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: 

AmandaJ.Smith@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Amanda J Smith - Clerk to Governors (Lincolnshire County Council Clerking Services)

Rebecca J Lyon - Headteacher (Ex-Officio)

Cora Townson - Chair of Governors

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

Kellan Walton - Vice Chair of Governors

‘I am a Foundation Governor appointed by the Diocese of Lincoln in 2018. Currently serving in the Royal Air Force for the past 16 years, leadership, management and continuous improvement abilities have been prevalent throughout my career, implementing change through some challenging times. This appointment has been very rewarding and I personally enjoy feeling part of a team. I’m very much of the belief that our children deserve the very best education that we can provide for them.

I live in Gonerby Hill Foot with my husband and daughter, who constantly keeps us on our toes! In my spare time I enjoy going to the gym and baking.’

Samantha Rose - Awaiting information

Matthew Brown

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. 

Rev. Stuart Hadley

 I am an ex-officio Governor representing the Lovedon Group of Parishes.                 Monitoring responsibilities: Church school ethos, collective worship and maths.

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.