SCHOOL GOVERNORS

School Governors

We are fortunate to have an active group of Governors who work closely with the school and the school benefits greatly from the contributions made by them. The Governing Body monitor important aspects of school life including finance, school premises, staffing as well as standards.

The full Governing Body meet each term with sub-committees meeting more frequently to review progress and to consider developments for the school. The Governors have specific responsibilities for safeguarding, health and safety and designated curriculum areas.

Chair of Governors - Mrs Christine Raphael

Vice Chair of Governors - Mrs Minnie House

Clerk to the Governors: Mrs Kathryn Strik

Mrs Christine Raphael - Chair of Governors, Member and Foundation Trustee

Term of Office 15/04/2013 - 19/06/2026

No Business Interests were registered

Areas of Responsibility - SIAMS, SEN.

Born in Enfield, Middlesex, Christine attended Latymer Grammar School and after A Levels studied at The City of London College combining Company Secretary exams with secretarial skills. Christine went on to work as a PA to the Media Director of an Advertising Agency in Piccadilly. Christine married a Naval Officer and spent 26 years as a navy wife. During this time she brought up four children. The family spent years in Portsmouth, Weymouth, and Plymouth and were lucky enough to serve with NATO in America and Belgium. She ran a Playgroup in Devon for 8 years, was on the Parents Association of her children's primary school, and spent many hours serving as secretary to numerous committees. Christine came to Somerset in 1991 and started work for the Bristol and West Building Society. She studied at Strode College and Bath Spa University and gained a 2.1 degree in Social Science. She continued to work for Bristol and West and on graduating went on to take Financial Services and Mortgage exams. She worked as a Financial Advisor and Mortgage advisor for 12 years before retiring in 2012. Her 10 grandchildren keep her in touch with the younger generation. She has been a Church Warden for many years and became a Foundation Governor in 2013. She serves on the Business Committee and became Vice Chair in 2014. She takes a special interest in the Church within school and loves the opportunity to support the Head Teacher, staff and children at St Cuthbert's.

Mrs Minnie House - Vice Chair of Governors, Finance Committee Chair, Member & Trustee

Term of Office 01/09/2016 - 7/05/2028

Business Interests: Governor of two other schools:

Areas of Responsibility: Curriculum, EYFS and Safeguarding.

Minnie retired as Head teacher of an infant and nursery academy in Somerset at the end of August 2015. The school was recognised as Outstanding in 2010 and held that status. In her role as Head teacher she was also a member of the academy. During her teaching career of 39 years Minnie was head teacher for 27 years, she became a learning leader in education, supporting other schools in 2011 and a moderator for KS1 and Foundation in Somerset as she started her role as Head teacher continuing in this role last year following her retirement

From Minnie’s recent role as a Head teacher, as an LLE and a KS1 Assessment moderator she has a range of skills, expertise and knowledge, which within the team role of a governor supports the understanding of the governing body’s strategic role.

Minnie is passionate about pupils being able to enjoy the learning and being motivated to learn in a variety of ways, through an excellent education, which meets their individual needs.

Minnie became a governor at St Cuthbert’s in September 2016 following a year of getting to know the school, how it puts its beliefs into practise and through building a positive relationship with the Head teacher and staff.

Mrs Sheryl Cooper - Head Teacher

Term of Office - 01/09/2017

No Business Interests were noted.

Rosalind Mundy - Foundation Governor

Term of Office 05/06/2017 - 04/06/2025

Areas of Responsibility - SIAMs

Kate Rowe Parent Governor

Term of Office 4/1/2021 -3/1/2025

Areas of Responsibility - tbc

Beth Hancock Staff Governor

Term of Office 14/3/2022 -13/3/2026

Areas of Responsibility - tbc

Lesley Wanklyn Co-opted governor

Term of Office 20/5/2024 - 19/5/2028

Areas of responsibility - tbc

Director of Studies, Head of Geography and Year 4 Teacher at an Independent Prep School

After growing up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, I moved to the Wells area with my family in 1998 and attended Wells Central School (now St Cuthbert’s Junior School). Between 2006 and 2010, I completed my undergraduate degree in Forensic Chemistry with a Year in Industry at the University of Kent. I then completed my PGCE at Bath Spa University and taught for 4 years at a large state primary school in Swindon. I then moved back to the Wells area for my current teaching position.

I love to travel and have visited over 40 countries. I have a rescue dog and love to hike and run with him. I’m also a keen swimmer and reader.

This is my first governance position, but I have worked as a teacher in schools since 2011.

I became a governor in order to give something back to my local community and to hopefully share my expertise.

Governors can be contacted via the Clerk to the Governors at the school address or by email; office@stcuthbertsacademywells.co.uk

Governors who have completed their Term of Office in the last 12 months:

None

Governors who have resigned in the last 12 months:

1. Hilary Waters - Staff Governor 31/8/2024

2. Lisa Lunnon -Co-opted governor 22/7/2024

Members - Mrs Christine Raphael, Mrs Minnie House, The Bath and Wells DBE Trust, Revd Samuel Denyer

Governors details, roles and responsibilities

Declaration of Business Interests October 2024