The Governing Body

Governor Statement

The governors of Knebworth School take pride in supporting the staff and children to deliver our vision. We engage in all aspects of school life with care and attention and are always pleased to hear from parents and stakeholders with views, questions and issues. Parents and guardians may contact us by emailing the school office. The statutory information for our governors can be viewed by downloading the files below.

Statutory Information

Instrument of Government

Governor Blog 2020-21

Governor Attendance 2020-21

Governor Attendance 2019-20

What Governors Do

The school governors have overall legal and strategic responsibility for the school and are made up of four categories:

Parent Governors (2) elected by parents
LEA Governor (1) appointed by Hertfordshire County Council
Co-opted Governors (9) co-opted by the governing body to maintain and develop the school’s links with its community
Staff Governors (2) elected by staff

The full governors meet at least four times per year and, in addition, most governors sit on one of two sub-committees which meet termly to discuss particular areas in more detail. The committees deal with:

Resources (Finance/Premises)
Performance (Staff/Pupils)

Some governors are also responsible for particular aspects of school life and all are required to visit school regularly and participate in activities which contribute to the delivery of our school vision.

The Knebworth School Governing Body

Gemma Wood (Chair of Governing Body)

I have two children at Knebworth school and I joined the Governing body in 2017 as a parent governor. My background is in policy and communications and I have worked for children's, parents and education charities on topics such as bullying and home-school communications. I currently work for a scientific institute where I lead a team responsible for communications and public engagement with science, including school outreach. I enjoy volunteering as a school governor and supporting the leadership team to ensure our school is the very best it can be for our children and the community.

Natasha Laskey (Head Teacher)

I am very proud to be the Headteacher of Knebworth School.  The Governing Body and I work closely to ensure the school has a strong and strategic vision to enable the school to continue to thrive in the Knebworth community.  Respect, Responsibility and Resilience are the school values which we all abide by in order to facilitate this effective working partnership.  Deep Roots and High Aspirations underpins our decision making processes.  The future of Knebworth School looks exciting, the school is going from strength to strength in this ever changing world we live in.

Bob Hall (Co-opted)

Co-Vice Chair and Chair of Resources committee. I am married with two adult children, and have lived in Knebworth for over thirty years. My son attended Knebworth JMI, during which time I was on the FOKS committee. I hope that I can bring 40 years of experience in highway engineering and management to bear, and look forward to continuing my learning as a school governor and contributing to the continued success and progress of the school and its pupils.

Viv Goddard (LEA)

Co-Vice Chair, Safeguarding governor and Chair of Performance committee. I joined the Governing Body in 1988.  As a governor of the school which all three of my children attended, I am delighted to be able to contribute to the continuing improvements in the school environment and the standards of excellence reached in the school curriculum.

Jane Whitrow (Co-opted)

I've lived in Knebworth for over 20 years and I joined the GB as a parent governor in 2009 when both my children were at the school. I'm a chartered accountant with a science background and my working life has been largely spent in small, entrepreneurial companies looking after money, people and premises. I also sit on the Governing Body of Woolgrove Special Needs Academy.

Rony Ford (Co-opted)

I work for the Stevenage Education Support Centre where I lead the Art department and provide outreach behaviour support to local schools. I studied fine art at university in Spain (where I trained to become a specialist teacher in Madrid) and in Antwerpen, before I came to live in England with my husband in 2001. Both my daughters attend Knebworth Primary School.

 

Canon Jane Hatton (Co-opted)

I’ve lived in the village for over thirty years and my two grown up “children” benefited from going to Knebworth School. I’m a chaplain at the Lister Hospital and enjoy singing, reading and pottering in the garden.

Sim Bains (Staff)

I have been a part of the teaching staff at Knebworth School for over 10 years and in this time I have been fortunate enough to hold many different roles and responsibilities.  Following my promotion to Deputy Headteacher I was also delighted to be appointed as a staff governor as this provides me with the opportunity to represent the views of the staff.   Also, being part of the Governing Body means I am able to give something back to the school community and ensure our school continues to be the very best it can be for our children.

Anna Wilson (Co-opted)

I attended Knebworth Primary School as a child, along with my brothers, and have recently returned to the area.  I’m a chartered accountant and have worked in companies of varying sizes, so hope I can bring some of my experience to benefit the school.

Sarah Smith (Co-opted)

I have lived in and around Knebworth most of my life and attended Knebworth Primary School with fond memories.   I am passionate about children’s education and wellbeing and feel I can enhance the Governing body and excellent team of staff that are in Knebworth supporting our children.

Robert Tutt (Co-opted)

I have considerable success in the management and direction of businesses over the last 19 years (11 years at board level). I have been involved in most aspects of a business including strategy, policy, budgeting, staffing, leadership and team building. I became a governor at Knebworth School because I wanted to work with a team of like-minded individuals to help children thrive and prosper, giving them the best possible start in life. I have lived in Knebworth for the last 12 years and have two children that attend the school.

Nicola Watson (Parent)

I have lived in Knebworth for 15 years and am committed to being involved in the local community. I have spent the last three years serving on the committee of Stepping Stone Preschool and during this time have gained experience working with staff and other parents to oversee the school’s policies, manage its finances and get involved with day-to-day running of the preschool. In my professional life I have worked for many years in local government and charitable organisations in a management role and now work as operations director for an occupational health provider.

Karen Chater (Associate)

I am delighted to join the governing body at Knebworth School.  I am from Wales originally, and have lived in various places across the UK before moving to Hertfordshire in 2015.  In 2019 I joined the Marketing team at University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield and lead a large team with responsibility for student communications and the website.  Prior to that I spent more than 20 years’ in large corporate organisations, working across both Finance and Marketing disciplines and I can not wait to use the skills I have learned over the years to support the team at Knebworth.  I live in Digswell, am married and have a young daughter.

Frances Blurton (Co-opted)

I currently work as an Assistant Director in the Developing Teachers & Leaders Division at the Department for Education, responsible for the Government’s overall approach to developing teachers, head teachers and leaders.  Prior to joining the Department, I worked as a secondary English teacher.  I am looking forward to working as part of the Governing Body of Knebworth School.

 

Brian Buckingham (Parent)

I have a son who currently attends Knebworth School and a young daughter.  As a STEM Ambassador, I am keen to utilise my background in Aeronautical Engineering and my contacts for the benefit of the school.  Being a Chartered Engineer with the Royal Aeronautical Society, I mentor engineers through their professional registration and I am keen to advocate children’s engagement in STEM activities.

Judith Davis-Roach (Clerk to the Governing Body)

I am pleased to be working with the Knebworth Governing Body and Senior Leadership team.  My background is in project management; with over 20 years successful retail project management experience and managing teams.  I am also the SEND Governor at my children’s primary school and have been a Parish Councillor for around 10 years.

 Minutes from governor meetings are available on request from the school office. Please email your request to the school.