Meet Our Governors

Photo of the St Barnabas school governors in 2024

Governors have a strategic planning role, responsibility for school governance, and supporting the Headteacher, who has responsibility for the day to day running of the school. We are required to follow legal and procedural processes laid down by the Government, in accordance with Church of England regulations.

We are always happy to hear from parents about issues which fall into this remit. If you would like to contact a member of the Governing Body please email Charlie Arbuthnott (Interim Chair of Governors) at chairofgovs@st-barnabas.oxon.sch.uk and she will be happy to help.

 

What do Governors do?

Governors are all volunteers and have a close working relationship with the Headteacher and staff to ensure statutory requirements are met, including:

  • Determining the aims and curriculum policy for the school.
  • Allocating the school budget, so that national and local requirements, as well as our children’s needs, are met.
  • Approving the school management structure; interviewing and appointing staff.
  • Deciding how the school is to be used outside school hours.
  • Fostering good relationships with parents and the local community.
  • Monitoring and promoting the Christian ethos within the school.
  • Providing a welcoming, friendly and supportive environment where all can flourish in the spirit of the school Mission Statement

Governors attend full Governing Body meetings four time a year, and to belong to Sub-committees of the Governing Body. The two Sub-committees are Finance, Staffing & Premises, and Curriculum, Standards & Pupils. Governors visit the school to get to know the staff and children and to see how the school operates. Minutes of Governors’ meetings are available in school. All school policies are available online.

 

Who are the Governors at St Barnabas?

Our Governing Body is made up of Parent, Local Authority, Foundation and Staff Governors. The number of each group of Governors is laid down in the School Constitution. Parent Governors are elected by the parents and must have a child in school at the time of election. Staff Governors work at school and are elected by the staff, both teaching and non-teaching. Local Authority Governors are appointed by the Local Authority. They may be County or City Councillors, or people known within the local community. Foundation Governors are appointed by the Church through the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Barnabas Church Oxford and the Diocese of Oxford, helping ensure the Christian vision and ethos of the school are upheld. The Governing Body of St Barnabas’ Primary School is comprised of:

  • 2 Foundation Governors – Diocesan appointed
  • 6 Foundation Governors – PCC appointed
  • 1 Local Authority Governor
  • 2 Parent Governors (elected from parent body)
  • 1 Staff Governor (elected from staff body)
  • 1 Headteacher
  • 1 Incumbent ex officio (the Vicar of the Parish)

The current Vicar of St Barnabas Church is Father Christopher Woods. He is supported by colleagues including Jenny Pittaway (Lay Minister).

Loader Loading...
EAD Logo Taking too long?

Reload Reload document
| Open Open in new tab

Download the Document [135.41 KB]

 

Attendance at Governors Meetings

Loader Loading...
EAD Logo Taking too long?

Reload Reload document
| Open Open in new tab

Download the Document [144.10 KB]

 

Our Governing Body

Charlie Arbuthnott [CHAIR]
Foundation governor

Appointed by

Parochial Church Council

Term of office

01/12/22 - 30/11/26

Pecuniary/other interests

Nothing to declare

Roles/Responsibilities

Chair of Governing body; SEND; Curriculum, Standards & Pupils committee; Finance, Resources, Premises & Staffing committee

I have lived in Jericho for over 20 years and my son Robin was at St Barnabas all the way through from reception to Y6. I work in science communication, helping more people find, understand and benefit from research. Having co-founded my company 12 years ago, I have a lot of experience in fundraising, budgeting, planning, HR and marketing. I am also a trustee of a community association in the scholarly communication sector. Something I love about St Barnabas: It is such a friendly school, with such a wide and interesting mix of pupils and families.
About me
The Revd Christopher Woods
Foundation governor

Appointed by

Ex officio

Term of office

04/02/19 onwards

Pecuniary/other interests

Nothing to declare

Roles/Responsibilities

Attendance; Wellbeing; Whistle-blowing; Headteacher Appraisal

I have been Vicar of St Barnabas Jericho and St Thomas the Martyr since February 2019. Before coming to Oxford, I was a Vicar in east London for 5 years. One of the duties of being a Vicar is being an ex-officio Foundation Governor of the school. I served as Chair of Governors from June 2022 to July 2024. I am especially interested in community cohesion and developing the spiritual needs of the children in the school and the well-being of the school community.
About me
The Revd Prof Sue Gillingham
Foundation governor

Appointed by

Parochial Church Council

Term of office

23/03/24 - 22/03/28

Pecuniary/other interests

Nothing to declare

Roles/Responsibilities

RE & Collective Worship; Curriculum, Standards & Pupils committee

I’ve lived in Oxford since 1978 and in St Barnabas catchment area for 36 of those 42 years. I’ve been attached to Worcester College since the late 1980s, and to St Barnabas’ Church since the mid-1990s, where I now serve as a Permanent Deacon. So I think I can count myself a local! By profession I’m a writer and teacher and I’ve had experience in tertiary, secondary and primary education. Right now I’m Professor Emeritus of the Hebrew Bible at the University of Oxford, a Senior Research Fellow at Worcester College, and Director of a University Network on the Psalms. I am keen to make a difference, where possible, to the ‘wellbeing’ of the school – whether of staff, pupils, or parents. I regularly support the EYFS co-ordinator and assist with the children’s reading and learning. I am also part of the Headteacher appraisal panel.
About me
The Revd Rachel Weir
Foundation governor

Appointed by

Diocesan Board of Education

Term of office

24/09/24 - 23/09/28

Pecuniary/other interests

Nothing to declare

Roles/Responsibilities

I see my role as helping to promote and develop the Christian ethos of the school. I am an Anglican priest and served as chaplain to a large and culturally diverse school in north London before returning to Oxford. I'm very much looking forward to getting to know the school community in the coming months.
About me
Alan Barr
Foundation governor

Appointed by

Diocesan Board of Education

Term of office

21/03/23 - 20/03/27

Pecuniary/other interests

Governor of Merton College, Oxford since 2007

Roles/Responsibilities

SIAMS; Finance, Resources, Premises & Staffing committee; Pay committee

I'm a physics professor, a parent, and a member of St Barnabas Church. My professional role involves research using the Large Hadron Collider, as well as teaching and governance in Merton College in Oxford. When not at work, I enjoy walking, gardening, cycling and being out on the water. I've found St Barnabas School to be a friendly and encouraging environment for our children. As well as being a member of the Full Governing Board, I am the link governor for Science, and the SIAMS Governor.
About me
Claire Atkins
Foundation governor

Appointed by

Parochial Church Council

Term of office

27/09/22 - 26/09/26

Pecuniary/other interests

Nothing to declare

Roles/Responsibilities

Curriculum, Standards & Pupil committee [CHAIR]; Pay committee; Pupil Premium

I am delighted to be on the Governing Body at St Barnabas School. I am a long-standing member of the congregation at St Barnabas Church, where I serve on the PCC and can be seen singing in the choir. Beyond maths education, my interests lie in art and music, although my abilities are limited! I am the Chair of the Curriculum, Standards and Pupils Committee of the Governing Body.
About me
Christopher Pownall
Foundation governor

Appointed by

Parochial Church Council

Term of office

04/11/23 - 03/11/27

Pecuniary/other interests

Nothing to declare

Roles/Responsibilities

Finance, Resources, Premises & Staffing committee; Safeguarding – SCR monitoring

I am a member of St Barnabas Parochial Church Council and active in various community activities in Jericho and Summertown. I am a solicitor by profession and work for a technology company.
About me
Cheryl Codrington
Foundation governor

Appointed by

Parochial Church Council

Term of office

04/11/23 - 03/11/27

Pecuniary/other interests

Nothing to declare

Roles/Responsibilities

Curriculum, Standards & Pupil committee

I have had children and grandchildren at the school, so I know St Barnabas very well indeed. I live in Jericho and I know and love the community here. I am pleased to be a Governor again and to work with the new Headteacher.
About me
David Troiani
Parent governor

Appointed by

Elected by parents

Term of office

18/11/23 - 17/11/27

Pecuniary/other interests

Spouse is employed by the school & Chair of PTA

Roles/Responsibilities

Pay committee; Safeguarding Lead; PTA link

I was elected as Parent Governor in 2023 and have one child at St Barnabas. I'm an energetic, charismatic, fix-anything scientist, with more hobbies than I've got time for (including building speakers, cooking, strength & endurance training, coding and drawing). I like trying and learning new things whenever I can, and am very excited to be part of this wonderful team!
About me
Victoria Gallardo-Sanchez
Parent governor

Appointed by

Elected by parents

Term of office

26/02/26 - 25/02/30

Pecuniary/other interests

Roles/Responsibilities

About me
Mark Priest
Co-opted governor

Appointed by

Governing body

Term of office

05/06/24 - 04/06/28

Pecuniary/other interests

Nothing to declare

Roles/Responsibilities

Finance, Resources, Premises & Staffing committee [CHAIR]; Headteacher Appraisal; Health & Safety

I am married to Deena and have two young children, one of whom recently started at the school. Having initially trained as an engineer, I have spent the last 15 years working in Finance Consulting. I joined the Governors in 2020, my main role being to chair the Finance Committee. In my spare time, you'll likely find me trying to get back into shape, running or cycling around Oxford.
About me
Susanna Pressel
Local Authority

Appointed by

Local Authority

Term of office

01/09/24 - 31/08/28

Pecuniary/other interests

Oxford City Councillor; Governor of West Oxford Primary School

Roles/Responsibilities

Finance, Resources, Premises & Staffing committee; Admissions

I’m have been a city councillor for Jericho since 1996 and a county councillor since 2009. I have had the great pleasure of being a governor of St Barnabas School for more than 20 years. I was a teacher myself for about 30 years and I love visiting the school, helping where I can and trying to be a good link between the school and the wider community. I’m also a governor of West Oxford School in Ferry Hinksey Road, which is another part of my area.
About me
Charlotte Christie
Associate Member

Appointed by

Governing Body

Term of office

19/09/25 - 18/09/26

Pecuniary/other interests

C Christie Education Ltd since 2019; Chair of Governors at West Kidlington Primary School; Trustee of Hill End Outdoor Education Centre

Roles/Responsibilities

Curriculum, Standards & Pupils committee; Headteacher Appraisal; Behaviour & personal development; Early Years

I started my career as a primary teacher and worked for two local authorities as a Schools Adviser, and I now work with headteachers and governors in all types of schools as an independent education consultant. I am also Chair of Governors at West Kidlington Primary School and a Trustee of Hill End Outdoor Education Centre. I live in Jericho and am Chair of the Jericho Community Association. I have enjoyed marshalling for Run Jericho.
About me
Beccy Harris
Headteacher

Appointed by

Ex officio

Term of office

22/08/23 onwards

Pecuniary/other interests

Nothing to declare

Roles/Responsibilities

Curriculum, Standards & Pupils committee; Finance, Resources, Premises & Staffing committee; Pay committee

Proud Headteacher of St Barnabas C of E Primary School!
About me