Governors
Oh behalf of the Governors, I would like to welcome you to the St Mary's C of E Primary School web site.
As Governors, we believe that it is our purpose to work along side the school staff to produce the ideal environment to enable the pupils to achieve their full potential. We believe the most important role of the school is to produce well rounded individuals who are entirely prepared to go onto the next stage of their education.
We would like to assure you that the Governing Body will do everything possible to help each and every pupil develop. We wholeheartedly support the idiom 'every child matters'.
Jerry Hope.
Chair of Governors.
Governors' Update
New buildings:
After many years of putting up with the poor quality of some of our 'mobile' classrooms, and continual lobbying of Devon County Council, by Governors and senior staff, I am very pleased to be able to tell you that three of the worst of them are likely to be replaced. The proposal is to demolish and remove classes 8,9 and 10 (Lapwings, Bitterns and Skylarks) and replace them with a single three classroom unit, to include toilets and disabled access. Each classroom will be larger than the current and will conform to the up-to-date specifications.
However, the new buildings have not yet been granted planning approval and until they are, it is not absolutely certain that they will be built.
The downside is that there will be considerable disruption on the school site while the building is going ahead, because estimated completion date is early to mid October. We are trying to plan for this disruption by thinking about safe and healthy alternative accommodation, play spaces and access and will let you all know the arrangements as soon as we have finalised them with the contractors.
Once the new buildings are in place, we can make good use of the old pool site, and possibly improve access to the school. If you have any suggestions, please pass them in to Reception or email: govs.stmarys@gmail.com
Car Parking:
A number of you have raised concerns about the attitude of drivers collecting children from school, both in the car park and on the road, we realise that everyone has busy lives and there is sometimes the need to get away quickly from school. It is important to remember that there are 350 children in the area, not all of them moving predictably. Could you all please think carefully about where you park and how you drive around the school. Although waiting for the children to cross the road can seem an eternity, please be patient to avoid a child being injured, and respect the instructions of the crossing patrol.
Changes to the cleaning, caretaking and school meals service:
Devon Norse has now taken over the cleaning and caretaking from DCC, and take over the catering in September. Although all the personnel have stayed the same, we are now working to a different contract. We will monitor how this works over the next 6 months, and would welcome feedback on how the service can be improved. We will be consulting with the whole school community next term with a focus on the school meals service.
The Governors would like to thank Mr. Fancourt for his hard work as Headteacher, and wish him all the best for the future. Mr. Hope would also like to thank all the Governors for their continued hard work this year. If any of you feel that you would like to contribute, there will be an election for a new Parent Governor in the Autumn Term.
We hope you all have a restful and enjoyable summer holiday and look forward to the new school year from September.
| Name | Title |
Special areas of interest. | |
| Mr Jerry Hope |
Chair of Governor and Parent Governor |
Physical Education & Science. |
|
| Mr Matthew Richards | Parent Governor and Vice Chair | Music & English | |
| Mrs Laura Beer |
Foundation Governor | Able & Talented | |
| Mr Barry Evetts |
LEA Governor |
English | |
| Mr Adrian Scarrett |
Staff Governor and Acting Head Teacher | ||
| Mrs Sam Bunting |
Staff Teacher Governor | ||
| Miss Louise Arscott | Parent Governor | Special Educational Needs & Safeguarding |
|
| Mrs Paula Dunn |
Parent Governor | ||
| Mr Keith Bines | Community Governor |
Georgraphy | |
| Mrs Mo Channon | Foundation Governor | Religious Education & Personal, Social & Health Education | |
| Mrs Sally Westlake | Clerk to the Governors |