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Meet the Governing Board

Tom James - Co-Opted Governor - Chair of Governors Term of office ends July 2026

After a brief career as a neuroscientist, I have spent my whole working life in schools.  For the past 19 years, I have been Sub-Warden at St Edward’s School in Oxford.  Four years ago, I was asked to join the Blackbird Leys Academy trust, initially as a member of the IEB for Windale Primary School and in January I became Chair of the IEB at Orchard Meadow School.  Ensuring the very best education for our youngest children is very important to me.  Having retired from teaching and recently moved to Marsh Baldon, I am keen to help, where I can, with the local community.  Outside of teaching and running schools, I have been a school inspector for Ofsted as well as Independent Schools Inspectorate, with particular expertise in compliance, health and safety and pastoral care.

I can be contacted via the school office or on chair.governors@marshbaldonschool.co.uk

 

Other areas of responsibility within the school include:

  • Chair of Resources Committee
  • Chair of Performance Committee
  • Member of the Pay Committee
  • Headteacher Performance Management
  • Whistleblowing Governor
  • Link Governor with responsibilities for Policy Overview and Pupil Premium
  • Subject Link Governor for Science, French, Art and Design Technology

 

Tristan Booth - Term of office ends October 2028

Having started my career backstage in professional theatre I have worked as a teacher in secondary education since 2007 in both the maintained and independent sectors. I am currently the Head of Geography at Magdalen College School in central Oxford.

I have particular interest in learning outside of the classroom with trips and extra-curricular opportunities, the use of technology and the growth of AI in education and how we can stretch pupils of all abilities. I am delighted to be joining the governing body at Marsh Baldon.  

 

Other areas of responsibility within the school include:

  • Member of the Performance Committee
  • Subject Link Governor for Geography

 

Debra Clayphan - Co-opted Governor - Vice-chair of Governors Term of office ends January 2026

Having recently retired from a career almost exclusively in education, I currently live in Dorchester on Thames along with my husband and two dogs.

Originally trained as a primary school teacher in the late 1980s, I subsequently worked in various settings, from learning support in an FE College in Reading to my final destination at St Edward’s School in Oxford. Along the way I became interested in Specific Learning Difficulties, first as a tutor, then assessor.  At St Edward’s, I was the SENCo for the school, leading the Learning Support Department, and eventually the PSHE programme and pupil wellbeing. During my time there, I was also a Housemistress for around 55 girls aged between 13 and 18. I certainly learnt a lot.

I now like to spend my days dog-walking, crafting, meeting friends, keeping up with my two grown up children and generally enjoying the luxury of time.

I retain a deep interest in the Mental Health and Wellbeing of young people and all those involved in their care, and so I am delighted to be involved with Marsh Baldon CE Primary School and very much look forward to helping where I can.

 

Other areas of responsibility within the school include:

  • Member of the Performance Committee
  • Link Governor for Attendance, Safeguarding, Early Years Foundation Stage, Health & Safety; Special Educational Needs, Staff Wellbeing
  • Subject Link Governor for English. History, PHSE, RSE

 

Stephen Dance - Foundation Governor - Term of office ends July 2025

I work for the government, based in Whitehall, London where I am responsible for supporting the effective delivery of the UK's major economic infrastructure projects and programmes. Between 2000-2012 I was a Trustee and Deputy Chairman of the Girls Day School Trust, which educates c 20,000 pupils at primary and secondary levels in 29 schools across the UK. I have two grown-up children with my wife, Debbie.

 

 

Other areas of responsibility within the school include:

  • Member of the Resources Committee
  • Member of the Pay Committee
  • Headteacher Performance Management
  • Link Governor for Health and Safety
  • Subject Link Governor for Music

 

Liz Gray - Co-opted Governor - Term of office ends November 2027

I live in Littlemore with my husband David and our twin sons William and Christopher who started at Marsh Baldon CE Primary School in September 2020. I work as a Neuroscientist for the University of Oxford, based at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

 

I decided to become a governor to support the school in achieving its aims and objectives; to provide encouragement and support to the staff and to be part of a team that invests in the learning and development of children. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, catching up with old friends, walking and exploring new places with our sons. I am a very committed person and feel very excited to be a member of the governing body.

 

Other areas of responsibility within the school include:

  • Member of the Performance Committee
  • Headteacher Performance Management
  • Member of the Pay Committee
  • Subject Link Governor for Maths and Computing

 

Alan Gregory - Parent Governor - Term of office ends September 2025

I live in Shillingford with my wife Clare and my two sons, Joshua and Caleb who attend Marsh Baldon School.

 

I am a Chartered Account and have worked in a variety of sectors including Health, Central Government, and Education. I currently head the financial department of a Local Authority.  I am responsible for strategic financial planning, reporting, budgeting, performance monitoring and statutory compliance.

 

I am passionate about celebrating uniqueness, building deep self-worth and facilitating young people to become all that they can be. It is a joy to share my professional and personal experiences as a parent governor.

 

Other areas of responsibility within the school include:

  • Member of the Resources Committee
  • Member of the Pay Committee
  • Link Governor for SIAMS
  • Subject Link Governor for Maths and Computing

 

Sue Lucas - Diocesan Foundation Governor - Term of office ends September 2028

I retired at the end of 2019 after a teaching career of over 30 years. I live in Dorchester on Thames with my husband and cocker spaniel, Barney. Our three grown-up daughters all live nearby and we love to help out with our three grandchildren.

As a primary school teacher in the 1980s I did further training to recognise and teach children with dyslexia. When my children were young I taught in our local primary school and helped run the Pre-school. I then specialised in the Early Years Foundation Stage. In 2000, I started teaching at the Manor Preparatory School becoming the Early Years’ and Key Stage 1 SENCo. I am passionate about early education and recognising and supporting children with any special learning needs as early as possible to give them the best start.

I am an active member of Dorchester Abbey and keen to help in any way I can.

 

Other areas of responsibility within the school include:

  • Member of the Performance Committee
  • Link Governor for Early Years Foundation Stage
  • Subject Link Governor for RE and Phonics

 

Nick Marshall - Term of office ends October 2028

I live in Garsington with my wife Ellie, and teach at Magdalen College School in the Geography Department as well as being Head of Year 12, supporting a year group of pupils pastorally and academically. I wanted to join the Governing body to offer something to my local community, and to support the school in its aim of providing the best education possible for its pupils. I am excited to join the team at Marsh Baldon and to help pupils achieve their fullest potential. In my spare time I am a long time member of Oxford Quins Rugby Club, playing games most Saturdays.

 

 

Other areas of responsibility within the school include:

  • Member of the Resources Committee
  • Link Governor for More Able pupils

 

Tess Stackley - Parent Governor - Term of office ends September 2025

I am a Marsh Baldon resident and mother to two children at the school. I have worked in digital marketing for nonprofit and higher education institutions for most of my career, heading projects that spanned fundraising, student recruitment and community organising. I also have a Masters in Information Science and a love of libraries and currently am a Librarian at The Cherwell School in Oxford. I will always aim to give thoughtful input to support the school, empower the pupils and help it thrive within the community.

 

Other areas of responsibility within the school include:

  • Member of the Performance Committee
  • Link Governor for Filtering & Monitoring, Marketing
  • Subject Link Governor for English and History

The governors believe it is important that boards reflect the diversity of the school communities they serve. Diverse boards promote inclusive school environments and provide diverse role models for staff and young people.

 

Due to our relatively small governing board, we will not publish this diversity data online as individual governors could be identified and we have a legal obligation to protect their personal data.

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