Meet our School Governors

Local Authority Governor – Appointed by the Full Governing Body and agreed by the Local Authority

Appointed on 19th September 2017, his term of Office ends 18th September 2021

John Dickens serves on the Resources Committee

I have a long association with Harwell Primary school and I am currently in my second term as a Governor. My wife originally taught here and all three of my children were educated at Harwell Primary School. I have always been very grateful for the excellent all-round education received at the school, which embodies all aspects of education, not simply academic. This provides an outstanding platform for the children to have fun, be responsible, respect others, learn and mature in life. I simply wish to ensure through the Governing Body and School Leadership Team that every child at Harwell has the same opportunity as mine to flourish, learn and develop to their best potential in a safe and happy environment.

Co-opted Governors – Appointed by the Full Governing Body

Janice Markey is Chair of the Educational Effectiveness Committee

Appointed on 13th April 2019 by the Full Governing Body, her term of Office ends 12th April 2023

Janice - Copy

I have lived in Harwell all my life and went to Harwell Primary School in the 1960’s, firstly at the old building in School Lane and then moving up to the ‘new school ‘ in Westfields when it first opened. I work as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant at a primary school in Abingdon. I spend a lot of my spare time involved in different village clubs including Harwell Feast Committee, Gardeners Club and W.I. and I do a fair bit of community gardening in the school’s wildlife garden, the War Memorial, Village Hall and Didcot Hospital.

One of the ways I feel I can help most as a governor is in connecting the school with the community of Harwell and vice versa. They say it takes a village to raise a child and I love to see the benefits of bringing the children and the villagers together.

Richard Thompson serves on the Resources Committee

Appointed on 26th September 2018 by the Full Governing Body, his term of Office ends 25th September 2022

I have lived in Oxfordshire for 25 years and moved to Harwell in 2011. My two children are in Year 5 at Harwell School. I am keen to support the school towards achieving its potential.

Professionally I am solicitor employed in the Courts Service dealing mainly in criminal cases and child-focused family proceedings.

Outside of work my interests include running, cooking, and (very slowly) learning to play the guitar.

Sue Greatbanks serves on the Educational Effectiveness Committee

Appointed on 30th September 2019 by the Full Governing Body, her term of Office ends 29th September 2023

Sue - Copy I joined the Governing body in 2015 after retiring from teaching, many of those years were spent at Harwell Primary School, as many of you might know. I am passionate about children, their development and education and like to be involved with the life of the school. I now have three young granddaughters, who live in Didcot & they keep me busy! In my spare time I enjoy reading, walking & being part of the community.

Dan Wellstead serves on the Educational Effectiveness Committee

Appointed on 17th November 2020 by the Full Governing Body, his term of Office ends 16th November 2024

We moved to the village in October 2019 and our youngest daughter started at Harwell Primary School in September 2019.

I currently serve in the Royal Air Force and have done for the last 18 years. I have travelled a lot with work. Currently based at RAF Benson, working on Puma2 Helicopters.

Hobbies and Interests, I am a very keen rugby fan, following Bath and of course England. I have previously managed a selection of RAF Rugby teams. I also enjoy going out and exploring our local countryside with my family.

Chris Smith serves on the Resources Committee

Appointed on 13th April 2019 by the Full Governing Body, his term of Office ends 12th April 2023

I am a proud parent of two children at Harwell, in years 3 and 6, and a recent “graduate” of the school now at Aureus. My wife also works as a teaching assistant in FC – suffice is to say that I have a vested interest in the school. I was co-opted onto the Governing Body in April 2019 specifically for my finance skills as I am a Chartered Accountant. Prior to this I served in the Army in London. I am delighted to have been appointed Finance Governor and am happy to put my new-found skills to good effect.

Frances Williams is Vice Chair and serves on the Resources Committee

Appointed on 13th April 2019 by the Full Governing Body, her term of Office ends 12th April 2023.

I moved to the village in 2013, and our eldest daughter started at Harwell Primary School in September 2019. I provide the HR specialism to the Governing Body; I have worked in the HR Department at Great Western Railway for the last 7 years where I am part of their Senior Leadership Team. I am keen to use my skills and experience to benefit the local community.

Kirsten Christensen serves on the Educational Effectiveness Committee

Appointed on 22nd July 2019 by the Full Governing Body, her term of Office ends 21st July 2023.

My two older daughters have attended Harwell School and my son started in 2018. We lived in the village for a couple of years and really enjoy being a part of this community. During the time my daughters attended Harwell Primary School I was chair for the parent committee that ran the old After School Club. The skills and knowledge gained during this period will help me in my role as a Governor.

Headteacher Governor:

Bryn Gibson serves on both the Resources and Educational Effectiveness Committees

His term of office continues whilst he is Headteacher

Parent Governors are elected by parents to serve a four year term of office

Tom Gowers serves on the Resources Committee

His term of office ends 17th October 2021

Tom

I have lived in Harwell with my wife, Catherine, since 2007 and really enjoy being part of village life. Both of my children, Max and Eva, have attended Harwell School (Max is now in Year 12 at St Birinus, and Eva is in Year 5 at Harwell). I started as a parent governor in 2013 and have seen many changes at Harwell School in that time. We have welcomed Bryn Gibson as our new Headteacher and the school has developed significantly over the past 6 years across the curriculum, staffing and school environment. I was very proud of the school achieving our well-deserved ‘Good’ OFSTED rating in May 2017.

I have worked in the IT industry for more than 25 years as a Solution Architect in both individual and managerial roles and have been able to draw on my business and technology skills to advise the school as part of the governing board. I chaired the Educational Effectiveness committee for a few years before moving across to the Resources committee this year to broaden my understanding of how the school is run. I am also the link governor for GDPR.

Aisha Nevers is Chair of Governors and serves on the Educational Effectiveness Committee

Her term of office ends 17th October 2021

I moved to Harwell Village with my husband Lindley and Daughter Meika in 2015.

My daughter joined reception at Harwell school in 2017 and continues to enjoy her time here.

I have been a parent governor since 2017.

I have a background in civil engineering, technology strategy, programme management and management consultancy, and am passionate about education and value the role of our school in our children’s development.

I continue to use my experience and skills to support my role as governor in helping to secure the best opportunities and environment for our children to thrive and reach their potential.

James Thorne serves on the Resources Committee. His term of office ends on 29th September 2024.

I have lived in the village since 2009 and both my daughters attend the school, Jess in year 4 and Hannah in year 2. I have been Secretary of Harwell School Association since Jess was in foundation class and enjoyed contributing back to the school. To take that further, I stepped down from that role to become a governor. Professionally, I work at Diamond Light Source as a Computer Systems Administrator. I am also a Scout Leader with 1st Harwell Scouts.