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 15 governor positions, a lively and dedicated team who work hard for the school.

Dates of meetings for 2020-2021

Term 1 - 16 September 2021, 14 October 2021

Term 2 - 2 December 2021

Term 3 - 20 January 2022

Term 4 - 10 March 2022

Term 5 - 28 April 2022, 26 May 2022

Term 6 - 7 July 2022

Governor Roles, Terms of Office and Registered Interests

Governor attendance at meetings 2020-2021

Golden Valley's School Governors

Jane Turner - Chair of Governors

Being a School Governor enables me to contribute and give back to the school community that has given my two children so much; I have a son still at Golden Valley and a daughter who has now left and moved on to Secondary school. I have been a School Governor since autumn 2016 and Chair of Governors since September 2018. I aim to use the skills and experience I gain in my own career as a senior manager at the BBC and apply these to the work of school governance, helping Golden Valley to continue to provide the right environment and opportunities for pupils to achieve their absolute best.

Martin Sills - Parent Governor

I have been a Parent Governor at Golden Valley School since April 2018 as I have a child currently in Year 6 at the school. I have lived in Nailsea since 2003 and have worked at several secondary schools in Bristol and North Somerset since 1995. I have, therefore, a wide range of experience in Secondary School issues but am looking forward to learning more about the Primary school phase. Education is changing more rapidly now than ever before and it is important that we keep up with the changes that are sure to affect our children. Away from school I have a passion for all things sporting and have played competitively in several clubs in the area as well as holding offices within the clubs to help them progress.

Jan Barber - LA 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. At present I am an elected member for North Somerset and serve as Executive Member for Children and Young People. 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 2022.

Mary Elford - Co-opted Governor

I feel very much at home at Golden Valley, having been a governor since my children were here in the 1980s. It is a privilege and joy to visit school during the working day, to share the exciting and challenging learning opportunities provided for the children by our fantastic staff and to help ensure that high standards are maintained. Over the years I have served in various governor roles, including Chair, and currently have a particular interest in English.

    Lorna Parle - Parent Governor

       I became a Parent Governor in November 2019 when 2 of my children were in Year 4 and Year 5 and I hope                 my youngest will come here in the future. I have been a Primary School Teacher for 19 years, 8 of which were             at Golden Valley. Following a move to London and back to Nailsea, I am delighted to be back at Golden Valley in         Year 4. I continue to be a Parent Governor and hope to fulfil my role in a supportive way, with a good level of                                           understanding about the school.

Pauline Davis - Co-opted Governor

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. I am also the Safeguarding Lead Governor.

Kevin Lynch - Headteacher 

I am Headteacher of Golden Valley and I am also a Governor. I have been Headteacher of Golden Valley for 12½ years and have attended all Governing Body meetings in that time. I work in partnership with the governing body to lead the strategic work of the school: to ensure that outcomes and standards are high; finance/resources of the school are managed well; policies and practices are adhered to. The day-to-day leadership and management of the school is my responsibility; governors do not get involved in any operational decisions.

Governors are volunteers who give up their time to support the school. Their support and challenge ensures that your children are given the very best opportunities to thrive within our outstanding school.

Julie Bennett - Co-opted Staff Governor

I have been a teacher at Golden Valley for 18 years, 10 of those in Year 6 and have recently joined the Governing Body. I am the English subject manager for the school and also moderate KS2 writing for North Somerset. I have joined the Standards and Improvements committee and look forward to working with the other governors to ensure that the children at Golden Valley have the very best, all-round education possible.

 Peter Nixon - Co-opted Governor

 I have lived in Nailsea since 1985.  My mission since semi retirement has been to use my legal and business             skills for the benefit of the local community.  I am a member of The Rotary Club of Nailsea and Backwell whose       ideas I share and inspire me.

    Chris Hoare - Co-opted Governor 

     I am very pleased to be joining the Golden Valley School governing body. I was a Modern Foreign Languages               teacher in secondary schools for 30 years, both in the UK and abroad. My main subject was French. Thanks to             my grandchildren I have recent experience of primary education which has made me keen to become more                 involved in this area. I am looking forward to learning about Golden Valley Primary School and to contributing to           the school in my role as a Co-opted governor.

Ella Simms - Staff Governor

I have been associated with Golden Valley for over 16 years; firstly as a parent and member of the GVSA committee, then as a Teaching Assistant working in Year 4 and Year 6 and finally as a KS2 teacher for the last 8 years. Currently, I am KS2 PE Subject Manager and Year 6 Camp Leader.  I am looking forward to supporting the governor team in ensuring that Golden Valley is the best it can be for children, parents and staff.

Vicki Paul - Staff Governor

I am the School Office Manager at Golden Valley and believe that being a Governor will provide support and development to both roles. I have previous experience in working for a private education company and more recently managing a busy restaurant and wine bar whilst bringing up my 2 boys who now attend Backwell. I am hopeful that my skills and experience will enable me to make a valuable contribution to the future of this excellent school.

Jade Lamb - Parent Governor

I joined the team as a Parent Governor at the end of 2020, shortly after my son started in Reception. My love for Golden Valley goes back much further though, as I actually attended the school myself! I currently work in finance for a local company and have previously had the opportunity to support schools with career events, mock interviews and finance lessons through my role as a STEM ambassador. I appreciate the importance of developing a positive attitude to learning, so that children can achieve their full potential; I am delighted to have the opportunity to support this.

Linda Warren - Co-opted Governor

I became a Co-Opted governor at the end of 2020. I have lived in the area for most of my life, and my sister Debra Dean is deputy head teacher of Golden Valley. I am a Chartered Accountant with my own small practice and am also director of a group of elderly care homes, but since my two daughters have left home, I have also wanted to use my skills and experience to give something back to the local community. I have been an active member of Portishead Lions Club for the last three years and am now looking forward to learning more about Golden Valley school and doing what I can to contribute to its future success