Meet the Governors

Meet our Governors

The role of the Governing Body is a strategic one. Its core functions are to:

• Oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent.
• Hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils.
• Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
• Ensure the voices of stakeholder are heard.

In addition, Foundation Governors uphold the Christian values and distinctiveness of church schools.

The full Governing Body meets at least once per term. The current chair of the Governing Body is Mr Sam Weston.

I joined the Governing Body in January 2019 and became the Vice Chair in the summer of that year. In September 2023 I became Chair of Governors.

As a man who is passionate about progress and willing to challenge, even when the challenge is hard, I volunteered to get involved. I joined the governing body, and with a strong chairperson and the new senior school leadership, we are growing an environment to encourage and guide students through their early school careers.

With a strong history of leadership and decision-making in the more conflicted regions of the world, added to business and people management and problem-solving experience all over the world, I felt that my skills would be helpful to the governing body and school.

As a Foundation governor, my faith has been ever-present in my activities as governor. With one of my children at Gamston School (and another have just left to start secondary school), I have undertaken to separate my decision-making as a governor from that of a parent.

I have been a Foundation Governor of the school since December 2021. I became a Co Vice Chair of Governors in September 2023. I am now retired, but previously I taught in Primary Schools for thirty years, which included thirteen years as Headteacher of a small school in Oxfordshire. I also have an Accountancy qualification, and latterly worked for charities and not-for-profit organisations as an Administration & Finance Manager.

I moved to Gamston in 2020. I soon discovered that Gamston School was looking for new governors, and put myself forward as I believed that my skills and experience could be of benefit to the school. I was also happy to offer my help in the classroom, and since January 2022 I have volunteered in Tyndale, Nightingale and Bannister classes.

I have two grown-up children, and one granddaughter of primary school age.

I was elected as a Parent Governor in September 2022 and live in the local area. I became a Co Vice Chair of Governors in September 2023. I have been involved with Girl guiding for over 20 years and have recently taken on a leadership role in Scouting. I am actively involved in my local church, and am a member of the school’s Parents & Friends Association. My son has been at the school since nursery.

I am passionate that every child deserves the best education possible. To this end, I am fully committed to working with the other governors and senior leaders to continue to improve and drive standards.

I joined Gamston’s Governing Board in October 2020. This is my first experience as a school governor. However, I have been a teacher in secondary school for over thirty years and have taught in a variety of different schools and colleges. My specialism was teaching pupils and adults with learning difficulties and mental health issues. I retired from teaching in 2019.

I have been a Family and Adult Magistrate for over 16 years. I am a Presiding Justice in both courts, and I am Chair of Humber and South Yorkshire Family training committee. I have worked as a session supervisor and general advisor for the Citizen Advice Bureau.

Currently I sit on three fostering panels as an independent panel member and find this work both challenging and rewarding.

I joined the board as a parent governor in March 2020, and became Chair of the Finance Committee in September 2020. I became a Governor to increase my involvement in the school family, and I felt I had a skill set that could add value to the governance of the school.

I have a background in Economics, restaurant and project management, and have recently completed the AAT Diploma in Professional Accounting qualification. I hope to progress to chartered accountancy. I’d like to think that I bring a little business and accounting experience to the board, along with care, commitment, the ability to question and perhaps, an annoying attention to detail!

I have one daughter currently attending Gamston. I also provide extra support for the children and teachers as required, with swimming, trips and sporting events.

On a personal level I like to stay active and enjoy cycling, walking and dance. I love to travel, and experience different countries and cultures. However, the greatest enjoyment comes from doing all these things with my children and family.

I have been a Foundation Governor at Gamston since 2015. I bring experience as a County Children’s and Education Resources Librarian. I have also worked as a Training and Development Officer for a national youth charity.

I have a lifelong interest in promoting opportunities for rural communities and especially for young people. I have been Chair of Dukeries Fine Arts, member of Bothamsall parish council and churchwarden.

My interests include theatre, watercolour painting, reading and farming and I have certificates from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust for wine tasting.

I have been a Staff Governor since November 2022 and I have been employed as a member of the administration staff at Gamston School for over eighteen years now.

In my current role as Office Manager, I closely manage the school budget, so I feel that I could bring this financial expertise and knowledge, along with my great understanding of the day to day running of the school, to the Governing Body.

Gamston School is more than just a school; it has a really great family ethos working with Staff, Parents and the wider community. We are all here for the children to thrive in their environment and for them to be the 'best that they can be'.

It was a great honour and privilege for me to be appointed as a co-opted Governor. I have been in this role since December 2022.

My background has been teaching Religious Studies, History and Geography at GCSE level for 17 years, working as an Examiner and Moderator for a major Exam Board, teaching University Modules and working in SLT as Deputy head, Headteacher and even been nominated as Vice Principal.

During my tenure at (the non-selective) Al-Karam secondary School under the leadership of Mr M.I.H. Pirzada, we managed to secure first position in the Nottinghamshire GCSE League tables six times.

I have also worked as a House Master in the boys’ secondary boarding section and held responsibility as the Health & Safety co-ordinator.

This overall skillset will help me in a team effort to be meticulous in maintaining high academic standards, but equally and importantly in maintaining the wellbeing, happiness and safety of all the children and staff at our school.

I enjoy the outdoors, walking, cycling, badminton, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. I have a great passion for community harmony and cohesion through sharing positivity, joy and happiness (my wife’s passion to feed others has greatly aided in the latter!).

As a governor, my aim is to galvanise unity and harmony between parents, staff and the wider community to create an environment which will enable for the best outcomes of the children, alongside the development of British values.

All of my children have studied at Gamston, with my youngest son currently in year two.

 I re-joined the Governing Body in September 2023 as a Foundation Governor having previously served on the Governing Body from September 2010 to July 2018.

As a recently retired person I was looking to fill my time with additional volunteering roles and was approached to become a PCC appointed Foundation Governor to compliment my role of Churchwarden for All Saints Eaton and Gamston.

My experience working in the NHS for the past 32 years has given me strong leadership skills, the ability to challenge and hold people to account whilst having emotional intelligence well suited to a school setting. For the past 16 years I have worked in Forensic Mental Health as a Head Occupational Therapist and more recently held the post of Professional Head of Occupational Therapy. This experience has made me capable in managing people and given me strong business and problem-solving skills in addition to a wide knowledge of safeguarding principles.

I am bringing with me strong philosophies on Christian distinctiveness, and I am keen to ensure every child in our school can be the best they can be in educational achievements whilst developing strong socially responsible individuals, teaching respect and tolerance in all aspects of life.

Please find below details of how our Governing Body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor:

If you are interested in finding out more about the work of the Governing Body or would like to find out about becoming a governor, please email: sweston@gamston.snmat.org.uk

You can also contact the Governing Board via the clerk: sara.booth@nottscc.gov.uk