Governors

If you want to contact the Chair of Governors you can do so either via the school office, or by emailing them on governors@blake.oxon.sch.uk

Unless stated otherwise below, governors have not declared any business or pecuniary interests nor are they members of any other governing body.  Attendance data is given for the academic year 2024/25.

During the year there were 7 FGB meetings and 2 finance committee meetings.

                                                         

Tim Edwards-Grundy (Headteacher)

As headteacher at The Blake School Mr Edwards-Grundy is automatically a governor.

Mr Edwards-Grundy provides regular written reports to governors and attends meetings to provide both verbal reports and answer governor questions.

Mr Edwards-Grundy has been the headteacher at The Blake School since September 2012.

FGB attendance – 100%                                                                       

 

Matt Beer

Matt is a Foundation Governor appointed by the Directors of ODST, he is also the vicar of St Mary’s Cogges and St James the Great South Leigh. He joined the Governing Body in September 2024. 

 

Ruth Cadywould

Ruth is a Foundation Governor, appointed by the Directors of ODST on the recommendation of the PCC at St Mary’s, Cogges.  Ruth's two children attend The Blake School.

Foundation Governor appointed 25th June 2024.  Term of office ends 24th June 2028.

FGB attendance - 50% (2 meetings out of a possible 4)

 

Liz Henderson

Liz is a staff governor elected by the staff at The Blake School.  She is the school's current English lead and SENCO from September 2025.

Staff governor appointed 17th September 2024. Term of office ends 16th September 2028.

FGB attendance - 75% (3 out of 4 meetings)

                                                                           

Jason Hoyland

Jason is a Foundation Governor, appointed by the Directors of ODST on the recommendation of the PCC at St Mary’s Cogges.

Jason is Chair of the Finance committee and has particular responsibility for monitoring the provision for vulnerable children and those with Special Educational Needs

Foundation governor appointed 18th October 2017   Term of office ends 17th October 2025

FGB attendance – 86%   (6 meetings)                                                

Finance committee attendance – 100%

 

Clare Huggard - Chair of Governors

Clare is a parent governor, elected by the parents of The Blake School.  Clare's daughter attends The Blake School.

Clare was elected as a parent governor in November 2022.

FGB attendance - 100%

                                                                                                                                               

Elizabeth Knowles            

Elizabeth is a Foundation Governor, appointed by the Directors of ODST on the recommendation of the PCC at St Mary’s, Cogges.

Elizabeth is a former employee of Oxford University Press and currently also serves as a governor at St Mary’s CE Infant School in Witney.

Foundation Governor appointed 1st July 2010     Term of Office ends 30th June 2026         

FGB attendance – 100%         Finance - 100%

 

Rob Miles

Rob is a Foundation Governor, appointed by the Directors of ODST on the recommendation of the PCC at St Mary’s, Cogges. Rob's son attends The Blake School.  As a teacher Rob brings useful insight to the Governing Body.

Foundation Governor appointed 14th November 2023.     Term of office ends 13th November 2027.

FGB attendance - 66% (4 meetings out of a possible 6)

 

Andrew Newham

Andrew is a Foundation Governor appointed by the Directors of ODST, on the recommendation of the PCC at St Mary’s, Cogges.

Andrew brings many years of experience as a governor to the role.

Foundation Governor appointed – 2nd December 2019    Term of office ends 1st December 2027

FGB attendance – 86%  (6 meetings)   

 

 

Chris Rimmer

Chris is a Foundation Governor appointed by the Directors of ODST, on the recommendation of the PCC at St Mary’s, Cogges.

Foundation governor appointed 17th September 2024. Term of office ends 16th September 2028.

Chris is new to the governor role for the academic year 2024/25

 

Jane Slater

Jane is a Parent Governor, elected by the parents of the school community in December 2024.

                                                                                                                             

Ruth Lockwood (Clerk)

Ruth is the clerk to the Governing Board; she distributes paperwork, is up to date with legal matters relating to Governance and offers advice on matters of procedure; she attends all meetings.

 

Governors who have stepped down in the past twelve months

Rebecca Patchett

As head of school at The Blake School Mrs Patchett was automatically a governor.

Mrs Patchett attended meetings to provide both verbal reports and answer governor questions.

Mrs Patchett was head of school from September 2024 to July 2025.