Link Governors:

Child Protection: Valerie Johnstone
Head Teacher's Appraisal: Dean Connaghan, Sandra Parsons
Appeals Panel: Chair - Grant Abbott
Pay Panel: Staffing Committee

Governor profiles:

Valerie Johnstone
Age. 77
Education. B.A. from Trinity College Dublin 1953, Diploma in Social Science.
Employment: Deputy Chief Housing Officer, Leicester 1954-56; PT Interviewer for OPCS 70s & 80s PT; Stable girl and exercise rider 1970-74. Voluntary Work: RAF wife; Stable Manager and Instructor at RAF Saddle Club Akrotiri, Cyprus; Parish Councillor for ten years in Wroughton. School Governor at both Wroughton primary schools since the late 80s. Resigned as chair at the Infant school 2007. Chairman and Instructor of Brimble Hill group, Riding for the Disabled, since 1975. Link governor for the Junior school to the Association of Swindon Governors.

Grant Abbott
Governor since 2007
Experience and skills: BSc (Hons) in Economics, Applied Statistics, Computer Science and Business Studies. Worked in the IT industry for over 15 years mainly focused on delivery and support of large IT systems for Banking and Government projects. Currently working for Cable and Wireless specialising in IT Service Management and Improvement for the NHS E-Mail and Messaging Platforms. Responsible for running large teams of engineers and technicians and in particular for recruiting, mentoring and developing staff. Have a good financial understanding gained through running my own successful contracting company.
Motivation and Interests as a Governor: As a Parent Governor I’m keen to help develop the school and provide assistance wherever it’s needed.

Martin Baker
Occupation – Accountant Age - 40
Employer – BP based in Swindon, previously with Allied Dunbar
Role – Parent Governor - 3 daughters, Kathryn (9), Alice (6) & Georgina (3)
Current Committees – Finance & Premises
Experience – Running Finance teams in UK & abroad • Audit & Control • Facilities Management • HR processes

Jayne Brown
I was born in Swindon in 1963.
I lived in several houses around Swindon and attended King William Street School, Clifton Juniors, Jennings Street Secondary, Commonweal and Reading University. I graduated with a degree in Psychology in 1984, married and returned to Swindon as my husband found work here. We moved to Wroughton 1986. I have 2 grown children who both attended Wroughton Juniors. I started to work in school as a parent helper when my children were in playschool and moved up with them. I did a City and Guilds in Learning Support through the school in 1997. I began work as ICT instructor in 1998 and become ICT technician in 1999. I began PPA cover teaching in 2005 and now teach all year groups on a rota basis. I am First Aid trained and I am part of the Health and Safety Management team. I run two after school sessions as part of the extended schools program. The children can use the computers for any activity although internet use is monitored and I filter sites that I consider inappropriate. I joined the Governing body in 2002 as a Staff Governor and was re-elected in 2006.

Dean Connaghan
Parent Governor since 2001
I was educated at St. Joseph’s School in Swindon to A’ Level standard and I then joined my current employer BT. I have subsequently passed a business degree (MCIPS) in my own time. I have a wealth of hands on experience in management and interviewing. Since joining the school I have shared my knowledge by being part of the interviewing team for the last 2 Deputy Head appointments. I was also part of the Tendering team who awarded the contract for the re-build of the front of the school. Additionally I work with older children at Senior Schools as part of a programme to provide 15 year olds with the opportunity to gain interviewing skills for applying for jobs or further education. I also like to bring a bit of fun to the role of a Governor and I always try to ensure the meetings are as enjoyable as they are successful because as governors we are giving up our own personal time to support the Head and his team.
Motivation and Interests as a Governor: I currently have a daughter at the school and an older daughter at the Ridgeway School. I decided to become a Parent Governor initially for 2 reasons (a) We had just moved to Wroughton and my eldest daughter was joining the School at Year 3 and the youngest was joining the Infants; and (b) I wanted to integrate quickly into the community by supporting the local school and being able to help where possible. Since those early days as a Parent Governor I have been involved and supported the school through 3 head teachers of which Mr Menham is the current appointment. For 5 years I was the chairperson for the School Improvement Committee which supported the teaching community to achieve significant year on year improvements in the SATS results including value-added which has equal importance for each child. I have also been involved in the realisation of the transition of the building structure which has come so far from those early days before we had double glazing, offices and a reception area and the refurbishment of the classrooms. I was also a deputy chair for 2 years and I have been the SEN School Governor for the last 5 years. I also have interests relating to the school – Geography, History and Sport. I have also spent a week at Pencelli as an Adult Helper on the annual adventure trip for our Year 6 pupils.

Debbie Peirce
I have been a Governor at Wroughton Junior School for several years. I started off as a parent governor and moved across to become a community governor when my older children went to the Ridgeway school. I have lived in the village since 1997 and have 3 children (14, 12 and 21 months). Both older children attended Wroughton Infants and Junior Schools. I have a background in accountancy and currently work as Bursar at Toothill Primary School so I have a good knowledge of schools' finances and the way schools are run. I sit on the Finance and Premises sub-committee and became Chair this year. Being a school governor is very rewarding. You don’t need any qualifications – just a little time, some commonsense and a lot of enthusiasm!

Jan Sayers
I qualified as a teacher in 1980 and since then I have taught in London, The Netherlands, and Wiltshire. I joined Wroughton Junior School in 1991. During my time here I have been the Science Coordinator and I am currently the Design and Technology and Special Needs Coordinator. My own children have attended all the village schools. I am particularly interested in supporting the curriculum and in any initiatives that will further develop the life of the school.