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 three headings: Personnel, Standards and Curriculum and Finance and Premises.
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.
Finance and Premises
Geoff Philips (Chair)
Ruth Ryden
Kelly Smith
Donovan Palmer
Paul Edwards
Standards and Curriculum
Charlotte Barker (Chair)
Ruth Ryden
Geoff Philips
Teresa Scannell
Paul Edwards
Personnel
Alex Flegmann (Chair)
Ruth Ryden (Vice Chair)
Geoff Philips
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: Personnel Committee, Finance and Premises and Standards and Curriculum.
Attendance 2021-22 = 100%
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 Standards and Curriculum Committee
Attendance 2021-22 = 87.5%
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 2021-22 = 75%
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: Finance and Premises, Standards and Curriculum and Personnel Committee
Attendance 2021-22 = 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 dogs, Pepper and Duggie, or generally doing lots of fun things with my amazing family.
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: Finance and Premises Committee
Attendance 2021-22 =50%
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: Chair of Finance and Premises Committee, Standards and Curriculum and Personnel
Attendance 2021-22 = 62.5%
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: Finance and Premises Committee
Attendance 2021-2022 = 75%
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: Standards and Curriculum
Attendance 2021-2022: 62.5%
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: Finance and Premises
Attendance 2021-2022: 75%
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.