A Welcome From Our New Chair of Governors

Dear Parents,

This half term, we were very sad to say goodbye to our Chair of Governors, Mrs. Sue Durrant. Sue had served as a governor here for thirty years, and as Chair for twenty. As Sue steps down, we would like to offer a heartfelt "thank you" for her service to the school, and we wish her all the very best. On a personal note, I thank Sue for her kindness to me as incoming Headteacher, and the support she offered in those first tricky weeks.

We are also very pleased to accept Mr. Mark Emly into the role of Chair. Mark is a very familiar face around school among staff, and with the children, who have been so keen to share what they're learning on Mark's visits into school.

Please read Mark's letter to parents below:

At our recent Governing Board meeting I was appointed Chair and I therefore wanted to introduce myself to you. Before I do so it is very important that I take this opportunity to thank Sue Durrant, our previous Chair, for her significant and hugely impressive contribution to the school and all associated with it, over 30 years as a governor and 20 plus years as Chair. We have all benefitted hugely from her knowledge and expertise and valued her wisdom and insight.

 On a personal note, our family have lived in the village for over thirty years and we have had three children attend All Saints School, all of whom are now grown up. I have been on the Governing Board at the school for many years, predominantly as a Foundation Governor (one who is appointed by the Church) and then additionally most recently as Vice-Chair. I am also a Church Warden at All Saints Church.

 I have had a career in education, initially as a teacher in special schools in three local authorities and then in senior leadership positions including headship of two special schools. My roles over the next 16 years were with a Local Authority and included being a school improvement adviser, senior adviser and subsequently in a strategic role as Assistant Director for Learning, Access and Inclusion. I now work as an independent education consultant and I am also currently Chair of Trustees of a multi-academy trust.

 We have a group of governors with a breadth of expertise and knowledge, who with me, are very much committed to working with staff and yourselves in helping the young people in our school achieve the best possible outcomes and be as well prepared as they can be for their next stage in education and for their lives beyond school. We will be posting on the website who our governors are and the updated list of responsibilities they hold and the sub-committees they attend.