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Hertingfordbury Cowper Primary School home page

Hertingfordbury Cowper C of E (VA) Primary School

Rooted in Jesus, Growing in Wisdom, Overflowing with Thankfulness
Colossians 2:7

Meet the Governors

What do Governors do?

The governing body structure is:
 
two parent governors (elected by the parent body)
eight foundation governors (one elected by the Trustees, two by the Diocese of St Albans, four by the Parochial Parish Council plus the local priest) 
one local authority governor
one staff governor (elected by the staff)
the head teacher
one co-opted governor (co-opted by the governing body)
 
There are two main committees:
 
the Education Committee - responsible for issues related to the curriculum, teaching and learning and pupil achievement)
the Resources Committee - responsible for issues related to finance, premises and staffing

Governors’ Details and Register of Interests November 2024

Name

Appointing

Body

Term of

Office

Responsibility

Committee

Membership

Business 

Interests

Personal Relationship

with Staff (if any)

Rebecca Bradley

Diocese Education Board01/09/24 - 01/09/28Governor training, RE & SIAMS development, Music, GDPR

Resources

HT Pay & Appraisal

Vice Chair

 None
John GrubbLocal Authority08/05/23 - 07/05/27EYFS, Sustainability

Resources Committee (Chair), HT Pay & Appraisal

Carries out work for the Hertfordshire Primary Heads ForumNone

Caroline Baker

Parent

08/12/20 - 07/12/24

Admissions,

Premiums

Education Committee Chair

 

None

Charlotte WilliamsParent29/09/25 - 25/09/29 Resources Committee None
Lorraine GauldN/AN/A Education Committee, Resources CommitteeHeadteacherNone
Richard BeardDiocese Education Board01/09/25 - 31/08/29 Education CommitteeTeacherNone
Alan StewartN/AN/A

Safeguarding

Children Looked After
 Governor at Hertford St Andrew Primary School, HertfordNone
Paul RowbothamParochial Church Council26/09/23 - 25/09/27Admissions, SENDEducation Committee Married to a TA in the school
Rob LesterTrustees25/09/23 - 24/09/27Art & Design, Science

Resources Committee

HT Pay & Appraisal

 

 None
Jack HollisParochial Church Council30/09/24 - 29/09/28Reading, Writing & Oracy, Health & SafetyEducation Committee None
       

 

Governors that have left since August 2017

 

Helen Sizer - left staff 31/08/18 - subsequently reappointed as a Foundation governor (October 2018)

Gary O'Leary - stepped down 08/04/19

Andrew Biggs - term ended 31/08/19

Louise Archer - term ended 31/08/19

Stephanie Spenceley - term ended 31/08/19

Helen Sizer - stepped down 31-08-20

Gill Carr - term ended 31-08-20

Duncan Newton - stepped down because all his children have left the school 31/08/20

Ali Hoodless - term ended July 2023

Sarah Lynn - term ended July 2023

Craig Pettengell - child left the school for secondary school July 2024

Emma Davies - term ended July 2024

Liam Bailey - stepped down 11/11/24

Ritchie Coupes - term ended 31/08/25

Governor Profiles

Chair of Governors: John Grubb

I have been a school governor since February 2014 and became the Chair in October 2014. My link with the school is through my two granddaughters, one who left in 2016 and one who left on 2023. I spend time every week helping in classrooms as well as helping out with a variety of projects across the school. I taught in Hertfordshire for 33 years and was headteacher of two primary schools. I retired from headship in 2012 and I am now an educational consultant, mainly working on behalf of primary schools in Hertfordshire.

Vice Chair of Governors: Becky Bradley

I moved to Hertingfordbury in my late teens and whilst I now live in Hertford with my husband Tom, our son Theo and dog Cooper I still have close connections to the village through my parents living there and through St Mary’s where I have been a parishioner since my late teens. I am looking forward to playing my part in the continued success of this wonderful school. 

Charlotte Williams

I’m a mum of two, with my eldest attending Hertingfordbury Cowper, and I’m a proud banking professional. I have lived locally all my life and really value the sense of community that village life brings. I wanted to become a governor to support the school community and be a parental voice, and I am delighted to serve as a Parent Governor and member of the Resources Committee.

Jack Hollis

My wife, Amy, and I moved to Welwyn Garden City nearly ten years ago when we got married. We now have two daughters who attend the school. I am a practicing Christian and worship at Christchurch Baptist Church in Welwyn Garden City. In my professional capacity, I work as a Chartered Land Surveyor. I look forward to supporting the staff and my fellow governors with humility, helping the school to thrive as a place where children grow both academically and spiritually.

Rob Lester

I have been a resident of Letty Green for over 30 years with my wife Lyn and our two children. I retired over 10 years ago after 40 years of working in central London in commercial architecture.  During my time in Letty Green I have served as a Parish Councillor and for a number of years as chairman. My daughter, having moved from the Midlands 5 years ago, now lives in the village with her son who attends Hertingfordbury Cowper. As a Governor, I look forward to participating in the continued success of such a splendid school.

Paul Rowbotham

My wife Sharon and I were very lucky to of purchased a house in Birch Green in 2003 and  have 3 children ,Ella ,Lily and Charles who have all attended Hertingfordbury Cowper . I have been very blessed to of made friends in the parish with some local folk who also attended the school many moons ago! I have run my own business since 1995 in Hertford and enjoy cycling daily to work on The Cole Green Way . My son Charles, who loves golf and is a Young Ambassador for The England Golf Trust, is severely dyslexic and has Anaphylaxis , I have had experience in liaising with the necessary departments which deal with such issues in trying to support Charles moving forward in education and I will use my experience to support the school the best I can . I also enjoy playing golf too as well as gardening and the local wildlife.

Rev Alan Stewart

I am married to Rachel and we have two children Rosie and Elijah. In a previous life I have worked in retail and fashion design, but became a priest in 2003. I am responsible for St Mary’s church in Hertingfordbury and for St Andrew’s in Hertford. I’m fairly addicted to buying books and music from Amazon and enjoy painting, running and roller-skating!. Every week I lead two assemblies in school.