Our School Governing Body

Governors are a voluntary body of people who guide and support the strategic direction of the school.  They are members of the school team and their contribution to the running of the school is highly valued.

Our role is to support the Headteacher and staff in ensuring that the highest standards and best support possible are in place for the children and families who are the key players in our mission.  We do this by monitoring what goes on in the school and ensuring everything that the government requires is in place.  We have staff and parent representatives and the rest of the governors are members of the local community who have been co-opted onto the Governing Body.

Each half term there is a Full Governing Body meeting and two committee meetings - one each for Finance & Resources and Curriculum held on Thursdays.  The minutes of all of these meetings are available on request from the School Office.

Mr T Stevenson - Chair of Governing Body/Finance & Resources Committee

My name is Tim Stevenson and have two daughters at the school, I have been a parent governor with the school since October 2021. For the past 10 years I have worked as a Project Manager in the defence industry, I’m also a mature student, recently completing an engineering masters and currently pursuing a PhD. I hope this experience will be beneficial to my role as a parent governor and I aim to support the school any way that I can. Outside of this, I enjoy keeping myself healthy and you will regularly spot me running around Waterlooville or near my work in Winchester.

Mrs K Shaw - Curriculum Committee

My name is Katherine Shaw, and I have been a governor at Padnell Junior School for the past 4 years. Initially I joined as a parent, my youngest son having attended the school, but I have recently become co-opted. I am the chair of the Curriculum and Standards committee and the governor responsible for inclusion. I am currently a student teacher, training in primary teaching and will qualify in July 2024. I have a particular interest in inclusive practice, and this informs my approach to both governance and teaching. Being a governor is one of the most worthwhile things I do, and extremely interesting! When not entirely caught up in the world of education, I enjoy reading, walking my dog and baking. 

Mr N Mitchell - Finance & Resources Committee

My Name is Nathan Mitchell. Both of my sons have attended Padnell Juniors, Henry (2016-2018) and George (2019-Now). I joined the Governing Body in November 2022 as a co-opted governor, in part due to the skill-set I have gained through my work in the Civil Service, and also because I have been involved in School Governorship since 2010, having been a parent governor of a school in Portsmouth, becoming the Chair of Governors there for 2 years. I sit on the Finance & Resource Committee of which I am Vice Chair, and am assisting Mrs Luker lead the refresh of the schools Strategic Intent. I am also the Chair of 1^st Cowplain Scout Groups Executive Committee, further helping the young people in our community.

Mrs S Luker - Headteacher

Mrs C Bloy - Deputy Headteacher, Co-opted Governor

Mrs T Boggs - Staff Governor Representative

Mr D Rowlinson -  Finance & Resources Committee/Maths Governor

Originally from the north-east of England my first job was as a research scientist in the packaging industry. I moved from there into teaching and spent the last 16 years of my working life as Headteacher of Cowplain Community School.

On retirement I joined the governing body of Padnell Junior School. I was the Chair of Governors for six years but have recently stepped down.  In my role as a governor, I am responsible for monitoring Maths, Science and PSHE.

Mr R Osborne - Associate Governor

I have been associated with Padnell Junior School since the 1980’s when my children progressed to the school from Padnell Infant. I know what you are saying “he doesn’t look old enough” but it is true. I am a retired teacher who spent 38 years at Cowplain School where for several years I was responsible for the liaison with Padnell Junior and then became a Governor in 2012.  From being a parent through to being a governor it has given me considerable pleasure observing children’s progress and transition to secondary education. It is a privilege to be able to support the school in any way I can. I am also Chair of Governors at Padnell Infant as I believe it is important the schools continue to work so well together for the benefit of all the children.

As a former PE teacher, whose lessons at the beginning of my career included club swinging and star jumps, my interests revolve around sport. Playing for years but now confined to being a spectator who clearly knows more about the game than either the players on the pitch or the management staff! As a Portsmouth FC season ticket holder there is nothing like watching good football on wet Tuesday evening at Fratton Park and sometimes it is nothing like watching good football on a wet Tuesday evening.  I would ask parents to continue to support this outstanding school in any way they can as it is so valuable.

Mrs H Hollis - English Governor & Curriculum Committee

My name is Helen Hollis and I joined the school as a co-opted governor in November 2021. I attended Padnell Junior School in the late 1960s and my Dad was part of the parent building team for the swimming pool !! I am partially retired from the Civil Service where I have worked for the last 20+ years. I have one daughter who lives in London. I have been involved in the Girl Guide Association for 25 years; firstly as a Brownie Guider and later also as Division Commissioner for Horndean & Cowplain. I am on the school's Curriculum & Standards sub committee and am the note taker for meetings with the local authority.

Mrs Ellen Bryson - Curriculum Committee

My name is Ellen Bryson and I started as a governor in the summer of 2022. A tax professional by background, I was a senior civil servant at HMRC until April 2023, when I moved to the Chartered Institute of Taxation as their Director of Public Policy. I hope to bring to the Board some insights from the policy, strategy, chief of staff, communications and operational leadership roles I've held during my career to date.  I live in Clanfield and, when I'm not away in my campervan, I can usually be found outdoors on my bike or doing some sort of watersport. 

Mr Richard Hall - Finance Committee

I'm Richard Hall, I have one daughter currently attending Padnell Junior and one who left Padnell for secondary last year.  I also grew up in Padnell Avenue so have experience as a local resident. I recently joined the governance team in November 2023 and really enjoy learning how the school goes about managing the day to day of our children.  It's been extremely enlightening and informative, certainly more goes on than I ever realised.  I sit on the full governing committee as well as the finance committee. I work in the energy performance sector as the Head of Projects for a global business.  I've been project managing for the past 11 years, before which I spent 20 years in the Royal Navy as a Chief Marine Engineer. Educated at Padnell back in the 80's, I completed my education at Portsmouth University with a degree in systems engineering and a masters in construction project management. I'm looking forward to using my experience and knowledge to help support team Padnell wherever it can be utilised.

Mrs F Cruz - Curriculum Committee
I am Faraley Cruz, I have one daughter currently in Padnell Juniors and one that has left for secondary school in the recent years, which Padnell Juniors has been great foundation for her. I have been appointed as governor since in the autumn 2023. I have completed my Masters in Psychology and currently work for the local authority in children services. Prior to this role I have worked at Padnell Juniors as an HLTA and feel that I understand the children, staff and culture really well. This experience has been invaluable to me and I hope to support the school in the path of progression for our young learners. I have experience in education, training and development for the past 12 years and have worked with children from early years till adulthood. I find being a governor is very insightful and it is rewarding working with a school and team that envisions success for our children.

Padnell Junior School Governors’ Details for 2023-24 & 2022-23

Padnell Junior School

Padnell Junior School

Governor Attendance Record for the Academic Year 2022-23

* Associate Members, excused from attendance.