Castor Church of England Primary School Governors March 2023

Mr Alan Turner

Chair of Governors

I have been a School Governor (Co-opted) since June 2020 and took over as Chair of Governors in 2022.  Having lived in Ailsworth since 1981 and my children having started school at Castor Church of England Primary School, I am very much aware that the school is justifiably held in high regard.  It is important to me that the School continues to maintain this high reputation. 

My background is in the Health Service being a Consultant Surgeon at the Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals. Later, being the Medical Director and Interim Chief Executive of these Hospitals.  Latterly, mainly after I retired from the Health Service, I worked for several organisations assessing Poorly Performing Hospitals and Poorly Performing Doctors both nationally and internationally and was drafted in as Interim Medical Director or Interim Chief Executive.  Before retirement from the Health Service I was Chair of Local and Regional Medical Committees.

I have worked in the voluntary sector having completed my contracts within the Healthcare Sector the most recent being a member of and Chair of the Peterborough. Prison Independent Monitoring Board.

Mrs Julie Berry 

Parent Governor

Following a career of 20+ years at Thomas Cook in management positions, I am now an independent business consultant, specialising in strategy, project management, business development and commercial functions. 

I joined the board of governors as a parent governor in November 2019 and held the Vice Chair role during 2021/22.  My daughter joined the school 6 years ago and I have always been impressed by the community spirit at the school and how the values are very much aligned to my own. 

As governors. we have a collective responsibility to act in the best interests of the children and the school (regardless of which type of governor we are) and I use my experience from my working life to help shape the role that I can play on the governing body.  As chair of the Learning & Progress Committee, it is my role to ensure that we support the Leadership Team of the school whilst constructively challenging, when appropriate, to make sure that every child has the opportunity to develop to the best of their potential, regardless of ability. 

A little bit more about me?  I also have twin daughters at Arthur Mellows and am "mum" to a crazy cockapoo who keeps us all on our toes!!  In my spare time I am heavily involved in gymnastics as a regional judge and working for British Gymnastics as a tutor and assessor to develop new coaches.

Mrs Helen Boulton

Associate Member

As a former teacher at Castor Church of England Primary School, I was delighted to be invited on to the Governing Body as an associate member. I am now a lay Children’s Minister at St Kyneburgha’s church and so one of my main responsibilities is to maintain the excellent links we have between the church and the school within the community. I also provide support to the RE co-ordinator in her role and regularly lead worship. My role also enables me to communicate effectively with families about the worship and activities we provide at church, such as Sunday Children’s Church, Family Praise services and First Communion workshops. It’s wonderful to see so many of our school families playing an active part within our church and enjoying worship together.​​​​​

Mrs Binal Cadieu

Parent Governor

I have just joined the Board of Governors in 2022. I’m an experienced policy and project management professional currently working for the Mayor of London. Throughout my career, I have been responsible for overseeing multi-million pound projects in the fields of economic development, regeneration, investment and skills.  I therefore have a solid understanding of the strategic importance of developing the skills and education of our children. 

I have two children at the school and I’m really excited to be a Parent Governor because, along with a personal interest in the school, every child matters and education is an essential component of economic growth and prosperity. I enjoy contributing to developing individuals and am keen to support the learning environment. 

During my spare time, I love creating memories with family and friends, whether that be through fitness activities, travel or simply enjoying the local environment. 

Mr Steve Davies

Co-opted Governor

I am a recently retired Chartered Accountant having qualified with a large practice. In ‘practice’ I worked in the UK and for 3 years overseas. For 30 years I worked for 2 large groups in the UK in mainly’ hands on’ roles.   I feel very strongly that a good standard of varied education is essential to give people a well balanced outlook on life  and promote a sense of belonging and fairness in our society. I especially like the Christian aspect to the School.   I am really hoping that my financial background and hands on approach could help the school  especially as finance is becoming more and more important to many educational organisations.  

Mrs Alice Edwards

Headteacher

I joined Castor CofE Primary School in April 2022 with fifteen previous years’ experience of teaching in the primary sector. Prior to becoming a headteacher I worked as a Specialist Lead Educator supporting schools to improve English and Maths provision.

I am passionate about all children meeting their full potential and being provided with quality opportunities to grow in a nurturing environment that values the holistic development of every child.

Dr Stewart Ellershaw-Clarke

Governor

I first joined the governing body in autumn 2020 as an Associate governor and have since become a full member of the governing body.  I have lived in Ailsworth since 2013 and love the strong sense of community that characterises our two villages.  I have a son attending Castor Church of England Primary School and my daughter currently attends the village pre-school.

I strongly believe that our school benefits from strong links to the church and wider community and that these provide excellent foundations for the children to not just reach their academic potential, but also to develop into well-rounded, caring and outward looking young people.

I have worked in nature conservation and environmental management for the past 20 years and currently work for the National Trust.  I have held trustee and non-executive director roles for a number of charities and learned societies and have experience in strategy development and governance as well as my technical background in ecology.

In my spare time I love getting out around our local patch running, cycling or canoeing usually with the whole family and dog in tow.

Mrs Emily Finnie

Foundation Governor

I was pleased to be appointed as a Foundation Governor in October 2017 to deliver my strong belief in the importance of the relationship between Castor Church of England Primary School, St Kyneburgha’s Church and the local community.  As a parent whose son attended the school, I have experienced the benefits of the school’s Christian ethos on a child’s education.

I have lived in Castor for 27 years and as a family we worship at St Kyneburghas’s Church. I was previously a member of Castor Parochial Church Council where I held the role of Treasurer for many years.

As a recently retired Public Servant, having worked for Natural England and its predecessor bodies for over 30 years, I have experience of contract management, recruitment and staff development.   A common theme during my career was delivery of good governance through support of both the non-executive Board and Audit and Risk Assurance Committee.

Working with the Head, other governors and staff we have a Vision  ‘ We have faith in God, ourselves and everyone around us’  to use as  a foundation for all children’s learning and spiritual development while at Castor Church of England Primary School

Mr Jonathan Hunt

Parent Governor

I've spent c.30 years in the commercial sector, designing, launching and selling financial products around the world, working with some of the biggest global brands along the way.  Most recently, I've set up a consultancy business with my oldest friend and we've also been building a brand identity platform which we hope to launch later this year.

I joined the board of governors as a parent governor in December 2019.  We live in Peterborough but felt that a smaller, village-based school with a strong community spirit would be a more nurturing environment for our son and daughter.  It was a good shout - both children have been really happy, and the school's ethos and values have resonated with all of us.

I serve on the Resources Committee, whose primary focus is to make sure that the school is run within budget and that funds are spent as effectively as possible, particularly as it relates to pupil attainment.  

My spare time revolves around sporting pursuits (my own and my children's), gardening gloves, political podcasts, and binge-watching dodgy Netflix dramas.

Mr David Ridgeway

Rector and Co-opted Governor

I joined the Governing Body when I moved to Castor to take on the role of Rector in November 2015. 

During my ministry I have served at various times on the governing bodies of five different primary schools, some of them Church schools and others community schools.  Throughout this period I have seen the role of the governing body change considerably.  Governors now have much more responsibility for ensuring that schools provide a happy safe environment in which children can enjoy learning and attain the highest possible standards.  The key to success in this enterprise is having a well motivated and professional staff such as the strong team we have at Castor School.

As well as having a happy and committed staff team Castor School is also blessed by having very strong links between the church congregation, the village community and the pupils and staff. I feel strongly that these links are vitally important in helping to create a unique ethos which helps children to learn the importance respecting and caring for other human beings and the world in which we live.  It is a privilege to serve as part of the Castor School Governing Body and I hope that I will be able to help the school to continue to move forward building on its current strengths.

Mrs Victoria Robinson

Associate Governor

I became a parent governor in the Autumn Term of 2017, following my oldest daughter joining Castor Church of England Primary School. Since then, my second daughter has now also started at the school and my son will hopefully follow suit in September. After completing a term as parent governor, I stepped down from that role, but I remain in a supporting role as an associate governor. 

So far, I have enjoyed being able to contribute and give something back to the school where my children spend most of their weeks! Being a governor has been personally rewarding as well as enabling me to put to use some of my skills.

I am a Corporate and Commercial Solicitor working in the Peterborough office of a regional firm where I do some work within the Education and Charity Sectors. This has been a helpful background for the governor role as well as the governor role giving me a practical application of some of the things that I may advise on.

In my spare time, I enjoy going on family walks and bike rides as well as travelling and seeing new places.

Mrs Bridget Spencer

Foundation Governor

I am one of the Foundation Governors at Castor Church of England Primary School. This role combines my Christian faith and interest in the welfare and development of children into responsible citizens.

Retired now, my working career involved teaching infants and working as a fund raising manager for the Church of England Children's Society.

I moved to Ailsworth 10 years ago. I was already a local preacher on the Peterborough Methodist Circuit and subsequently became a lay reader in the Castor Benefice.

Leading school worship is a privilege and a joy, and I particularly enjoy sharing my love of stories with the children.

Mrs Stephanie Hibbitt

Foundation Governor

I am very excited to be joining the Governing team as Foundation Governor. Having worked only in Church schools it’s important to strengthen the link between the school and the church, working together to create a strong community. It will be a great opportunity to support Castor with their SIAMs inspection and delivering interesting RE lessons throughout the school. 

I have worked in education for 19 years. Starting off as a teacher and then pursuing my interest in special education needs. I am now an Assistant Head and Inclusion Lead (SENDCO) at another Peterborough Primary School. I am passionate that all children, especially children with special education needs are able to flourish and achieve their learning and social goals. I have strengthened and developed my knowledge by studying to assess children for Dyslexia, supporting children with Autism, understanding effective behaviour management and creating a Nurturing environment for all children. 

I have two children that attend Castor and they enjoy going to school, seeing their friends and learning the new topics each term. 

In my spare time I enjoy walking, swimming, baking and camping with my family.