Meet the Governors

Jo Steel - Chair of the Governing Board

I was Parent Governor from July 2021 to July 2023 when I was elected one of the school's Diocesan Foundation Governors. I have two sons currently at Holy Trinity. 

I have 15 years experience as a qualified governance professional working across the not-for-profit and charitable sectors, supporting boards of directors and trustees to achieve high levels of governance in their organisations and I feel very passionately about utilising these skills to support Holy Trinity in reaching its goals and mission. 

I am the link governor for SEND and work closely with the staff lead to ensure that this element of the curriculum is delivered to a high standard. 

Another key passion of mine is looking at what we can all do to help reduce our carbon footprint and waste and I hope to further pursue this during my term, working with the school to see what more we can do to help the environment and further reduce our environmental impact. 

Revd. Jon Hutchinson (Safeguarding Governor)

As the Vicar of Holy Trinity Parish Church, Sunningdale  I am an ex-officio member of the Governing body and very pleased to serve the school in this way. I’ve been involved in governance at a Church of England academy group in Nottingham, at both secondary and primary levels and have particular experience as governor responsible for safeguarding. I’m also involved at the school leading assemblies, hosting the prayer group and taking part in annual festivals with the children. 

Nicholas Holt - Diocesan Foundation Governor and Chair of Finance and Resources Committee

I currently have two children (Charlie and Elizabeth) within the school and my oldest son is now at Charters.

I am passionate about education and believe that primary education can be the building blocks to a lifetime of learning. An education that offers breadth and depth can provide all of our children the opportunities in life that they deserve.

I have worked as COO and in Corporate Development for an Education business, managing 21 schools across the UK; delivering high quality education to a broad range of children (backgrounds and ages). This also covered developing EdTech businesses; I believe and understand the power of technology and its ability to democratise education. I am therefore able to bring relevant experience to the role.

I am a huge believe in Holy Trinity and the amazing work that our school does. I really enjoyed my role on the PTA  (first ever male rep?) and I hope that you saw me behind the BBQ at the Summer fair or the bar at Christmas. It is an honour to be a Governor and represent you and your children's best interests in our fantastic school.

David Gingell - PCC Foundation Governor - Safeguarding Governor and Chair of Admissions Committee

I was delighted to join the Board of Governors in December 2024.

My background is firmly in the worlds of marketing and IT. I joined the IT industry as a graduate trainee in 1982, long before PCs, the internet and crypto currencies became things. I finally retired in February 2024 after a long career running marketing functions for large IT vendors such as Adobe and EMC. I have lived and worked in the Netherlands, Germany and the US. As a C-level exec I have run sizable teams and sizable budgets and hope to bring some of that experience to bear as a foundation Governor.

I have lived in Sunningdale with my wife, a retired teacher, since 2016. Prior to that, we spent 30 years in Binfield, Berks. We have 3 grown-up children with families of their own. I am a keen runner, swimmer, golfer and I have played squash at Charters for 30+ years.

Ramsay Abbott - PCC Foundation Governor

I retired in 2011 after working for 34 years with a large multi-national process plants contractor based in Reading. I was initially employed as a civil structural designer, but after the introduction of computer aided design, as a Project Design coordinator. I worked on a variety of petrochemical and pharmaceutical projects, both in the UK, and overseas. This involved a great deal of foreign travel. After returning from an assignment in India, my wife Viv and I moved to Sunningdale in 2008 and after visiting a few churches in the area, we settled finally into the Holy Trinity family. I have two married children; my daughter is a primary school teacher in Majorca, and my son is a Data Solutions Manager, in London. I also have three wonderful grandchildren.  

Liz Walker - Parent Elected Governor

I am the co-founder of Becoming, a leadership development and coaching organisation.  A qualified coach and facilitator, I have over 20 years of experience in leadership, learning and development in multi-national organisations, including EY, DLA Piper and Lane4.  I have a MSc in Organisational Behaviour from Birkbeck University.

I moved to Sunningdale in 2011, and have two sons, one who is now at Charters and the other who is still at Holy Trinity.  I am grateful to be appointed parent governor, and looking forward to working with the leadership team to support this primary school which has been such a source of happiness for my children.

Jo Griffith (Headteacher)

I became Co-Headteacher at Holy Trinity Primary School in September 2018 and have been Headteacher since September 2020. Over the last 26 years, I have worked in a number of schools across the country, in The Midlands, London and now RBWM.

As a class teacher, I have had the pleasure of teaching all year groups from EYFS to Year 6.

I have held numerous leaderships roles including Deputy Headteacher, Assessment Lead, and led most of the National Curriculum subjects in one school or another at various times.

I love working with children—there is never a dull moment! No two days are the same and I draw on the children for purpose and drive. In all the roles I have held in education, I feel I have always kept the children’s best interests at the heart of all decision making. I’m proud and feel very privileged to be able to make a difference to children’s lives and find a way to ensure their voices are heard.

Sally Stephens (Staff Governor)

What does the Governing Board do?

The Governing Board aims to promote high standards of educational achievement.  The Governing Board has a strong focus on three core strategic functions:

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
2. Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

 
The Headteacher, Mrs Griffith, is responsible for day-to-day management of the school and is the lead designated person for child protection. The Governing Board works to support and strengthen the leadership of the Headteacher and other staff.

The Governing Board has responsibility for the financial performance of the school and for setting the school’s budget.  The school has a dedicated budget to cover salaries, running costs, maintenance and equipment. The Governing Board works with the school to decide how many and what types of staff to employ, which equipment to upgrade or replace and what the priorities are for implementing new strategies and initiatives.

The Governing Board appoints the Headteacher, and is involved in the appointment of other staff.  The Governing Board monitors the school's progress, and sets annual targets for the school's performance and for the Headteacher.

The Governing Board is also the Admissions Authority.  It sets the admissions policy, makes admissions decisions and defends admissions appeals.

All of the Governors are volunteers, who give freely of their time, skills and energy by attending regular Governing Board and specialist Committee meetings; attending school events and visiting the school to experience lessons and the life of the school; and undertaking the necessary training to fulfil their role.  They are elected for a four year term.

The Full Governing Board meets at least once per term.  Much of the business is delegated to Committees that meet as required to complete their business.

Foundation Governors have a specific role in preserving and developing the Christian ethos of our school.  

If you have ever considered becoming a School Governor or would like further information on what the role entails, please see the RBWM website, https://www.rbwm.gov.uk/home/schools-and-education/school-governors

To register your interest or for further details, please contact the Clerk to the Governing Body, Mrs Carol Elsasser. (c.elsasser@holytrinityprimary.org)

Agreed priorities and plans for the Governing Board 

To be an inclusive, inspirational place of learning where:

• we facilitate opportunities so every child can flourish in a place where they are happy, respectful, kind and safe.
• staff well-being and professional development is valued and supported in order to fulfil their roles, inspire others and experience personal fulfilment.
• the school provides facilities that enables an optimum learning environment.
• the school plays a central role within our community and enjoys strong links with the church, local companies and other schools.