Meet the Governors
The Governing Body of Heyford Park School has three core functions:
- To ensure the clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school.
- To hold the Head Teachers to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff.
- To oversee the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Our key behaviours: Accountability, Challenge, Communication, Fairness, Integrity
The core features of effective governance include the importance of the Governing Body having the right people with the necessary skills, time and commitment, and sufficient diversity of perspectives to ensure an internal challenge, all actively contributing in line with clearly defined roles and responsibilities under an effective chair.
Meet the Governors
Dr Jenny Faulkner
Chair of Governors
Jenny has been a Trustee of EPA since 2015 and she is the Chair of the Standards Committee of the main Board. She is a very experienced Chair of Governors having been both a Chair of a Secondary School in Bolton and the Chair of Stanton Harcourt Primary School for EPA, where she recently led the school through its ‘Good’ Ofsted Inspection. Jenny has also previously been a governor at Bartholomew School where she led the Achievement Committee. Therefore she has a really strong and unique understanding of governance at both primary and secondary levels and how this is such an important part of building great schools.
Jenny is a Lecturer in Chemistry at The Queen’s College, University of Oxford and also supports the Open University having a real commitment to education in the widest sense. She has previously worked on Aim Higher initiatives looking specifically at supporting diversity in those reaching the highest levels of achievement and progression. She is a parent with children at EPA schools and despite her many commitments is also helping us with the development of our 5 Year Strategic Plan of which Science will be a key part.
We believe Heyford Park School can now look to the future and focus its attention on building an excellent education for all children. With this aim in mind a Chair of Governors with Jenny’s extensive and impressive track record will add much value to the already strong team of governors and leaders at the school.
Steve Gee
Parent Governor
Steve is the owner and Managing Director of a local employment business. Steve has been a parent at the school since the school first opened in 2014. He is a parent of a child within the Secondary phase of the school and has also previously had a child attend and complete the secondary phase. Steve was also a founding member of the school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
Deborah Coggins
Parent Governor
Deborah is a senior marketing professional with over 20 years’ experience working for and with some of the world’s largest technology companies. She has two children in primary school who have attended the school from nursery onwards. As a full time working parent, Deborah is a regular user of our Extended Services provision and is passionate about the future success of the school.
Steve Burley
Governor
Steve is a Headmaster with significant experience in education, spanning both state and independent sectors. After studying at Oxford and London, his career began as a teacher of English at The King’s School, Canterbury and then moved on to Sevenoaks School, one of the world’s leading IB schools. After working as Head of English at Headington School, Oxford, he was appointed Deputy Head Academic and, more recently, Senior Deputy at King’s High in Warwick. Steve has been appointed Head Master of King’s High from January 2021. He has served as a Trustee at Heyford Park School since November 2019 and have greatly enjoyed working with the fantastic team and community there. Steve is passionate about the transformative potential of education and working to inspire students to be the leaders of the future, nurturing the skills that will enable them to thrive and succeed.
Jade Kirby
STAFF Governor
I have worked at Heyford School for 2 years as a primary class teacher and I am passionate about providing our children with the best possible education so that each individual reaches their true potential. I am also the teaching and learning lead for primary and take great pride in helping the school on their journey to excellence. I am thoroughly enjoying my role as Staff Governor as I feel it provides me with further opportunities to work alongside staff, families and our community
Sarah Morgan-Harris
STAFF Governor
I have worked at Heyford Park School for 5 years as a Teaching Assistant. In that time, I have been fortunate enough to work across all primary key stages including pre-school. The last 2 years my role has progressed into a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant based in lower key stage 2 which I thoroughly enjoy.
I have a huge passion for ensuring that all our children are given opportunities to reach their full learning potential.
I am excited by my role as staff governor as it provides me with further opportunities to work alongside colleagues, families and other governors to achieve academic excellence.
Lex Bradley-Stow
DIRECTOR APPOINTED Governor
Lex qualified as a youthworker before working in schools for six years, spending time as a boarding mistress, RE teacher and school chaplain. Having trained at theological college Lex was ordained and arrived in Heyford Park in 2021. She loves being part of the Heyford Park community and is excited about becoming a governor for Heyford Park School.
HELEN BARNES
DIRECTOR APPOINTED Governor
Helen has been Team Rector of seven churches in the area since 2019. She built a relationship with Heyford Park School during this time and contributes to assemblies and other activities both at school and at Heyford Park Chapel when the school visits. Prior to becoming full-time clergy she qualified as a youth worker and most recently was a manager for projects providing education and training for young people who did not fit into the usual school mould.
