Local Governance Board

Oxted School Local Governance Board as at 1 February 2018

• 1 x Headteacher (ex officio)*
• 5 x Parent-Elected
• 1 x Staff-Elected
• 1 x Locally Appointed
• 1 x Trust Appointed

MEMBERS OF THE OXTED SCHOOL
LOCAL GOVERNANCE BOARD

Oxted School Local Governance Board: 
Register of Interests 
Membership, Roles & Attendance

COMMITTEES:

Local Governance Board
Mr Paul Belok (Chair)
Mrs Alex Murdoch (Vice Chair)
Mrs Janet Conneely (Vice Chair)

Parents or Carers wishing to contact the Chair of Governors, or any other Governor, should write to the Clerk to the Local Governance Board, Mrs L Thurston at the School or email: lthurston@oxtedschool.co.uk

The Governors can be contacted via the School telephone 01883 712425

GOVERNOR PROFILES OXTED SCHOOL

(FEBRUARY 2018)

Paul Belok – (Chair) Parent Elected

Originally elected as a parent governor in 2012, I have had three children attend the school, one of whom is now at university. 

Since 2016 I have also been a trustee of THPT, which oversees all the schools in the Howard Partnership MAT.  I am an actuary specialising in advising company pension schemes, and have significant general management experience.  I am married to Cathy, who is a primary school teacher.

Janet Conneely – (Vice Chair) Parent Elected 

Elected as a Parent Governor In 2013, I have had 12 continuous years as an Oxted parent with four daughters of varying interests and academic abilities.

I am a passionate advocate of comprehensive education and have lived in the local area for over 30 years, eleven as an Oxted resident. Previous roles include Secretary of Oxted School PTA and Chair of the PTA at St Peter's, Tandridge and St John's, Caterham, and Secretary of Tandridge Village Fete and Bonfire. I sit on the Student Wellbeing, Personnel and Community and the Curriculum and Student Outcomes Committees.

Alun Evans – Parent Elected 

Elected as a Parent Governor in February 2017, I have a son in Year 7 at Oxted. I have 20 years’ experience of working in the education sector, including working in the state sector, Independent Secondary and Preparatory schools.

I have spent the majority of my career on leadership teams as Deputy Headteacher, Head of School and Headteacher in Primary schools. I have experience representing Governing Bodies as a staff member and a Parent Governor. I passionately believe that schools should provide an inspiring learning environment that develops well-educated, compassionate and emotionally resilient members of the community.

Alex Murdoch – Parent Elected

I have lived in Oxted since 1997. 

All four of my sons have attended Oxted School, the oldest began in 2001 and the youngest will finish in 2019. I am a secondary qualified teacher, currently supply teaching at some of our local feeder primary schools. I feel it is vital for our community that Oxted School maintains its place as a high performing comprehensive school open to all local children and continues to keep what is best for our students at the centre of decision making. In addition to various link governor roles at Oxted (SEN, Pupil Premium, MFL), I sit on the Secondary Phase Scrutiny Working Group for The Howard Partnership Trust.

Susan Shakespeare – Parent Elected

Elected as a Parent Governor in 2017 I am the link governor for Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Welfare.

I have a son at Oxted School and a daughter who will be attending from September 2017. Having trained as a Chemist I worked for a Consulting Engineering Company as a Chemical Engineer: running projects, managing budgets and leading teams of people. In the 1990’s I retrained to become a teacher and have extensive experience of teaching all year groups from Reception to Year 6. I currently work in several local schools. I am passionate about education for all children, strongly believing that all children can be encouraged to fulfil their potential. I bring my expertise and skills in education and management to the Governing Body

Brian Taylor – Trust Appointed

A Chartered Engineer and retired Managing Director and Senior Civil Servant with extensive experience in both the private and public sectors of general management, financial control and change management of large complex organisations.

I first became involved with Oxted School in 2008 as Business Advisor to students participating in the Young Enterprise Scheme and became a Governor in 2010. Elected Chair commencing January 2012 and stood down in 2016 have completed a major programme of change and improvement.  I am a strong advocate for comprehensive education, which I believe gives students of all abilities the best possible opportunities to realise their dreams and aspirations. I am married with two adult sons who both graduated from Edinburgh University.

Tony Taylor – Locally Appointed

I have been a Governor for 13 years, first as an elected Parent Governor and latterly as a Locally Appointed Governor.

During this time, I have become heavily involved in many aspects of School life and served as Chairman of the Finance Committee for a number of years. Having worked in the financial services sector for over 30 years, I consider that my main contribution has been in bringing to bear my managerial and financial expertise. My wife, who also teaches locally, and I have lived in Oxted for over 20 years and our three children have all successfully attended the School. My youngest son now works for another THPT school.

Lisa Thurston – Clerk

I have been clerking for governing bodies since 2012 and currently clerk for a local Church of England infant school as well as Oxted.

I have been a governor at a local feeder primary school since 2003 and am a passionate advocate of inclusive state education. As my eldest child leaves Oxted’s Sixth Form, my youngest child will be joining the school in Year 7. I bring strong organisational skills gained from a background of working in finance and administration and a wealth of knowledge of school governance to this varied, interesting, busy and enjoyable role. I also work part time for a locally based national charity.