Meet the Governors

Name:Helen Connett

Category: Co-opted

Appointing body: Governing body

Term: Sept 13 -

Responsibilities: Leadership and Management; SEN

Register of Interests: N/A

Profile:

Both my children have attended Pomphlett and are now in secondary school. I have seen both of my children flourish in an environment so dedicated to high standards but also a broad and balanced curriculum. Being part of the governing body has given me an incredible insight into how the school works and the hard work and dedication that this necessitates from all staff and volunteers. I became a parent governor at Pomphlett in February 2013. I am link governor for Special Educational Needs (SEND). I have worked in education for more than twenty years and currently work as a part time teacher at a Plymouth school with a role within the senior leadership team.

Name: Laura Biggs

Category: Staff governor

Appointing body: Governing body

Term: Jan 10 -

Responsibilities: Health and Safety; Pupil Premium

Register of Interests: N/A

Profile:

My background is in biological science and I spent most of my career working at Plymouth University before leaving to spend more time with my family. I joined the governing body of Pomphlett in 2011 when my eldest son started in reception. I have four children, who attend (or have attended) the school. My children enjoy their time at school and have found Pomphlett to be a friendly nurturing place to learn.

I am proud to be a member of the governing body of Pomphlett primary and to be part of the team dedicated to running a successful happy school. As governor I have responsibility for health and safety and supporting the early years provision. I particularly enjoy attending governor’s days when I get the chance to see the wonderful work which goes on in the school. I find the children enthusiastic and proud of their school and I enjoy discussing their hopes and dreams for the future. I hope to continue supporting Pomphlett as we move onto bigger things.

Name: Colin Burrows

Category: Co-opted

Appointing body: Governing body

Term: November 20

Responsibilities: Maths

Register of Interests: N/A

Profile:

I recently joined the Pomphlett Primary Governing body, as the Community Governor. I have lived in Plymstock for the last 15 years and my youngest son attended Pomphlett in years 5 and 6. I have always found the school to be welcoming, supportive and encouraging.

I have been in the Royal Navy for over 24 years as a Marine engineer. Presently I am working in an educational role, teaching new recruits.

I really enjoy the outdoors; paddle boarding, surfing and walking our family dog!

Being a school governor is a new challenge for me which I am keen to fulfil, giving support to Pomphlett and becoming a valued member of the school community.

Name: Bonnie Venning

Category: Staff governor

Appointing body: Governing body

Term:

Responsibilities: English

Register of Interests: N/A

Profile:

Name: David Flewin

Category: Parent governor

Appointing body: Governing body

Term: Feb 20 -

Responsibilities: Curriculum

Register of Interests: N/A

Profile:

I am a more recent addition to the local governing body, being elected as a parent governor in January 2020.

I am very impressed at the amount of hard work and commitment that goes into the whole education process behind the scenes. The governors have a lot of good ideas and plans to try and help the school go from strength to strength, improving all the children’s pathways through the school and I am very excited to be able to be a small cog in this process.

Name: Sam Smith

Category: Co-opted (Chair)

Appointing body: Governing body

Term: March 20 -

Responsibilities: Safeguarding

Register of Interests: N/A

Profile:

My name is Sam and I have recently been appointed as chair of governors (July 2022) I am very proud to have been chosen and look forward to having input into the future of the school. The voice of a parent is an important and fundamental part of the school community and I believe that with all my attributes and experience of working in the education sector, I can provide this.

I am a mum to two young boys, one of which currently attends Pomphlett and as a family we are always excited about learning and developing new skills in a fun and creative way.

Name: Phillip Marsh

Category: Parent governor

Appointing body: Governing body

Term: March 22 -

Responsibilities: Early Years

Register of Interests: N/A

Profile:

I have two children, Billy (yr6) and Charlie (yr2), who attend Pomphlett Primary School. I am extremely passionate in improving the education of not only my children but every other pupil and future pupils of Pomphlett.

I served for 15 years as a police officer with Devon and Cornwall Constabulary and Essex Police. I left the police as a Detective Inspector working on Major Crime. While in the police I also held roles in emergency response, community policing and as the Staff Officer for the Assistant Chief Constable, advising and influencing on policy and governance across their portfolio which included performance management and Human Resourcing.

I have recently completed my Masters in Law and I have extensive experience working in the Civil Service at a strategic level. I currently work for the Civil Service in the Insolvency Service. My role is to examine the governance and potential misconduct of Company Directors and prosecuting the Directors if appropriate. I was the in-house Legal Officer for City College Plymouth, where I was responsible for the College’s legal interests, governance, and risk management.

I have been involved in school governance for a number of years having held roles as a community governor at a small primary school and then as a parent governor of a primary school within a large multi academy trust. I was privileged to be elected Chair of that Local Governing Board. In a wider context I have sat on Audit and Risk Committees and chaired various educational committees concerning performance and discipline.

Given that the school plays such a central role within our children's early formative years, I am a firm believer that educating children is more than just the three ‘R’s. I am a strong advocate of social mobility and believe that every child should have the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

I hope to bring my skills, experiences and passion to the Governing Board and help in supporting the school as a whole and being a critical friend to the Senior Leadership Team to ensure the school remains accountable and upholds their excellent ethos and standards.

In my spare time I enjoy watching rugby, sailing, playing golf and spending time with the family.