Welcome to the Public Governors' Page

Crudwell Church of England School’s Governing Body oversees and supports the school to ensure it delivers a good quality education for all its children. Together with Mr John, who is responsible for the day to day management of the school, school governors help the school to set high aims when planning for the future and high targets for school improvement.

The Governing Body meets as a full board six times a year and also in committees which are currently Curriculum and Standards, Resources and Staffing. Each governor is linked to a specific subject area of the curriculum.  Individual governors also monitor each of the various strands of the school’s annual improvement plan, which is reviewed and set for the following academic year each summer by staff and the governing body.

In May 2016 we were awarded the Governor Mark Award. Governor Mark is an accreditation scheme that provides external evaluation of the quality of governance in a school. We are very proud to have achieved this national recognition and continue to strive to do our best for the school.

Governor Photos and Information

Leon Horton, Chair & Parent Governor

Serves on the Resources, Staffing, Curriculum and Standards Committees and heads up the Strategic Leadership Group.

Pecuniary Interests: Child at the school. 

I have been a governor for eight years and was elected Chair of Governors in 2019.  I have one child at the school, the other in secondary school.  My wife and I moved to Crudwell in 2005 and wanted to give something back to the community.  Being a governor is extremely rewarding and very varied, I can be discussing the strategic direction of the school one day and serving the children their Christmas lunch the next. 

I am a qualified accountant, working in a large global company.  My leadership, finance and commercial skills allow me to oversee the governance of Crudwell School with the aim of driving the school’s overall development strategy.

Gail Stevens, Vice Chair & Parent Governor

Serves on the Curriculum and Standards Committee and Strategic Leadership Group and heads up the Staffing Committee.

Pecuniary Interests: Children at the school. 

I have been a governor for five years and was elected Vice-Chair of Governors in 2019.  I have two children at the school, whilst I work as a secondary school maths specialist in one of the Chippenham schools.  Education is something I am passionate about; I firmly believe that every child deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to serve as a governor and gain another perspective on the education sector.  

My experience in education allows me to contribute readily to the governance of Crudwell School, particularly in matters relating to teaching and learning and staffing, with the aim of ensuring quality-first education for all at our school.

Mark Hills, Co-opted Governor

Serves on the Staffing Committee and Strategic Leadership Group and heads up the Resources Committee.

Pecuniary Interests: None.

I moved to the Malmesbury area in 2004 have been a governor at the school since 2017. Both of my children (now at secondary school) went to the school. I became a governor because I wanted to give something back to the school that my children were attending.

I am an actuary and work for one of the UK’s largest insurance companies. My finance and commercial experience along with my analytical and other business skills allow me to contribute to the school’s continued development and success, particularly in matters relating to finance and strategy.

Mike Bird, Co-opted Governor

Serves on the Resources Committee.

Pecuniary Interests: None.

I became a governor in 2019. I moved to Crudwell in 1983 with my family and both my children attended Crudwell CE Primary School before going onto Malmesbury School and subsequently university.

My background has always been closely allied with education, albeit on the supply side of the industry mainly in the pen, pencil and stationery industries. I have been a Sales and Marketing Director for several well-known companies but am now partially retired, although still working as a consultant.

Having seen my own children have successful careers due to the excellent start provided by Crudwell School I relished the opportunity that I now have more time to give something back to the community as well as the industry that I have been part of for so many years. Hopefully, my background knowledge of the industry and procurement can be of use to the school.

Rob James, Foundation Governor

Serves on the Resources Committee.

Pecuniary Interests: Child at the school.

My wife and I, together with our children, Joshua and Abigail, moved to Crudwell in 2019 and were keen to support the local community. The village revolves around its local primary school and when the opportunity arose to be a governor it seemed like the perfect fit. Having the opportunity to get stuck in to support the school is great fun and knowing the work helps enrich the life of children and the local community is a gift. Since my arrival I’ve been really impressed with the children, the passion of the teachers and support staff, and the willingness of the parents to support the school.

If you don’t want to talk school business I’m always open to a good conversation about food or rugby, particularly of the Welsh persuasion.

Ian Churchill, Local Authority Governor

Serves on the Resources Committee; Safeguarding, SEND and Inclusion Governor.

Pecuniary Interests: Wife runs an after-school language club.

I became a governor at Crudwell not long after moving to the village – in the last millennium.  All three of my children benefited from a wonderful and broad education at Crudwell School and I continue to be a governor because I think an excellent primary education is the greatest thing a community can give to its children and I wish to play my part in achieving that.

Although I am officially the Local Authority Governor, we are very fortunate at Crudwell that there is no political involvement in the school; I took the role as it was the governor vacancy at the time.  In my professional life I work as a pilot and an instructor in an airline. Although there is some overlap in terms of teaching and learning, I find the education of young children is much more interesting. 

Ben John, Headteacher, Staff Governor

Serves on the Resources, Staffing, Curriculum and Standards Committees and Strategic Leadership Group.

Pecuniary Interests: None.

I am very proud to be the Headteacher at Crudwell CE Primary School. No two days are the same here and I love working with such a talented group of people and of course, our amazing pupils.

Living in Purton, I love exploring the Wiltshire countryside with my family, taking long walks and being outdoors. Big fan of reading, cricket, squash and guitar!

Jo Lee, Staff Governor

Serves on the Curriculum and Standards Committee and Strategic Leadership Group.

Pecuniary Interests: None.

I am Assistant Headteacher and class teacher at Crudwell CE Primary School where I have worked for eighteen years. Since joining the Senior Leadership Team in 2013, I have been a member of the Governing Body where I serve on the Curriculum and Standards Committee.

I am passionate about teaching and love to see children learn. I dedicate my time to planning fun lessons and providing a safe and happy classroom for my children to flourish.

In my role as Staff Governor, I provide a link between the staff and the governors.

Tim Kaner, Co-opted Governor

Heads up the Curriculum and Standards Committee and leads Sustainability and Marketing Group – Strategic Development Plan Area 5.

Pecuniary Interests: None.

I have lived in Crudwell since 2016 and currently work as Chief Marketing Officer at the University of Bath with extensive prior experience in the  commercial sector. I am a member of the University’s Executive Board which has responsibility for the development and implementation of the institutional strategy of a University currently ranked in the top 10 of national league tables.

I am a firm believer in the value of the power of education to transform lives and I hope I can bring a range of useful skills and relevant experience to the school and its governor body.

Richenda Milton-Daws, Foundation Governor

Serves on the Staffing Committee.

Pecuniary Interests: None.

I am a Licensed Lay Minister for the Braydon Brook group of churches which includes the church at Crudwell. As this is a Church of England school, I represent the local church. 

I moved to North Wiltshire (from Sussex) in 2008, after my children had moved on to sixth-form college and beyond, but remain passionate about the difference a good education can make to a child’s life. It is a huge privilege therefore to have the opportunity to serve as a governor for a school that supports and encourages its pupils so well.

My professional life has been in editing and publishing. The written word is powerful – few things are more exciting than watching a child discover that. I live in Lea, some six miles south of Crudwell, and enjoy walking, theatre, conversation and sharing books with our grandchildren. 

Pictures of the Governors are displayed in the school’s entrance foyer.  Please feel free to approach any of us if you have ideas, questions or thoughts that are relevant for the future development and success of our school - we are always pleased to hear from you.

If you are interested in becoming a governor, please contact the Clerk, via the school office.