Meet The Governors
Steve Rafferty
Headteacher
Sean Dennien - Co-Chair, Co-opted Governor
I am a Chartered Engineer working in the rail industry. I live in Monkton Park and have been a parent governor, and then co-opted governor, for 16 years. I am Co-Chair of the governing board. Both my children attended the school and loved their time here. I joined the governing body to support the school and put something back into the community. I'm particularly proud of the way the school provides a broad and rounded education, and the way that exercise and sport is built into the curriculum to support all children's well being. It is always a pleasure to come into school and see the things we discuss in governor meetings brought to life, and see how being a governor can help make a real difference.
Peter Dodd – Co-Chair, Parent Governor
I am a Chartered Engineer and have spent my career working in the nuclear industry. Outside of work I am a keen mountain biker and generally love anything outdoors! I became a Parent Governor because I saw it as an opportunity to be involved in the education of my children, to challenge the school to be a better place for learners from my local community, to support the school through challenge and change, and to gain an insight into our education system. I also hoped that my skills and experience would be beneficial to the governing body and school as a whole.
Since my eldest started at Monkton Park we have felt a strong family bond with the school. It is an organisation that cares about the development of the children and recognises them as individuals. Both of our children are currently at the school and I have found it very satisfying to see the issues and initiatives that we discuss as governors becoming reality for them.
As well as attending the Full Governors Meetings, I chair the Finance and Premises Committee, which approves the schools annual budget and any significant spending, monitors the financial performance and ensures the school is committed to providing premises that are safe and conducive to learning.
Fiona Goût – Vice Chair - Parent Governor
I’m a mum of two, and a self-employed Leadership and Career Coach with a background in HR. I enjoy being a parent governor, as it enables me to contribute some of my experience and time back to the school. We all have different backgrounds and bring different perspectives, but we are united by a mutual desire for the best for the children at the school.
As well as attending the Full Governor Meetings (6 per year), I also Chair the HR committee. We are all link governors too, which means we are paired with one or two teachers in their area of specialism. As governors, we are not operational, but it’s more we listen, learn and help shape the school’s vision, ethos and approach. A lot of what we do is around asking respectful questions, and offering our own reflections or challenges in a way that can help support the school and the children. We help make decisions about the direction the school goes in and are there to support the school leadership team.
It's a pleasure being a part of the school’s wider team and getting a glimpse into all the thought and hard work that goes into creating our welcoming and inclusive school.
Jenny Buchanan – Co-opted Governor
Having moved to Calne in 2023, I wanted to play an active role in the community. My interest is within youth and education, so becoming a governor was the obvious choice! I have previous experience as an Assistant Teacher, a Childline volunteer counsellor and working for a Children’s Charity.
My background is in business development, bid management and growth strategy, with the majority of work being within the charity and government outsourcing sectors.
I am delighted to be part of the governor team providing support to Monkton School so the staff can continue the amazing work that they do every day.
Jonathan Watts – LA Governor
Penny Hamilton – Co-opted Governor
Joseph Williams – Staff Governor
Deputy Headteacher
I have been a Staff Governor and the Deputy Head Teacher at Monkton Park since September 2022. I teach Foxes Class (Year 4 and 5) for half of the week.
I have been a teacher since 2006 working in schools in Southampton, Hampshire and Wiltshire in a wide range of different contexts. I have eight years' experience as a Deputy Head and I have also served on two different governing bodies prior to Monkton Park for a total of four years. My specialism in teaching is English and I currently support writing assessment for the Local Authority as a Key Stage 2 Moderator.
Chris Dutton – Co-opted Governor
I have lived in the Monkton Park area for about 15 years and wanted to become more involved in the local community, hence taking up the role of governor at MPS.
I am passionate about education and seeing young people thrive, especially those from a more disadvantaged background.
Before working in education, I lived in London where I worked in tax/finance in the City. For the last 20 years, I have worked in a secondary school as a teacher, and have significant experience as a senior leader (safeguarding and curriculum) and continue to be an active trade unionist in education.
I hope that I am able to bring some of this knowledge to the governing body, as well as learn more about EYFS, KS1 and KS2 to support me in my professional role.
Children have one chance in life and schooling can make all the difference: it’s a privilege to be a governor at MPPS where teaching and learning is excellent and the school is superbly led.
Outside of education, I enjoy swimming and foreign travel.
Dan Reynolds – Parent Governor
My background is in design which is why I moved to Chippenham 25 years ago to start work at Dyson. I have always been a keen sportsman and rugby player, playing for the local club.
I have 3 children, 2 of which have been through Monkton Park and the third is still there.
I wanted to become a governor to give something back to the school and as I now work in learning and development I hope that my experience will contribute to the running of the school.
I have been a parent governor now for 18 months and am part of the Attainment & Curriculum committee.
Vacancy
Laura Lock – Parent Governor
Charlotte Sykes – Parent Governor
I have lived in Monkton Park since 2011, following in the steps of my Grandparents (they lived on the estate when it was first built, sending their 4 children to Monkton Park Primary School when it first opened). My daughter started at the school in 2018 followed by my son in 2021, my children are thriving at the school and this inspired me to volunteer on the governing body. I am a primary school teacher and very passionate about developing children's love of reading. I have been teaching since 2007, and am currently the EYFS/KS1 lead, reading lead and deputy safeguarding lead at my school. Part of the reason I wanted to be on the governing body was to support the school in helping every single child reach their full potential. Outside of education, I love music and theatre, family time and historic adventures!
Phillip Barnett – Associate Governor
Sasha Trowbridge – Associate Governor
School Business Manager
My wife and I moved to Chippenham in 2007 and have two children, our daughter is a student at Monkton Park and our son will hopefully be joining her in September.
I grew up in Malmesbury so have been local to Chippenham for most of my life and have close personal ties with the town.
In my professional life I manage an engineering team based in Bath and am fortunate that my work has taken me all over the UK across a range of sectors.
When I’m not working or spending time with my family I am a keen runner and hiker and a member of the town sports club.
I chose to become a Governor because I was keen to engage with and learn more about life at school and to help support wherever I can.
Katie Kelly – Clerk to Governors
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