Governors
Our Governors
Mrs Macdonald – Chair and Local Authority Governor
Carol Macdonald started her time on the Governing Board as a Parent Governor and is now the Local Authority Governor. She also sits on the Personnel and Pay Committee. Carol’s support of both St John’s and St Mary’s is due to having a passion for the provision of quality teaching for girls and boys in a safe and fun environment, which she believes is ably provided by the teachers and staff at the schools. She sees her role as that of supporting both schools through her background in commerce and operations management.
Mr Bourne – Vice Chair, Foundation Governor and Health and Safety Governor.
Richard Bourne has worked in project/programme management in a number of industries for most of his career. He has a Bachelor of Honours in Engineering Management and also a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). Richard started as a Parent Governor when his first son was at Mortimer St. John’s and has been involved in various committees throughout his time. He has been Chair of Governors for a number of years and enjoys working with the other governors and the staff. Outside of work Richard is a keen sailor and enjoys spending time with his family on the water.
Mr Hassey – Foundation Governor
Craig Hassey was originally a Parent Governor at Mortimer St. Mary’s and chaired the Mortimer Federation committee that explored forming the new federation of both schools. He has worked as a commercial manager in a number of large technology companies, most recently VMware, and sees being a governor as an opportunity to give back to the wider community we all live in. His family has lived in the village since 2006 and he has two sons, one at Mortimer St. Mary’s and one at Mortimer St. John’s. Craig has a BSc degree in physics and as a mature student completed the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course as a career change.
Mrs Tushingham – Co-opted Governor
Father Paul Chaplin – Foundation Governor
Father Paul qualified as a senior school teacher and has higher qualifications in educational philosophy and practice. He has been working with governors and teachers in schools for over 35 years. He served for some years on the Board of Education.
Mr Batchelar – Foundation Governor
Geoff Batchelar holds a BA degree in Business Studies. Most of his career was with Mars Inc, working in manufacturing, marketing and sales; his final role was as European Sales Director. Subsequently he undertook NED roles and was CEO of Claritas International – a company that specialised in strategy development and leadership mentoring. Outside of work he loves challenging walks and watching rugby and ballet. Previously, he served on the Governing Board of Daneshill School in Stratfield Turgis. His passion for education comes from being inspired by one teacher, an experience that clearly demonstrated the importance and power of outstanding teachers.
Mr Harbidge – Foundation Governor
Colin Harbidge has 20 years’ experience working in the charity sector, and is currently the Diocesan Secretary (Chief Operating Officer) of the Diocese of Winchester in the Church of England, helping to lead the churches, schools and chaplaincies across much of Hampshire and parts of East Dorset. He is also a non-executive Director of social enterprise company that owns a chain of nursery and pre-schools across the Southampton area. Married to a teacher and with a daughter at the Federation, Colin is delighted to have the opportunity to help contribute to the life of the schools.
Mrs Hillier – Foundation Governor
Shaonee Hillier holds a Master of Science Degree in Statistics and followed a career as a research statistician in the Pharmaceutical industry, before deciding to raise two children. She believes that every child should be entitled to the best quality education possible and, to achieve this, parents need to play an active role in helping it happen. As a governor, she hopes to provide a parental perspective for the Governing Board and equally receive a comprehensive view of the issues and difficulties the Governing Board face.
Mrs McClure – Co-opted Governor and Safeguarding Governor
Marjorie McClure is a former librarian. She has many years of experience as a school governor. She worships regularly at St. John’s Church and is a member of the Parochial Church Council.
Mr Knowles – Parent Governor
Mrs Rook – Head of School (Mortimer St. John’s)
Gemma Rook has developed her teaching career at Mortimer St. John’s for over fifteen years, starting off as a Newly Qualified Teacher. Gemma’s passion for the arts is reflected in the external rewards the school has achieved in this area. Gemma is the lead for Special Educational Needs and has developed a wealth of knowledge in this area. Gemma has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with Art and a Post Graduate Degree in Education.
Mrs Strang – Foundation Governor
Mel Strang is married to a local farmer and has lived in the village for over 35 years. She established the Mortimer Dental Surgery in 1987 but has now retired from Clinical Dentistry and is keen to focus her energy into the local schools, whose many children she had the pleasure to treat over the years.
Father Derek Spears – Foundation Governor
Derek Spears is a retired Anglican priest living in Mortimer. Through his previous post, he has experience of Voluntary Aided schools – he was a foundation governor at St Peter’s School, Earley where he also enjoyed hearing reading for Key Stage One. He is also currently working on a part time D Phil. in Theology at Blackfriars Hall Oxford. He is a keen motorcyclist, and has toured much on the continent; he also enjoys opera, cooking and reading.
Mrs Burt – Clerk to Governors
Helen Burt has lived in the village for over 30 years and took an active role in supporting the school when her eldest daughter attended. Helen has a Bachelor of Science degree from Sheffield University; she carried out her teacher training with the West Berkshire Graduate Teacher Programme. She has taught in Key Stage 2 for 12 years and has held a range of teaching and leadership roles. Having retired from teaching in 2017 Helen wanted to ensure that she maintained a link to schools and took on the role of clerk at the school, as well as volunteering on school trips and providing support as a supply teacher.
Miss Pearson – Head of School (MSM) and Staff Governor
Jeni Pearson is an experienced teacher and school leader and has taught in number of different school settings, including rural and village schools, and she also taught in Enfield, London, for a number of years. Over the years she has taught a variety of age ranges and led on a number of different subjects, including maths, English and ICT. Jeni enjoys working with people from all areas of the school community to provide the best possible education and experiences for the pupils and is passionate for the Mortimer Schools to be the best they can be. She has a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in English Literature and a Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Education with English Specialism from the University of Exeter.
Mrs Baggley – Parent Governor
Charlotte Baggley has worked in Education, both Main stream and Special and Alternative Provision for 21 years. Her current role is a Deputy Headteacher in a Pupil Referral Unit for Primary and Secondary students and she is passionate that students are provided with an appropriate setting and comprehensive education in order to achieve their full potential. Charlotte’s back ground as a teacher of English and Lead of Behaviour, Attendance, Safeguarding and Personal Development has given her a wide bredth of knowledge that she will use in her role. Charlotte has a son at Mortimer St Marys and is keen to work with the Governoring Board and support the school in her role as Parent Governor.
Dr Holder – Foundation Governor
Janet Holder was born in London but grew up in the West Indies. Janet completed her medical degree at the University of the West Indies in 1985 and commenced specialist training in London in 1989. Janet has been a Consultant Dermatologist since 1998 and has worked at Hampshire Hospitals since 2009.
Janet is married with 2 children who both attended school in Mortimer. In her current role as a Governor, Janet is looking forward to making a contribution especially with the current focus on reading.
Board of Governor documentation
Governing Board Annual Report 2024-2025
Structure of Governing Body, Terms of Office, Responsibilities and Declared Interests
