Welcome from the Governors

We are an enthusiastic and committed group of people coming from all walks of life who volunteer to help run the school. We are involved in key decisions about all aspects of managing the school such as overseeing the buildings, budgets, and reviewing policies.

Working closely with the Executive Headteacher and senior leaders, we play an important role in improving and maintaining the high standards throughout the school and Federation and make big decisions about the school’s ethos and long term goals.

The Federation is committed to being open and transparent: this section contains information about our governance. 

Our vision and purpose for the Federation is to:

Allow every child to be the best that they can be.

Equip every child for lifelong learning by becoming:

  • Resilient
  • Confident
  • Adaptable
  • Collaborative

Deliver an enriched curriculum which values a sense of community, tradition and respect.

Governing Body Structure

The governing body is organised into two main committees: 

  • Finance and Premises (covering finance, premises and health and safety)
  • Curriculum and Resources (covering curriculum, personnel, inclusion and special education needs and disability (SEND), school improvement and community)

Each governor is assigned to a committee, with the Executive Headteacher assigned to both committees. All committees have an appointed chair and terms of reference for each. Some governors also have lead responsibilities.

We meet as a full governing body once every term. The Finance and Premises and Curriculum and Resources committees meet at least once every term and the following committees meet as and when they are required: Performance and Pay, First and Second.

To contact the Federation Governors, please contact our clerk to governors at this email address: clerk@goodilf.org.uk

Our Governors

Chair of Governors 

Nadine Sampson manages banks in the local area. She has extensive knowledge in finance, marketing, communications and leadership. Nadine was nominated by the local authority and appointed by the governing body. She is a highly experienced chair of governors and also our safeguarding and children in care link governor. Her term of office runs from 12-10-18 until 11-10-22. Nadine sits on the Curriculum and Resources and the Performance and Pay committees. She has no registered interests.

Nadine can be contacted at this email address: chair@goodilf.org.uk

Vice Chair of Governors

Tom Lewis is a consultant microbiologist who works at North Devon District Hospital.  Tom is a member of North Devon Sinfonia and is our arts and culture, pupil premium and data link governor across the Federation. Tom is a co-opted governor appointed by the governing body.  His term of office runs from 07-09-15 until 06-09-19. Tom sits on the Curriculum and Resources and the Performance and Pay committees. He has no registered interests.

Other Governors

Samantha Baker is a parent governor, elected by parents. Sam has experience in book keeping and running a small business. Her term of office runs from 23-01-18 until 22-01-22.  Sam sits on the Finance and Premises committee. She has no registered interests.

Andy Bradley (currently suspended) is a co-opted governor appointed by the governing body. His term of office runs from 07-09-15 until 06-09-19. Andy sits on the Curriculum and Resources committee.  He has a relative employed within the Federation. 

Anthony Crabb is a parent governor, elected by parents. Anthony is a consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. His term of office runs from 23-01-18 until 22-01-22. Anthony sits on the Curriculum and Resources committee and has a relative employed by Polka Dot Concerts who deliver high quality musical performances across the Federation.

Kate Grant is a co-opted governor appointed by the governing body. She is the Head of Teaching and Learning at Goodleigh C of E Primary School and teaches the upper key stage 2 children. Her term of office runs from 07-09-15 until 06-09-19. Kate sits on the Curriculum and Resources committee. She has a relative employed within the Federation.

Colin Ley is a foundation ex officio governor, appointed by the Diocese. Colin runs his own farm and has a wide range of knowledge about buildings and their upkeep. His term runs from 16-11-15 until 15-11-19. Colin is the Chair of the Finance and Premises committee. He has no registered interests.

Silvia Panella is a co-opted governor appointed by the governing body. She is an independent  psychologist and researcher with a specialism in autism and is the Clinical Director of The Devon Autism Centre. Silvia works with children and their families across a range of settings in Devon as well as conducting research in her field. Her term of office runs from 30-09-15 until 29-09-19. Silvia is our SEND link governor and Chair of the Curriculum and Resources committee. She has no registered interests.

Pat Pengelly is a foundation governor, appointed by the Diocese. Pat works within the telecommunications industry and brings a wealth of technical skills to the board. His term of office runs from 23-11-15 until 22-11-19. Pat is our lead finance governor and sits on the Finance and Premises committee and Performance and Pay committee. He has no registered interests.

Debbie Rutherford is a staff governor, elected by school staff. She is a teacher at Ilfracombe Infant and Nursery School. Her term of office runs from 01-09-15 until 31-08-19. Debbie sits on the Curriculum and Resources committee. Debbie has no registered interests.

Peter Taylor is a foundation governor, appointed by the Diocese. Peter’s career has involved finance, publishing and IT. He currently works under contract as Business Manager / Company Secretary for two companies operating in the UK and abroad. His term of office runs from 12-10-15 until 11-10-19. Peter sits on the Finance and Premises committee. He has no registered interests.

Geoff Tonkin (currently suspended) is a co-opted governor appointed by the governing body. His term of office runs from 30-09-15 until 29-09-19. Geoff sits on the Finance and Premises committee. He has a relative employed within the Federation.

Iris Watson (currently suspended) is a co-opted governor appointed by the governing body. Her term of office runs from 30-09-15 until 29-09-19. Iris sits on the Curriculum and Resources committee. She has no registered interests.

Claire Grant is an ex-officio governor as Executive Headteacher and sits on both of the main committees: Curriculum and Resources and Finance and Premises. Her term of office commenced on 01-09-2007. She has a relative employed within the federation.

Janet Sanders’ term of office ran from 07-09-2015 until 28-06-2018. She was nominated by the local authority and appointed by the governing body. She had no registered interests.

Associate member

Cathryn Hewitt is an associate member with voting rights on the Curriculum and Resources committee. Appointed by the governing body, her term of office runs from 13-03-19 until 12-03-20. Cathryn is the manager of the local Children’s Centre. She has no registered interests.

Attendance at full governing body meetings over the last academic year (2017/18): 

  • 100% Nadine Sampson
  • 67% Tom Lewis
  • 100% Samantha Baker
  • 67% Andy Bradley
  • 67% Anthony Crabb
  • 67% Kate Grant
  • 100% Colin Tom Ley
  • 83% Silvia Panella
  • 100% Pat Pengelly
  • 67% Debbie Rutherford
  • 50% Peter Taylor
  • 83% Geoff Tonkin
  • 83% Iris Watson
  • 67% Janet Sanders 
  • 100% Claire Grant

Attendance at committee meetings over the last academic year (2017/18):

  • 75% Nadine Sampson
  • 25% Tom Lewis
  • N/A Samantha Baker
  • 0% Andy Bradley
  • N/A Anthony Crabb
  • N/A Kate Grant
  • 100% Colin Tom Ley
  • 100% Silvia Panella
  • 100% Pat Pengelly
  • N/A Debbie Rutherford
  • N/A Peter Taylor
  • 100% Geoff Tonkin
  • 50% Iris Watson
  • 100% Janet Sanders 
  • 100% Claire Grant


Subpages (1): Annual Governors Report