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Governors

Welcome to our Governors’ section

Every school has a Governing Body. The Education (No 2) Act, 1986, states that from 16th September 2013 the Governing Body will consist of 2 Parent Governors, 1 Staff Governor, 1 Headteacher and 4 Co-Opted Governors.  

Briefly the Governors’ duties are:

  • To see that each school is conducted in accordance with the Education Acts.
  • Finance - as it affects the needs of the school
  • To see that the premises are kept in a good state of repair and to direct how the premises might be used out of school hours.
  • To assist in the appointment of all staff in the school.
  • To exercise general responsibility for the welfare of the school.
  • Governors have always had responsibilities regarding the School’s Curriculum, but with the introduction of the National Curriculum, their duties in this area have been clearly defined.
  • Full Governors’ meetings are held six times a year. 
  • If you wish to contact the Governors for any reason, you may do so direct or through the Clerk to Governors, via the School Office on 365411.

Full Governing Body Information (September 2023)

Name

Position

Category

Appointing Authority

Date of Appointment

End Date

Paul Cotter Chair Co-opted Governing Board 8.2.24 7.2.2028

Julie Cook

Governor

Co-opted

Governing Board

New term

1.9.2022

31.8.2026

Sharon Burnett

Headteacher

 

Staff

1.9.2021

 

Sarah-Jayne Collins

AHT

Staff

Staff

New term

1.9.2022

31.8.2026

Kevin Cockram   Co-opted Governing Board 13.10.22

12.10.2026

resigned 1.5.24

Claire Prynne Vice-Chair Co-opted Governing Board 13.10.22 12.10.2026
John Stone   Co-opted Governing Board 8.2.24 7.2.2028
Naomi Campbell   Co-opted Governing Board 28.1.2022

28.1.2026

Resigned

Natalie Horton   Parent Parent Body 12.5.2022

11.5.2026

resigned-3.9.23

Governing Body Pecuniary Interests (2023-24)

Governor's Name

Pecuniary or Business Interests 2023-24

Julie Cook

 

Sharon Burnett

Headteacher at Plaistow Hill Infants and Nursery School

Member of NAHT

Sarah-Jayne Collins

 

Claire Prynne  
John Stone

Azets – Accounting and professional services-Manager

Chartered member-ICAEW

Paul Cotter

Plymouth Marjon university tutor

Plymouth Diocese RE inspector

Education Consultancy

NAHT Life membership

Governing Body Attendance at meetings (September 2023 present)

Name

Full Governors' Meeting

Julie Cook

12.10.23, 7.12.23, 8.2.24, 16.5.24

Sharon Burnett

12.10.23, 7.12.23, 8.2.24, 21.3.24,16.5.24

Sarah-Jayne Collins

12.10.23, 7.12.23, 8.2.23, 21.3.24

Claire Prynne 12.10.23, 7.12.23, 21.3.24,16.5.24
Paul Cotter Joined LGB on 7.12.23, 8.2.24, 21.3.24, 16.5.24
John Stone Joined LGB on 8.2.24,21.3.24

 

Meet our Governors

Paul Cotter-Chair of Governors

Having ‘retired' after 23 years in Headship, I look forward to giving a little back in supporting a wonderful school community.  As a New Zealander, I arrived in the United Kingdom to enjoy some travel way back in 1988. I then met my English wife and moved to Plymouth in 1990. I enjoyed teaching across several schools, including St Paul's in St Budeaux, before becoming a Head. I also very much enjoyed supporting other schools as a National Leader in Education (NLE) for many years.

I am a keen dog walker and very much enjoy visiting places across the southwest and beyond. We have three daughters and make the most of opportunities to get together. I still do a bit of work for Plymouth Marjon University and the Plymouth Diocese.

It is a privilege to be able to be part of the Victoria Road Primary School family and I look forward to working closely with the governors, the staff and pupils to make sure we are all doing our very best.

 

Julie Cook-Co-opted Governor

My previous experience of being a Governor was several years ago when my own children were younger. I have been a Governor at Victoria Road since June 2016. In a past life I was a Business Manager for Plymouth City Council and am now employed as an Executive Assistant for a local IT firm, Delt Shared Services. 

I have lived in Plymouth since a young age and live in the west of the city.

Sarah-Jayne Collins-Staff Governor

 Claire Prynne-Co-opted Governor

I currently work as a Leadership Adviser for Horizon MAT, after taking early retirement from my job as Headteacher of Widewell Primary Academy. I have previously taught in lots of schools in the UK and Germany, as my husband was in the British Army before becoming a teacher himself. We have two grown up children and three very young grandchildren who keep us very busy!

I spent the majority of my career as a teacher in the Early Years, but also enjoyed teaching Y6 children when I was at Hooe Primary.

I am looking forward to supporting the Victoria Road Primary community now, both as an adviser and as a governor, and have already enjoyed listening to lots of the children talk to me about their learning.

John Stone-Co-opted Governor