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Our Governors

Governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in all St Christopher’s Multi Academy Trust schools however, the ultimate responsibility for the school lies with the Board of Directors with much of the work delegated to the Local Governing Body (LGB).

In trusts, the purpose of local governance is to provide:

  • strategic leadership
  • accountability and assurance
  • strategic engagement

Governors set the aims and objectives for the school and set the targets/policies for achieving those aims and objectives. They monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making and act as a source of challenge and support to the headteacher.

Governors bring a wide range of skills and expertise from their professional lives to the governing body and schools benefit greatly from working with skilled volunteers.

Co-Chairs of Governors: Jacklyn Barry and Sally Eales

Safeguarding Lead: Sally Eales

Clerk to the LGB: Ruth Cadoux

If you are interested in hearing more about becoming a governor please contact;

Name
Role
Appointed by
Term of Office Start/End date
Registered Interests
Date Interest began
Date Interest ceased (if applicable)
Attendance 24/25
Suzie Ottewell Headteacher Ex-Officio 01/09/2024 Post-related St Matthew’s CofE Primary and Nursery Academy

01/09/24

 - 5 of 6
Jacklyn Barry Co-Chair of LGB Foundation 01/09/2025 - 31/08/2029 University of Plymouth; Hub Advisory Board member for Westcountry Schools Trust January 2020; January 2024 - 6 of 6
Sally Eales Co-Chair of LGB Foundation 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2027 Plymouth Marjon University Lecturer; part-time tutoring; trustee for Read Easy Plymouth 2004; February 2024; April 2024 February 2024; n/a; n/a 4 of 6
Nisha John   Foundation 01/09/2025 - 31/08/2029 none - - 5 of 6
Lucy Babb   Staff 11/05/2023 - 10/05/2027 St Christopher’s MAT – Operations Lead February 2022 - 5 of 6
Rev. Tatiana Wilson - Foundation 30/04/2025 - 29/04/2029

Vicar for Parish of Eggbuckland with Estover (Forder Valley Mission Community); Governor for Plymouth Marjon University; Governor at St Edward's Primary School

 tbc - 2 of 2
William Noble - Foundation 06/05/2025 - 05/05/2029 Patient Services Assistant (Domestic), University Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust; Plymouth City Council Appointed Member of Devon & Somerset Fire Authority; ELM Community Centre & Wellbeing Hub; Moor View Ward Councillor, Plymouth City Council tbc - 2 of 2
Ryan Proctor - Parents 18/09/2025 - 17/09/2029 Compass Group UK & I; Taberna Stores LTD; Wife works within the Trust; Governor at Hooe Primary Academy January 2025; January 2024; tbc; April 2025   -
VACANCY - - - -      
Resigned in the last 12 months
Justin Bailey - Parents 01/09/2021 - 31/08/2025 AXA Health; Fortis Business Consultance Ltd September 2017; June 2020 - 4 of 6
Katie Howell-Head - Foundation Resigned 06/04/25 Ministry of Defence     2 of 4

 

Name of Governor

Monitoring Responsibilities
Jacklyn Barry English (Writing)
Sally Eales Safeguarding, Attendance & Behaviour
William Noble Disadvantaged Pupils
Rev. Tatiana Wilson Ethos & Christian Distinctiveness
Nisha John SEND
Ryan Proctor Achievement (Progress & Outcomes of Pupils)
Lucy Babb Operations (Health & Safety, Risk and Wellbeing)

 

SO photoSuzie Ottewell

In her role as Headteacher for St Matthew's, Suzie is also part of the governing body. She works closely with all of the governors through school visits and at our termly meetings.

 

Jacklyn Barry

Co-Chair to the Governors

First as an elected parent governor and now as a foundation governor, Jacklyn (known as Jackie) has been a member of Saint Matthew’s local governing board since 2019. She is an experienced teacher, lecturer in education, mentor to training teachers and she has recently earned her doctorate which focussed upon the impact of evidence-based practice on teachers’ pedagogies. She uses this expertise to hold leaders to account, ensuring that our school’s strategic priorities are maintained and that all our pupils are able to let their light shine.

SESally Eales

Co-Chair to the Governors

Sally is a foundation governor and has been involved with the school since before it was even built! It's been great to see the development over the years and a privilege to work with such committed staff and enthusiastic pupils. She has recently retired after working for 20 years at Marjon where she worked in training primary school teachers. Prior to that she was a teacher in primary schools in Devon for almost 18 years. She is interested in all aspects of school life but particularly passionate about English and reading. She lives in Derriford and loves walking on the moor and coast, gardening, swimming and reading! 

Nisha John

Nisha offered to volunteer her time as a parent governor as she wanted to be more involved in the school that her children love. 

She is the link-governor for the SEND provision at St Matthew's and this year has taken on Reading at Key Stage 2 as well, meeting with the staff who have these areas of responsibility within school. She truly admires the dedication and commitment of the teachers she interacts with and is looking forward to being part of the school's progress in the coming years.

Prior to becoming a full time mum, she worked in the banking, retail and public relations sectors.

Lucy Babb

Lucy has been elected by the staff at St Matthew's to be the staff governor for St Matthew's.

 

 

William Noble

Awaiting photo and introduction

Ryan Proctor

Awaiting photo and introduction

Diversity Data

The board believes that it is important that we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Diverse boards promote inclusive school environments and provide diverse role models for staff and young people. We collect data on the diversity of the board, including age, ethnicity, and gender and we use this data to inform our recruitment and training needs, ensuring there is always a diverse range of perspectives around the table to support robust decision making. We do not publish diversity data online as individual governors could be identified and we have a legal obligation to protect their personal data.