Welcome to the Governors' section!

What is a School Governor?

School governors are volunteers who help to run the school. Some are elected (staff and parent governors) and others are appointed either by the local authority or from the local community.

What do governors do?

School governors have a wide range of responsibilities, helping to raise standards of pupil achievement and planning the school’s future direction, always in consultation with the Headteacher and other staff. We are also accountable for the performance of the school to parents and the wider community. We are not expected to take detailed decisions about the day-to-day management of the school; that is the job of the Headteacher. At Golden Valley we meet as a Full Governing Body about eight times a year.

Governors’ responsibilities include:

• Helping to establish the aims and policies of the school and how standards of education can be constantly improved
• Ensuring that a broad and balanced curriculum is delivered and that it meets statutory requirements, while promoting high standards and monitoring progress during the year
• Appointing, challenging and supporting the Headteacher (being a ‘critical friend’)
• Acting as a link between the local community and the school
• Helping to set and manage the school budget
• Ensuring the health and safety of pupils and staff

Individual governors are also linked with a particular area, such as Special Educational Needs, Safeguarding, a curriculum subject or a year group. All governors are encouraged to visit the school during the working day if they can, but we do not interfere in the day-to-day teaching or running of the school: we leave that to the professionals!

 
North Somerset provides training in all aspects of governors’ responsibilities and we take full advantage of that, in order to be as effective as possible.

At Golden Valley we have a lively and dedicated team who work hard for the school.

If you wish to contact Governors, please email the Chair in the first instance: pauline.davis@goldenvalleyschool.co.uk

Dates of meetings for 2023-24

Term 1 - 14th September 2023, 19th October 2023

Term 2 - 23rd November 2023

Term 3 - 25th January 2024

Term 4 - 21st March 2024

Term 5 - 23rd May 2024

Term 6 - 11th July 2024

Governor Roles, Terms of Office and Registered Interests

Golden Valley's School Governors

Pauline Davis - Co-opted Governor & Chair of Governors

I have lived in Nailsea since 1977 and used to teach in Clevedon. My children attended Golden Valley in the 80’s and 90’s so in 2011 when I was no longer working full time I became a Governor to give something back to the school. I enjoy coming into Reception to hear children read.

Jan Barber - Co-Opted Governor

My younger daughter, Fiona, was one of the first entrants to Golden Valley School in 1976, so I have been involved with the school since it was built, starting with helping with sewing and cooking, and the P.T.A.
I have been a governor since 1984, firstly as a nomination from Nailsea Town Council and later as an L.E.A. Governor from Avon and subsequently from North Somerset Councils. In my professional life I visited many schools countrywide as an Ofsted Inspector. I hope that this helps my role as a governor and vice versa. I very much enjoy being a governor and am delighted that my term of office has been extended until 2023.

Richard Riordan - Headteacher 

 I am Headteacher of Golden Valley and I am also a Governor. Golden Valley is the third Primary school that I have been headteacher of and I have been a member of school governing bodies for over 20 years in London, Gloucester, Bristol and North Somerset. I provide strategic leadership to the school and report both to the governing body and the Lighthouse Schools Partnership. Both the governing body and the Trust offer support and challenge to the school leadership team and hold us to account for standards in the school. I have a passion for mastery maths, mental health and wellbeing and the positive impact sport and exercise can have on children. 

Anna Maxwell - Staff Governor

I have been a teacher at Golden Valley since September 2016 and have taught children across KS2 in that time. I now teach Y6 and am also Subject Lead for History, as well as being an ECT (Early Career Teacher) Mentor. Before retraining as a teacher, I had a career in fundraising management within the voluntary sector.

Joyce (Lok Sang) Wong - Parent Governor

I become a parent governor at the end of 2021 with two daughters studying in Golden Valley. I am a Chartered Engineer with years of experience working in the railway sector and am interested in safety standards and STEM development for young children. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to be part of the Golden Valley governor body and I am looking forward to supporting Golden Valley School and the students to thrive and excel.

 Katherine Armstrong - Parent Governor

My daughter has recently started in reception and my niece and nephews are also at Golden Valley. I previously worked as a teacher at a secondary school in Bristol, where I also had whole school and faculty leader roles. I’m currently the professional lead for learning at a national charity, which has broadened my understanding of learning across the curriculum and key stages. I’m grateful for this opportunity to contribute what I can and support the school, helping all pupils to have the best educational experiences possible and providing a strong foundation for their future.

Sarah Le Vaillant Stokes - Vice Chair/Parent Governor 

I joined the governing team as a Parent Governor in March 2022 and have 3 children currently in Golden Valley School.  I bring with me, experience from my roles as co Director of a small planning consultancy and my own wellbeing business on the side.

I wanted to become a Governor to give an 'on the ground' perspective to the governing team and to give something back to the school. Above all it is my pleasure to be able to contribute toward our children’s learning and wellbeing. 

Jackie Turner - Community Governor, Safeguarding Lead

I became a co-opted community governor in 2022. I am currently an Educational Consultant, working in young people's safeguarding and mental health. Prior to this, I was a teacher at a secondary school in Bristol, teaching Modern Languages but also having the whole school responsibility for pastoral care and safeguarding. I also volunteer locally with my dog for Pets As Therapy. 

Heather Extence - Co-opted Community Governor 

I became a co-opted Community Governor in March 2022 and have had a long association with the school since 1994. I have been a GV parent, teacher and now grandparent. I left my teaching role at Golden Valley in 2016 to pursue a different career working with children and families in the UK and overseas. I believe that the skills and knowledge gained during my teaching career spanning 32 years and those in my current job will be beneficial in my role as a governor.   I am delighted to be given the opportunity to help support the school to provide a safe and secure environment to enable the children to have the best all-round education possible.  I have a particular interest in Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Fiona Sedgwick - Staff Governor

I joined Golden Valley in January 2013 and have fulfilled a number of support roles in that time. I currently work in KS2, supporting in class and covering teachers’ planning and preparation time. I love working closely with children to unlock barriers to learning, and I relish those moments when things click into place. I join the Governors at time of exciting change for Golden Valley because I want to do all I can to help the school thrive in its new environment.