Paul Lock - Chair of Governors 

Local Authority Governor 

Role(s): Resources Committee, Computing and Design Technology Subject Lead
First Appointed: 08.11.23

Current term: 08.11.23 - 07.11.27

Relevant/Pecuniary Interests: None (Sept 2023)

Attendance 2023 - 24: 91% (10 of 11 meetings).

In 2021, Paul and his wife moved to Hampstead Norreys, drawn by the countryside charm, ideal for starting a family. Paul joined the Yattendon Primary School Governing Body in 2023. With a career in providing IT Services to the public and private education sector spanning well over a decade, currently as Deputy Director of IT Services at Bradfield College, Paul has a deep appreciation for the role that Yattendon Primary School plays in providing high quality education to the children in the area.
 

Rachel Jones - Vice Chair of Governors

PCC Governor (appointed by the Parochial Church Council [PCC])

Role(s): Governor Development Joint Lead, Marketing & Communication Lead, Chair of HTPM Panel. Resources Committee

First Appointed: 28.09.15

Current Term: 08.06.23-08.06.27 (previous term as LA Governor: 18.10.19-08.06.23)

Relevant/Pecuniary Interests: None (Sept 2024); It is also noted Rachel's husband is the current Chair of FoYS (Friends of Yattendon School) (Oct 2023).

Attendance 2023-24: 100% (12 of 12 meetings)

Rachel is an experienced governor having joined the Governing Body in 2015, and has held the role of Chair of Governors twice. She has a background in PR and marketing, bringing extensive experience in communicating with a variety of stakeholders. Rachel is passionate about education and brings valuable skills that positively contribute to making Yattendon C of E School the best it can be. She has two daughters at the school (and a further daughter who recently left!).

Sarah Parascandolo

Associate Member of Resources Committee without voting rights (appointed by the Governing Body)

Role(s): Resources Committee

First Appointed: 14.01.2024 (as Foundation Governor)

Current Term: 10.03.2025 - 09.03.2026

Relevant/Pecuniary Interests: None (Jan 2024)

Attendance 2023 - 24: 71% (5 of 7 meetings).

Sarah has 15 years’ experience in Human Resources, across public and private sectors. Her current organisation is a global academic publishing house where she leads a team across APAC, India, America and the UK. She has an 8-year-old daughter at a local private school and has really enjoyed watching her grow personally and academically over the school years. She believes that education at all stages plays a key role in ensuring children are ready for the world, and is delighted to be able to support the children of Yattendon School as they go on their journeys.

Emily Allison

Foundation Governor (appointed by the Diocese)

Role(s): Subject Lead, SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican & Methodist Schools) & RE (Religious Education) Joint Lead

First Appointed: 08.11.22

Current Term: 08.12.22-07.12.26

Relevant/Pecuniary Interests: None (Sept 2023)

Attendance 2023 - 24: 83% (5 of 6 meetings).

Emily has a long-standing interest in education, particularly how a Christian worldview makes a difference to young people. She has taught in the Middle East, worked for charities in schools, home educated, and is an active member of her church. She enjoys opportunities to volunteer in Yattendon school and is looking forward to applying her personal knowledge of Biblical Christianity, and other experience, to the governor's context.
 

James Hole

Foundation Governor (appointed by The Waterhouse Trust)

Role(s): Chair of Resources Committee, H&S/Premises Joint Lead

First Appointed: 06.01.21

Current Term: 06.01.21 - 05.01.25 

Relevant/Pecuniary Interests: Manager Director at Yattendon Estates Ltd since Sept 2020 (Sept 2024), Trustee of Waterhouse Trust (March 2023).

Attendance 2023 - 24: 91% (10 of 11 meetings)

James moved with his family to Yattendon from Kent towards the end of 2020 to take up the post of Managing Director of the Yattendon Estate, which surrounds the village. He joined the Governing Body in 2021 and has a keen interest in the future of the school. James has two children at the school and a younger child who he hopes will attend in the future. 
 

Amanda Service

Foundation Governor (appointed by the Parochial Church Council [PCC])

Role(s): Admissions Lead, SEND Lead

First Appointed: 05.12.16

Current Term: 05.12.20 - 04.12.24

Relevant/Pecuniary Interests: None (Sept 2023)

Attendance 2023 - 24: 83% (5 of 6 meetings)

Amanda started visiting Yattendon C of E School as a volunteer reader and was very pleased to be asked to become more involved with the school as a governor. She lives locally, and is a mother and grandmother. She has always been involved in voluntary and community work, and is an active member of her local church.
 

Rachel Manley, Head Teacher

Ex-Officio

Relevant/Pecuniary Interests: Husband teaches music lessons (drums) at the school (Sept 2024)

Attendance 2023 - 24: 100% (12 of 12 meetings).

Rachel became Headteacher of Yattendon Primary School in 2015, moving from a large Junior School in Newbury. Since then, she has transformed the school into a nurturing, close-knit, active community. Pupils embrace a wide range of leadership responsibilities and enrichment opportunities to ensure their 'seeds blossom' during their primary school journey. Her caring, passionate leadership has grown the school to its current thriving four classes. She has developed an enthusiastic, devoted staff team and has offered high quality mentorship and training to students. She has not only led the school through a successful Ofsted and a pandemic, but confidently secured a most notable 'excellent' judgement in the school's church school inspection in 2019. Rachel also enjoys her role as our qualified Special Needs Co-ordinator and leads a very successful school netball team!
 

Melanie Mason

Staff Governor (elected by school staff)

First Appointed: 04.02.19

Current Term: 07.02.23 - 06.02.27

Relevant/Pecuniary Interests: None (Sept 2023)

Attendance 2023 - 24: 100% (6 of 6 meetings)

Melanie joined the Yattendon team as a class teacher in 2017, excited to return to a small village primary after working in several large infant schools in Basingstoke. With 20 years of teaching experience and having had the role of Deputy Head, she was keen to return to the classroom and work in a school closer to home as her son began his school journey. Melanie quickly undertook the position of staff representative on the governing body and embraced all aspects of school life. She has led the school to achieve the Green Trees Platinum Award, has successfully mentored a long list of trainee teachers and has supported the Head in developing the school environment. Outside of school, she has a passion for baking (and runs a food technology club in school) and all things creative.  
 

Matthew Starmer

Parent Governor (elected by school parents)

Role(s): 

First Appointed: 26.01.24

Current Term: 26.01.24 - 25.01.28

Relevant/Pecuniary Interests: 

Attendance 2023 - 24: 100% (3 of 3 meetings).

Matt and his family moved to the area in 2023, and his two children joined the school in that year.  Matt's background is in law and he currently works as a lawyer for a technology company.  Matt has a passion for governance, equality and education.  In his spare time he enjoys cycling and watching Fulham FC.

Nia Trussler

Parent Governor (elected by school parents)

Role(s): Safeguarding Lead, Governor Development Joint Lead, Vice Chair of Resources Committee

First Appointed: 13.12.21

Current Term: 13.12.21-12.12.25

Relevant/Pecuniary Interests: None (Sept 2023)

Attendance 2023 - 24: 91% (10 of 11 meetings)

Nia joined the Governing Body as parent governor in 2022.  She has one son attending the school currently and a teenage daughter who spent all her primary years at Yattendon. Nia lives locally and works in Executive Search and Selection for a global Professional Services company and so actively sees how education is key to future career success. 
 

Rachael House Gemmell

Governance Professional & Clerk to the Governors

Relevant/Pecuniary Interests: None.  It is noted Rachel is also the Governance Professional/Clerk for 3 other schools (Bucklebury C of E Primary, St Joseph's Catholic Primary and Woolhampton C of E Primary).

Rachael provides advice and guidance on statutory requirements, governance procedures and developing best practice to improve governance.  Along with giving administrative and organisational support, Rachael attends all FGB (Full Governing Body) and committee meetings.  Rachael  has two daughters at secondary school.  
 

VACANCIES

The Governing Body currently has 3 vacancies:

• Foundation Governor (appointed by the Diocese)
• Foundation Governor (appointed by the Waterhouse Trust)
• Foundation Governor (ex-officio: Team Rector of the Hermitage Team).

Previous Governors: (who have served during the last 12-month period)
 

Ann Wheeler - Foundation Governor (appointed by the Diocese)

Term: 15.10.22 - 25.07.24 (resigned) Ann had been a governor at the school for many years, her first term beginning in 1979.

Attendance 2023 - 24: 83% (5 of 6 meetings)

Rev. Wayne Lautenbach - Foundation Governor (Ex-Officio, PCC)

Term: 27.04.20 - 08.07.2024 (Left role as Parish Priest)

Attendance 2023-24: 0% (0 of 6 meetings)

Rev. Wayne was unable to attend meetings during the 2023 - 24 academic year.

Sarah Barron - Foundation Governor (Waterhouse Trust)

Term: 14.01.20 - 13.01.23

Attendance 2023 - 24: 100% (5 of 5 meetings)

Relevant/Pecuniary Interests: Father associate member, Tom Chapman.

Ava Lynch - Parent Governor

Term: 08.02.23 - 06.12.23 (resigned)

Attendance 2023 - 24: 50% (1 of 2 meetings)

Tom Chapman - Associate Member

Term: 08.11.22 - 07.11.23

Attendance 2023 - 24: 100% (1 of 1 meetings)

Relevant/Pecuniary Interests: Daughter Sarah Barron, governor.