Avening Primary School

Governors

Avening Primary School is a small village school in the heart of Gloucestershire.  Whilst the school is part of The Athelstan Trust, it retains a Local Governing Body which has a duty to support, guide, advise and monitor the strategic direction the school takes in accordance with Trust and national policy.  It does this via regular meetings supported by two sub-committees:  Standards, looking at policy and performance, together with Resources which looks at funding, staffing and health & safety.

 

Our Governing Body is made up of a committed and dedicated group of volunteers who play a key role in the leadership of the school, providing a balance of support and challenge to the school leaders. The role of the Governing Body is well understood and involves:

  • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;

  • Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and

  • Working with the CEO and CFO of the Athelstan Trust, support the  financial performance of the organisation and make sure its money is well spent.

The governors make regular visits to the school covering a variety of activities. Formal monitoring activities include learning walks, GDPR walks, Health and Safety visits, and pupil conferencing. In addition, regularly governors (and other parents) accompany children on school trips and sporting activities around the local area. Governors may sit in on School Council meetings. SATs tests are covered from an invigilation point of view, and governors may represent the school at the Village AGM. Governors also have a presence at Parent Consultation meetings. 

The impact of the Governing Body is apparent throughout the school and we are very grateful to our Governor team for the important role that they play in all aspects of school life. 

 

I am the current Chair of Governors. I have a child currently at the school.  

 

Ms Sarah Campion

I joined as a co-opted governor in 2016 and I am a member of the Resources committee.  I have two children, one of whom attended  Avening Primary School.

 

I am AAT qualified (Association of Accounting Technicians) and in 2009 I set up my own business providing bookkeeping, payroll and accountancy services.

 

In the past, I have stood as Treasurer and Chair for FOAS (Friends of Avening School) and have also help the position of Treasurer for Avening Playgroup, Nailsworth Primary and Marling School's PTAs - I find it very hard to say no!

Mrs Mel Pegler

I have been a parent governor for 2 years, with one child currently attending Avening School.

 

My family live locally in Tetbury, I work in Malmesbury and my wife works in Stroud.

Mr Ben Hovell

I joined the governors in 2022.  I grew up in the local area, and moved back to Tetbury from London in 2021.  I have two boys at the school.

 

I am an audiologist, and run my own private practice helping people with their hearing the performing microsuction earwax removal.

 

I am a keen car and motorsports enthusiast.  I also enjoy playing and watching football.

 

Mr Andrew Haine 

 

After moving to Avening several years ago, we have loved becoming involved in village life.

 

I have been involved in teaching for over 15 years and joined the governing body for Avening Primary School just over a year ago.  I have a son who recently left Year 6 of the school and also I am also in volved in the amazing FOAS (Friends of Avening School).

 

Mrs Kat Donovan

I feel very fortunate to have been the Headteacher of Avening Primary School since 2012.  I started teaching in 1994 in Kent, moving to Gloucestershire in 1997 where I have taught ever since.  Before my career, I read Social and Political Sciences at Cambridge University before completing a PGCE, and later I completed my National Professional Qualification for Headship. 

 

I am passionate about primary education and the role that schools play in supporting and promoting the aspirations of young people in the communities in which they serve.  It is my privilege to carry out this duty at Avening Primary School, working alongside the rest of our dedicated Governing Body to provide the strategic direction required to ensure that the teaching and learning that goes on within our school is the very best it can be.

Mrs Jane Rushton

 

I am a co-opted governor.  I have been connected with Avening Primary School for over 30 years.  Initially, as a parent of three children who attended the school, then as a Teaching Assistant from 1998 - March 2023. 

 

I am pleased to be able to support the school through my role as a governor, working alongside other dedicated staff and governors, with the aim of ensuring Avening School continues to offers its children the best possible teaching and learning opportunities.

 

In my free time I spend as much time as possible catching up with my family.  I am a fanatical bird watcher and also enjoy doing cross stitch.

 

 

Mrs Shan Amos

I am a co-opted governor.  My family and I moved to Avening in 1990. my four children attended Avening Primary School and I taught at the school for 20 years until I retired in 2014.  Having a long association with the school, I was delighted to be asked to join the governing body in 2023 to help and support this wonderful school in any way I can.

Mrs Gill Redpath

I am a co-opted governor of Avening School.  I was the School Business Manager up until August 2025, having worked at the school for 25 years. 

 

 

Mrs Alison Sollis