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Code of Conduct 2024
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Our Governors
A warm welcome from Helen O’Brien and John Reynolds, Co-Chairs of Governors at Radwinter CofE (VA) Primary School. We are delighted to introduce you to the dedicated team of governors who work tirelessly to support and guide our school community. As a Church of England Voluntary Aided School, our governors play a vital role in ensuring that Radwinter remains a caring, happy, and secure environment where every child can flourish and embrace life in all its fullness.
Meet Our Governing Body
The governing body at Radwinter CofE (VA) Primary School is made up of a diverse group of individuals who bring a wide range of skills and experiences to their roles. Our team includes:
- Two Parent Governors
- One Staff Governor and the Headteacher
- One Local Authority Governor
- Two Church Parish Governors
- Four Diocese Governors
- The Rector
This composition reflects our commitment to representing the whole school community, including families, staff, the Church, and local authorities.
We actively seek governors with expertise in areas such as legal matters, IT, finance, and education to strengthen our strategic oversight and ensure we meet the needs of our children and community.
Our Role and Responsibilities
The Headteacher leads the day-to-day running of the school and is responsible for the educational performance of our children. Meanwhile, the governing body’s role is to:
- Ensure a clear vision, ethos, and strategic direction for the school
- Support and hold the Headteacher to account
- Ensure the school is financially stable and that resources are well managed
Through positive challenge and collaboration, governors help maintain high standards of teaching and learning, ensuring that every child at Radwinter has access to a broad and balanced curriculum that fosters exceptional progress and personal development.
How We Work
The governing body conducts its work through two main committees, each meeting at least termly:
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Learning and Development Committee
Focuses on monitoring the effectiveness of the educational offer, ensuring curriculum quality, and tracking pupil progress. -
Resources Committee
Scrutinises the school budget, spending, and resource allocation to maintain financial health.
Additionally, the full governing body meets termly to review reports from the Headteacher and discuss key strategic matters.
Individual governors take on special responsibilities to support the school’s broader wellbeing and safeguarding agenda, including:
- Safeguarding
- Health and Safety
- Pupil Wellbeing
- Monitoring progress of specific groups, such as children with SEND
Reflecting Our Vision and Values
Our governing body is deeply committed to the school’s Christian vision of “Growing and learning together to embrace life in all its fullness” (John 10:10). This commitment is reflected in how we:
- Promote our core values of fairness, forgiveness, kindness, respect, and service
- Ensure the voices of all members of our school community are heard and valued
- Champion inclusion and diversity, preparing children for life in a multi-cultural society
- Support the wellbeing and happiness of every child, recognising their unique talents and needs
By embedding these values in our strategic decisions, we help create an environment where every child can thrive academically, socially, and spiritually.
Working Together for Our Children
Our governors work closely with the Headteacher and staff to set educational goals and policies that reflect the needs of our pupils and community. This partnership ensures that Radwinter CofE (VA) Primary School continues to deliver a high-quality education, nurturing wisdom, hope, dignity, and community spirit.
Get Involved or Learn More
If you are interested in learning more about our governors or considering becoming a governor yourself, we warmly encourage you to get in touch. Your skills and passion could make a real difference to our school community.
Summary
At Radwinter CofE (VA) Primary School, our governors play a crucial role in safeguarding our vision and values while supporting the school’s ongoing success. Through their strategic oversight, commitment to inclusion, and partnership with the Headteacher, they ensure that every child experiences life in all its fullness within a nurturing and inspiring environment.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about our governors and their vital contribution to our school family.
For any queries or to contact the governing body, please see our contact page or speak to the school office.
Our Governors (ID 1007)
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Mrs Emily BartramHeadteacher
Mrs Emily Bartram
My first association with Radwinter CofE Primary School was as a parent when my son started in September 2020. I was then delighted to be appointed as Headteacher taking up the post in September 2021. I have always lived and worked in the local area and have long been aware of the excellent reputation and educational experience offered by our wonderful school, so am incredibly proud to now be Headteacher! I grew up in Saffron Walden, attending a local Church of England Primary School and have always known that this is the educational experience I wanted my own children to have. To be able to lead our setting in offering the same caring, happy and secure environment with outstanding learning opportunities really is a dream come true!
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my husband two children. We live in the area and play an active part in the local community as well as spending time exploring further afield. I am a passionate singer and have sung with several local choirs and bands. I enjoy creating elaborate cakes for family and friends and often spend much of my spare time further my understanding of educational practice. I completed my 'National Professional Qualification in Headship' in January 2022, my 'Church School Leadership' qualification in March 2022 and my 'National Educational Leader in Mental Health' qualification in March 2023.
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Mrs Helen O'BrienDBE - Co-Chair, Learning and Development Committee
Mrs Helen O'Brien
I have thirty years' experience of teaching in primary schools in Surrey and Essex, culminating in sixteen years as Headteacher of Rickling CofE Primary School. Before retiring in 2012 I led the Federation of Rickling and Farnham Schools. including amalgamating the two governing bodies. This is the second time I have been a school governor, and with my educational background and interest in primary schools, I believe I have much to bring to the role. I am a member of the Learning and Development Committee (L & D), which oversees the implementation of the curriculum, the Headteacher's Performance Management and the Pay Committees.Since retiring I have volunteered in the community and abroad, including serving as a trustee for the Home Start Charity, teaching English to refugees in the Calais 'Jungle Camp' and working with orphans and disabled children in Romania. I have been involved with Radwinter School for several years as a representative of the local church, at times leading collective worship and delivering Open The Book, a project introducing children to Bible stories using drama. I very much enjoy walking my dogs around our beautiful area and I am a keen gardener. -
Mr Paul AllingtonDBE - Co-Chair, Resources Committee
Mr Paul Allington
I am a foundation governor (DBE) and I sit on the Resources, Pay and HPMR Committees, I am also the Health and Safety governor and take a keen interest in computing and science. I have been a governor at Radwinter since 2019, joining to be involved in and help the school.
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Mrs Gaetanne FullerStaff Governor
Mrs Gaetanne Fuller
I am very proud to be Class Teacher for Hedgehog Class at Radwinter. I am also the EYFS and English lead. I have a particular interest in SEND. I am passionate about Early Years, having taught Reception for many years. I also enjoy leading the Uttlesford EYFS Partnership group, bringing together local Reception Teachers. I became staff governor in 2021 and I sit on the Resources Committee. When I'm not having fun with Hedgehog Class, I like to knit, travel and walk Cash, my wire haired Dachshund and spend time with Michael my husband and our two boys.
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Mrs Lois RooneyAssociate Governor
Mrs Lois Rooney
I feel incredibly proud and blessed to teach at such an amazing, friendly and hard working school. I joined in 2021 and quickly felt like I belonged to the school community. I am an Associative Governor, sitting on the Learning and Development Committee and am very passionate about continually enhancing our provision and the educational experiences of our pupils. I currently teach Year 6 (Raven Class) and Year 1 (Squirrel Class) and am subject leader for Maths, PSHRE and PE, as well as being Assistant Head. Outside of school I am an avid netballer (playing for Saffron Walden Netball Club) a keen baker and an enthusiastic member of Saffron Walden Community Church. I also like to swim, garden, play mini-golf and spend time exploring the world with my husband Calum and our daughter Autumn.
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Mr John ReynoldsDBE - Resources Committee
Mr John Reynolds
I have been a foundation governor at Radwinter since 2018. I have spent over 30 years working in General management roles in the agricultural supply industry and have lived and worked in both Switzerland and Australia and have been back in the UK for the last 10 years. Radwinter School has always had a caring, family ethos, secured on strong Christian values.
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Mrs Jane RichardsonPCC - Learning and Development Committee, Link Governor for SEN
Mrs Jane Richardson
We moved to Radwinter in 1996 and my younger son Matthew attended Radwinter School. He loved the school and was wonderfully supported throughout his time here, whilst always being encouraged to make his own unique contribution to school life. After reading music at university, I trained as an accountant in London. I was a tax partner in a Cambridge firm for 10 years before changing careers completely to teach curriculum music at an independent prep school in Cambridge. As well as class teaching, I was involved in all the school concerts and productions, which I loved. I am delighted to be appointed PCC governor and to be given the opportunity to support our excellent village school. As the daughter of two teachers, I have had an interest in education all my life and I very much hope the experience and skills I have picked up in my varied career will be helpful to the school. I am passionate about Arts education in schools in particular, and as a Foundation governor I am very supportive of the school's Christian ethos. I am also the governor responsible for Special Needs and Pupil Premium, which is a particular area of interest to me.
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Mrs Charlotte DaviesPCC - Learning and Development Committee
Mrs Charlotte Davies
I live in the centre of Radwinter and have been a governor at Radwinter Primary since 2017. My son also attends the school. I sit on the Learning and Development Committee. I am the school's link training governor, which means that I act as a link between the school and local authority/third party training providers to advise the governing body on available training opportunities and on developments within governance. After graduating from Leeds University with a degree in English Literature and Language, I qualified as a solicitor. I worked for many years as an employment lawyer at large City law firms, as well as in-house, advising on all areas of employment law, including litigation in the Employment Tribunal and the High Court.
I am now a Partner and Head of Knowledge Management at Greenwoods Legal LLP, based in their Cambridge office. I provide strategic advice to the firm on the management of legal knowledge, legal tech and AI. Outside of work, I enjoy theatre and film, exploring the countryside and the Norfolk coast with my family and dogs and renovating our period home.
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Mrs Claire WrightLocal Authority Governor - Resources Committee
Mrs Claire Wright
I started as a governor at Radwinter Primary School in 2023. We moved to little Sampford 4 years ago and I wanted to become involved in the local community and to be able to support the local school. We previously lived in South Cambridgeshire, where I was a governor at the village primary school my children had attended. I am a qualified quantity surveyor and work within the property department of a large retailer. In my spare time I enjoy gardening, walking our dog and belong to a local choir.
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Mrs Annika FoxParent Governor - Learning and Development Committee
Mrs Annika Fox
As a new parent governor with a son at the school, I am looking forward to working with the Head, all staff and the other governors to help the school achieve it's strategic goals and to allow all the pupils to flourish.
I attended Radwinter myself before going on to SWCHS and then to Sheffield University where I studied French and Hispanic Studies and subsequently a Masters in translation. During this time I worked in education both in the UK and abroad and I find helping children grow their knowledge, skills and confidence, extremely rewarding.
Over the last fifteen years, I have worked as an executive assistant within the financial sector. In addition to work and family life I enjoy spending time by the sea with our two dogs, reading and dabbling in various hobbies.
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Mrs Sarah AbbottParent Governor - Learning and Development Committee
Mrs Sarah Abbott
I'm Sarah, a Parent Governor at Radwinter. It is a privilege to be part of the Governing Board and offer support to the staff, families and children at Radwinter School. Both my sons attend the school and have been well supported with the social, emotional and educational needs. I hope to bring my experience as a teacher, SENCO and from my role as Inclusion Partner to support the passion and vision of staff to provide the best possible educational experience for all children within our school.
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Mr Gareth WilsonDBE - Resources Committee
Mr Gareth Wilson
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Mrs Sarah McSweeneyClerk to the Governing Board
Mrs Sarah McSweeney
I have had a long association with Radwinter Primary School as my children attended the school some years ago. I was privileged to be asked to become a Clerk for the Governing Body when the position became vacant last year, and I have been studying for my professional qualification to become a governance professional for the last 10 months. In my spare time I enjoy crochet, am a voracious reader and budding gardener!
The minutes from meetings of the governing body are a matter of public records, please email office@radwinter.essex.sch.uk if you wish for a copy. - Governors and Terms download_for_offline