Turnfurlong Junior School

Governors

Every school is legally required to have Governors who are volunteers drawn from the parent, staff and local communities. Governors bring with them life experiences as parents, carers and employees, and they are legally responsible for the school budget and pupil achievement. They form part of the school leadership and meet with senior and middle leaders to discuss the performance of the children and safeguarding, how learning is organised (the curriculum), and how the budget is used to sustain high standards. As employers the governors must be assured that all employees are trained and their professional needs and well-being are supported.

In July each year governors and school leaders discuss the performance of the school and the priorities for the following year, and this informs the school improvement plan for the following year. During the school year leaders and governors monitor progress against this plan. All this requires meetings between governors and staff, many which are short and informal. Each term there are two formal meetings to bring information together, and reports of these meetings are published on the school website.

The Governing body acts as a corporate body.

Introducing our Governors

Martin Baxter - Chair of Governors
I joined the Turnfurlong Governing Board in 2012 and became the Chair of Governors in 2016 following a career in schools and work on local and national education projects. I led two school improvement services and inspected primary, secondary, special schools and teacher training for Ofsted. Following that I became a headteacher, worked at UK national level on two school improvement projects and in four countries at government level to support their national curriculum and assessment.

I believe that it is important to help local schools and I want to draw on my experience to support continuous improvement at Turnfurlong Junior School. It is a dynamic place in which to learn, it promotes a positive and inclusive attitudes, establishes a strong base for learning beyond the school, and encourages all children to be ambitious and make a positive contribution. The challenge is to sustain all the strengths of the school at a time of significant change and financial uncertainty.

Jo Divers - Headteacher
It is my absolute pleasure to be the Headteacher of such a dynamic and amazing school, it is a very exciting place to be and everyone is committed to achieving the best outcomes for all children.

Rebecca Ellis - Associate Governor
I have been at Turnfurlong Junior School since 2013 and have loved every minute of being a part of such an amazing school. It has been a pleasure working with staff, parents, governors and children to ensure that the children receive the best education and opportunities that they can.

Ed Macklin- Day - Staff Governor
I am the teacher representative for Turnfurlong Junior School. I have been a teacher for almost 19 years and am passionate about seeing our children develop and learn.

Neil Esslemont - Associate Governor

Rachel Hardern - Parent Governor

Amy Abbott - Foundation Governor
I have been a parent governor for nearly 3 years and I chair the teaching and learning committee. I have 3 children, my eldest son left for secondary in 2019, my younger son is currently in year 6 and I have a daughter in pre-school. I had been a secondary school teacher for 14 years where I ran my own department and have now spent the last 2 years working for Buckinghamshire Virtual school supporting the educational needs of our looked after children. It has been fantastic to support such a hard working teaching team who have the students wellbeing at the heart of everything they do.

Hayley Stark - Parent Governor
I have been a governor at TJS for almost two years now. I enjoy supporting such an ambitious and forward-thinking school. I have a daughter who left in 2020 and a son in Year 5. I have been a teacher for 14 years, initially teaching in Early Years and KS1 in a mainstream school, before moving on to teaching in a Special school. I enjoy using the knowledge and skills I have learnt in both a professional and parental capacity.

Sandeep Chandi - Local Authority Governor
With over 15 years in the financials sector I hope I can bring some of the skills and attributes to best serve the needs of the Governing board, benefit Turnfurlong Junior School and most importantly our children.

Nidhi Mehta - Co-opted Governor
I am a certified Auditor and a qualified Packaging Engineer with over 10 years of working experience in various food and pharmaceutical industries. I am currently a full time mum and a wife pursuing interests related to social causes, supporting community etc.

Melanie Goodhall - Parent Governor
I am new to being a Parent Governor and have a child in Year 4. I am currently an Assistant Headteacher at another Aylesbury school. Teaching is my second career, prior to this I have experienced working in Health & Rehabilitation in a custody setting. I am really to happy to be part of a team supporting such a fantastic school and look forward to helping them to continue to do the best job for our children

Jo Cayless - Clerk to the Governors

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The governing body works within the following committee structure:

Resources (Finance and Personnel with responsibility for Health and Safety)
Teaching and Learning (with responsibility for community)
Pay Review Committee
Hearings Committee
Appeal Committee
Headteachers Performance Management
Complaint Committee
Individual Roles on behalf of the governing body include:
Development Governor:
SEND
Pupil Premium
Safeguarding /Child Protection
Health and Safety
The governing body have also chosen to establish year links to enable us to get to know the school and children in an informed way.

The above structure enables the governing body to fulfil its role.

Turnfurlong Lane, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP21 7PL

01296 489264

office@turnfurlongmiddle.bucks.sch.uk