Our Governing Body

What is it?

All schools in England have a Governing Body which is responsible for overseeing many of the strategic decisions of the school. A key role is to act as a ‘critical friend’: to support, to challenge, to ask questions, ultimately to represent the school community.

The Governing Body works in close partnership with the headteacher, staff and the local authority.  Whilst the headteacher is, of course, responsible for the day to day running of the school, the governors are involved with such things as staffing, curriculum, school buildings and finance. It ensures the school functions well and maintains the proper range of academic and social objectives.

Who are we?

In September 2014 the governing body elected to reconstitute.  We took this decision as it allowed us to change the numbers and types of governors we have and to appoint more people on the basis of the skills they could bring.

The governing body now consists of:

• The headteacher
• One elected staff governor
• One elected parent governor
• 5 co-opted governors

The standard term of office for a governor is four years. The chair and vice-chair are elected annually at the first meeting of the academic year.

The chair of governors is Mrs. Helena Pitcher who can be contacted via the school office.

At The Mayflower Primary School, the Full Governing Body meet once per term with additional Committee meetings.

The governing body of The Mayflower Primary School is currently:

Chair of Governors:          

Mrs. Helena Pitcher

Vice Chair of Governors:

Mr. Alex Timms

Co-opted Governor:

Mrs. Denise Watson

Mrs. Lynne Walker

Mrs. Louise Hodgeson-Darnell

Mr. Lee Murray

Mrs. Tracey Cochrane

Staff Governor:                       

Miss. Emily Stephens

Parent Governor:      

Mrs. Helena Pitcher

Headteacher:          

Mrs. Elizabeth Bartholomew      

Clerk to Governors:        

Mrs. Louise Cockerton                            

Our Chair of Governors and Clerk to the Governors can be contacted via the school office.

admin@mayflowerprimary.com

Governor Profiles:-

 

Helena Pitcher - Chair of Governors

I have lived and worked in the Harwich area for most of my life. I am a mum to 3 boys, and have been a Mayflower Primary School parent since 2017.

I became a parent governor in September 2023 as I wanted to have a greater understanding of how the school operates and to support the school in continuing to provide the best education and opportunities to all it's pupils.

 

Alex Timms - Vice Chair of Governors

I joined the governing body in December 2024 due to having family ties to both the school and local area. I am committed to supporting the schools strategic development and utilising my background working in finance to create the best possible environment for pupils and staff.

 

Lynn Walker - Co-opted Governor
 

I was a primary school teacher for over 25 years, teaching 3-11 year olds. Until recently I was Programme Manager for the school-centred initial teacher training based at Chase Lane Primary School, training teachers for local primary schools. By becoming a governor I hope to apply my experiences to the advantage of  Mayflower Primary School.

 

Emily Stephens - Staff Governor

I have worked at Mayflower since September 2020, I started teaching in Year 2, I have taught in Year 6 and I am currently teaching in Year 1. I really enjoy working at Mayflower - the pupils are amazing and the school is a growing vibrant community. My experience of working daily with our pupils, alongside my colleagues, gives me a unique insight of the school to bring to the governing body. 

 

Tracey Cochrane - Co-opted Governor

I have worked at Mayflower Primary School for 20 years and I am currently the School Business Manager. Both of my children attended the school and Mayflower built the foundation of their knowledge. I am passionate about the school and helping the staff and governors to work hard to give our children the best education and learning experience we can.
 

Louise Hodgeson-Darnell - Co-opted Governor

 

Denise Watson - Co-opted Governor

With a background in psychology and a PGCE focused on SEN inclusion, my passion for education began through home-schooling two of my five children, where I witnessed first-hand the impact of motivational, tailored teaching. I have since worked across a variety of educational settings - as a class teacher, computing specialist, intervention facilitator and outreach worker - supporting pupils of all abilities, particularly those with additional needs. My collaborative work with SENCOs, therapists and families has consistently led to pupil progress and wellbeing. I also bring creative strengths as a published children's author and workshop facilitator, along with leadership experience in care and community roles. As a governor, I offer both strategic insight and practical classroom knowledge to help shape inclusive, high-quality education for all.

All governors to a school’s Governing Body must be elected or appointed.

Do you care about children’s education or are you concerned about how a School is run and financed?

If you have some time to spare, are able to attend meetings (usually between 4pm-6pm) and can call into school during lesson times on various occasions, then why not become a School Governor at Mayflower Primary School and have some input in this important and rewarding role?  You will also be expected to attend Governor Training sessions either locally or online and read school policies etc. 

Whatever your background if you are interested, please contact the Chair of Governors, Mrs. Helena Pitcher via  email at admin@mayflowerprimary.com  to arrange an informal discussion.  At the moment, we are particularly keen to hear from potential Governors who have a background in finance and/or have an understanding of data and statistics and how to interpret these.

 

Contact the Chair of Governors

If you would like to contact the Chair of Governors, please do so using the contact form below.