Meet the Governors

Name:Helen Connett (Chair of Governors)

Category: Academy - Chair

Appointing body: Governing body

Term: Sept 13 -

Responsibilities: Leadership and Management; SEN; Safeguarding

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 and have recently become the Chair of Governors. 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.

Record of Attendance 20/21: 1/2

Name:Anthony Banbury

Category: Academy

Appointing body: Governing body

Term: Sept 11 -

Responsibilities: Teaching and Learning

Register of Interests: N/A

Profile:

I was born in Plymouth and have lived here all of my life, so far. I was appointed to serve on Pomphlett School’s Governing Body in 2011. I was appointed to serve as a Local Authority governor but since the school converted to Academy status, I am now appointed as an Academy governor by the Local Governing Body. My area of responsibility is Teaching and Learning. I have been a school governor for over 20 years. I was a governor (Chair for 4 years) of Plymouth Hospital and Outreach School before it closed in 2011. My career has been in Education. I was a teacher, deputy-headteacher and headteacher in schools in and around Plymouth for almost 40 years. I took early retirement from Headship in 1997. I immediately returned to teaching on a supply and short contract basis in schools in and around Plymouth – spending much of the time teaching in a primary school in Saltash. I finally retired from teaching in August 2008. I am a National Trust volunteer guide at Saltram, a Lay Minister in Plymstock and Hooe Parish and enjoy a host of other activities. Being a governor of a school is a huge privilege, as well as carrying much responsibility. Nurturing our children is a wonderful thing to be involved in. They are our future!

Record of Attendance 20/21: 2/2

Name: Laura Biggs

Category: Academy

Appointing body: Governing body

Term: Jan 10 -

Responsibilities: Early Years Foundation Stage; Premises

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.

Record of Attendance 20/21: 1/2

Name: Steve Donald

Category: Parent governor

Appointing body: Governing body

Term:

Responsibilities: Finance; Organisation

Register of Interests: N/A

Profile:

I was born in Plymouth and attended both Goosewell Primary School and Coombe Dean School during my educational years.

On leaving school I started working for Plymouth City Council, first within the Sports Development Unit and then for the past 4 years, the Events Team.

I now live in the Pomphlett area and have two children that attend the school, Isabel in Year 4 and Isaac in Foundation.

I have many interests including playing golf and following football as well as enjoying time with my family, especially breaks away to the caravan in Exmouth.

Since November 2014 I have served as a Parent Governor at the school and take this role as a privilege and will do my best to ensure that the high standards that the school deliver are continued and that the children gain the best education and school experience that they can.
I have been a Governor at Pomphlett Primary School since 2012 and currently have responsibility for Community.

Record of Attendance 20/21: 2/2

Name: Colin Burrows

Category: Community

Appointing body: Governing body

Term: November 20

Responsibilities: Community

Register of Interests: N/A

Profile:

I have 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.

Record of Attendance 20/21: 1/1

Name: Jo Kohler

Category: Staff governor

Appointing body: Governing body

Term:

Responsibilities:

Register of Interests: N/A

Profile:

I have been working at Pomphlett Primary for the last 13 years and currently share my time between working as a Year 1 Teaching Assistant in the mornings and a Higher Level Teaching Assistant in the afternoons. As a member of staff for this length of time, I have had the good fortune to have worked with of most of the children at some point and been able to share in the enrichment of the children's learning. I have developed the tools and skills alongside the Pomphlett School staff to ensure every child becomes an independent learner. In both my Governor and staff roles I will continue to provide a caring, exciting and positive environment to enable the children to 'Believe Achieve and Succeed' their full potential.

Record of Attendance 20/21: 2/2

Name: David Flewin

Category: Parent governor

Appointing body: Governing body

Term: Feb 20 -

Responsibilities:

Register of Interests: N/A

Profile:

I am the most 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.

Record of Attendance 20/21: 1/2

Name: Sam Smith

Category:

Appointing body: Governing body

Term: March 20 -

Responsibilities:

Register of Interests: N/A

Profile:

My name is Sam and I have only recently joined the governing body. I am very proud to have been chosen and look forward to having some 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.

Record of Attendance 20/21: 1/2