I am pleased to have been invited to become Chair of Governors for St Johns. The Governing Body will support the opening and development of the new school that I am confident will become a pillar of the community.

I became a school governor in 2015 with the intention of making a difference and giving something back to the community. I believe that effective governance adds value to school improvement and supports pupil outcomes. I have developed, through education and experience, a practical understanding of what effective governance looks like and how it can be achieved. For me, the critical requirements for a governing body are effective leadership, strategic thinking, alignment of the organisation in depth and breadth, delivery on commitments, a sense of urgency, and compassion.

I am also a member of the Independent Audit and Risk Committee for Faringdon Learning Trust.

I retired from full-time employment in 2015. I have over 40 years international HR experience primarily in energy companies and I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. I have lived in Wantage since 1993: both of my daughters attended King Alfred’s Academy before university. My other passion is allotment gardening and I am involved with a number of local gardening associations.

To contact Alan McPherson please email the school office: 

office-pri@sjo.cambrianlt.org

As a newly appointed governor I’m still finding my feet. Alan, the Chair of Governors, suggested that it might take at least a year to become confident in the role; I believe him.

I retired in 2020 and try to pursue my interests in creative writing, cooking, and wine; not necessarily in that order. When it was suggested to me that I might have something to offer as a governor I met with Alan to discuss it. The work of governors is clearly important, and I thought that I might be able to contribute in some way. So far, I find it interesting and engaging, although there does tend to be a good deal of homework.

My wife and I came to Grove from York in 1997. That was partly to take up new employment; as an RMN with the National Health Service in my wife’s case, and with the Open University and an independent school in mine. Our move also meant that we were much nearer to our new granddaughter, living in Wiltshire, which saved the frequent long journeys from York. Between us, my wife and I have four children: a son and daughter in York, a daughter in Cornwall, and another in Wales. Our granddaughter is now a mother of two children. We also have a grandson who is studying archaeology at Durham University.

My background is in arts education. In secondary schools I taught art and the history of art up to A level for twenty-nine years. I lectured in humanities and art history as an associate lecturer with the Open University for thirty years (there was some overlap). I am a great believer in life-long learning and was nearly fifty when I was awarded a research doctorate in art history by the Open University.

As a newly appointed governor I’m still finding my feet. Alan, the Chair of Governors, suggested that it might take at least a year to become confident in the role; I believe him.

I retired in 2020 and try to pursue my interests in creative writing, cooking, and wine; not necessarily in that order. When it was suggested to me that I might have something to offer as a governor I met with Alan to discuss it. The work of governors is clearly important and I thought that I might be able to contribute in some way. So far, I find it interesting and engaging, although there does tend to be a good deal of homework.

My wife and I came to Grove from York in 1997. That was partly to take up new employment; as an RMN with the National Health Service in my wife’s case, and with the Open University and an independent school in mine. Our move also meant that we were much nearer to our new granddaughter living in Wiltshire, which saved the frequent long journeys from York. Between us, my wife and I have four children, a son and daughter in York, a daughter in Cornwall, and another in Wales. Our granddaughter is now a mother of two children. We also have a grandson who is studying archaeology at Durham University.

My background is in arts education. In secondary schools, I taught art and the history of art up to A level for twenty-nine years. I lectured in humanities and art history as an associate lecturer with the Open University for thirty years (there was some overlap). I am a great believer in life-long learning and was nearly fifty when I was awarded a research doctorate in art history by the Open University.

I am delighted to be a Board appointed Governor of St John’s CofE Academy and am particularly excited for the opportunity to serve one of only two ‘through schools’ in Oxfordshire. Prior to this appointment, I had some experience serving as a Parent Governor at Chilton Primary School.

I wanted to become a Governor at St John’s as I am convinced that the strategic oversight from effective governance fosters ongoing school improvement, which ultimately enhances pupil outcomes.

I moved to Grove in 1980, to follow a career with United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the Science & Technology Facilities Council at the Harwell Campus.  In 2021, I retired from full-time work after almost fifty years in construction engineering, both in the UK and overseas.

My Christian faith is an essential part of who I am and in 2004 I earned a degree in Theology, through distance learning. Since then I have been appointed as a co-leader of the Vale Elim Church (a member of the Elim Pentecostal movement), which meets at St John’s Academy each Sunday.

I have always been involved in the nurture and education of young people, either through youth work or as an educator. Since qualifying as a secondary science teacher, teaching all sciences with Biology and Chemistry to A level, I have fulfilled several senior roles in independent senior school including Headteacher. 

Much of my experience is in curriculum development and management, with oversight of pupil progress, staff performance and development. Other roles have included examining for OCR    A Level Chemistry, a member of the Salters Chemistry Club Panel, and most recently as an inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate. In inspections, I was responsible for compliance, including boarding and safeguarding, and educational compliance and quality, mainly in the sciences and mathematics. 

Since retirement, I have helped complete our self-built Eco house, learnt to weave and enjoyed gardening, and on occasion visited some local schools to help lead assemblies. I am very excited to be joining the St John’s governing body and playing my part in establishing an excellent new school in Grove.

I am delighted to be a Foundation Governor at St John’s and bring a range of experience to the role.

My postgraduate training to become a GP involved long, intense hours of work within tightly knit teams. This was followed by seven years as a stay-at-home mum caring for three children. This included twice uprooting the family and adapting to life abroad – isolating and wonderful in equal measure.

On our return to the UK, I joined a local GP practice where I stayed until retirement. I loved the deep connections and continuity of relationships with patients and staff, realising anew the importance of collaborative teamwork at all levels. I also learned much about both strategic thinking and day-to-day management within an ever-changing regulatory environment.

Throughout my adult life my relationship with God through my Christian faith has been central. I believe we are all completely known, loved and valued by God – who challenges and enables us to be our truest and freest selves. I have been actively involved in St John’s Church in Grove over 25 years, and after retirement was licensed as a Lay Minister by the Oxford Diocese.

My other interests range from hill walking and sailing, to reading and learning something new – currently Ukrainian and playing the ukulele.

I joined St John's CE Academy in September as a Year 1 teacher and I am thrilled to be part of an exciting journey as we grow. I am a strong believer that every child should be given the opportunity to be curious, to challenge the world around them and to fly to become independent learners who love to learn. I am delighted to be a staff governor to support our school in it's growth.

I have taught in three previous schools, teaching a range of year groups. This has provided me with the skills and knowledge to support our growing school community whilst bringing with me experience of being a school governor.

Out of school, I am busy being a parent to my 3-year-old daughter who attends our wonderful nursery. I love to spend time outside and exploring different places, cooking and burying my head into new books. I also have a passion for fundraising for the Oxford Children's Hospital, which is a charity close to my heart.