Governors
Welcome to our Governors' section. The school has a committed Governing Body which works with the staff, parents and children to maintain the school’s high standards.
We see the value and encourage diversity within our Governing Body. Having a diverse membership brings different perspectives and experiences to discussion and decision making; creating a robust, more informed and ultimately a more effective Governing Body.
We strive to actively recruit Governors in a range of ways to ensure our school and the wider community are effectively represented, while ensuring appropriate skills and experiences are utilised.
Below you will find an introduction of each of our Governors, as well as details of how our Governing Body is structured, including the names, categories and responsibilities for each Governor.
We see the value and encourage diversity within our Governing Body. Having a diverse membership brings different perspectives and experiences to discussion and decision making; creating a robust, more informed and ultimately a more effective Governing Body.
We strive to actively recruit Governors in a range of ways to ensure our school and the wider community are effectively represented, while ensuring appropriate skills and experiences are utilised.
Below you will find an introduction of each of our Governors, as well as details of how our Governing Body is structured, including the names, categories and responsibilities for each Governor.
Meet our Governors
Gill:
I joined the governors in 2019 after retiring from being one of the assistant heads at Rattlesden. I became the chair of governors in 2020 and in January 2023 took on the role of foundation governor. I have had a wide experience in schools. As a parent I worked as a parent helper, mid-day supervisor and member of the PTA. I was also a primary school teacher in London and then deputy head in Hertfordshire. For 14 years I worked for a National Christian charity as a specialist schools worker and then head of their Schools ministry before returning to the primary classroom. I have had the privilege of being a governor in both the primary and secondary sectors and in both community and Church schools. I thoroughly enjoy being part of the Rattlesden family.
We moved to Stowmarket in 2008 and I am an active member of the parish church being the PCC secretary there and a helper at their Boys Brigade and Girls’ Association section. Four years ago I became a trustee of a charity set up over 100 years ago to manage legacies awarded to the church and community. We have 5 school aged grandchildren who help keep me informed about young people and their interests.
I enjoy history and as a member of the local history society, I have researched the history of our 1850’s house and its earliest residents. Just before lockdown we embarked on a major refurbishment of our house which came to a halt last year when we discovered a well under the foundation of the extension. Hopefully work will recommence this year.
Camilla:
I enjoy living the simple life in rural Suffolk! Beyond work, looking after our two children and necessary daily chores, you will find me going for walks with our Labrador, in the garden, reading a book, frequenting the village pub, catching up with friends and family, and beach trips.
My eldest child started Willow Class in 2022 and we live in the village. I am a Clinical Psychologist employed by the NHS and working within the Suffolk County Council with children, young people and their families, as well as supporting staff groups.
Since qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist, I have specialised in working with children and young people within paediatric, mental health, and social care settings. I am passionate about supporting the early development, and emotional and physical health of children and young people on both an individual and community level. I believe I have skills and knowledge which could be helpfully applied within the role of a Community School Governor.
Dick:
After starting, running and selling a business in project and management consultancy I am now retired but I keep busy by volunteering for a portfolio of Charities and Not for Profits. These include working for the Princes Trust as a Business Mentor, the Careers and Enterprise Company, a NFP company helping schools with careers guidance and CITA a charity that finds IT volunteers to help many small charities.
My grandchildren attended Rattlesden School from 2012 to 2020 so I was co-opted as a Governor some time ago. I now live in Drinkstone and will often be found walking our very energetic Munsterlander dog and not so energetic Retriever. When I’m not doing that I also enjoy going to Les Mills Body Pump and Body Attack classes at the Gym in Bury.
Emma:
I'm a staff governor and it is a privilege to have worked at our lovely school for the past 20 years. I have always worked with young children, I was employed as a nanny for many families before working at Rattlesden. I am an HLTA and over the years have worked in year groups R-4. I have mainly worked in Early years which I absolutely love. I really enjoy teaching phonics, RE and supporting the children in their first year of their school life. In my spare time I can be found walking my dog, socialising with friends and standing on the side of a football pitch supporting my daughters love of playing football.
Sarah:
I have been a Governor at Rattlesden since September 2020 but been part of the Rattlesden family since my son started in reception over 5 years ago. I also have a daughter in Year 3. I have always enjoyed the parent involvement at school from sharing assemblies to welly walks and everything in between. As a governor I am able to support the school further, particularly with regards to finance as I am a chartered accountant. My family keep me busy but my other love is tennis, I am a member of Stowmarket Tennis Club and play in the ladies 1st team and mixed 2nd team. To relax I enjoy building Lego with my children.
Stephen:
I retired from a career in banking in 2016 and together with wife Jean, came to Rattlesden in 2018. I joined the Rattlesden Benefice Community Sponsorship Group the same year, and became a parish councillor in 2021 on which I am the Wildlife Friendly Village Councillor (whatever that is!). I accepted an invitation in 2022 to become a governor to strengthen the links between the school and the parish council, and hope that my financial and general management experience will enable me to contribute positively to the school. Away from the village, I am the treasurer of the Bury Folk Collective, singing more or less anything with a good chorus. I volunteer with the National Trust at Melford Hall in Long Melford, and with the Lochnagar Foundation, a charitable trust that maintains and preserves a World War 1 site in the Somme region of Northern France.
Claire:
I have lived locally for the past 8 years, after moving to the area from Essex. I enjoy a lively home life, being kept busy with 2 children, a dog, 2 cats and a husband!
I am passionate about mental health issues and pupil well-being, and work as the Learning Support Mentor across the school to support pupils and enable them to be the best they can be. I work hard to be up to date with the latest research and training in this field. I believe that every student should have the opportunity to share their worries or anxieties, so that school is a safe and happy place for them to thrive.
Tracey:
I live in the village of Rattlesden with my husband. I have two grown up daughters and a young granddaughter. I am happiest when I am outside gardening or walking both locally and near to the Suffolk coast. I also enjoy baking, sewing and reading. I love to travel both in the UK and around the world when possible.
I am a retired primary school teacher, completing my PGCE following Graduation. My training and teaching practices were inner city based in both Birmingham and Coventry. I have been employed in three counties, teaching pupils from 4-12 years. I have taught in similar sized rural Church Primary schools to Rattlesden, larger two form entry Primary schools, two form entry First Schools through to four form entry Middle schools in towns. My experience is quite wide ranging, teaching both full and split age classes through the many different government directives that teaching children has taken during my career. I have volunteered with many different child centred organizations from Brownies and Amateur dramatics groups to initiating and organizing garden projects for Village in Bloom Competitions and now as a School Governor.
Lizzy:
I am a parent governor with a daughter in year 4, who has been at Rattlesden since reception. I am a diagnostic radiographer in the NHS and have lived in Suffolk since 2016. Prior to this I lived on the south coast in Sussex but am originally from north Norfolk so it is lovely to be living in East Anglia again. In my spare time I enjoy skiing, sailing, reading and gardening and we have just got a cocker spaniel puppy so life will get a little busier I suspect!
Daniel:
My two daughters are at Rattlesden Primary School and, after having got involved with Friends of Rattlesden School (FORS), I wanted to do more to help the school keep doing the amazing job that it does. For work, I am a senior civil servant currently at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero looking at how we transform the delivery of schemes to get better outcomes and better value for money for the tax payer, but have worked in a wide range of areas across Government. Outside of work the girls keep me plenty busy with lots of clubs and activities, I enjoy walking the beautiful countryside and can often be found at my neighbours, the Five Bells.
Governing Body Constitution
Governors Attendance
Declaration of Pecuniary Interest
GIAS Governors Data
