The team of governors represent a cross section of our school community, from parents, staff, the Cathedral, Diocese and Local Authority. Members of our board uphold the Christian ethos of our school and support our Head Teacher in the strategic management of Abbey School. The Instrument for Government states the number and type of governors the school must have; for Abbey school 14 in total with a majority elected by the Cathedral and Diocesan and of Education to ensure the Christian ethos is upheld in all aspects of school life.
As a Voluntary Aided school under the Diocese of St Albans the role of the governing board is a strategic one, to act as a critical friend to the Head teacher, having the responsibility as employer and for the school site and ensuring the school budget is well managed.
The governing board is structured around three committees:
- Finance and Premises
- Recruitment, Pay and Personnel (RPP)
- School Effectiveness
Each committee and the Full Governing Board meets at least once per half term.
| Name | Category (Appointed by) |
Term of Office | Committees/Role | Relevant Interests | FGB Attendance 2020-21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gary Freer (Chair of Governors) |
Foundation (Cathedral Chapter, St Albans Cathedral) |
1 Sept 2021 – 31 Aug 2025 |
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| Robert Raine (Vice Chair Governors) |
Foundation (Cathedral Chapter, St Albans Cathedral) |
1 Sept 2020 – 31 Aug 2024 |
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| Carol Borras | Foundation (Cathedral Chapter, St Albans Cathedral) |
1 May 2019 – 30 April 2023 |
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| Rachel Hyndman | Foundation (Cathedral Chapter, St Albans Cathedral) |
1 Sept 2019 – 31 Aug 2023 |
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| Vacancy | Foundation (Cathedral Chapter, St Albans Cathedral) |
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| Nikki Loan (Treasurer) |
Foundation (St Albans Diocesan Board of Education) |
1 Sept 202 – 31 Aug 2024 |
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| Caroline Train | Foundation (St Albans Diocesan Board of Education) |
29 May 2019 – 28 May 2023 |
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| Sub-Dean, St Albans Cathedral – current vacancy | Foundation Ex-officio (Sub-dean of Cathedral) |
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| Simon Oaten | Parent (Parent Body) |
1 Oct 2019 – 30 Sept 2023 |
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| Marion Silvey | Parent (Parent Body) |
30 May 2021 – 29 May 2025 |
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| Katie Wright | Local Authority (Herts Local Education Authority) |
1 Sept 2018 – 31 Aug 2022 |
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| Linda O’Melia | Head Teacher Ex-officio (Head Teacher of the School) |
All committees | |||
| Lisa Felstead | Staff (School Staff) |
Since 1 Sept 2022 | All committees | ||
| Vacant | Staff (School Staff) |
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| Dr Gayle Ball | Co-opted (Governing Board) |
14 May 2020 – 13 May 2024 |
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In addition the Governing Board can elect any number of Associate Governor for a specific role or skill; these governors have no voting rights and do not have to attend FGB meetings. The position is not tied to a four year term.
Associate Governors
- Gareth Nichols
Governors who have resigned in the last 12 months
- Rev’d Canon Abbey Thompson until 30/09/21
- Emma Fenn until 31/09/21
- Miles Brooke-Williams until 3/02/21
- Eleanor Williats until 3/02/21
- Rev’d Dr Chris Pines until 31/08/21
- Myf Hopkins until 23/11/21