Our Governing Board
Our Governing Board provides strategic leadership and accountability across our school
Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre’s Governing Board is composed of a group of committed volunteers drawn from the community, each bringing a range of skills, expertise and professional experience. Our Governors provide essential links between the school and its parents, carers and local community and is ultimately responsible to the Department of Education for the performance of all the school.
Our Governing Board works with staff, parents and carers to provide the best possible framework for educating our pupils. They are involved in all aspects of school life and meet regularly with the school’s Senior Leadership Team.
Governors fulfil their responsibilities by:
- Holding school leaders to account for the educational and financial performance of the school: the Governing Board create robust accountability for the school’s leadership team through rigorous analysis of performance data and financial information.
- Setting the school’s vision and the strategy for achieving this vision: the school’s vision centres on pupil progress and achievement and, working with senior leaders, the Governing Board agree key priorities and key performance indicators against which progress towards achieving the vision can be measured.
- Ensuring the school’s financial success and probity: the Governing Board must ensure that the budget that the school receives is managed effectively, and with regard to value for money.
Governors are appointed by the Governing Board with the exception of Parent Governors, who are elected by parents and carers, and Staff Governors, who are elected by school staff.
Members of our Governing Board
Full name | Position | Term of office ends | Date of appointment | Appointed by | Voting rights |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Z Bartle | Parent Governor | 24.09.2025 | 24.09.2021 | Parents | Yes |
J Batten | Partnership Governor | 14.10.2027 | 14.10.2015 | Elected by parents | Yes |
S Cooper | Staff Governor | 01.09.2026 | 01.09.2022 | Elected by school staff | Yes |
N Jabbar | Parent Governor | 24.09.2025 | 24.09.2021 | Parents | Yes |
D Millington | Co-opted Governor | 04.10.2027 | 04.10.2023 | Governing Board | Yes |
P Murgatroyd | Chair of Governing Board and Partnership Governor | 27.11.2024 | 15.09.2008 | Governing Board | Yes |
T Nutley | Vice-chair of Governing Board and Co-opted Governor | 11.02.2028 | 12.02.2020 | Governing Board | Yes |
J Sahota | Co-opted Governor | 25.05.2026 | 25.05.2022 | Governing Board | Yes |
M Scott | Ex-officio by virtue of office as Head Teacher | - | 01.09.2019 | Ex-officio by virtue of office as Head Teacher | Yes |
G Smith | Co-opted Governor | 10.12.2025 | 10.12.2021 | Governing Board | Yes |
T Walker | Local Authority Governor | 04.10.2027 | 04.10.2023 | Governing Board | Yes |
D Murdoch | Clerk to the Governing Board | - | - | - | No |
Governor Categories
The role of a Parent Governor is to bring a parental perspective to the issues discussed and help the Governing Board to understand a parent’s viewpoint. This will assist the Governing Board to make good decisions and maintain a link between governance and the parent community.
A Co-opted Governor is a person appointed by the Governing Board and who, in the opinion of the Governing Board, has the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school. As Co-opted Governors, they will act in the school’s and wider community’s best interests.
Partnership Governors only exist in Foundation Schools. Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre is a Foundation School. Partnership Governors are appointed by the Governing Board and, in the opinion of the Governing Body, have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school. As Partnership Governors, they will act in the school’s and wider community’s best interests.
Governor Profiles
Meet our Governing Board
I joined the Governing Board in 2021 as a Parent Governor, with a child in Year 1. Living just outside the catchment area and with a child in the school I took a keen interest in the journey that the students take through their school life at Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre.
I have been teaching Science for 11 years, in various secondary schools, and am now Head of Science at a Middle School. I have always taken a keen interest in curriculum planning and development which I look to use as part of my role on the Governing Board.
Since my son joined the school, I have taken a keen interest in seeing how he develops through his learning journey, and could not be prouder of the amazing education he is receiving on a daily basis. The opportunities the school offers are second to none and, as a Governing Board, we strive to ensure that this continues through our critical support of the leadership team.
I have seen, first hand, how the staff at Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre go above and beyond for their pupils to ensure that every child receives their right to a creative, innovative and exciting education. I could not be prouder to be a governor of an outstanding school.
I have been a teacher of Physical Education and English in Secondary Education for 22 years. My key passion has always been to support the pastoral care of children and to inspire the younger generation to achieve their full potential within the school setting.
I decided to apply for a Parent Governor role when my eldest daughter started at Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre. I was keen to gain an insight into her learning journey and to offer support to the school having a background in education. I also wanted to support the dedicated and passionate leadership team and staff in their efforts to ensure that every child who attends Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre flourishes in a safe and nourishing learning environment, has the best opportunities available to them to make exceptional progress and to develop their morals and values to become good citizens.
I have seen both of my daughters thrive during their time at Someries Infant School and am proud to be a co-opted governor of an outstanding school. One that strives to be innovative, inclusive and focused on giving our children the best opportunities to become independent, responsible learners.
I joined Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre in 2016 as a Midday Supervisor and Teaching Assistant. Since then, with the support of my colleagues, I have completed the Supporting Teaching and Learning Level 2 and 3 qualifications, and most recently, I have obtained the Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants.
I have three children who have attended the school over the past eight years. I have a keen interest in education. I firmly believe that every child’s educational journey should begin with a strong foundation, giving them the tools and opportunities to develop and grow independently and responsibly.
I joined the Governing Board of Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre in 2021 as a Parent Governor. Living in Luton with a daughter attending the school, I felt it important to be involved in my daughter’s educational and personal journey and have a vested interest in the decisions made by the school.
My professional background is also within education, where I work as a Vice Principal, leading on the quality of education at a local secondary school with over 1500 students aged between 11 to 18.
As a parent and leader in education, I could not ask for my daughter to be in a better school. I see the position as a privileged one and value the role, and I hope to bring both my professional and governing experience to the benefit of students within the community at Someries.
I joined Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education in 2014 as a Class Teacher and have since enjoyed ample support and guidance to develop my practice in both teaching and leading others. I became the Deputy Head Teacher in 2019, and it was at this time I became an Associate Governor.
As the school lead on curriculum design and implementation, working with and gaining insight from a Governing Board of varied backgrounds and experiences has been key to ensuring enhancements to provision have a positive impact on pupils’ progress and outcomes.
I look forward to continuing to work with such dedicated and proactive colleagues, so that Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre can continue to provide an outstanding level of education to its pupils.
I am the Chair of Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre’s Governing Board. I joined the Governing Board in 2008 as a Parent Governor when my youngest daughter was attending the school. I took on the role as I wanted to support the school after they had given my three children a great start to their education within such a wonderful learning environment.
After my youngest daughter had left the school, I decided to stay continue my role as a Co-opted Governor as I wanted to continue to support the schools journey and, eventually, took on the role of Chair of Governors.
The school is very lucky to be led by such a passionate and dedicated leadership team who continually strive to go above and beyond to offer an outstanding education to every child. I feel it is a privilege to be able to watch the school grow and develop and to see first-hand through governor visits the enriched curriculum and exceptional educational facilities that the school has to offer.
I joined the Governing Board at Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre as a co-opted governor in 2020. At the time I had a child at the school and was keen to play a part in school life and the wider community. I was appointed Vice Chair of the Governing Board in 2021.
During my time as a Governor, Someries has gone from strength to strength. The additions to the Early Childhood Education Centre and The Compass, combined with the extremely dedicated and professional staff, enable the school to offer a truly holistic approach to early years development. As Governors our role is to provide the strategy and oversight which allows this important work to continue.
Outside school and family, I practised as a solicitor and then barrister for 18 years, specialising in criminal and family cases. My experiences in work and as a parent have given me a keen understanding of the lasting impact of early years development on a child’s well-being and life chances. I am proud to play my small part in giving the children at Someries the best start possible.
My profile is on its way.
My profile is on its way.
I have been Head Teacher of Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre since September 2019 and, in that time, the school has continued to develop and grow as an outstanding school.
Our school motto of ‘Discover the new, Explore the world, and Create and achieve’ is at the heart of everything we do at Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre and it is a privilege to work with such a hard-working and committed team of colleagues – which includes our Governing Board – who strive to ensure the absolute best for every pupil, every day.
Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre is a very special place. It is a vibrant, exciting and forward-thinking school and it is a unique privilege to be its Head Teacher.
My profile is on its way.
I initially joined the Governing Board in September 2017 as a Parent Governor, when my two sons were pupils at the school and benefitting greatly from the excellent teaching, support and resources. I wanted to help and try to give something back to such a friendly and caring school, and not surprisingly the Governing Board was a welcoming place.
I am continually impressed by how dedicated and motivated the staff at Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre are. During Governing Board meetings it is wonderful to witness what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ to ensure that the school continues to self-evaluate and find opportunities to further improve its rich teaching, curriculum and learning environment. It continues to be a pleasure to play some small part in supporting the school in its ambition to continue to provide the best care and education for all pupils.
Away from school and family, I work full time as a Research Scientist. I am part of a larger team searching for new therapeutic approaches for cancer patients. I hope that my professional experience and skills obtained from a working pharmaceutical setting can benefit the school.
Contacting our governing board
If you have any matters that you wish to raise with the school, our Complaints Procedure details how to do this.
If you would like to contact a member of our Governing Board, you can send written correspondence to our Clerk to the Governing Board at the school address. Our contact details can be found here.