The Local Governing Body

Alan McPherson – Chair of Governors

(AMcPherson@vale-academy.org) 

Director appointed governor

I have been a governor at Charlton Primary School since January 2016 and was elected Chair of Governors in October 2018. My granddaughter is a pupil at the school. I am a regular volunteer at Forest School and do some gardening around the school.

I am retired from full-time employment, having over 40 years international HR experience primarily in energy companies. I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development.

I became a governor with the intention of making a difference to the life chances of children. I had no expectations of what it meant to be a school governor and have found it to be a rewarding and challenging experience. There is always more to do.

Each governor is encouraged to take a lead role for an aspect of school governance. I have taken a general lead on HR matters including a review of school policies, staff development and the appraisal process. I have also undertaken the safeguarding lead role since September 2016 and have attended external training courses, bringing back questions and observations to the school.

An important task for the LGB is to provide strategic clarity and direction, and I have worked with the Head Teacher and the LGB to develop a vision and strategy for Charlton to become a top performing school. I believe that a top performing school deserves a top performing governing body and continue to work with Governors to achieve that. I have developed my knowledge by attending the NGA Development for Chairs programme.

Charlton is one of eight schools forming the Vale Academy Trust and I attend meetings of Chairs of Governors from the other schools, as well as Governor development sessions, to share knowledge and best practice. I participate in VAT working groups.

I am hugely optimistic about the bright future for Charlton, the LGB, the staff and mostly for the pupils. We have a real opportunity together to make a difference to children’s lives and futures.

Director appointed Governor

I’m Celina Joiner and I’m a parent governor at Charlton Primary. Since becoming a governor I’ve joined the Finance Committee helping to ensure we are maximising the funds available to the school, and using our budget wisely. I’ll also be reviewing Maths Teaching and Learning within the school.

 I became a governor because I’m passionate about Education and wanted to contribute something back to the school and local community. I’ve worked in the Educational IT sector for a number of years and seen first hand the challenges schools face.

 I currently work as a Programme Manager for a local full fibre Broadband provider.  I have good experience of financial management, recruitment, project and operational management and also information security. I hope these skills can offer a positive contribution to the Charlton Local Governing body.

 Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family. We love walking, cycling, climbing hills and enjoying life!

Director appointed governor

I’m Karen Harrington and I became a governor at Charlton Primary at the end of February 2019. My key responsibility is SEND and Pupil Premium. My desire to a school governor at Charlton School derives from a genuine interest in education and a wish to be involved in the community to help a local school to ensure good quality education and outcomes for all their children. I am truly passionate about the education that children receive and have a desire to ensure that every child gets the best possible education and opportunity to succeed in life. I share the school’s view that all children are individuals and should be supported and encouraged to develop to the very best of their ability and without any disadvantage.

I was a primary school teacher for twenty years and then a head teacher within Oxfordshire for nine. I left the teaching profession to support the development and organisational growth of our family agricultural consultancy business however, I maintain my interest in education locally and nationally. I like to think that my past and current experience and skills will be of benefit, and I fully welcomed the opportunity to join the existing dedicated governors to support the school.

Outside of work, I am a keen gardener, and utterly enjoy the natural environment, plants, and wildlife that this hobby promotes. I also enjoy a range of crafts.

Director appointed governor

Hi, I’m Fiona Assersohn.  I have been a director appointed governor since October 2015.  In September 2018 I took on the lead responsibility for Teaching and Learning, which I am really enjoying. This involves developing an overview of the curriculum, how it is being taught, how pupils are learning and their attainment.

I used to be a secondary school teacher in Yorkshire and then for an online school.  Due to ill-health I was unable to continue.  However as a governor I have found a way to use my experience and knowledge to contribute to Charlton School and its continuing success. I enjoy being a governor and really appreciate the opportunity to contribute to school life.

Aside from being a governor I volunteer in the school library, which is great fun.

I'm Debra Steer, and I'm a Director Appointed Governor.  I am the lead governor for Early Years, and I want to use the experience I gained as the chairperson of Charlton Acorns committee to help with the successful integration of Acorns preschool with Charlton school. Quality Early Years education is vital for children and their families, providing children with the important skills to succeed in Reception. I became a governor because I care deeply about education (particularly science and Early Years education). 

I work for a speciality chemical company, and I hope to use the transferable skills I've gained from academia and industry to contribute to Charlton School, alongside the excellent, committed volunteers that make up Charlton's governing body. 

I enjoy spending time with my family, particularly going on walks and bike rides. If I get a moment to myself, I love reading and listening to music. 

I am Becki Edwards and I have been the staff governor at Charlton since September 2017.

Having had a career in teaching for 24 years, I have worked as a teacher at Charlton since 2009 and since 2015 have had the privilege of being the lead teacher for our Foundation Stage Unit. Prior to working at the school, my own 2 boys attended Charlton. As a military family, we chose to settle in Wantage 17 years ago, in order to give our children security and a place to call home. Charlton school has therefore become a very big part of my life, and the opportunity to work alongside fellow governors as part of the Charlton community, is a role that I feel passionate about.

It is this sense of community that underpins the work of the governing body and its vision reflects that of the school in its core values. The governing body is working hard to ensure that staff are well supported and children at Charlton are making progress in all areas of their school life- both in academic terms but also in preparing them to be well-rounded citizens in society. Outside of school I enjoy dog walking, swimming, reading and meeting up with friends. I am also lucky enough to attend many RAF events and occasions, which are rich and varied experiences and very much appeal to me as a ‘people’ person.

I am delighted to introduce myself as the Executive Headteacher at Charlton Primary School. Having arrived at the school in 2014 to take up the position of Deputy Head teacher, I was lucky enough to work with the previous Head Teacher (Mrs Jenny del a Coze) which gave me a fantastic apprenticeship to leading such a wonderful school. I always intended to ensure that Charlton continued with the same ethos, care and values that it has built up over a long period of time. The school and community are very important to me and I whole heartedly promote our values of Be Happy, Be Kind, and Be Responsible, whilst continually striving to improve the children’s learning experiences.

The role of Executive Headteacher gives me the opportunity to channel into Charlton experiences, roles and leadership positions I’ve held in the past. Having children myself, I really value the opinions and concerns of parents. I hope that together, we can continue to take the school forward and make Charlton Primary School the best it can be.