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Contact
Clerk@kingsteigntonschool.org.uk
01626 563888
Kingsteignton School - Heron Way - Kingsteignton - TQ12 3BX
Kingsteignton School LGB
Jane Collings
Co-Chair of LGB / Co-opted Governor
Jane originally trained in horticultural science, then went onto manage enterprises and teach in land-based industries. She moved into teaching leadership, management, HR and teacher training. For over 30 years she has been an independent Learning and Development Adviser contracting to, the DfE, TDA, IIP, schools, universities and charities. She managed a number of ‘Every Child Matters Extended Services’ projects for the TDA in 19 south-west local authorities. Jane has also worked as an Educational Developer at the University of Plymouth specialising in educational development, inclusive teaching, learning and assessment, employability, diversity and narrowing the attainment gap.
Since 2006 she has contracted to a number of Governance Support Services in the south-west focusing on school improvement, governance, facilitating conversations around partnerships, federations and academisation, head teacher wellbeing and work life balance and as a mediator for the DCC Schools Mediation Service.
Jane has been involved in education for over 30 years as a parent through PTAs in nursery, primary and secondary phases. As a governor in a large secondary school, a small rural primary school, on an Interim Executive Board before becoming a Trustee and Chairing the Standards and Curriculum Committee with a Multi Academy Trust. She has also been a chair, vice chair, chair of committees and assisted in recruiting four headteachers and in four OFSTED inspections.
Jane has throughout her working life continued her own journey of lifelong learning and her qualifications include undergraduate, postgraduate degrees and qualifications in education, learning & development. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. As a result of the pandemic she has had to rapidly develop her skills in remote teaching, learning and chairing meetings !
Jane is committed to enabling all children and young people to participate in an inspiring, aspiring and inclusive education that fosters the joy of learning.
Lisa Cummings
Co-Chair of LGB / Co-opted Governor
I have worked in Education for the last 26 years, I began my career in a College in East London as a Student Support Worker and part time teacher, teaching CLAIT and Graphic design software to adults. Early in my career, alongside teaching, I moved into the business support side of education in FE within a small registry team.
Over the years I have managed various support teams in large colleges. In my current role I am the Deputy Head of Funding, MIS, Exams and IT. Currently I manage the Exams team, the MIS Systems Development team and the IT help Desk function. In recent years I have also managed the finance processing team and the pupil travel scheme. I support the Department Director with the overall management of the day to day running of a large business support department at Exeter College.
I have detailed knowledge of Funding and Business Support processes and how they should underpin the running of a school. I am able to challenge areas of concern and advise on how to improve them. I believe that the business support function is to facilitate an environment that encourages a first class experience for all pupils and allows curriculum staff to focus on the delivery in the classroom.
Since June 2021 I have been a parent Trustee at Kingsteignton School with a responsibility for the audit portfolio and the business support function. I have enjoyed contributing to the school community and being part of the journey that the school has been on.
Dr Penny Fitch
Headteacher
I began my teaching career in 2000 when my daughter started primary school, training through the Devon Primary SCITT – a programme which allowed me to train in a school-based setting. Previously, following a long period at University, first at Edinburgh where I studied Ecology and then at Exeter where I obtained my PhD researching badgers and bovine tuberculosis with the sponsorship of the Ministry of Agriculture, I worked as an ecological consultant and landscape designer.
Following my teacher training, I worked as a teacher in the South Hams until I was seconded to St Catherine’s School at Heathfield as Assistant Head and Year 6 teacher in 2010. The school celebrated an award for being one of the100 most improved schools in the UK in terms of the Year 6 results in 2012. In September 2012 I was appointed Head of School at Brixton St Mary’s Primary School which became part of the United Schools Federation in 2013. The school was judged as ‘Requires Improvement’ in an Ofsted inspection in December 2012 but in the next inspection in November 2014 the school was judged to be ‘Outstanding’ in all areas.
I was part of the team of Heads who put together the bid for the Kingsteignton Free School and was delighted to be appointed as Principal ready to open the school in September 2016. Since then I have been working hard to make sure the school provides the very best in terms of education for our children and we aim to make sure that the school is judged as Outstanding by Ofsted in our first inspection three years after opening.
If that all sounds rather dry, then I think it is essential to say that I also think it is incredibly important that what we do at school is fun, inspirational and highly motivating and that all our children want to come into school every day because they really enjoy the challenge of their learning.
Loren Sellick
Staff Governor
Jane Collings
Co-Chair of LGB / Co-opted Governor
Jane originally trained in horticultural science, then went onto manage enterprises and teach in land-based industries. She moved into teaching leadership, management, HR and teacher training. For over 30 years she has been an independent Learning and Development Adviser contracting to, the DfE, TDA, IIP, schools, universities and charities. She managed a number of ‘Every Child Matters Extended Services’ projects for the TDA in 19 south-west local authorities. Jane has also worked as an Educational Developer at the University of Plymouth specialising in educational development, inclusive teaching, learning and assessment, employability, diversity and narrowing the attainment gap. Since 2006 she has contracted to a number of Governance Support Services in the south-west focusing on school improvement, governance, facilitating conversations around partnerships, federations and academisation, head teacher wellbeing and work life balance and as a mediator for the DCC Schools Mediation Service. Jane has been involved in education for over 30 years as a parent through PTAs in nursery, primary and secondary phases. As a governor in a large secondary school, a small rural primary school, on an Interim Executive Board before becoming a Trustee and Chairing the Standards and Curriculum Committee with a Multi Academy Trust. She has also been a chair, vice chair, chair of committees and assisted in recruiting four headteachers and in four OFSTED inspections. Jane has throughout her working life continued her own journey of lifelong learning and her qualifications include undergraduate, postgraduate degrees and qualifications in education, learning & development. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. As a result of the pandemic she has had to rapidly develop her skills in remote teaching, learning and chairing meetings ! Jane is committed to enabling all children and young people to participate in an inspiring, aspiring and inclusive education that fosters the joy of learning.
Lisa Cummings
Co-Chair of LGB / Co-opted Governor
I have worked in Education for the last 26 years, I began my career in a College in East London as a Student Support Worker and part time teacher, teaching CLAIT and Graphic design software to adults. Early in my career, alongside teaching, I moved into the business support side of education in FE within a small registry team. Over the years I have managed various support teams in large colleges. In my current role I am the Deputy Head of Funding, MIS, Exams and IT. Currently I manage the Exams team, the MIS Systems Development team and the IT help Desk function. In recent years I have also managed the finance processing team and the pupil travel scheme. I support the Department Director with the overall management of the day to day running of a large business support department at Exeter College. I have detailed knowledge of Funding and Business Support processes and how they should underpin the running of a school. I am able to challenge areas of concern and advise on how to improve them. I believe that the business support function is to facilitate an environment that encourages a first class experience for all pupils and allows curriculum staff to focus on the delivery in the classroom. Since June 2021 I have been a parent Trustee at Kingsteignton School with a responsibility for the audit portfolio and the business support function. I have enjoyed contributing to the school community and being part of the journey that the school has been on.
Dr Penny Fitch
Headteacher
I began my teaching career in 2000 when my daughter started primary school, training through the Devon Primary SCITT – a programme which allowed me to train in a school-based setting. Previously, following a long period at University, first at Edinburgh where I studied Ecology and then at Exeter where I obtained my PhD researching badgers and bovine tuberculosis with the sponsorship of the Ministry of Agriculture, I worked as an ecological consultant and landscape designer. Following my teacher training, I worked as a teacher in the South Hams until I was seconded to St Catherine’s School at Heathfield as Assistant Head and Year 6 teacher in 2010. The school celebrated an award for being one of the100 most improved schools in the UK in terms of the Year 6 results in 2012. In September 2012 I was appointed Head of School at Brixton St Mary’s Primary School which became part of the United Schools Federation in 2013. The school was judged as ‘Requires Improvement’ in an Ofsted inspection in December 2012 but in the next inspection in November 2014 the school was judged to be ‘Outstanding’ in all areas. I was part of the team of Heads who put together the bid for the Kingsteignton Free School and was delighted to be appointed as Principal ready to open the school in September 2016. Since then I have been working hard to make sure the school provides the very best in terms of education for our children and we aim to make sure that the school is judged as Outstanding by Ofsted in our first inspection three years after opening. If that all sounds rather dry, then I think it is essential to say that I also think it is incredibly important that what we do at school is fun, inspirational and highly motivating and that all our children want to come into school every day because they really enjoy the challenge of their learning.
Loren Sellick
Staff Governor
ESW Governance Information
Key Roles of the Governing Body
- To ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding the Director of Education, Head teachers and Heads of School to account for education and school improvement across the Federation. Set KPIs for each schools’ academic achievement
- Monitor, challenge and support academic standards in the schools
- To oversee the financial performance of the schools, ensuring best value at all times and recommending school budgets
- To promote the development of best practice across the four schools
- Approve and monitor 3 year strategic and annual management plans for the schools
- Head teacher and staff recruitment
- Ensure an appropriate curriculum is taught to all students
- Ensure provision of RE meets statutory and ESW policy
- Ensure academy meet statutory obligations
- Monitor, challenge and support Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural Values standards in the schools
- Monitor, challenge and support standards achieved by Disadvantaged and SEND students in the schools
- Monitor, challenge and support standards of safeguarding, behaviour, attendance in the schools
- Monitor, challenge and support standards of Health and Safety in the schools
- Adopt and review home-school agreements
- Adopt and review home-school agreements
- Determine capital strategy
- Support and encourage school initiatives such as Forest School/Rights respecting schools programmes etc.
- Supporting bids and PTA’s to deliver additional resources
Committee Structure
The full Governing Body meets six times per year Link Governor Meetings (termly), focus on delivering high-quality education and ensure sharing of good practice.
