Governors
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 2021/22.
During the year there were 10 FGB meetings and 3 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%
Finance committee attendance – 100%
Fiona Hayes
Fiona is a staff governor, elected by the staff body at The Blake School.
The Governors greatly appreciate the insight that can be given by members of the staff team. Fiona has worked at The Blake School for 16 years and has particular responsibility for music through the school.
Staff governor appointed 1st September 2020 Term of office ends 31st August 2024
FGB attendance – 90% (9 meetings)
Finance committee attendance – 100%
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 – 80% (8 meetings)
Finance committee attendance – 100%
Simon Kirby
Simon 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.
Simon is a familiar face around the school and regularly leads collective worship, he has two grown up children.
Foundation Governor appointed 1st March 2015 Term of Office ends 28th February 2023
FGB attendance – 90% (9 meetings)
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 – 90% (9 meetings)
Barbara March
Barbara is a Community Governor appointed by the Directors of ODST.
Barbara was a secondary school teacher for most of her working life and is a member of St Mary’s, Cogges.
Date of initial appointment 18th December 2015 Term of Office ends 28th February 2023
FGB attendance – 80% (8 meetings)
Andrew Newham - Chair of Governors
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.
From September 2022 Andrew will be Chair of the Governing Body.
Foundation Governor appointed – 2nd December 2019 Term of office ends 1st December 2023
FGB attendance – 100% Finance committee attendance - 100%
Lucy Phipps
Lucy is a Parent Governor, elected by the parents of the school community. Lucy's son attended The Blake School.
As a teacher, Lucy brings very helpful knowledge and experience to the Governing Body.
From September 2022, Lucy will be Vice-Chair of Governors.
FGB attendance - 100%
Anthony Sayles
Anthony is a Foundation Governor, appointed by the Directors of ODST on the recommendation of the PCC at St Mary’s, Cogges. Anthony’s three children have attended The Blake School.
Anthony brings experience in safeguarding and children’s work.
Foundation Governor appointed 1st September 2015 Term of Office ends 31st August 2023
FGB attendance – 50% (5 meetings)
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
David Eaton
David is a Foundation governor; he is also a member of The Blake Educational Trust.
David is currently the longest serving governor having been in post for over twenty years, his grown-up children attended The Blake School. David has particular finance expertise.
Foundation Governor appointed September 1994 Term of Office ended 31st August 2022
FGB attendance – 100%
Finance committee attendance - 100%
Philip Fowler (Chair of Governors)
Philip was elected as Chair of Governors in July 2018; he is a Parent Governor, elected by the parent community at The Blake School.
Philip has one child who attends The Blake School and he brings finance and data skills to the Governing Board.
Parent Governor appointed 15th January 2016 Stepped down 21.07.2022
FGB attendance – 100%
David Spence
David Spence is a Foundation Governor, appointed by the Directors of ODST on the recommendation of the PCC at St Mary’s, Cogges. Two of David's children attend The Blake School.
David joined the governing body in September 2020, he strengthens the school's link with St Mary's Cogges.
FGB attendance - 90%
Stepped down 21.07.2022