Governors

At a school such as Christ Church, the roles and responsibilities of the school governors include.

Establishing the ethos and the setting of principles under which the school operates:

• Ensuring that the National Curriculum is taught
• Budgeting and operating financial controls
• Appointing and supporting the teaching staff
• Maintaining school standards
• Dealing with admissions and admission appeals
• Maintaining and improving the school facilities
• Acting as a link between the school and the local community, the parent body and PSA

The governors hold regular full meetings throughout the academic year. In addition the following committees meet at least once a term.

• Finance and Resources
• Teaching, Learning and Personnel

Each governor is elected for a 4 year term.

If you feel that you would like to become more involved with the life of the school why not become a governor?  We are always on the look out for new governors to bring new skills and different ideas into the school. If you are interested please talk to one of the governors or the head teacher or follow the link below to find out more.

If you would like to contact the Chair of Governors by email please do so at:- chair@christchurch.herts.sch.uk

Our Governing Body

CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
Patrick (Pat) Gold (Foundation Governor)

First Appointed: 17/05/2017
Term of office: 17/05/2021 - 16/05/2025

I live in Hertford Heath and worship at Hertford Baptist Church.  Before I moved to Hertford Heath I attended Christ Church.  My two children were pupils at Christ Church School during the early 1990s.  Most of my professional life has been spent in the construction industry in both the private and public sectors, I am a retired chartered building surveyor.  For the last 26 years prior to retirement I worked for Hertfordshire County Council and then outsourced to three different consultants - but all the time maintaining, altering, refurbishing, extending, repairing and constructing HCC buildings including specifically schools.

I am the link governor for safeguarding, governor training / induction, behaviour and staff well-being. 

FINANCE & RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Nick Burridge (Co-opted Governor)

Term of office: 08/11/2021 – 07/11/2025

I am a person who is now, and has always been, fascinated by technology and passionate about trying to ensure that it is used in the best possible way. I have extensive experience in the implementation, roll out and maintenance of conventional IT systems and have a unique ability to understand and make best use of virtually all forms of technology. I have been responsible for designing and implementing pieces of technology as widely diverse as a contactless trap release mechanism for Harlow Greyhound Stadium to the innovative implementation of cinema rooms for domestic applications. I use my IT experience in my role as link governor for IT and have helped to redesign the school’s website. My basic philosophy is, ‘Yes is the answer – what was the question?’.

Roger Evans (Foundation Governor)

Term of office: 17/05/2021 – 16/05/2025

I have been a member of the Christ Church congregation for nearly 40 years and associated with the school, initially when my son attended in the mid-80s – happy memories of school productions and watching him play football for the school. Although a science teacher after leaving college, most of my working life was spent as an Environmental Health Officer; I retired in March 2016. I try to use some of my career expertise in building construction, food safety and health and safety in my role as a Governor by inspecting the school premises, assisting with health and safety issues and providing training. I have a disabled daughter so have a personal interest in special educational needs and disability. After some additional training, I hope to be able assist in this important area at the school.

TEACHING, LEARNING & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Rev John Hookway, BSc., MTh, PgDip. Vicar of Christ Church, Ware (Foundation Governor)

Term of office: 15/06/11 - to date

(Only required to attend committee meetings in special circumstances)

As a Foundation Governor and Vicar, I support the pastoral, worship and spiritual growth of the school, as well as growing the church link and helping to maintain the school’s Christian ethos. I have spent half my life as an ordained minister and as a youth worker in the church. I trained in Christian Youth Ministry with the Oasis Trust and it has always been a great joy to see young people grow and develop. I have run a number of leadership programmes, taught at All Nations Bible College, as well as being an Arrow leadership graduate. Both my children benefitted greatly from their time as pupils at Christ Church School.

Jaqueline Matthews (Staff Governor)

Term of office: 10/10/2019 - to date

I am currently a full-time teacher in Murphy class.  I have, however, been associated with Christ Church School in a variety of ways since 1998.  I have been a parent (my four children attended the school), volunteer, supply teacher, part-time teacher and a temporary member of the SLT (covered maternity leave).  I am also a member of Christ Church congregation and was previously involved with running toddlers, a home group and I am still part of the leader team for Bubbles (children's church).  Now that my own children have grown up and moved on, to other places of education or the world of work, I have more free time to dedicate to volunteer work and decided the time was right to join the governing body. 

Yelena Wells (Foundation Governor)
Term of office: 10/10/2019 - to date

As a family we are privileged to be part of the community at both Christ Church School and Church.  Over the past 7 years I have been struck by the nurturing Christian ethos in the school and my daughters are very happy here.

In a professional capacity my background is in teaching.  I have been teaching at a large, culturally diverse, London primary school for the past 16 years.  I am passionate about providing all children with a safe and encouraging environment.  I aim to foster a love of learning and to provide children with skills for life.

For the school year 2021-22 I have been the link governor for the school website, Early Years and Equalities. 

Catherine Court - (Associate Member)
Term of office: 14/10/2021 - 13/10/2025
Our family have been part of the Christ Church School community for the past 14 years. My daughter, who is now 18, was a pupil here and my son is currently in Year 6. They have both really benefitted from the school’s approach to learning and well-being. I have always been enthusiastic about supporting the school in different ways - I was the chair of the PSA some years ago and first became a governor in 2017.  I have been an educational psychologist for over twenty years working in schools across Hertfordshire and Essex and I am now working on a freelance basis. I have a wide range of relevant experience, skills and knowledge which I really enjoy bringing to the governing body and to the school. 

Rachel Swatton (Parent & Staff Governor)

Term of office: 18/01/2022 - 17/01/2026

I am currently very involved with the day to day activities at Christ Church as I work as a Learning Support Assistant and also as Midday Supervisor at the School.  I only have one child still at the school as my other two children are now at secondary school.  I wanted my children to attend Christ Church as it has such close links to the church and works hard to promote the value of each and every child.  I know first hand how hard the school works to give all the children a sense of belonging and self worth.  I worked in various investment banks in my previous life in the print and design side of things.  I am thoroughly enjoying being a governor as we have such a wealth of knowledge and experience on our board but tempered with such passion to ensure our children continue to flourish. 

Iain Playle (Church Link & Foundation Governor)

Term of Office: 24/3/2022 - 23/03/2026

I am a member of the Christ Church Community as a member of the Church congregation.  Living in Bishop's Stortford with two primary school aged children, Joshua and Rachel and my wife, Ruth.  I have been a School Governor at my children's school since 2017.

Having worked in retail most of my life, I have recently joined the civil service to find a better work life balance.

I am passionate about creating the correct enviornment for learning - where every child is given the best possible opportunities to reach their fullest potential. 

Edward Glover (Parent Governor)

Term of Office: 24/03/2022 - 23/03/2026

I moved to Ware a few years ago and have two children at the school.  They are both really happy and always excited to tell me what they have been up to.  I became a governor because I want children to have the best possible experience at the school and i'm keen to support the hard-working staff achieve this.

In my professional life I am a lawyer in the public sector, specialising in Financial Services, competition and administrative law.  Outside of work, my interests include sport (mainly football), music and history.

Sunita Singh (Parent Governor)

Term of Office: 24/03/2022 - 23/03/2026

I joined the Christ Church governing board in March 2022.  I have lived in Ware for 17 years and I have one primary aged child at the school.  My professional background is in science, I work in the pharmaceutical industry leading a clinical trials team researching treatments for depression, epilepsy and pain, this has given me a wide range of skills that I hope will be useful in my governing role.

My aim is to support a stimulating environment for our children to thrive: I feel strongly about the inclusion of all children to maximise their full potential and provide a good foundation for adult life.  I have recently worked as a voluntary youth mentor for Hertfordshire County Council helping children with emotional and practical support; I hope this will provide a basis for supporting the staff and pupils at our school.

Bruce Crowther - Vice Chair of Finance & Resources Committee (Foundation Governor)

Term of Office: 01/02/2022 - 31/01/2026

I live in Hertford and have two children who have now left school.  School years are so formative, and I am keen to help where I can to make the experience of Christ Church children positive, constructive and effective in preparing them for secondary school.
I have worked in areas of building maintenance and construction with various local authorities, including Hertfordshire and central government.  I have also had a number of business and management roles, and hope to offer what experience I have to support Christ Church School.

I enjoy music, running and have a strong faith in Jesus Christ.  Relationship with God has provided reason and motivation throughout my life, and I would like to see God introduced to the young people at Christ Church.