A Governing Body consists of a group of people from the local community, from all walks of life, who bring with them different viewpoints, experiences, knowledge, skills and ideas. They may be parents, staff at the school, local residents or representatives of local businesses, who work together as a team, with the Headteacher and the leadership team to ensure that the school provides their pupils with the best possible education - and constantly strives to improve.
Governing Body Mission
To provide a happy, friendly, caring and stimulating environment where children grow in self-esteem and achieve their full potential, by:
- Working with the school to set VRS’s vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding school leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure money is well spent
- Ensuring the school is accountable to all stakeholders.
Elected governors serve a four-year term of office, which can be renewed after this period. The Chair of Governors is elected annually. Any parent having a child in school is eligible for nomination as a Parent Governors.
Appointing Body Instrument of Government
Current Governors
| Name | Governor Category | Appointing Body | Position / Responsibilities | Term of Office Ends | Attendance 21/22 |
| Dan Herbert | Co-opted | Governing Body | Chair / Leadership & Management | 15/05/23 | 6 out of 6 meetings |
| Mary Selvester | Co-opted | Governing Body | Deputy Chair / Leadership & Management / Chair School Committee | 30/04/23 | 6 out of 6 meetings |
| Claire Rilett | Co-opted | Governing Body | Safeguarding / School Committee | 13/12/25 | 3 out of 5 meetings |
| Richard Floyd | Co-opted | Governing Body | Finance Lead / Leadership & Management | 13/12/25 | 6 out of 6 meetings |
| Laura Gater | Co-opted | Governing Body | School Committee KS2 Link | 02/10/24 | 5 out of 6 meetings |
| Phil Colborne | Co-opted | Governing Body | Environment Committee | 21/10/23 | 2 out of 6 meetings |
| Claire Samson | Co-opted | Governing Body | School Committee KS1 Link | 11/12/25 | 5 out of 6 meetings |
| John Powell | Governing Body | H&S | 03/04/26 | 3 out of 3 meetings | |
| Kath Booth | Staff | Governing Body | School Committee | 31/07/23 | N/A |
| Jo Cunningham | Parent | Governing Body | School Committee | 13/03/26 | 3 out of 3 meetings |
| Zahra Bardai | Parent | Governing Body | Leadership & Management | 13/03/26 | 3 out of 3 meetings |
| Tim Coulson | Headteacher | Ex-Officio | Leadership & Management | n/a | 5 out of 6 meetings |
| Teresa Edwards | Clerk | n/a |
Declared Relevant Business Interests
Mary Selvester - Teacher at a different school. Occasional supply teaching (declared 09/10/2017)
Other educational establishments governed or trusteeships held
None
Relationships with the school's staff
Dan Herbert - Rachel Herbert (wife) Y5 teacher (declared 09/10/2017)
All remaining current Governors have no interests to declare.
Full register of interests of the Governing Body 2022/23 click here
| Meeting dates for 2021/22 | Meeting Minutes |
| Monday 18 Oct 2021 | Minutes 18 Oct 2021 |
| Monday 13 Dec 2021 | Minutes 13 Dec 2021 |
| Monday 14 Feb 2022 | Minutes 14 Feb 2022 |
| Monday 4 Apr 2022 | Minutes 4 Apr 2022 |
| Monday 23 May 2022 | Minutes 23 May 2022 |
| Monday 11 July 2022 | Minutes 11 Jul 2022 |
| Monday 17 Oct 2022 | Minutes 17 Oct 2022 |
To contact the governing body, please email the school office and the email will be passed on. Email office.2512@valley-road.oxon.sch.uk