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
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
Kevin Cockram	Chair of Governors at Plaistow Hill
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
Sharon Burnett	12.10.23, 7.12.23, 8.2.24
Sarah-Jayne Collins	12.10.23, 7.12.23, 8.2.23
Kevin Cockram	12.10.23, 7.12.23, 8.2.24
Claire Prynne	12.10.23, 7.12.23,
Paul Cotter	Joined LGB on 7.12.23 8.2.24
John Stone	Joined LGB on 8.2.24

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

Kevin Cockram- Co-opted Governor

I have worked for the learning disabilities and mental health services in Exeter and Plymouth since 1979. I am now semi-retired from my managerial position here in Plymouth, continuing to work part time in local mental health services. I have been a member of another Horizon MAT school since 2013 and have held a number of positions such as Vice Chair and I am currently Chair to the Local Governing Body at Plaistow Hill. I am delighted to be able to provide some additional capacity and use my knowledge and skills to support the LGB at Victoria Road Primary and Nursery School.

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