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Governors

We, the members of the Governing Body, are extremely proud of our successful small school and encourage any enquiries.

 

The school was originally founded in 1811 and there are strong links with the Oxford Diocese. The school opened, officially, in 1811 and now consists of the original school building- which is currently used as a hall- and a more modern block (1970's) which houses classrooms, library and offices and our newest 21st Century buildings for Key Stage one and our Wellbeing space "The Riverbank" completed in 2024.

 

Our light airy classrooms are very well resourced with the latest technology for learning including interactive whiteboards in each classroom area. We are very fortunate to have wonderful outdoor facilities with an extensive activity area, forest school area  and  large, secure sports field.

 

The school has a reputation for high levels of achievement and attainment, with standards consistently above national and local averages, the year 2023-2024 was no exception!

 

Our caring and dedicated staff work hard to sustain these high standards through a broad and rich curriculum.  Alongside this, our staff are aware of the importance of underpinning our commitment  of ensuring our pupils develop a love of learning- for life and become responsible individuals, equipped to be part of our their communities -whether in our school, church, village communities, or as global citizens. We have a good relationship with parents and the local community, which is pivotal to the success and development of our pupils.

 

Regular newsletters and website4 updates keep parents fully informed and parents are always welcomed as a partner in their child’s education.

 

Should your child attend Whaddon School, we look forward to working with you and that you will find your relationship with the school happy and rewarding.

 

Our Governors

WHADDON SCHOOL GOVERNORS

 

 Chair of Governors

Ms. Verity Threlfell (Foundation Governor)

 

 Co-vice chair of Governors

Ms Kim Clarke (Parent Governor)

Mrs. Anne Tolfree (Parent Governor)

  

Foundation Governors

Mrs Rachael MacIntyre  

Mrs Amanda Hardman 

Mrs. Linda Chapman

Mr. Rob Spencer 

  

Parent Governors

Mrs. Anne Tolfree

Mrs. Kim Clarke

 

 

Local Authority Governors

Vacancy

 

Staff Governor

Mrs. Kathy Rudiger Reception class teacher

 

Headteacher Governor

Mrs. Sarah Prior

 

Foundation Ex Officio

Rev Jacqueline Dove

 

 

Governor Meeting Attendance & Interests

Governor Profiles

 

Ms. Verity Threlfell (Chair of Governors, foundation Governor, GPF committee member, performance management Governor, Year 5/6 Governor, maths Governor, History and Geography Governor, Sports Governor, music Governor, MFL Governor, newsletter Governor)

 

Verity is a civil servant and an experienced governor, having previously served on the governing board of a central London primary which went from an Ofsted rating of “Requires Improvement” to “Outstanding”. She moved to Whaddon in 2019 and joined the Board in 2020, keen to play a role in this very different school. She has two children who attend the school.

 
Mrs. Amanda Hardman (foundation Governor, chair of GPF committee, CPW committee member, Early Years Governor, child protection and safeguarding Governor, SEND  Governor, Pupil Premium Governor)
 

 I moved to the village in April 2019, with my husband and our three sons. We undertook  a large  extension and renovation of our home, in 2020 (which will be finished, one day!).  Our family grew with the addition of our identical twin daughters.  Alongside helping my husband run his garden room and carpentry business, I am currently a stay-at-home Mum for our five children.  but my background is in childcare and education, since I left school at sixteen years old.  I was the chair of Governors until August 2024 and I am now the chair of the General Purposes and Finance Committee.

 

Mrs. Rachael MacIntyre (foundation Governor, GPF committee member, performance management Governor, equalities Governor) 

Rachael is a foundation Governor and lives in the Village.  Rachael was originally a parent governor when her daughter attended the School and decided to maintain her role as Governor when her daughter moved to her next school.  Rachael has a second child who was part of the first Year 6 cohort of Whaddon School.  Rachael is a Solicitor, by profession, and has advised and represented Schools in various matters during her work.  Rachael’s skills sit well with the General Purposes and Finance Committee, which deals with the finance and management of the school.  She is also a Governor for Performance Management and equalities Governor.

 

Mrs. Linda Chapman (foundation Governor,  CPW committee member, Year 3 / 4 Governor, Health & Safety Governor)

 Linda is a Foundation Governor and has previously worked in a range of roles within the education sector, for over twenty years. She has recently changed her career path and as such is currently enjoying studying. Linda has welcomed the opportunity to utilise her knowledge and skills in her role on the Governing Board since January 2024.

 

Mr. Rob Spencer (foundation Governor, GPF committee member, GDPR Governor, digital technology and standards Governor, Science Governor, computing Governor )

 I'm Rob Spencer.  I Joined, as a foundation Governor, in 2024 and live near Whaddon with my wife and daughter, who attends the school.  I am currently Head of service Delivery for Open Banking Ltd. which is the standards body and trust anchor for the UK's Open Banking ecosystem.  I manage technology controls and processes to support the banks and regulated third party providers.

                                                                                                                     

Mrs. Kim Clarke (co- vice chair Governor, CPW committee member, parent Governor, performance management Governor, Health & Safety Governor, SEND Governor, policy Governor, website Governor, art and DT Governor) 

My name is Kim Clarke and my daughter joined the school in 2022.  We have lived in Beachampton, since just before our daughter was born.

I left a career in Governance and change and project management to be a full-time mum and returned to work two years ago, managing content and communications for a local small legacy planning business.

My passions are: writing, crafting and getting lost in a great book. My husband Sam and I are both in love with Canada and plan to be living there, one day.

  

Mrs. Anne Tolfree (co- vice chair Governor, chair of CPW committee, parent Governor, development Governor, educational visits Governor, English Governor, Grants Governor) 

I'm Anne Tolfree and my son joined Whaddon School, in September 2023. I have lived in the village, since 2018 with my husband and step-child and three dogs. I am currently the Head of Talent Acquisition for DHL Supply Chain where I recruit for all Functional and Senior Operations roles.  When not working,  I love being outside, exercising and going away, in our "not finished" camper van! 

 
Mrs. Sarah Prior (Headteacher Governor, GPF committee member, CPW committee member)
 
Sarah Prior is Headteacher governor and as such attends all governor meetings. Sarah Prior has over 23 years experience working in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes, in both mainstream and specialist schools and has been the proud headteacher of Whaddon Church of England School, since September 2022. Mrs Prior is the SENCO, DSL and pupil premium lead at the school.
 
  
Mrs. Kathy Rudiger (Staff Governor, CPW committee member) 
 
Kathy Rudiger is a class teacher and staff Governor and attends Full Governing Body meetings and Curriculum & Pupil Welfare meetings.
 
 
Reverend Jacqueline Dove (ex officio Governor, CPW committee member, admissions appeal Governor,   Year 1 / 2 Governor, PSHCE Governor, R.E Governor) 
 
I am the Rector (designate) for the Blackthorn Chase Benefice which is a new benefice which includes the parishes of Beachampton, Nash, Thornborough and Whaddon. I was born in Zambia and have lived in Britain, South Africa, Mozambique and France. In Mozambique I started a Nursery School and home schooled my two children, out of necessity. I love children and feel they have a lot to offer to the world, after all Jesus said we need childlike trust and wisdom if we are to fully grasp the way of love. Having home-schooled my children I think teachers are absolute heroes.