We currently have several Governor vacancies. Please contact the school for further information.
Welcome to our Governors’ section.
The governors of Offley Endowed are drawn from the whole school community. We meet at least once a term as a full governing board as well as having termly committee meetings. Our committees are under two headings: Resources and Teaching and Learning.
The role of the governors is to be a critical friend to the school and especially the Headteacher. With the staff it is our job to ensure that the school provides the very best standards of education for all pupils whilst upholding all of its statutory duties.
Governors are normally elected for a 4 year term of office. Our current governing board is listed below:
If you would like to contact the governing board we would hope that you could first approach the Headteacher, however if this does not resolve your concerns please make an appointment through the office to arrange a meeting with a Governor.
Full Governing Body
Ruth Ryden - Co-Chair (to February 2024)
Geoff Phillips - Co-Chair
Kelly Smith
Alex Flegmann
Donovan Palmer
Paul Edwards
Charlotte Baker - parent Governor
Teresa Scannell - parent Governor
Hayley Goodwin
Rev Terrance Bell (to November 2023)
Resources Committee
Kelly Smith (Chair)
Geoff Philips
Alex Flegmann
Ruth Ryden (to Feb 24)
Donovan Palmer
Paul Edwards
Teaching and Learning
Charlotte Barker (Chair)
Ruth Ryden (to Feb 24)
Geoff Philips
Hayley Goodwin
Teresa Scannell
Paul Edwards
Governors Profiles
Ruth Ryden - Joint Chair of Governors - Foundation Governor appointed by PCC
Term of office: 04/02/2016 - 03/02/2024
Business Interests: None
Serves on: Resources and Teaching and Learning.
Attendance 2022-23 = 85%
I have served as a foundation governor for over 10 years and became Chair of Governors in September 2018. As a governor, my aim is to support the school in developing every single child to their full potential. All three of my children have attended Offley School and thrived in the small village school environment.
Charlotte Barker - Parent Governor appointed by Parents
Term of office: 20/09/2018 - 19/09/2026
Business Interests: Child in school
Serves on: Chair of Teaching and Learning
Attendance 2022-23 = 86%
I am a mother of 3 children with my youngest son being at Offley. I currently work part-time teaching, when I’m not working I enjoy horse riding, playing tennis and walking the dog.
Rev Terence Bell - Parish Priest - Foundation Governor appointed by PCC
Term of office: Until leaves the Parish
Business Interests: None
Serves on: None
Attendance 2022-23 = 0%
It is an honour serving as a Governor to this great school in the wonderful village of Offley. I have served in rural parishes in Somerset as well as time in the parish of Hampstead in London and each parish has been unique and a joy to be in. We have a special community here and seeing the splendid work of this school is truly rewarding.
Paul Edwards - Headteacher
Term of office: Ongoing
Business Interests: None
Serves on: Resources and Teaching and Learning
Attendance 2022-23 = 100%
I’ve been the Head at Offley since September 2017. I love the passion of the staff and the enthusiasm of the children. I feel privileged to work with such a great team with so many amazing children. Previously, I ran marketing and new business departments in organisations such British Gas, Telecommunications and Graham Builders Merchants. I have taught from Nursery to Year 6 in Birmingham, Hertfordshire and Central Beds. I spent 9 years in beautiful Oman leading teams of teachers in a large International school. I’m a huge Villa fan and love spending time watching sport, walking my school dog, Bandit, navigating my narrowboat along the Grand Union canal and spending time with my amazing children.
Alex Flegmann - Foundation Governor appointed by PCC
Term of office: 04/02/2016 - 03/02/2024
Business Interests: Also Governor at Rothesay Nursery, Luton
Serves on: Resources Committee
Attendance 2022-23 =29%
I have been a Governor of various schools since 1991, and have joined the Offley Governors in 2016. I taught maths for several years, and am now a self employed software engineer, working from home. My children, who are now teenagers, both attended Offley school. Most of my spare time is spent looking after the cat.
Geoff Philips - Joint Chair of Governors - Foundation Governor appointed by Diocese
Term of Office: 01/03/2018 - 28/02/2026
Business Interests: None
Serves on: Resources and Teaching and Learning committees
Attendance 2022-23 = 85%
I am a qualified Youth Worker and a Social Worker and have spent my life working with young people, concluding my work career as a County Manager for a Youth Offending Service. Having moved to the village in February 2016, I decided that I should give something back to the Community, offering the skills that I have developed in my working life to school, which has led me to become a School Governor. I started my work career as a trainee accountant, before finding that working with young people was more interesting. My hobbies are walking, doing mathematical challenges, reading and sports, watching more than playing now.
Kelly Smith - Associate Governor / Safeguarding Governor
Term of Office: 04/11/2021 - 03/11/2025
Business Interests: None
Serves on: Chair of resources committee
Attendance 2022-2023 = 100%
After working in the School office and various Offley Committees (Preschool and OSA) over a period of ten years, I left the hub of Offley School in April 2021 to work full time at a Primary School in Hemel Hempstead. After a short six month break I just couldn't stay away 🙂 and have returned to serve as a School Governor specialising in Finance and Premises.
I have two girls who attended Offley Primary, now aged 11 and 13, a mad cocker spaniel called Monty and two guinea pigs Scooby and Shaggy. I play competitive netball in the Heritage Netball League once a week which covers North Herts and Beds and Volunteer for Reach Out which helps elderly clients re-settle at home following hospital stays.
I'm delighted to be part of the Offley School Community again.
Teresa Scannell - Parent Governor
Term of Office: 19/11/2021 - 18/11/2025
Business Interests: Child in School
Serves on: Teaching and Learning committee
Attendance 2022-2023 = 71%
I worked in childcare and education for over 21 years in many different types of settings with all age ranges. I led the childcare programme for a global travel company, traveling overseas to manage and maintain the quality standards, service and family experiences offered. After having children, I was unable to do the extensive travel anymore, so my career took a change of direction and I now work human resources, the challenges it brings are slightly different but just as enjoyable.
I really miss the childcare aspect of my career, so when the governor role became available it seemed the perfect opportunity to reuse some of my skills and support the school my eldest child attends.
Community and families are very important to me so being able to contributing to our village is a privilege. In my down time I love nothing more than having fun with my children.
Donovan Palmer - Foundation Governor
Term of Office: 01/02/2022- 31/01/2026
Business Interests: None
Serves on: Resources committee
Attendance 2022-2023 = 50%
I count it a privilege to live in Offley and consider it home, so it is an honour to contribute to the community by serving as a Governor. I have worked in the international development sector for most of my career and moved back to the village after serving in Africa with Mercy Ships for about 10 years. Since then I have taken up work around combating Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery as the Chief Strategy Officer for Hope for Justice. When not working, my current interests include supporting the village church, availing myself to the many great walks in the area and if there is any time left, amateur radio.
Hayley Goodwin - LA Governor
Term of Office: 13/07/2023- 12/07/2027
Business Interests: None
Serves on: Teaching and Learning Committee
Attendance 2022-2023 = n/a
I live in Great Offley and I am an paediatric occupational therapist with my own private practice just outside of Hitchin. I have enjoyed voluntary work since I was 15 years old and since becoming a mother wanted to work within my local community with children.
I am dyslexic and have ADHD and this has made me passionate about education especially for more disadvantaged children or children who have additional educational needs.
Outside of work, I have a chocolate Labrador and a rescue cat. I am a keen gardener and enjoy growing vegetables. I also love crafting in particular anything to do with fabric. Finally, you will always find me at a charity shop hunting for material for my latest craft project.
Parent Governor Vacancies - Please enquire at the office