Responsibilities

The governing body has a range of duties and powers and a general responsibility for the conduct of the school. They set the strategic direction and provide challenge to ensure the best outcomes for all.  

School governors are from different parts of the community, such as: parents, the staff, the local authority (LA), the community and the church.  This helps to ensure that the governing body has sufficient diversity of views and experience. At Barkston and Syston C of E Primary School, we have adopted the Circle model of Governance. This approach ensures we have rigour and challenge within our approach to school development. 

If you wish to contact a member of the Governing Board or raise an issue with the Governors, please contact the Clerk to the Governors: 

clerktogovernors@barkstonsyston.lincs.sch.uk

Sheila Malham - Clerk to Governors (Lincolnshire County Council Clerking Services)

Rebecca J Lyon - Headteacher (Ex-Officio)

It is a real privilege to be Headteacher at Barkston & Syston Church of England Primary School. I have been the Headteacher since September 2019 having previously been Assistant Headteacher at a large, all-through school in Lincoln. I am currently studying for my NPQEL (National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership) and I am enjoying bringing the learning from this back into school and seeing the impact it is having. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, including my three nieces and my nephew. I also enjoy reading, walking and going to the gym.

Cora Townson - Chair of Governors - Foundation Governor

I am a Foundation Governor, and the Churchwarden of St. Nicholas Church, here in Barkston. I moved into the village in 2011, which is when I started volunteering at the school.  I spent most of my working life in schools, retiring after 13 years as Headteacher at Waltham on the Wolds, a small primary school in Leicestershire. 

I am married with 2 grown up children (both of whom attended Secondary schools in Grantham) and 3 grandchildren.

Monitoring responsibilities: Safeguarding

Matthew Brown - Vice Chair of Governors - Foundation Governor

I am a new governor to the school having been appointed the first half of 2023. Prior to this appointment I spent 3 years as a parent governor at another primary school. I have  been employed for the past 5 years as a pilot for TUI Airways and prior to that I spent 26 years in the Royal Air Force, the last 13 of which involved flying the E-3D AWACS at RAF Waddington.  I have two secondary aged children, and you may notice my wife is a member of the school staff. In my spare time I enjoy amateur dramatics and have performed many times on the Guildhall Stage with The Harrowby Singers. 

Helen Lane - Foundation Governor

I have lived in Barkston for over 30 years and the school is very much part of my village community, having had close links with it over the years, both as a parent and professionally.  I am married with 3 grown up children, all of whom attended the school. I have had a career in education, initially as a Primary School Teacher and, for the past 18 years, as a Lincolnshire Specialist Teacher and the Dyslexia Outreach Teacher, working across the county, supporting children with SEND, including children in Barkston and Syston School. I have a keen interest in literacy and I have additional qualifications in Dyslexia and ASD.

Samantha Rose - Foundation Governor

I live in Barkston with my husband Colin and 2 cats. We have recently retired and are enjoying village life. Before retiring I was a childminder and Nanny and my last working years I worked for my husband who had a Pottery.

We have four grown up children. In my spare time I enjoy walking ,cooking , swimming , gardening  and travelling.

Sara Banks - Staff Governor

I represent the staff at the school on the governing body. I have many years experience of primary education, and I have been lucky enough to have worked in schools across England and in Europe. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family. I also enjoy gardening and reading.

Pat Thomas - Foundation Governor

I am a a married mother of 3, Grandmother of 4 and a retired teacher. Whilst teaching, I have sat on various different Governing Bodies. After retiring, I volunteered in several schools and ran a Mother and Baby Group at a Children's Centre.  I live in Caythorpe and have always been involved in village life; serving on various committees. I enjoy a very busy social life but my family will always be my priority.

Oliver Walling - Foundation Governor

Awaiting bio

Reverend Georgina Machell - Ex-Officio