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.

• Governor responsibilities 2023-24
• Table of attendance at full governing body meetings at Victoria Road school 2022-2023

Full Governing Body Information (September 2023)

Governing Body Pecuniary Interests (2023-24)

Governing Body Attendance at meetings (September 2023 present)

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