Governors

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 school office in the first instance: office@goldenvalleyschool.co.uk. If your contact is regarding a complaint you will need to follow the complaints policy/procedure.

Dates of meetings for 2026-2027

Term 1 Thurs 1 Oct
Term 2 Tues 8^th Dec
Term 3 Thurs 4^th Feb
Term 4 Weds 24^th March
Term 5 Thurs 20^th May
Term 6 Thurs 15^th July

Our principle concern is the strategic leadership of the school; setting direction and policy to ensure our children are safe, happy and achieving their potential.

Our focus is the school improvement plan formed from our values, vision and strategy. We refresh the plan each year to take into account children’s attainment and feedback from the school community.

Our decisions reflect the school ethos and are centred on the children. The way we go about making decisions is in accordance with our code of conduct.

We are a collective decision-making body that represents community stakeholders and applies a subcommittee structure with governors nominated to oversee key areas. This ensures our decisions are of the highest quality, delivering the maximum impact for children.

We are a ‘critical friend’ to the Headteacher and wider operational leadership team, providing both support and constructive challenge. Governors have three crucial roles:

Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
Holding leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.

GOVERNOR MEETING ATTENDANCE 2025/26

								Finance meetings
First Name	Surname	Position	Date term started	Date of resignation	Committtes they are on	Number of possible LGB meetings	Number of LGB meetings attended	Number of possible finance meetings	Number of finance meetings attended
Richard	Riordan	Headteacher	4/9/2023			6	6	4	3
Pauline	Davis	Co-Opted governor	1/6/2023	7/31/2026	Finance	6	6	4	4
Jan	Barber	Co-Opted governor	1/2/2023			6	4.5
Sarah	Le Vaillant	Vice-Chair	2/26/2026			6	5.5
Lloyd	Morgan	Staff governor	9/19/2025	7/31/2026		6	6
Kim	Hobbs	Staff governor	9/1/2024			6	5
Celia	Clement	Parent governor	9/30/2025			5	5
Phil	Collins	Parent governor	9/30/2025		Finance	5	4	3	3
James	Caldwell	Co-Opted governor	12/11/2025			4	4
Previous governors
Katherine	Armstrong	Parent governor	10/5/2021	10/4/2025		1	1
Joyce (Lok Sang)	Wong	Parent governor	10/5/2021	10/4/2025		1	1
Jackie	Turner	Co-Opted governor	2/28/2022	2/27/2026	Finance	3	2	2	2

REGISTER OF BUSINESS AND PECUNIARY INTERESTS

Name of Member, Trustee, Governor or Member of Staff	Role e.g. Member, Trustee, Governor or Member of Staff	Name of Business/ Pecuniary Interest	Type of Business	Nature of interest	Date interest began
James Caldwell	Governor	Bristol NHS Foundation Trust	NHS hospital	Employee	20/02/2020
Celia Clement	Governor	Chew Valley School, LSP	Secondary School	Teacher	September 2010
Sarah Le Vaillant Stokes	Governor	Stokes Morgan Planning Limited	Planning consultancy	Director	16/06/2016
Phil Collins	Governor	C3 Technology Ltd	Technology Consulting	Director	09/02/2021
Phil Collins	Governor	Tewdric Energy	Renewable Energy Generation	Consultant	02/12/2025
Phil Collins	Governor	Voltric Mobility Technologies	Mobility Technology	Consultant	18/03/2021
Phil Collins	Governor	Fantasy Footy League Ltd	Football iGaming	Minority Shareholder	20/01/2026
Phil Collins	Governor	P2 Technology Ltd	iGaming Software	Minority Shareholder	09/03/2026

Boards must be ambitious for all children and young people and infused with a passion for education and a commitment to continuous school improvement that enables the best possible outcomes. Governance must be grounded in reality as defined by both high-quality objective data and a full understanding of the views and needs of pupils/students, staff, parents, carers and local communities. It should be driven by inquisitive, independent minds and through conversations focussed on the key strategic issues which are conducted with humility, good judgement, resilience and determination.

Governance Handbook

Golden Valley's School Governors

James Caldwell - Chair/Community Governor

I’m very pleased to have been elected as a Community Governor in December 2025. I live in Portishead, and have two young children who currently attend another school in the Lighthouse Schools Partnership.

I have worked in HR in the NHS for 17 years. Currently I work at North Bristol NHS Trust (Southmead Hospital), as one of the Associate Directors of HR, overseeing HR advice, employee relations, and Trade Union engagement.

Having seen the impact a good school can have educationally and socially with my own children, I’m keen to use my professional experience to help my local community and continue to drive positive outcomes at an already great school.

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.

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.

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.

Alison Nichols - Staff Governor

I have been part of this school's community for 17 years and have experienced school life from many perspectives. My journey began as a parent and then a SEN parent, giving me a personal understanding of the importance of inclusion, individual needs and ensuring every child feels valued and supported.

I have contributed to the school in a variety of roles, including Treasurer of the GVSA, Lunchtime Supervisor, 1:1 support and Breakfast Club Leader. I am now proud to work as a Learning Partner.

These experiences have given me a broad understanding of our children, families and staff, as well as the challenges and rewards of working within a school community.

As a Learning Partner, I am happy to bring a different perspective to the role.

I am proud to give something back by taking on this responsibility and using my experience, knowledge and passion to support the school's continued development and success.

Kim Hobbs - Staff Governor

I have been a teacher at Golden Valley School for 21 years, teaching across many year groups and leading PSHE. I am passionate about pastoral care and wellbeing and became a governor to share my experience and support the school community. I am proud to work alongside leaders, governors and teachers to ensure that all children receive the best possible education and opportunities to succeed.

Phil Collins - Parent Governor

Joining in October 2025, I am delighted to serve as a Parent Governor. My three children currently attend Golden Valley School, and I have a fourth due to start in a few years.

I work as a Technology Consultant, supporting businesses with their strategy and transformation. I wanted to apply my experience in leadership, oversight, and cross-team collaboration to the governing body.

I really appreciate how much the school supports my children and would like to support the whole school in return.

Celia Clement - Parent Governor

I joined the Governing Body as a Parent Governor in October 2025. I have worked in education for over 15 years and currently work as a PE teacher and Head of House with responsibility for pastoral care. I became a governor to support the school community and to offer a parent’s perspective to the governing body.

I’m committed to supporting children’s wellbeing, their enthusiasm for learning and ultimately their enjoyment of school. I believe a positive school experience is key to helping children thrive. I’m also passionate about keeping children active through PE, supporting both their physical and mental health.

Golden Valley Primary School

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