Meet the Governors
Our School Governing Body
Our Governors are all voluntary. They guide and support the strategic direction of the school. They are important members of our school team and their contribution to the running of the school is highly valued.
The role of the Governing Body is a strategic one. Their key functions are to:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the performance management of staff
- Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure that money is well spent
- Ensuring that the voices of the school stakeholders are heard
Amanda Raynham-Dobb - Headteacher I was appointed as the Deputy Headteacher at Menheniot Primary in 1999 and became the Headteacher in the following year. Previously I worked at schools in Surrey, Brighton and Singapore. I really enjoy my roles as Headteacher and Governor. Until recently I taught literacy and numeracy to the Year 2s and even after many, many years of teaching, I really can say that I still look forward to every day and the challenge and variety that teaching and running a school brings. I feel privileged to be leading such a lovely school, where everyone works together to ensure that the children experience the highest quality of teaching and learning. |
Elizabeth Clarke I have been a co-opted governor at Menheniot School since 2014; I sit on the Curriculum Committee and have the responsibility for Literacy. I moved into the village having retired from full time teaching in 2014. I responded to a request in the parish magazine to volunteer at the school listening to children read and was subsequently asked to interview for post of governor. My previous teaching experience centred around the Special Education sector in Devon and Cornwall, working with a wide range of individual need. The community aspect of our village is vital to the quality of life and the school is central to this. I am proud to be part of a school with high aspirations, dedicated staff and enthusiastic children. |
Louise James I am the Teacher Representative on the Governing Body of Menheniot Primary School. I have been teaching for 20 years and I currently teach Year 3. Whilst working at Menheniot Primary School I have spent many years as the Reception / Year 1 teacher and a lower Key Stage 2 Teacher. Being on the Governing Body is both interesting and informative. I have a degree in business and IT and I worked in the industry for a couple of years before completing my PGCE. I am the subject leader for literacy and am passionate about raising standards in literacy, instilling a love of books and creating imaginative and enthusiastic writers.
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Beatriz Catalan
I moved from Barcelona to Cornwall in 2014 and my son has been attending Menheniot school for 3 years.
In Spain worked as a Language Teacher for 15 years and I was also the Director of Studies in a private Language school in Barcelona for 3 years.
I currently work as a Senior Accounts Assistant in a SME based in Liskeard whilst completing my training towards the ACCA qualification.
I have been working in the fish/export sector for 8 years and there are always new challenges to tackle.
When I’m not working (or studying) I love travelling and spending time outdoors with my family. I like playing football and listening to some good old Van Morrison tunes!
Iris Maslen I have been a governor at Menheniot school for several years. I have long connections with the school. Our three daughters attended the school, then three of my grandchildren. They have left now to attend secondary education. My main interest has always been the pupils, seeing them progress and happy at school. I was brought up on a farm and married a farmer. I worked at the school as a Teaching Assistant part time for several years. Now retired I go into school on a voluntary basis which I really enjoy. Menheniot school is a wonderful asset to our village.
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Margaret Juckett I live in the village with my husband and two children. My children attended Menheniot school and, prior to that, the village Playgroup. I have always been an actively involved parent, initially being secretary and chair of the Playgroup Committee, then the School Association, and most recently as a school governor. I sit on two committees; Buildings & Finance and the Curriculum and Wellbeing. I have special responsibility for SEN and Choughs (wraparound care). I love being part of village life, and outside of school I am also treasurer of the Old School Committee. I feel strongly that the school is a vital part of the community. I believe that Menheniot School offers a great education, both academically and socially, and I am proud to be part of the team that delivers this aspiration. |
Jennie Harrison We moved to Menheniot in 1982, with two young children, quickly followed by number three, and it didn’t take long to become involved in a variety of village activities, based primarily with children in mind, and it hasn’t stopped since. I became involved with the playgroup, and the running of it, when the children were small, the Scout group, which our two boys attended, the Parents Association when our children attended Menheniot School, as well as becoming a Parent Governor for three years. My involvement with the village continues today as PCC Secretary, Parish Magazine Assistant, Poads Trust committee member, and through various other activities. I am now retired, having started out in catering, and then changing direction to become a housing officer of a small housing association operating in Cornwall. I was asked to consider becoming a governor in 2018, and feeling a commitment to the school, having had three children very successfully educated there, felt that I would like to give something back.
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Michelle Green
In 2022, I relocated with my family from Scotland to Menheniot. Finding a school where my son could fit in, be happy and prosper was top of my list. Menheniot Primary has exceeded my expectations, and I’ve taken such joy in seeing first-hand the positive impact the school has had on my son both academically and personally in a short space of time. This is a real testament to the hard work, dedication and passion the team at Menheniot demonstrate every single day. So, when they advertised looking for new Governors, I jumped at the chance to be able to make a real difference within the community and in helping influence and shape the future possibilities for the children of Menheniot. With a background in Marketing, I have experience developing and delivering strategic plans including stakeholder engagement, project management and utilising data and research to drive decisions. Collaboration and communication have always played a big part in my professional career, I therefore hope I can bring a strong set of qualities and skills to compliment the School’s Governing Body. |
Ali Burrow I have lived in Menheniot for over 30 years and worked at Menheniot Playgroup when my two sons attended. When my eldest son started at Menheniot Primary School, I became involved with the School Association and became a Secretary and Trustee. I continued in these positions for many years. About 20 years ago, I became a Parent Governor and represented Parent Governors at the Education Scrutiny Committee for a number of years. In addition to my Governor responsibilities, I am the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, Deputy Safeguarding Officer and have previously taught the Year 2 class for many years. I continue to feel passionate about Menheniot Primary and am proud to be part of such an excellent school.
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Emma Pascoe-Parish I moved to the Menheniot parish 6 years ago prior to the arrival of our first child. He now attends Menheniot School and I thought that it would be a good idea to give something back to the school. I have recently been elected as a parent governor. I have a small safeguarding background as I am the safeguarding officer for the Cornwall and Devon Land Rover Club. Apart from being a full time mum to 2 beautiful children, I work for a local well established family run business and also help my own parents with jobs within their business. |
Emma Grange
I have lived in Menheniot for 23 years and all four of my children attended the school and thrived.
I am currently the manager of Menheniot Pre-school and have been for the past 10 years. I started working there 23 years ago when I moved to the village. I have a degree in Early Childhood Studies and I’m a trained Forest School Leader. I enjoy working with children and take enormous pride in our Outstanding setting; ensuring a safe and stimulating environment where children’s development can progress whist building confidence and having fun. We strive to always be moving forward with inclusion, equity and sustainability. As a playgroup we actively get involved with many aspects of the community and have strong links with the village and the Primary School.
Outside Playgroup I also Chair the Ebenezer Art Gallery in Polperro, Committee member for The Old School Committee, Poppy Appeal Organizer and am an active member of the tennis club.
Rev Li Selman
Having moved into the village in 2021 as the curate in this Church Cluster I soon made contact with Menheniot Primary School. I have been leading assemblies, getting involved in a few class lessons and welcoming the children into school to celebrate festivals such as harvest, Easter and Christmas. Prior to ordination I was a primary school teacher for thrity years and so I am familiar with school life, the curriculum, accountability and monitoring. I understand the weight of responsibility and workload on teaching staff. I also have five children of my own, so plenty of experience as a parent!
I hope that I bring a pastoral ear to the conversation and contact with the village at large. Being a Priest in the Church of England I would hope to build links with the church here in Menheniot, whilst respecting that the school family is made up of those of other faiths and some that have none.