What's their role? 

The governing body of Kingsthorpe Grove consists of many members with a variety of backgrounds, skills and expertise in order to act as a critical friend for the staff at the school. They hold a vitally important role of challenging the school in every aspect to ensure that the school continues to provide the very best standard of education that is possible.

Governance Data

What is the structure of the board? 

Our governors meet 6 times a year as a full governing body. The initial meeting is usually within the first month of the academic year and the main focus of this is to agree individual responsibilities for the year ahead and have an initial look at the school priorities for the year. The remaining meetings are scheduled for one in each term over the year. 

In addition, we have two sub-committees - Standards and Achievement and  Finance and Personnel.  These committees meet 6 times a year.

A little bit more about each member...

Mrs A Dolan

Head teacher

I sit on the Governing board as the Head Teacher.  I have been a member of staff at this school for 10 years now.  I started as a year 3 teacher and progressed to Inclusion Manager later becoming Deputy Head.  I have really enjoyed seeing the school grow and develop for the benefit of it’s students over the years

Mr F Ashby

Chair of Governors

I am the Chair of Governors who has been a member of the Governing Body since 2008.

I have over 30 years experience in various forms of banking which have proved useful in my role of governor within the school. 

If you need to contact the Chair of Governors - the email address is

Mr T Woods

Vice Chair and Finance and Personnel Committee

I have been a governor of Kingsthorpe Grove Primary School for over ten years.  I chair the Finance and Personel Committee.  Money is increasingly tight for all schools so good financial management is essential.   I am an engineer by training and have worked in research, design and development and in sales management for large and small organisations in Britain and in Germany.  I also have a business qualification and experience in local government.  All useful in helping to ensure the very best for our pupils.

Mr C Rockell

Standards Committee

I  have been a member of the Governing Board since May 2017. I feel that my experience as a primary headteacher for 16 years - as well as a School Improvement Partner and School Leadership and Management Adviser in Surrey - enables me to offer suitable knowledge and skills as a governor. I hold responsibility for Safeguarding and I chair the Standards Committee.

Mr A Scandrett

Co-opted Governor

I am a retired dentist and also have a barrister's qualification, I am a Fellow of the Linnean Society and of the Royal Anthropological Institute and a Member of the Royal Society of Biology, and of the Classical Association and MENSA, I am an amateur musician and play classical guitar, double bass and recorders.

Mr J Wilson

Co-opted Support Staff

I am a teacher at Kingsthorpe Grove and I work in key stage one.  I have been a member of staff at this school for over 4 years now and I have just joined the governing body. I am hoping that I can bring a different perspective to the meetings and also share my experiences of being a teacher within the school. I look forward to supporting the other governors to ensure the school continues to be the best it can be for all of the pupils.

Ms. G. Sammons

Co-opted Support Staff

 I am Genie Sammons, a single parent carer to my 2 sons who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Dyspraxia and ADHD. I was selected to be a Parent Governor in 2019 for Kingsthorpe Grove Primary School, but since then, have started a job in Early years within the school. Both of my children attended the school,one was in Mainstream, and the other was in the SEN Unit. Both are now in Secondary school, in a specialist provision. 

I have since been  co-opted as the schools Community Governor, with a special interest in Special Educational Needs.

My Passion is making sure children with disabilities get the right education they deserve and need, and through this role, I hope to help the school continue to provide excellence in education, and help to build relationships between the parents in the school. 

As a parent of children with Special Educational needs, also I will be hoping to help the school and parents with the extra challenges that a SEN child encounters. 

Ms S Turland

Clerk to Governors

The Local Authority appointed me as the Independent Clerk to Kingsthorpe Grove Primary School's Governing Body in October 2009.

I worked for the Northamptonshire Local Authority for 23 years before retiring in 2006 from full time employment.  During that time I was PA to both the Director and Deputy Director of Education.   In addition to this I was a Local Authority Clerk for 13 years, when Governor Services Clerking Service was in operation.  

I have a NVQ 4 in Management and I am also an accredited assessor.   As well as being a member of the Institute of Management, I have been the East Midlands National Governors Association (NGA) Clerk of the Year.  I have achieved the ISCG Accredited Clerk (with Merit) Award as a Clerk to Governance Bodies in Education.  Having received praise from a number of HMI Inspectors for the way I produce minutes, and documentation,  I feel that I am in a good position to help any school move forward in its aim to become Outstanding.  

Mrs V Foster

Co-opted Support Staff

I am a higher level teaching assistant (HLTA) at Kingsthorpe Grove Primary School and have been a member of support staff for just over 6 years.

I currently work in Key Stage One in Year 2, supporting the teacher in class and providing individual and small group interventions such as, RWI (read, write, inc), reading comprehension, maths activities and also one to one reading sessions. I also support speech and language by completing assessments for individual children, provide guidance and activities for support staff/ teachers to deliver to their children. I also cover teachers classes when they absent or on training.

My interests are keeping fit, going on a long walks and spending time with family and friends.