Governors
What governors do
Governors are strategic leaders within schools and have a vital role to play in making sure every child gets the best possible education.
The role of the school governor
Governing bodies have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and direction
- Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of the staff
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent
Each individual governor is a member of a governing body and all decisions are the joint responsibility of the governing body.
Tavistock Governors
The governors of Tavistock Infant School are a small and committed group of busy people who enjoy being part of the school’s leadership team. Our role is to support and challenge the school as it works to deliver the best possible educational experience for its children, and strives to adhere to its statutory responsibilities. School governors are appointed to serve for four years. Details of governors’ attendance and pecuniary interests can be found in the document below.
The governors welcome contact with parents, staff and children and make themselves available at school whenever possible. If you would like to contact the governors, please email the Chair at chair@tavistockgovernor.org.uk
Positions of responsibility/committees:
Tavistock Infant School Governing Body: Roles
Governors’ Register of Interests 2023-2024
Governors’ Attendance 2023-2024
Governors’ Register of Interests 2022-2023
Governors’ Attendance 2022-2023
Governors’ Attendance 2021-2022
Governors’ Roles and Responsibilities October 2021
Governors’ Register of Interests 2021
Governors’ Roles & Responsibilities – January 2021
Governors’ Details, Attendance & Pecuniary Interests 2020-2021
Governors’ Details Attendance & Pecuniary Interests 2019-2020
Governors’ Newsletters
Governors
Mrs Joanne O’Connor
Category of Governor: Staff
Headteacher
Edward Stacey
Category of governor: Co-opted and Chair
Appointed date: 15 July 2021
Pecuniary interests: None
I joined the governing body in September 2017. I live in Fleet although was born and grew up in Bath. I have three children, all of whom have been pupils in the school and all of them have had a wonderful learning experience with Joanne and her marvellous team of teaching staff. I am a qualified solicitor and have recently been appointed the UK senior partner of one of the world’s largest law firms. My specialism is employment law with a particular focus on discrimination, diversity and inclusion and contentious issues. At Tavistock, I am chair and look forward to contributing to the governing body in the coming years.
Kerrie Cole
Category of governor: Co-opted
Appointed date: 15 July 2021
Pecuniary interests: None
My name is Kerrie Cole and I have been part of the Governing Body at Tavistock since June 2017. I have two daughters who both attended Tavistock. Because of my professional experience I have a passion for offering school children quality food that gives them the sustenance to learn throughout the day. My job involves strategic planning; managing large teams of people; detailed finance work; and lots of problem solving – all useful skills for a Governor. Tavistock was not actually my first choice for my eldest daughter, due to geography, but ever since I have been involved with Tavistock I have been completely bowled over by the school’s vision and ethos. It was categorically my first choice for my second daughter! I am thrilled about the education my children received in a very happy environment, and this is what prompted me to be more involved with the school in a Governor role. I
want to be a part of this school and to support it in any way possible so that it continues to be such an inspiring place.
Nick Parker
Category of governor: Co-opted
Appointed date: 15 July 2021
Pecuniary interests: LEA employee
I have served for a number of years as a Governor at Tavistock, having previously had a child at the school. I’ve served on two other Governing Bodies as a Staff Representative but now enjoy contributing in different ways. I have further personal connections to the school as I actually attended Tavistock as a child and grew up on the Calthorpe Park estate! With over 20 years of teaching and school leadership behind me I have much to offer including an acute understanding of what it is like ‘on the shop floor’ and how Governors can best contribute to the continuing success of the school in a strategic manner. Away from teaching I have a keen interest in sports and food and always look forward to the next holiday!
Andrew Brown
Category of governor: Co-opted Governor
Appointed date: 25 September 2023
Pecuniary interests: None
After over 20 years in corporate life I relished the opportunity to give something back to my local community. I am hugely impressed with the nurturing style and wide-ranging approach to education adopted by Mrs O’Connor and her team. I hope that I will be able to use my skills and experience to support the incredibly hard-working staff at the school. Alongside running my business, I am Dad to my daughter and son, who both went to Tavistock. When not running around after them, I am training for various sporting activities.
Claire Jamfrey
Category of governor: Staff
Appointed date: 17 October 2021
Dawn Wells
Category of governor: Co-opted Governor
Appointed date: 23 March 2022
Pecuniary interests: None
I joined the Governors in March 2022 as I’m not originally from Fleet and wanted a way to get involved in the local community. I have already seen first-hand how fantastic the school is with supporting the children and wanted to be part of the team helping them continue to do that. The skills I have from over 15 years in HR are really useful in a Governor role. Outside of work I have two children, the oldest of which is currently at Tavistock, so they, along with a house that needs lots of renovation, take up most of my time!
Dagmara Stajkowska-Kahane
Category of governor: Co-opted
Appointed date: 17th October 2022
Pecuniary interests: None
My name is Dagmara Stajkowska-Kahane and I been a governor since October 2022. I have two daughters, one already attending Tavistock Infant School, and another one due to join in 2024. I am a Polish national with both my parents coming from a teaching background and having given me some insight into school life from their perspective.
My polytechnic studies resulted in an MSc in Material Engineering, following a diploma, after which I emigrated to work in the UK. Following that I worked in Germany and then returned to UK again to work within the automotive and aerospace industry, mostly within quality departments connected with material knowledge and testing. A bit of a rocket scientist, you might say! My former manager – head of quality told me that I am unlikely to last long on maternity leave and that he could not imagine me not returning to the company – probably a result of the fact that I always gave 100% at work and I would enjoy every moment working with colleagues. Since then, I am a contented, full-time parent, enabling me to offer my time and efforts to the school and community.
I most admire dedication in people – no matter what they do, or whatever profession they represent. Tavistock Infant School has an incredibly inspiring and enthusiastic team who are a great privilege to work with. I am proud to be able to add my skills and experience in order to Achieve Happily Together.
In my spare time, I like to do work on home improvements with the aim of making my children’s lives easier. Otherwise, I have a passion for science, nature, DIY, and the simple things in life.
Timo York
Category of governor: Co-opted
Appointed date: 17th October 2022
Pecuniary interests: None
I joined the Governing Body in November ’22 as a co-opted governor. I moved to Fleet in 2019 and my son started Year R in Sept ’22. Professionally, I’m a Product Manager, working to understand customer’s needs and problems and solving these through the application of technology. When I’m not doing that, I can usually be found playing with Lego, model cars or biking. I enjoy getting involved, learning more, and contributing my skills and experience to the ongoing success of Tavistock Infant School.
Sophie Bellchambers
Category of governor: Parent Governor
Appointed date: 17th October 2022
Pecuniary interests: None
Having moved to Fleet from London with my husband and two young children during the lockdown of 2020, I really felt I was missing a “community”. However this all changed once my daughter started at Tavistock in 2021. It’s a wonderful school driven by an exceptionally nurturing head and staff and I want to support them in continuing to make it a happy and thriving environment for current and future pupils and their families.
Aside from being a mum, I’ve worked for over 15 years in the Advertising industry and I also like to dabble in a bit of furniture up-cycling on the side!
Laura Griffiths
Lynne Lawrence
Clerk