Morchard Bishop C of E Primary School

Richard Miners – Foundation Governor and Chair of Governors

Richard joined the Governing Board in May 2016 and became a Co-Vice Chair in October 2017 and Chair of Governors in September 2018. In May 2020, Richard was reappointed for a further four year term. Richard is also a member of the Risk & Resources and the Pay and Performance Committees. His daughter attends the School.

Richard has had a combined career as a professional musician and music educator for the last 22 years. He has performed with leading artists throughout the UK and Europe. Richard has worked as a teacher and lecturer in all age ranges, and has advised and provided training for schools, colleges and universities. He currently is the managing director of Mid Devon Music Ltd.

Tracey Langrill – Parent Governor, Co-Vice Chair and Chair of Teaching and Learning

As an elected parent governor, Tracey joined the Governing Board in September 2016 and became Co-Vice Chair in May 2018 and Chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee from February 2019. Tracey began a second term as parent governor from September 2020.

Tracey has many years of experience in education and training adults, having instructed extensively in her 17 years as a military officer. She is currently employed as a BSc and MSc distance learning tutor for Portsmouth University.

She has three children, one of whom is at Morchard School, one at Chulmleigh College and the eldest at University.

Maggie Down – Staff Governor

Maggie joined as the non-teaching Staff Governor in 2013. She is part of the Resources & Risk Committee and is responsible for finance and the business management of the School.

Appointed as Senior Administrator of the school in June 2008, Maggie continues to use her skills for financial planning and management in her role as Business Manager. Maggie has three children all of whom attended the school and then moved on to Chulmleigh Community College. Two out of three of them then transferred to Queen Elizabeth’s Community College for sixth form.

Jo Eames – Foundation Governor and SEND

Jo became part of the Governing Board as a Foundation Governor in January 2015. She is Chair of the Pay and Performance Committee and a member of the Teaching & Learning Committee and is the governor responsible for SEND.

A teacher for thirty-five years, Jo began her career at Queen Elizabeth’s Community College teaching French and Spanish; became a Head of Year for ten years then spent ten years as Head of Special Needs.

Jo’s children – now adults – both attended Morchard Bishop School. She has been living in Morchard Bishop with her husband since 1978.

Rachel Griffiths – Foundation Governor, Co-Vice Chair and Chair of Resources and Risk

Rachel joined the Governing Board in May 2018. She became the Chair of the Resources and Risk Committee in September 2018 and Co-Vice Chair in September 2019. Rachel has a particular focus on safeguarding, mental health awareness and data protection.

A trained counsellor, Rachel works in mental health and wellbeing at Exeter University and specialises in autistic spectrum conditions. She lives out of the village in Eggesford and has one child at the School.

Joanna (Biddy) Hooper – Foundation Governor

Biddy joined the Governing Board at the end of April 2018 and is also a member of the Teaching and Learning Committee. She is a teacher with ten years’ experience and currently teaches at Copplestone Primary School. She lives in the village and has four children; two who attend School and one at the Pre-School.

Sue Moody – Foundation Governor

Sue became a Foundation Governor in November 2018 and is also a member of the Pay and Performance Committee and the Ethos Group. Sue is a retired nurse who moved to the village in 2014. She has three children who all attended primary school in Devon.

Tim Payne – Parent Governor

Tim joined the Governing Board as a Parent Governor in June 2019 and also sits on the Resources and Risk Committee. His wealth of experience in general construction and Health and Safety, as well as his role as maintenance surveyor, supports the premises and asset management work of the Governing Board.

Chris Sargeant – Headteacher & Governor

Chris became the Headteacher of the school in 2011 at which point he joined the Governing Body. He attends every Governing Board and Committee meeting.

It is Chris’s responsibility as Head to provide the Governing Board with reports on school improvement, asset management, pupil achievement and staffing.

Chris has three children.

Maureen (Mo) Sparrow – Substitute Ex Officio

Mo joined the Governing Board in December 2019 and will continue the role until a member of clergy is appointed to the Parish who wishes to take on the Governing role. Mo has a wealth of life experience to contribute to the Governing Board as well as ensuring the School and Church continue to develop their strong relationship.

Kate Brown

Kate joined the Governing Board as a Local Authority Governor (appointed by Devon County Council) in July 2019. Kate also sits on the Teaching and Learning and Pay and Performance Committees. Kate has worked in an IT role within the NHS and in the corporate world. She is currently a Director of an IT business which is a wide and varied role.

Denise Bennet – Associate Member to the Governing Board

Denise joined the Governing Board as an elected Parent Governor in 2010 and then became a Foundation Governor, with roles of Vice Chair, Co-Vice Chair and Chair of Governors until 31 October 2018 when she officially stepped down. Denise was also a member of the Resources & Risk and Pay & Performance Committees. Denise continues to support the full Governing Board in her role as Associate Member.

Denise is employed as a Business Analyst by DXC Technology and has two children who previously attended the School.

Hilary Jones – Associate Member of the Governing Board and the Teaching & Learning Committee

Hilary, a senior teacher at the School, became an Associate Member of the Teaching & Learning Committee in September 2016 and an Associate Member of the Governing Board in February 2020.

Sue Smith – Associate Member to the Governing Board and the Teaching and Learning Committee

Sue became the LA Governor in January 2015. She was Chair of the Teaching & Learning Committee and a member of the Pay & Performance committee. She was also the governor responsible for Safeguarding. Sue’s term of office as a LA Governor expired in February 2019 but she continues to be an associate member to the Governing Board, the Teaching and Learning Committee and the Pay & Performance Committee.

While living in Morchard Bishop, Sue was an active part in the community. She is semi-retired having previously been the Special Educational Needs Adviser for Devon, and an additional Inspector for Ofsted.

Sue continues to carry out consultancy work in schools throughout Devon today.

Pam Down - Clerk to the Governing Board and Committees

Pam joined the Governing Board in January 2016.  She had previously worked as an administrator and clerk to the governors at a local primary school for almost twenty years.  Pam also works as a personnel officer in a local multi academy trust. She is an active member of Winkleigh Methodist Church where is she a steward, secretary and part of the music team.