Our Governors
We are very proud of our Local Governance Committee (LGC) whose governors bring a wide range of professional experience, skills and knowledge to support Alderbury & West Grimstead Primary School.
Our governors are committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to flourish. They work closely with the Headteacher and school team, providing support, challenge and strategic oversight while keeping the needs of our children and our local community at the heart of their work.
Our Local Governance Committee is part of Pickwick Academy Trust and is held to account by the Trust Board and Members. Across the Trust, Local Governance Committees provide support and challenge to individual schools around vision, ethos, curriculum, standards and pupil experience.
How often do governors meet?
The Local Governance Committee normally meets six times during the school year.
In addition to full LGC meetings, individual governors take on specific areas of responsibility and meet with members of staff to gain a deeper understanding of areas such as curriculum, safeguarding, attendance, SEND, EYFS, disadvantaged learners and finance.
These link governor roles enable governors to see the work of the school at first hand and to ask informed questions about its strengths and areas for development.
Meet our Governors
John Fuller
Chair of Governors | Foundation Governor | Finance Governor | Allergy Governor
I am a Foundation Governor and Chair of the Local Governance Committee. I meet regularly with Mrs Woolf to discuss the work of the school.
I have spent my career working in education, including twenty years as a Headteacher. I have also worked as a School Improvement Partner and, most recently, held senior roles within a large Multi Academy Trust.
I am a member of Alderbury Parish Council and a church warden at St Mary's Alderbury. I believe strongly in the importance of the school to the life of our villages and I am committed to ensuring the very best outcomes for all the children of Alderbury and West Grimstead School.
Liesel Butler
Vice-Chair of Governors | Foundation Governor
As a Foundation Governor and Vice-Chair of the Local Governance Committee, I am excited about the opportunity to encourage and develop the Christian character and ethos of the school.
I believe that ensuring our children are steeped in the school's Foundations for Life, based on Christian values, will equip them with the skills, tools and behaviours they need to thrive in the world.
My family has been part of the Alderbury village community since 2019 and our daughter joined the school in 2022. I am a Chemical Process Engineer, currently working as an Engineering Project Manager, and I am honoured to offer my skills and experience in support of the continued growth and success of the school.
Claire Jackman
Foundation Governor | Safeguarding and Attendance Governor
As a school parent and regular attendee of St Mary's Church, Alderbury, I was delighted to be appointed as a Foundation Governor in 2024.
I am passionate about the success of the school, the foundations it is building for our children and the values being instilled in them. I have lived in Alderbury since 2003 and have been part of the local community all my life.
Our daughter attended Alderbury & West Grimstead for her entire primary education before moving on in 2025. The school supported us both through a difficult time and becoming a governor is one way I can give something back.
I am a Chartered Accountant, working in Andover with my own portfolio of clients as well as managing the office, so I also bring strong financial and analytical skills to my role.
My desire for all children, whatever their ability or background, to be given the platform they deserve to achieve their very best guides me throughout my time as a governor.
Ruth Jennison
Parent Governor
I am a Parent Governor and a teacher with more than 20 years' experience in local primary schools.
I believe I can use my experience to support our school's continued development and success. I am committed to the village community and co-led Alderbury Toddler Group for several years.
Through my teaching career, I have developed a strong understanding of how to balance high academic standards with a broad, rich and varied curriculum that excites and inspires all children, whatever their needs and talents.
I have always been interested in children, education and parenting, and feel I bring a valuable combination of professional experience and personal understanding to the governing committee.
Loryn Smith
Parent Governor | EYFS and SEND Governor
I am proud to be a Parent Governor and mum to two children at the school.
Originally from South Africa, my family now happily calls Alderbury home. I work as Preschool Room Manager at Alderbury Preschool, which has strong links with the primary school, and I particularly value being part of the journey children take as they grow and learn.
As a qualified primary school teacher, I have a strong interest in education and am passionate about supporting the school community and helping to ensure that our school continues to be a happy, nurturing and successful place for every child.
Bridget Hollman
Foundation Governor | Disadvantaged Learners and CLA Governor
I am a Foundation Governor, parent and grandparent and have lived in Alderbury for more than 13 years. I regularly attend St Mary's Church in the village.
Before retiring, I worked at St Mark's C of E Junior School in Salisbury for more than 23 years. I began as a Teaching Assistant, gained Higher Level Teaching Assistant status and eventually progressed to the role of Network Manager.
I believe that all children should be encouraged and nurtured to achieve their best and, importantly, to discover a lifelong joy of learning, whatever their needs and abilities.
Rev Marcia Wadham
Foundation Governor
As Team Vicar, with pastoral responsibility for Alderbury, West Grimstead, East Grimstead and West Dean, it is a privilege to serve as a Foundation Governor at Alderbury & West Grimstead School.
I am passionate about bringing church and faith into the places where people of all ages meet, and I believe that both church and school are enriched by having close links with one another.
I am particularly interested in the ways Collective Worship can build children's confidence, draw together their learning in other areas and help to develop enquiring minds, laying strong foundations for the rest of their lives.
Our Governor Responsibilities
Our governors take on specific areas of responsibility so that the LGC can develop a detailed understanding of different aspects of school life.
| Governor | Key responsibility |
|---|---|
| Emily Woolf | Headteacher (Ex-Officio) |
| Andrea Hodgson | Staff Governor |
| John Fuller | Chair, Finance, Allergy |
| Liesel Butler | Vice-Chair |
| Claire Jackman | Safeguarding; Attendance |
| Ruth Jennison | Parent Governor; Sustainability |
| Loryn Smith | EYFS; SEND |
| Bridget Hollman | Disadvantaged Learners; Children Looked After |
| Rev Marcia Wadham | Christian character and ethos |
Governors meet with relevant members of staff, visit school where appropriate and use the information they gather to support and challenge school leaders.
Our Governance within Pickwick Academy Trust
Alderbury & West Grimstead Primary School is part of Pickwick Academy Trust.
Our Local Governance Committee is a committee of the Trust Board and works within the Trust's governance arrangements. The Trust Board has responsibility for the strategic oversight of the Trust and its schools, while Local Governance Committees provide support and challenge to individual schools around vision, ethos, curriculum, standards and pupil experience.
You can find further information about:
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Pickwick Academy Trust – Governance
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Pickwick Academy Trust – Trust Documents
Contacting our Governors
If you would like to raise a matter with the governors, please contact the Clerk to the Local Governance Committee:
Jane Mundy
Clerk to the Local Governance Committee
jmundy@pickwickacademytrust.co.uk
The Clerk can ensure that your enquiry is passed to the appropriate governor where necessary.
Financial Information
There are currently no employees at the school with a gross annual salary exceeding £100,000.
You can view information about the school's finances through the Schools Financial Benchmarking Service.
Governance Documents and Transparency
We are committed to being open and transparent about our governance arrangements.
Information relating to our Local Governance Committee, including relevant governance documents and declarations of business and pecuniary interests, can be made available through the school office where appropriate if not published below.