School Governors
The Governing Body consists of a combination of people nominated, appointed, elected or co-opted by the local authority, staff and parents.
School Governors help the Headteacher and staff to achieve the school aims.
The Governing Body is made up of the following members:
Parent Governors – elected by the parents (3)
Community Governors – nominated and accepted by the Governing Body (4)
LEA Governors – nominated by the Local Authority (1)
Staff Governors – elected by the staff (1)
Head Teacher – by virtue of office [ex officio governor] (1)
*
Coppice Farm Primary Board of Governors 2024-25
Chair of Governors : Dave Armstrong-Jones
(Co-opted governor)
I currently work as School Business Manager within Pinewood Infant School, also acting as a DSL. I have been working in Pinewood for 4 years managing a multitude of key operating focuses as well as managing multiple capital / non-capital projects within the school its self. I am incredibly passionate about education, the safeguarding of children and establishing working partnerships with parents / staff. Not to mention the financial & operational compliance within schools.
I really feel that I bring multitudes of professionalism, experience and skill to Coppice Farm and, at the same time, offer an incredibly friendly approach to the overall governance of the school.
I also have a vast experience in the world of Looked After and Post Looked After Children due to being an Adoptive Parent myself. I can’t believe that our son was placed with us over 8 years ago! After adopting my son, I enjoyed two years at home as a stay-at-home dad before joining another local school. There I spent five years learning the craft of financial and operational management of schools before moving to my current school.
Co-Vice Chair: Kathryn Cooper
(Co-opted governor)
Hi, I’m Kathryn and I’ve been a governor since 2018. I also lead the on-site Killisick Pre-School, so will know many of your children if they came to us before starting in Enchanted Elm reception class. I have two adult sons, and for 12 years before I had my children, I worked in medical research as an immunologist for a leading pharmaceutical company.
Away from work I am season ticket holder at Meadow Lane and enjoy walking and hiking. I also like going to the theatre and concerts, solving puzzles and the occasional escape room.
Donna Quarless-McGee
(Head Teacher, Ex-officio)
Having worked in schools across Nottinghamshire and in Spain, I joined Coppice Farm as Deputy Head, Year 6 teacher and staff governor back in September 2018, before taking over as Head Teacher in 2022. I am now in my seventh year here and I absolutely love our school!
When not in school, I like to spend time with my family, our very lively Springer Spaniel and watching my daughter perform on stage around the country. I love travelling and have been very fortunate to visit countries all over the world and I have also lived and worked in Mainland Spain, the Balearics, the Canaries, Greece, Turkey, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. At home I enjoy sewing and have been involved in making costumes for local pantos and even won a Best Costume design award! I like to relax by baking and reading. I’m passionate about the Arts, languages and education. I’m also bilingual, speaking English and Spanish and I also speak a few other languages including Welsh, having gone to school on the island of Anglesey, where I first met my husband in primary school!
Some of my favourite things about Coppice Farm is its wonderfully rich diversity, the passion of our staff and the enthusiasm of our brilliant pupils.
Jon Glover
(Co-opted governor)
I have spent my entire professional career in education, progressing through schools in Nottingham City and Nottingham County to ascend to the post of Deputy Head at a large junior school in Hucknall, after which I moved into special Education which has always been a passion and took on the role of Senior Teacher at a Secure Children's home where I spent the next four years working with some extremely complex and distressed young people. From there I moved back into a senior role at a special school for two years before joining the Nottinghamshire Educational Support Service where for fourteen years I held a responsibility for the coordination and delivery of training designed to help staff in schools manage some of the risks presented by young people in their care.
I retired from Local Authority working in September 2023 but still work as a freelance adviser and trainer in educational and social carer settings. When not at work I can be found in my kitchen or garden and occasionally on the golf course or river bank.
Co - Vice Chair: Mark Hopkins
(Co-opted governor)
As a local church minister (The King’s Church) I have had a good working relationship with Coppice Farm for many years, visiting school regularly to lead school assemblies as well as school events being hosted in the church – if you have (or have had) a child in Key Stage 2, you will have been along to the annual Carol Service hosted at my church.
Prior to working as a church minister, I had 19 years in secondary school teaching, including a few years in school leadership.
Carly Hayto
(Parent Governor)
Hi, I'm Carly! I'm a mum of 3, whose ages range from 4 to 14 years. I currently run my own cake decorating/home bakery business but previously had a career within Clinical research, working to get new medicines to market.
I have a deep-rooted connection to the school as I attended myself, many, many years ago! My two eldest children have now been through the school and my youngest has recently started in reception (and is loving it!).
I am new to the role of governor but wanted to get involved to support the school and ensure it is the best it can be for both pupils and staff.
I am always on the 'school run' so feel free to say hello if you see me!
Laura Catchpole
(Parent Governor)
I became a parent-governor at Coppice Farm Primary School in July 2024.
Originally from the Yorkshire Dales, I have lived in Nottingham for almost 30 years. I came here to study at Nottingham Trent University, and never left!
In my day job, I am Corporate and Public Affairs Manager for a national charity which provides care and support for older people. My area of expertise is in public policy, public affairs and communications. In a previous role, I worked for Nottingham City Libraries and continue to have a keen interest in books and literacy.
When I don't have my nose in a book, I might be found in a cinema, a music or comedy gig, trying to keep fit in a pilates class or getting out and about exploring the Peak district.
Nick Green
(Staff Governor)
I am Nick Green and I am the elected staff governor, having joined Coppice Farm as Deputy Head and Year 3 Class Teacher in September 2024. This is my 11th year teaching and I have had previous governor experience having sat on the governing bodies at two of my previous schools.
My biggest passions in school are Reading, School Sport and Special Educational Needs.
I enjoy spending my free time playing badminton and running marathons as well as being a season ticket holder at The Nottingham Panthers.
A fun fact about me is that I have an identical twin!
Stephen Godward
(LEA Governor)
I am Nottingham born and bred and attended High Pavement Grammar School and then The Guildhall School of Music before beginning a teaching career as Head of Performing Arts at West Park School in Derby – where I taught for 35 years in the same school.
Since retirement, I have followed a professional singing career and now spend most of my time in Educational Appeals for both the City and County Councils as well as The Archway Trust.
In my spare time I direct stage productions for St Peter’s Gilbert and Sullivan Society in Ravenshead and I am Musical Director of The Bluecoat Singers - a 40 strong choir celebrating over 30 years of concert giving in Nottingham.
I am an All England Adjudicator for music and drama festivals and events. I also sing in professional groups and perform in professional Pantomime from time to time – Oh yes he does!!
What do governors do?
The governing body has a range of duties and powers and a general responsibility for the conduct of the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement. Governors work with the headteacher and senior leadership team to drive the strategic development of the school and raise standards of achievement. Duties include setting the school's vision, aims and objectives, approving the school budget and appointing the headteacher.
The three core functions of a school governing board are to:
- * set a vision for a school.
- * be accountable for school performance and the safety of pupils.
- * provide financial probity to ensure that resources are well spent.
Their role is to ensure the board as a whole considers issues, and reaches decisions. The Chair does not make unilateral decisions, impose their will, or unduly influence the opinions of other board members. A good Chair of Governors has excellent listening skills, and is able to bring people together constructively.
Governing boards are accountable to parents, the local community and the Local Authority. Appointments are for three or usually four years. The governing board's main role is to help raise pupils' standards of achievement.
Governors offer support and strategic guidance, rather than getting involved in the operational aspects of a school.
A governor’s relationship with the school’s leadership team involves challenging existing processes to drive school improvement.
Governors usually attend around six meetings per year - one termly Full Governing Body meeting alongside specific-focused committee meetings.
*
COPPICE FARM PRIMARY BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Chair of Governors: Mr Dave Armstrong-Jones
Email: darmstrongjones@coppicefarm.notts.sch.uk
FINANCE & RESOURCES - Chair: Mrs Kathryn Cooper
- Finance, HR, Staffing, Staff Appraisal, Health and Safety, Capital Projects/spending, GDPR
The Committee meets four times a year.
The functions delegated to the Committees are on the Decision Planner at Appendix B.
STRATEGIC & PUPILS - Chair: Mr Jon Glover
– Transition, SEND, LAC, Attendance, Pupil Well-being, Extra-Curricular/Sports Funding, PTA, Anti-bullying, On-line Safety, Behaviour, Pupil Voice
– English, Phonics, MFL, Maths, Assessment, Data, ICT, Curriculum, EYFS, Catch-up Premium, Pupil Premium, Leadership and Management
The members of this Committee meet three times a year and focus on curriculum, school data, outcomes for pupils, overseeing all aspects of education in school.
The school governors would like to hear from any member of the Coppice Farm School community to assist the leadership of the school and ensure the learning experience for our young children is the best it can be.
ADDITIONAL NAMED GOVERNOR ROLES:
Safeguarding – Dave Armstrong-Jones
Health & Safety – Dave Armstrong-Jones
LAC – tbc
SEND – Jon Glover
GDPR – Mark Hopkins
Pupil Premium – tbc
Well Being - Jon Glover / Carly Hayto
Transition - Kathryn Cooper
SIRO - Donna Quarless-McGee
The clerk to the governing body (NCC employee) is Mrs Gill Newton
Governor information and attendance 2020-2021
OUR BOARD
Chair of Governors
Mr Dave Armstrong-Jones
Vice Chair
Mr Jon Glover
Co-opted Governors
Mr Mark Hopkins
Mrs Kathryn Cooper
Mr Jon Glover
Mr Dave Armstrong-Jones
Parent Governors
Mrs Carly Hayto
Mrs Laura Catchpole
Local Authority Governor
tbc
Staff Governor
Mr Nick Green
Head Teacher
Mrs Donna Quarless-McGee
School Governor Resources
Governors use the modern governor section to update their training and learning needs. The school purchases this package of support as it is a valuable tool for professional development.
