On this page you will find details of the names and terms of office for all of our Governors, together with details of their category of Governor, positions of responsibility and details of any additional committees that they serve on. We have also included details of the business and financial interests of each Governor and information about any Governance role they play in other schools, as well as a full breakdown of the structure and responsibilities of the governing body of our school and its committees.

As Governors of Faringdon Infant School we would like to hear from you if you have any views or concerns about the school, and have any ideas as to how we can further improve the school. You can contact the governors, including the Chair of Governors using the school address or via our email address.  Our contact email is: clerk.faringdoninfantschool@faringdonlearningtrust.org.

The structure and remit of the FLT Members, Trustees, and its committees including the LGBs is available on the Trust website and can be found here https://faringdonlearningtrust.org/about-us/governance/

The Local Governing Body (LGB) constitution allows for up to 11 governors; the LGB meets formally once each term.  

It is an integral part of the senior management team.  It sets strategic targets and monitors pupil progress through detailed analysis of academic results.  Outcomes are continuously tracked at the Performance and Standards Committee and supporting elements are enabled though the Resources and Staffing Committee.  Teaching staff performance is monitored at performance management reviews.  

“We have a strong and well balanced team that acts as a critical friend to the Headteacher and her staff”.  

Pauline Forbes, Chair of Governors

Pauline Forbes - Chair of Governors

Community Governor

I am the Chair of Governors at Faringdon Infant School. I have been on the Governing Body for the past 2.5 years and I was elected as Chair in October 2017. I have 15 years’ worth of experience working within the education system and I am excited to be able to help shape the school during the new challenges ahead.

I have 2 children who are either currently at the Infant School or have been through the Infant School. I have been very impressed with the opportunities my children have been given during their time at the Infant School and I want to help ensure that all children have the best start to their school years.

The Governing Body works closely with the Academy to help ensure that any improvements raised by OFSTED and the school’s own self-assessment process are acted upon and the progress towards the improvements can be tracked. If you need to contact the Governors to raise any issue in confidence, you can do so either by letter via the school office or by email to the Clerk.

Term of Office: 4 years until 02.10.2023

Sally Robins - Head Teacher

Term of Office: ex-officio

Ruth Long 

Parent Governor

I became a Governor in November 2014 after being so impressed with the school and the staff after my eldest started there. I enjoy working with the school to help it continue to offer a 1st class education for all its pupils. I live in Faringdon with my husband and 3 daughters. Before having children I worked as a Biomedical Scientist but am currently taking a career break. My eldest daughter has been all the way through the Infant school very happily, and is now at Faringdon Junior School. My middle daughter is in year 2 and my youngest has just started in Sunflower class.

Term of Office: 4 years until 16.01.2022

Lucy Cooke - Vice Chair

Community Governor

I became a Governor in May 2015 following my eldest daughter starting her Reception year. Part of my reason for wanting to become a Governor stems from how impressed I have been with all she has learned and how that has been achieved. I have seen first hand on the 'stay and play' mornings what an interesting, caring, busy and vibrant place it is to be and to learn in. I really want to help the school continue to be the best it can, not only for my own children but for the whole community. I will also be helping with the PR & Communications sub-committee and am the Treasurer of FOFIS (the parent/teacher group). On a personal note, I have lived in Faringdon for 13 years with my husband and our 3 children aged 5, 3 and 1. When not being a mum or a governor I work as a solicitor in Oxford.

Term of Office: 4 years until 11.05.2023

Kate Eadie

Staff Governor 

I have been at FIS for over 6 years now and I really enjoy my work and working alongside such hardworking, dedicated and committed team.  As well as the other governors I am keen and focussed on making FIS the VERY best it can be. I have a keen interest in English and in the development of PSHE/SMSC for children and staff within school.  Before coming to FIS I worked for over 15 years within day nurseries. I am Link Governor within school for English and PSHE/SMSC.

Term of Office: 4 years until 22.11.2021 

Claire Cossey

Staff Governor 

I am a teacher at Faringdon Infant School having started in September 2017 teaching in Reception and now teaching in Key Stage 1. I became a Governor at Faringdon Infant School in the Summer of 2019 because I wanted to contribute further to our fantastic school to support and challenge as we strive to deliver the best education and support for our school and local community. As a staff member I am Subject Leader for Computing but I am also a Subject Link Governor for History.

Term of Office: 4 years until 10.07.2023

Filipp Skiffins

Community Governor

I became a Governor in September 2018. Having completed my professional training in accounting, I wanted to apply my skills and give back to my local community by having a positive impact on the younger generation. After moving to Faringdon in 2014, I have grown fond of the town and decided to settle here with my family. Being part of the governing body at FIS enables me to become more involved in my local community and support FIS in achieving its vision as well as working towards an outstanding school status.

Part of my governor role is to assist the head teacher in maintaining an effective and sensible approach to Health & Safety. This means ensuring that the school’s health and safety is constantly reviewed, monitored and challenged in order to provide a safe environment for all children, teachers, staff, volunteers and visitors on the school premises.

Term of Office: 4 years until 14.09.2022

Sarah Gristwood

Parent Governor

I became a Governor in January 2019, a few months after my eldest son started in Reception, so that I could be more involved with the school and its community. I live in Faringdon with my husband and our 3 children - 2 of whom currently attend the Infant School.

In my professional life I have over 15 years experience working as a primary school teacher. I am currently working as a special needs coordinator at a primary school in Oxford, and I have also recently started some consultancy work with the charity NurtureUK as part of the London Violence Reduction Unit.  I am particularly interested in the areas of inclusion and well-being, and in schools supporting children to be confident, resilient learners. 

On the Governing Body I am the link governor for SEND and PE as well as sharing the role of Governor with responsibility for data in the school. I am looking forward to supporting the school over the next few years.

Term of Office: 4 years until 16.01.2023

Rob Devereux

Community Governor

I am Rob and I am married and live in Watchfield with our two young daughters. I work in IT for a local Computer Support company, so will be looking forward to linking with the staff with an IT focus. I have joined the Governing Body, as a Community Governor and am looking forward to working with the School and Governors’ teams to make Faringdon Infant School a really great place for children to grow and learn. We have been in the Faringdon area for the last 12 years and are committed members of Faringdon Baptist church.  

We were involved in the Faringdon Neighbourhood Plan and have been involved in supporting the local community in Faringdon during our time here. I help to run a drop-in centre, called Messy Dads, once a month for Dads and their pre-year 1 children. 

In my spare time I am a sports fan, playing and watching cricket and football (my beloved Southampton FC) and enjoying time with my family.

Term of Office: 4 years until 20.03.2023

Kimberly Morgan

Community Governor

I moved to Faringdon seven years ago. In 2017, I became a British citizen and realised that I should give back to the country and community in which I live. Besides being a community governor for Faringdon Infant School, I am a Faringdon town councillor, a trustee for Wantage Independent Advice Centre and a member of the White Horse Medical Practice Patient Participation Group. All of that keeps me very busy but my most treasured role is being a single mother to a son who will be going into reception this coming September. 

Term of Office: 4 years until 29.04.2023

Laura Loveridge

Parent Governor

I have been elected Parent Governor for the Faringdon Infant School and I am very excited to be taking on this role. My family and I have recently returned to the UK from abroad. We have 3 young children, 2 of which already attend the infant school, and we are excited to start our life in Faringdon.

I have a background in nursing and midwifery and as I am currently not working, I am looking for volunteer roles to give back to the community. I am passionate about giving children the best possible start in life and feel honored I am able to support the school in such a role. I hope to help the school continue to provide the best learning environment that allows all children to grow and become the best possible versions of themselves.

In my spare time I enjoy sports, spending time with family and friends and travel (when allowed of course!).

Term of Office: 4 years until 11.05.2024

Alex Molton

Clerk

Stepped down in the last 12 months

Ann Joseph; December 2020

Meeting Minutes