Governors
“Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)
All Governors are unpaid volunteers, elected for four years, and include: parents/carers, staff and non-staff who work within the school, church foundation governors and individuals drawn from the wider community. One Governor is selected by the Local Education Authority.
Currently we have 10 Governors. An effective Governing Body is typically one which draws on experience from a range of backgrounds including education, commerce and the public sector. Six of our present Governors are either current or retired professionals from education. Three are from the public sector, three from the private sector and one is our local team vicar. Parent Governors are elected by the parent body and teaching staff/non-teaching staff Governors are elected by school staff. Governors are primarily responsible for:
- strategic oversight of the school
- policy making
- the budget/finance
- the appointment of staff
The day to day running of the school is the responsibility of the Headteacher.
We meet four times a year as a full Governing Body and operate a portfolio system covering; Curriculum, Personnel, Finance, School Improvement, Vulnerable Groups, Ethos and Buildings & Health and Safety which meet once each term. Minutes for the Full Governing Body meetings are available from the school office. Visitors to Full Governing Board meetings are welcome, but must contact the clerk to the governors in advance via email (clerk@lympstone-primary.devon.sch.uk) and may only observe, the non-confidential part of the meeting.
Our aim as a Governing Body is to seek constantly to improve and enhance the school for the young people of Lympstone and surrounding areas, both now and in the future. We are always keen to hear what parents and others in the community think of our school. All Governors provide a small biography on this website so that you know who we are.
Lympstone C of E Primary School Governors are:
Dr Tim Jupp (Chair & Chair of School Improvement and Personnel Committee)
Mr Adam Tapp (Vice Chair & Chair of Buildings and Finance Committee)
I have been a co-opted governor since 2017. I am a parent to a pupil at school and am passionate about the education and care that the school gives to all the children on roll.
From the age of 16 I was a self-employed tennis professional, coaching all around Devon, with successes including coaching a number of children to National Level, I then went onto manage the Leisure arm of Exeter Golf and Country Club for 5 years while maintaining a successful coaching business.
I have a degree in Business Management, Graduating from Exeter University and have a Level 7 Qualification in School Business Management from the National College for Teaching and Leadership. I started in School Business Management at a primary school, similar to Lympstone and I am currently School Business Manager of Mayfield Special School in Torquay, which is a multisite organisation across the Torbay Local Authority.
I have been serving on Governing Bodies or similar committees for about 20 years either in an official capacity or as a Governor, namely serving as Chair of Governors for 2 years for Priory Primary School after leaving as School Business Manager.
My aim is to challenge the school to deliver the highest level of rounded education and care to all its pupils while ensuring Lympstone is a place where people love to work.
Dr John McGrath
John spent his early years in Northern Ireland before moving to England for University. He has lived in Lympstone for the last 13 years where both his children attended the Primary School before moving on to Exmouth Community College.
He is a consultant surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital as well as working nationally with NHS England.
John is an associate governor and wants to support the school in delivering excellent education and pastoral care to the pupils as well as supporting the Headteacher, teaching and support staff in their daily roles.
Major Wayne Grounsell RM
I grew up in Wallsend, Newcastle Upon Tyne and left home at the age of 16 to join the Royal Marines in 1994. Since then I have served in each Commando Unit around the UK as well as serving around the world; on exercise and operations. Having specialised in Physical Training, and more specifically in Exercise Rehabilitation, I have served at CTCRM on and off for the last 26 years.
Having recently promoted to the rank of Major, I have returned to CTCRM in the role of Unit Logistics Officer until Aug 21. Thereafter I will return to my PT specialisation as the Inspector of Physical Training for the Royal Marines, responsible for physical training, physical standards, Adventure Training and all 19 sports associations across 6500 personnel; Physical Training and Education is where my passion lies.
My partner and I have lived in Exmouth since 2013. We have two children who attend Lympstone Pre-school and Lympstone Primary school. As a serving Royal Marine, I hope to build upon the relationship between CTCRM and Lympstone Pre / Primary Schools. As a PT specialist, I hope to promote a healthy lifestyle for all pupils - through the medium of sport and fitness – to enhance physical and mental health – Mens sana in copore sano.
Aoife-Jane Culley
I live in Lympstone with my family and my youngest son is in oak class.
Having spent the first nine years of my teaching career in Ireland teaching History, English and the Irish Language, and assisting in a boarding community, I moved to the UK in 2005. Alongside teaching history, my interest in pupil wellbeing, derived from working in boarding and day schools, led me to complete a psychology degree in 2009.
For the past 12 years I have worked at Exeter School where I have a leadership role as head of house with the pastoral responsibility for the academic and social development of 80 pupils across the secondary age range. I also teach history, mentor and support pupils through their university applications and coach hockey and netball. I am passionate about developing pupils both in and out of the classroom. Taking a holistic view of education, I think is the key to developing the talents of all pupils something very important in Lympstone School. I also really value the role the school has in the community and I am keen to see these links strengthened.
Elaine Paul (Chair of Ethos & Vulnerable Groups Committee)
I was very pleased to take the opportunity of applying for the post of Ex Officio Foundation Governor when the new Rector asked me if I would be interested in considering the post.
I made the life-enhancing move to Lympstone from Taunton in May 2020, with my husband and a large number of plants and shrubs in pots: I'm a keen gardener!
My background is in education - I was Head of History & Politics and a sixth form Tutor/careers adviser in Somerset before re-training to be a Wellbeing and Careers Coach.
I'm now self-employed and thoroughly enjoy the coaching partnership which enables people to be the best of who they are.
This includes delivering seminars and workshops and Inset training as well as one-to-one transformational coaching.
As the 'Ex Officio' Governor I hope to creatively explore how the relationship between the Parish Church and the school can be of even greater benefit to the staff and pupils at Lympstone Primary School.
I've begun by registering as a volunteer reader which I hope will enable me to get to know some of the pupils and to be a visible presence in the school.
Ingrid Quick
After seeing our two children thrive at Lympstone C of E Primary School thanks to its nurturing approach, I took the opportunity to join the governing body in September 2022 as a parent governor.
With a background in education, I am passionate about supporting all children to achieve their potential, both academically and in terms of their social and emotional development. Having always lived in this area, I qualified as a secondary English teacher at the University of Exeter in 1995. I taught at ECC for eight years, holding both pastoral and curriculum responsibilities. A life-long interest in SEND then led me to my current teaching role at Clyst Vale Community College where I have responsibility for areas of SEND including assessment and children in care; this is an area in which I have a personal interest too.
I hope I can draw on these experiences to support the school in its continued drive to inspire every child to believe and achieve.
Tom Pettifer
I joined Lympstone Primary Governors as the staff Governor in December 2022.
I am the year 6 teacher at Lympstone Primary School and have been a governor at my previous Federation of Schools for several years in the past. I am passionate about ensuring our school delivers a high-quality learning experience for all children.
Tor Laney
I represent the Local Authority on the current Governing Body.
I was born in Lympstone and have lived in the village for large parts of my life. I now teach in Exeter and have 5 children; all of whom went through Lympstone Primary School, with the last currently in Year 6 (2022/23).
I was previously Chair of Governors, overseeing the provision of the Early Years building and have many connections with the school through the PTFA, fundraising and helping in the Nature Garden.
Mrs Emily Mellor (Headteacher)
Emily has been headteacher since 2013 and lives locally with her family.
Governance Impact Statement
Summary of governor information
Further information on governance: