Governor Profiles
Mr Darren Jeffrey
Co-Chair of Full Governing Body
Term of Office: 2013 – 2021
Parent Governor
elected by the parents
Ex-officio Member of the
Ethos and Resources Committees
Mrs Gemma di-Lella
Co-Chair of Full Governing Body
Term of Office: 2018 – 2022
Co-opted Governor
elected by the FGB
Mrs Ann O’Hara
Foundation Governor
Term of Office: 2017-2021
Foundation Governor
elected by the FGB
Chair of Ethos Committee
Vice Chair of Governors
Mr Alan Passey
Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 2018 – 2022
Co-opted Governor
elected by the FGB
Mr Joe Dickens
Parent Governor
Term of Office: 2019 – 2023
Parent Governor
elected by the parents
Mr Alex Ballard
Parent Governor
Term of Office: 2017-2021
Parent Governor
elected by the parents
Member of
Resources Committee
Ms Liz Shimma
Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 2019 – 2023
Co-opted Governor
elected by the FGB
Mrs Myra Sheppard
Foundation Governor
Term of Office: 1st May 2020 – 30th April 2024
Member of Ethos Committee
Foundation Governor appointed by
the Gloucestershire Diocesan Board of Education
Rev Kim Brown
Foundation Governor
Term of Office: (no term length applies)
Member of the
Ethos Committee
Ex-officio foundation Governor appointed by
the Gloucestershire Diocesan Board of Education
Vacancy
Local Authority Governor
Term of Office:
Local Authority Governor
appointed by the Full Governing Body
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Mrs Gemma di-Lella
I was elected as a Parent Governor in January 2018 before becoming the Vice Chair of Governors in September 2018. My roles include the EFYS Governor and I am a member of the Resources Committee. I decided to become a Parent Governor as I’m committed to helping the school drive forward by building an environment that allows every child to grow and have the school journey they deserve. In my professional life, I work in the financial sector delivering strategic solutions to combat Financial Crime. I hope my professional skills will be useful to my fellow Governors and Kempsford school.
Mr Alex Ballard
I have two children in The Hive, one in Reception and another in Pre-School. I have spent ten years working in education in a Lecturing and Management role and am now a Performance Manager working with Team GB. I’m committed to supporting the staff, Governors and pupils at school and particularly interested in the further development of Sport, Music, Arts and Drama.
Mr Andrew Doherty
I became a Governor at Kempsford in 2006 and was Chair of Governors from 2012 until 2017. I have long-standing family connections to primary education and when my eldest daughter started at Kempsford Primary School I wanted to become more involved in the school. A child’s first experience of school instils a love of learning and establishes the key skills that they will use throughout their life; primary education is vital and it is a privilege to be part of that at Kempsford Primary School.
Mrs Ann O’Hara
I have lived in Kempsford for over 27 years. Before becoming a Governor, I had helped at the school on a number of occasions, as a parent, as a local resident with useful skills, as one of the Open The Book Team and as a member of the Parochial Church Council. In my professional life, I have been a Headteacher, Ofsted Inspector, Local Authority Adviser and Independent National Adviser working with staff and Governors of schools across the country, education bodies and Local Authorities. Now, I am delighted to be a Foundation Governor, working with fellow governors and staff to help children develop a love of learning and appreciation of Christian values. I enjoy the opportunities I have to be a part of the links with parents and our community, through Governor Visits, Prayerspaces and village events.
Mr Darren Jeffrey
I was elected as a Parent Governor in May 2013, stepping into the Chair of Governors role in September 2017. In September 2019 I moved to a co-Chair with Mrs Di-Lella due to my work commitments abroad. My roles include the SEND Governor, Chair of Standards Committee and being a member of the Ethos and Resources committees. Both my children have been pupils at the school with my youngest in year 6. I became a parent Governor as I am committed to helping the school ensure every child has access to the best education opportunities enabling them to thrive and flourish. Whilst also maintaining the school’s values and ethos ensuring it is a vital cog in the community. As a previous serving member of the RAF and current Sponsored Reservist, I am also keen to ensure the provision of high quality pastoral care for Service children who attend Kempsford Primary School.
Rev’d John Partington
Vacancy
I have lived in Kempsford since 1986 and became part of the Open the Book team in 2014 when I retired from a working life spent mostly with British Telecom in their purchasing/logistics department. I have also been involved with Prayer Spaces since the first one in 2014. I particularly enjoy encouraging the children’s creativity, whilst helping them develop spiritual awareness. I was approached earlier this year to consider becoming a Governor and, after giving it a lot of thought, I agreed to put myself forward. I look forward to developing as a team member and being part of this fantastic school.
Mrs Ruth Gray
Community life is very important to me. I hope to use my experience of village life, my involvement in the school as a parent and my previous professional experience as a Solicitor to assist and support the school, its staff and the governing body. I have 2 children at the school and we have lived in Kempsford since 2002. Since then, I have been actively involved in the community as a member of the village hall committee and a member of the Weymouth Educational Trust. I currently teach French at Kempsford School in a voluntary capacity.
Mr Alan Passey
After a management career in commercial logistics and business-to-business services Alan “retired” to become a guitar builder. Hailing from Derbyshire he moved to Kempsford in 2009 when, Fi, his wife, took up a new role with Nationwide in Swindon.
Since moving here he was instrumental in promoting the two Literary Festivals that were held recently. An experience he describes as great fun and the perfect way for a “newbie” to become part of the community.
Alan was previously a Governor at a secondary school in the Midlands and is looking forward to helping the school and its pupils achieve their potential.
Staff Governors
Mr Richard Mendum
Head teacher
Term of Office: Ex-officio role (no term length applies)
Ex-officio Member of
Ethos and Resources Committee
Mrs Claire McLaughlin
Staff Governor
Term of Office: Sep 2019
Staff Governor elected by school staff
Mr Richard Mendum
I have been Headteacher at Kempsford Primary school since 2014. It only seems like yesterday, but things have changed enormously since then. Every day is different; I love leading the school and challenging and supporting both the staff and children to be the best they can be. We have a great team of teachers and support staff who all work exceptionally hard to help and guide the children to achieve and be a part of our RISE vision. I value our school community with both parents and governors giving support to what we do. Their commitment to the school really does make a big difference. More than anything though, it is the success of every child in this school that makes my role as Headteacher such a rewarding one.
Miss Jess Stone
Previous Governors & Vacancies
Previous Governors
Governors who have stepped down in the last 12 months:
- Mrs Ruth Gray
- Mrs Kate Hogan
- Mrs Rosemary Andrews
- Mr Roger West
No Vacancies
- To be appointed by the Full Governing Body
If you are interested please email our Chair of Governors at: chair@kempsford.gloucs.sch.uk or contact our Clerk at: clerk@kempsford.gloucs.sch.uk