Governors

Please find below, our current list of governors and their role within the Governing Body.

Mr Chris Coopman Chair of Governors -2023 (Foundation Governor- since 2019

I have been a Foundation Governor since March 2019; I am the Chair of Governors. I am currently the Finance Controller for a charity, which will hopefully enable me to bring numerous skills to assist the Governing Body. We have lived in Aynho for years, having spent 10 years in the RAF; we have 4 children. When the children and time allow, I enjoy most sports and am a fair weather runner

Mrs E Bland (Foundation)

I was appointed a Foundation governor in 2021. I grew up in Newbottle, being both christened and married at St James's, Newbottle and attending Newbottle & Charlton School myself. I then returned to the village in 2015 after time spent living in London, where I spent twenty years at the Victoria and Albert Museum in curatorial and project management roles, mostly working on new permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions. Two of my three boys attended the school, and my two nephews are current pupils. At the moment, I am completing a PhD thesis at the University of Oxford in medieval art history.

Father Matthew Robinson (Foundation)

I was appointed a Foundation Governor in 2019 shortly after I became the parish priest for St James, Newbottle and Charlton, and St and St Paul, King's Sutton. I also sit on the Ethos, and Standards and Curriculum Committees. I grew up in Northamptonshire and moved back to the county when I took up my current post, having previously served in Rochester Diocese in Kent. I am married to Caroline and we have a daughter who attends Newbottle and Charlton School.

Lady D Hayter: Safeguarding; (Foundation)

I am a Foundation governor appointed by the church. I first became a governor in 2004. I am also the Governor with responsibility for Safeguarding and Collective Worship in the school. I have lived in the village since 1991 and attend St. James' Church in Newbottle and as well as being a member of the PCC. I am a trustee and Treasurer of the Memorial Hall. I am also the wardrobe mistress, costume maker and designer for the Charlton Pantomime every two years. From 1991 to 2015 I was a volunteer with Home-Start Banbury, a voluntary organization that supports families with young children going through difficult times. I was formerly a secondary school teacher of English, but having done a postgraduate degree in history I now teach part-time at Oxford University's Department of Continuing Education, specializing in local and landscape history. I am married to Paul, who retired in 2007 as Clerk of the Parliaments. He was knighted which meant that I became Lady Hayter. We have three grown-up children (who between them went to eight different schools) two working in London and one based in Geneva, and two grandchildren.

Mrs P Taylor (Local Authority Governor)

I joined the Governing Body in January 2016 as the Local Authority Governor and I am currently Vice Chair and Chair of the Standards and Curriculum Committee. I also sit on the Strategy and Resources committees. Originally from Cheshire, I have lived in Brackley for over 25 years and have three grown up children. I previously worked for two local authorities in different school liaison type roles, supporting Headteachers, children and families but currently work as a counsellor for children and young people. I enjoy gardening, walking and spending time with the family

Mrs R Pantrey (Foundation Governor)

I was appointed in Summer 2020 by the Diocese to serve as a Foundation Governor. We moved to Kings Sutton 3 years ago and have two daughters, with the eldest about to start Reception at Newbottle and Charlton School. I lived in London for ten years where I worked as a Front of House Manager at the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Opera House. I then moved to Banbury in 2012 and worked for several years as the Customer Service Manager at The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury. I am a keen amateur musician and play viola with the Banbury Symphony Orchestra, as well as being a committee member for Kings Sutton Preschool.

I am looking forward to getting to know the staff, families and community of this lovely school!

Mr T Phillips (Parent Governor)

I joined the governing body in September 2020 as a parent governor having moved to the village in 2016. My daughter started with the school in 2017 and has found it both a fulfilling and thoroughly enjoyable place to learn. I currently sit on the resources committee and have been appointed the lead governor across STEM subjects. I work as the Head of IT for a multi-academy Trust in Hertfordshire which keeps me busy helping schools enhance their ICT technologies and curriculum in an ever-developing world. I have spent over 10 years working in education and love getting stuck into both large and small scale ICT projects, helping with training and ensuring excellent value for money. In my spare time I’m a keen badminton player and also like to get stuck into DIY projects and gardening.

Mrs B Tyler (Foundation Governor)

I joined the governing body as a foundation governor and am currently sitting on the ethos committee. I have two children; my son is in year one and my daughter is due to start in September. I am a primary trained teacher and have recently returned to teaching working as a nursery teacher at a school in Banbury which I am really enjoying. I lived in Australia for 6 years with my husband where we had our children. During this time I was fortunate enough to be able to stay at home with the children but also ran our church playgroup and was responsible for the children's ministry for some time as well as organising a range of fundraising events. I like to be busy!

Mr P Smith ( Headteacher) since 2020

I have been teaching since 2007 and joined the school in September 2016 as a class teacher. I have worked in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 during my teaching career and had the role of Deputy Headteacher in my previous two schools. I was appointed to the position of Headteacher in April 2021 after being the Interim Headteacher since June 2020. I am absolutely passionate about ensuring that all children receive a balanced and broad high quality curriculum which prepares them for future experiences and learning. I have been a staff governor in other schools and know how hard all the governing body work to support the school in making strategic decisions. I love the village and have fully embraced it ,having moved here last year. It is a wonderful place to live and work! I am designated safeguarding lead and I coordinate many curriculum areas, including PSHE, computing and Writing. I am also the educational visits lead and last year was appointed a specialist leader of education (SLE) in STEM subjects.

Miss Hannah Dooley (Staff Governor) since Sept 2020

I started my teacher training in 2016 and was lucky enough to be placed at Newbottle and Charlton for the majority of the time. I absolutely fell in love with the school and it’s caring, nurturing environment, so when a position became available I felt extremely lucky! Since then I’ve been teaching in Oak class which has a mixture of Reception and year 1 children. It’s such a magical age to teach – they approach everything with awe and wonder and I feel privileged to be able to guide them through their first years at school. As well as being the EYFS lead I coordinate history, geography, music and PE. In my spare time I like nothing more than seeing my family and friends, especially my little niece Ivy.

Rachel Clinch (Foundation Governor) since 2019

I have been a Foundation Governor and I sit on the Ethos and Standards, and Curriculum committees. My theology degree and personal faith mean I am particularly interested in prayer space and upholding the Christian ethos at the school. I am a primary school teacher working in Oxford. I lead mathematics and the gifted and talented programme. I hope the skills I have acquired will help me to support the governing body in a variety of ways. I have lived in Aynho for five years and have recently had a baby.