the Enigma Maths Hub along with the National Centre of Excellence for the Teaching of Mathematics. As a local leader of mathematics (LLME) I support local schools to develop their teaching for mastery as well as leading maths as a subject at Cedars.Â
Skills Brought to the Governing Body
I am committed to improving the education for all pupils and I strongly believe in the school’s vision and ethos. Â
Interests and Hobbies
In my spare time I like swimming, paddle boarding and gardening. I have two boys who keep me very busy with their hobbies.Â
Background
I have been a qualified teacher for 24 years and spent the last 15 of them at Cedars. Â Prior to this I was a fitness instructor and swimming teacher and also spent some time as a peripatetic brass teacher.
Skills Brought to the Governing Body
I have been a staff governor at several schools previously and always found the process of supporting the wider elements of school life (outside of delivering the curriculum) interesting and fulfilling. It is vital on a Governing Board to have a mix of skill sets and approaches and I can bring an inside view on day-to-day school life.
Interests and Hobbies
Outside of Cedars, I play in an amateur brass band and orchestra and am a keen runner (I like to be busy!).
