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 Adrian Blight
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 Adrian Blight
Co-Chairs of Governors
The Topsham School
DfE Governance Handbook
Governance Impact Statement
Minutes of Meetings
Governor Information
See grid below for details of offices held, terms of office, roles and responsibilities and registered interests.
Governor Attendance
Governor Profiles
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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." |
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Adrian Blight Co-Chair of Governors
Term of Office: 23/4/2020-22/4/2024 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." |
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Maria White
Ex Officio Governor Term of Office: Register of Interest:
Sharon Wannell
Co-opted Governor Term of Office: 23rd September 2017 - 22nd November 2021 Register of Interests: Member of staff |
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Helen Daitz
Elected Staff Governor Term of Office: Register of interests: None Alex Kumar
Co-opted Governor Term of Office: 11th July 2019 - 10th July 2023 Lead Governor for Safeguarding and Lead Governor for Community and Parents Links Register of Interests: Trustee of the Lovat 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. |
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Robin Wheeler
Co-opted Governor Term of Office: 03/12/2020 - 03/12/2024 Lead Finance Governor Register of interests: none “I am currently the Head of Finance for one of the academic colleges at the University of Exeter, and also a Topsham resident of 15+ years (I live in Ashford Road so walk past the school most days!). As a qualified management accountant (CIMA) with over 20 years of post-qualification experience I will be able to bring a number of valuable skills to the governing board. Also my wife works as a nurture HLTA at Sidmouth primary school so I have a connection and understanding of primary education through her work” Sophie Gould
Term of office: 23/4/2020-22/4/2024 Role: Core Curriculum Type: Co-opted Register of interest: Employed by Sparx Having grown up in and around Topsham, it is a place and community I love, and so the chance to be involved as governor and to positively contribute to the school is a great opportunity. I am also passionate about education and improving learning outcomes. Working for an educational technology company, my day job sees me specialise in creating and researching effective content to maximise learning. I therefore enjoy my role at Topsham school as the lead governor for the core curriculum, with a particular focus on maths. Outside of work, I enjoy wild swimming and walking the South West Coast Path. |
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Hiren Nisar
Terms of Office: 15/7/2021-14/7/2025 Role: Wider Curriculum and Online Safety Type of Governor: Co-opted Register of Interests: None “I am currently a consultant analyst at the Ministry of Justice, and also an Exeter resident of 2 years. As a PhD in Economics, I have over 15 years of experience of evaluating social and economic policies including what works in education. Currently I am writing a practice guide for educators to Promoting Social and Behavioural Success for Learning in Elementary Schools which I will help me bring a number of valuable skills to the governing board.” |
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Tamsin Beauchamp
Terms of office: 31/3/2022-30/3/2026 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." |
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Michael Harris
Terms of office: 31/3/2022-30/3/2026 Type of Governor: Co-opted Governor Register of Interests: "I have spent much of my retired life in the Topsham area working as a volunteer for Estuary League of Friends and most recently Devon Air Ambulance. These roles have helped me integrate into our fantastic local community of which I am proud to be a member. For much of my working life l have been involved with child support and development. Working with children and young adults of all ages and needs, my experience ranges from special needs nursery nursing to supporting young adults with cerebral palsy and young offenders. These roles, and the perspectives gained regarding child health, education and development, will I hope enable me to make a very positive contribution to the board of school governors and ultimately the success of Topsham School." |
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Rachel Gradinger
Terms of office: 05/09/2022 - 04/09/2026 Type of Governor: Parent Governor Register of Interests: None I have lived in Topsham for over a decade and am passionate about building my local community. I have a son in Big Acorns and daughter in Year 2. I am a Human Resources professional with 22 years’ experience in HR roles including recruitment, OD, Employee Relations, operational business partnering and strategic workforce planning. I have worked across all industry sectors and am a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Recent roles in health care include staffing during Covid for an acute Trust and for NHS Devon developing the workforce strategy across health and social care. I am excited to serve as part of the Governing Board to enable all children to get the best education and realise the school’s aspirations to be Ofsted ‘Outstanding’. I will be able to support operationally as well as provide strategic leadership around the workforce. |