Governors
Linda Burton
Chair of Governors
I have been on the Board of Governors of Milverton Primary School since September 2017, Vice Chair in 2020 and Chair since September 2021. I am a retired History and Classical Civilisations teacher; my last position was at Wellington School, where I taught for nineteen years during which time I was Head of Lower, then Upper School. I have lived in Milverton since 1985, have two adult sons and three grandchildren, one of whom has just started primary school. The Chair’s primary role is to ensure that the governing board is effective in setting and implementing the school’s direction and strategy, therefore I am responsible for leading the Board and focusing on strategic matters, overseeing the school’s planning and setting high governance standards. I work in partnership with Mrs. Stoddart, offering support, challenge, encouragement and helping ensure that his performance management is rigorous and robust. My role as EYFS Governor is to act as a link between the Governing Board and staff and to report to the Board on topics such as subject delivery, the impact of interventions, attainment and progress and transition.
Emily Weiss
Co-Opted Governor
Safeguarding Governor
I have been part of the Milverton School community since September 2016 when my eldest daughter joined the school in year 1. I became a Governor in 2019. I currently work in a Leadership role in another local school and as part of my remit, I deliver Safeguarding training and support policy implementation. I hopefully use my educational experience and knowledge to support Milverton in achieving its aims and objectives. Working closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead, the safeguarding governance role focuses on safeguarding processes and procedures ensuring they are reviewed on a regular basis. This includes ensuring the school has an effective safeguarding policy in place, that safer recruitment practices are followed and the safeguarding training for all school staff and Governors is relevant and up-to-date.
Stephen Penny
Staff Governor
I have taught at Milverton Community Primary and Pre-School since September 2013 and was elected as the staff Governor in 2015. I have worked in both Key Stages and am currently in Year 4. I am passionate about teaching and working with the children at Milverton. My role as the staff Governor is to be a conduit between the school staff and the governing body. I am part of the education sub- committee in which I bring my professional knowledge and expertise as well as ensuring that the staff have a voice on the governing body. I thoroughly enjoy my role as staff Governor as I feel that it provides me with further opportunities to work alongside staff, families and our community to ensure that our pupils receive an enriching and inspiring curriculum.
Stephen Jones
Co-Opted Governor
Health and Safety Governor
My wife and I have lived in Milverton for 7 years and get involved in community projects and support local events. I started my working life as a buyer for J Sainsbury at head office in London and formed Somerdale International in 1990. I now run a food export company based in Wellington exporting British Cheese and Dairy products worldwide. My daughters went to Wellington School and I have grandchildren in Devon and Australia!
Chris Mann
Co-Opted Governor
I was elected as a governor to Milverton Primary in late 2022. I have had a house in Milverton since 2007 and retired in 2023 having spent the last thirty years in education teaching Biology. My last position was at Harrow School in London where I taught for the last 20 years; it was here that I also gained significant experience on the pastoral side of school life. At Milverton Primary I sit on the Education Committee and am the link governor for Science and Physical Education.
Fiona Taylor
Co-Opted Governor
I am a chartered accountant and the Director of Finance at Wellington School. I became a school governor in 2023 so that I could bring my own experiences of leading a school and hope to support Milverton Primary and Pre-school in ensuring that children at the school are receiving the best opportunities to shape their future.
Gwil Wren
Co-Opted Governor
I moved to Milverton in 1986 and brought my family up here. Both my children went to Milverton School in the early 1990s. I worked for English Nature and Natural England before retiring in 2014. As well as being a School Governor I have represented Milverton as a local Councillor since 2011 and was Parish Clerk until 2019. I am also very interested in nature conservation and help to run the locally based EuCAN Milverton Conservation Volunteers, which is always looking for new members!
Martin James
Vice Chair
Co- Opted Governor
I’m excited to be a part of the Milverton Primary School community as a Governor. Having studied science at university, my interests soon grew towards operational engineering. I work as a Control Room Engineer at a nuclear power station and have responsibilities to safely decommission the reactors. I have a huge passion for physical recreation and take part in as many events as free time allows. I’ve completed Ironman triathlons, 7 marathons in 7 days, ultra marathons and swam the English Channel distance all in aid of charity. I look forward to meeting more of the pupils and working with all the staff in the future.
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