Governors
Manuden Governing Body
The Role of Our Governing Body
At Manuden Primary School, our governing body plays an important role in supporting the strategic leadership of the school and helping us to achieve our vision of “Growing hearts, Growing minds, Growing dreams.”
Governors are volunteers who bring a range of experience, skills and perspectives to the school. They work collectively to support and challenge the Headteacher and senior leaders, helping to ensure that Manuden provides the best possible education for every child.
The governing body has three core functions:
- ensuring clarity of the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and for the effective and efficient performance management of staff;
- overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Governors act as a critical friend to the school: offering support while also asking appropriate questions and providing challenge. The day-to-day management of Manuden Primary School remains the responsibility of the Headteacher and staff.
Our governors meet regularly throughout the year and also take responsibility for specific areas of school life through link governor roles and monitoring visits.
Our Governing Body
Sarah Turner – Chair of Governors
Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 23 February 2026 – 22 February 2030
Link responsibility: SEND
Sarah is Chair of the Governing Body and works closely with the Headteacher and fellow governors to support the strategic development of the school.
David Pimm – Parent Governor
Parent Governor
Term of office: 6 June 2024 – 5 June 2028
Link responsibility: Safeguarding
David brings experience from the commercial and telecommunications sector and contributes to the strategic oversight of the school.
Ella Grainger – Parent Governor
Parent Governor
Term of office: 10 March 2025 – 9 March 2029
Link responsibility: Early Years Foundation Stage
Ella contributes experience in business management, leadership and strategic planning and is the governing body’s link governor for EYFS.
Darren Addicott – Co-opted Governor
Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 10 July 2024 – 9 July 2028
Darren brings extensive experience of education and a longstanding connection with the Manuden community.
Laura Stylianou – Co-opted Governor
Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 22 June 2026 – 21 June 2030
Laura joined the governing body in June 2026 and supports the strategic work of the school as a co-opted governor.
Eve Reynolds – Staff Governor
Staff Governor
Term of office: [INSERT DATES FROM GOVERNORHUB]
Eve represents the staff body on the Governing Body and brings her experience of working within Manuden Primary School to strategic discussions and decision-making.
Phil Molyneux – Headteacher
Headteacher
Member of the Governing Body from 1 September 2026
As Headteacher, Phil is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of Manuden Primary School and works with governors to develop and deliver the school’s strategic priorities.
Governance Professional
Lisa White – Clerk to the Governing Body
The Clerk provides professional advice and administrative support to the Governing Body and ensures that meetings and governance records are appropriately maintained.
Governance and Statutory Information
Further information about the constitution of our Governing Body, governors’ terms of office, attendance and declared interests can be found below:
Minutes of Full Governing Body meetings are available for inspection on request from the school office, subject to the removal of any confidential information.
