Governors
Our school governing body is an experienced group with representatives from the parent body, teaching staff and local community. Together they help set the strategic vision and direction for the school, support with the appointment of senior staff, keep an overview of finance and resources and act as a critical friend, ensuring that the highest standards are attained in all that the school does.
In all types of schools, governing bodies should have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:
The Governing Body consists of:
The Headteacher
One elected staff governor
One appointed local authority governor
Two elected parent governors
Nine Co-opted governors
The Full Governing Body meets twice each term. One meeting per term focuses on "Quality and Outcomes of Teaching and Learning" and the other meeting focuses on “Organisational Support to Teaching and Learning”
In all types of schools, governing bodies should have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Holding the head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
The Governing Body consists of:
The Headteacher
One elected staff governor
One appointed local authority governor
Two elected parent governors
Nine Co-opted governors
The Full Governing Body meets twice each term. One meeting per term focuses on "Quality and Outcomes of Teaching and Learning" and the other meeting focuses on “Organisational Support to Teaching and Learning”
If you wish to make contact with the Governors, please email clerk@topsham.devon.sch.uk
A message from the Co-Chairs of Governors
The Governing Board plays a significant support role in ensuring the success of The Topsham School and all its pupils. Broadly, the Board is responsible for providing strategic leadership and accountability. In order to do this, we have a range of powers and duties as set out in education law. More specifically, we are responsible for, among other things:
Governors discharge the above responsibilities, together with many others, through Full Governing Board meetings (ordinarily taking place twice each term) and visits to the school. Additionally each governor has responsibilities for specific issues within the school. Governors adopt, review and monitor a range of policies that govern the operation of the school including Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Behaviour, Curriculum and Performance Management.
The Topsham School is a ‘Good’ school (in Ofsted’s estimation). Our strength as a school is drawn largely from the strength of the local community, and the partnership that exists between staff, pupils, parents, governors, and the community groups that support us. Every member of this partnership works to ensure that all pupils who pass through the school have the opportunity to develop to their full potential. The Governing Board is proud of the achievements of the school, not only in terms of results, but also in the solid foundations it provides in preparing all our pupils for the remainder of their education.
The recent pandemic created new challenges for schools – for teachers, pupils, and parents – but we are proud of how the school met these challenges and has grown from them. The governors are determined to continue to help the school to adapt and meet the needs of society today and to ensure the safety and security of all our adults and children.
We look forward to working positively and collaboratively with all parents to achieve this goal.
Leanne Smith and Alex Alder
Co-Chairs of Governors
The Topsham School
- Promoting high standards and expectations for the progress and educational achievement of all children.
- Setting the strategic framework within which the school operates.
- Management of the school's delegated budget.
- Ensuring that the curriculum for the school is balanced and broadly based.
Governors discharge the above responsibilities, together with many others, through Full Governing Board meetings (ordinarily taking place twice each term) and visits to the school. Additionally each governor has responsibilities for specific issues within the school. Governors adopt, review and monitor a range of policies that govern the operation of the school including Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Behaviour, Curriculum and Performance Management.
The Topsham School is a ‘Good’ school (in Ofsted’s estimation). Our strength as a school is drawn largely from the strength of the local community, and the partnership that exists between staff, pupils, parents, governors, and the community groups that support us. Every member of this partnership works to ensure that all pupils who pass through the school have the opportunity to develop to their full potential. The Governing Board is proud of the achievements of the school, not only in terms of results, but also in the solid foundations it provides in preparing all our pupils for the remainder of their education.
The recent pandemic created new challenges for schools – for teachers, pupils, and parents – but we are proud of how the school met these challenges and has grown from them. The governors are determined to continue to help the school to adapt and meet the needs of society today and to ensure the safety and security of all our adults and children.
We look forward to working positively and collaboratively with all parents to achieve this goal.
Leanne Smith and Alex Alder
Co-Chairs of Governors
The Topsham School
DfE Governance Handbook
Governance Impact Statement
Governor Information
See grid below for details of offices held, terms of office, roles and responsibilities and registered interests.
Governor Attendance
Governor Profiles
Leanne Smith - Co-Chair of Governors
Parent Governor Term of Office: 9/11/2020-8/11/2024 Register of Interests: None "I am an Associate Professor of family and child law at the University of Exeter. I have held leadership roles related to education strategy in the higher education context and I have a keen interest in how educators at all levels can create the right conditions for all learners to thrive, feel happy and achieve. Investing in my local community has always been important to me, so I was delighted to join the Board of Governors as a Parent Governor in 2020. My little boy joined the Big Acorns class in September 2019. Since then, I have loved getting to know the parents and pupils and staff of The Topsham School and feel deeply committed to supporting the School to deliver the best experience possible for local children." |
Alex Alder - Co-Chair of Governors
Co-opted Governor Term of Office: 01/07/2023 - 30/06/2027 Lead Governor for Safeguarding and Lead Governor for Community and Parents Links Register of Interests: Trustee of the Lovatt Foundation "I joined the school in 2019 and served as chair of governors from 2020 to 2022. After having spent much of my childhood in Topsham, I left the county to study history, politics, and law. This led to running a homelessness campaign, serving in the Territorial Army, reading for the Bar, and becoming a trustee of the Oxford University Student Union. Along the way, I developed a deep respect for the central importance of education. I am currently a charity officer, musician, and justice of the peace. I spend my spare time exploring the woodlands and waterways of Devonshire and Middlesex and enjoying dairy. Tamsin Beauchamp - Vice Chair
Terms of office: 31/03/2022-30/03/2026 Type of Governor: Co-opted Governor Register of Interests: "I am a long standing Topsham resident whose three children all attended The Topsham School between 1999 and 2009. I was an active member of the PTA and Chair of Twiglets After School Club for several years and I am pleased to be able to contribute to the school community once more. Education has been the focus of my professional life for the past 25 years; starting off as a teacher in a local Further Education college, then moving into Teacher Education delivering teacher training courses through both the University of Plymouth and City and Guilds. My interest has always been in the education provision for all learners with additional needs and how best to access and manage resources to support those needs. I am passionate about the value of equality and diversity to the whole community and the importance of bringing up our children in a welcoming and inclusive environment. My current role is as an education adviser for an independent fostering agency, overseeing the education of looked after children with SEND and EHCPs, in both specialist and mainstream provision in the South West across all key stages." Adrian Blight
Term of Office: 23/04/2020-22/04/2024 Type of Governor: Co-opted Role: Wider Curriculum and Online Safety Register of interest: MD of Imagine Education Ltd. "After a decade of secondary school teaching and leadership, I founded a successful international education consultancy that specialises in supporting the improvement of education in developing countries. I hope that my experience in education, business and governance can benefit our wonderful school. I moved with my 2 children to Topsham two years ago and have enjoyed being part of this vibrant community of which the school is integral." |
Maria White - Headteacher
Ex Officio Governor Term of Office: 16/04/2023 - Register of Interest: Member of staff
Sharon Wannell
Co-opted Governor Term of Office: 23/11/2021 - 22/11/2025 Register of Interests: Member of staff |
Rachel Gradinger
Terms of office: 22/09/2022 - 21/09/2026 Type of Governor: Parent Governor Register of Interests: None I am a HR professional with 24 years’ experience including Employee Relations, organisational change, operational business partnering and strategic workforce planning. My recent roles have been in Devon NHS organisations. I am a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). I have lived in Topsham for over a decade and am passionate about building my local community. My daughter and son are at The Topsham School and it is a privilege to be part of the Governing Board to support the success of every child attending the school. |