Governors Membership

Ruth Hopkins

Staff Governor

Term of Office: 27/03/2023 – 26/03/2027

I am the Year 5/6 Class Teacher at Churchstanton and have worked at this wonderful School since 2012.  My husband and I live locally with our two young daughters.   My background is mainly in languages.  I studied for both a German degree and later a PGCE at the University of Exeter after spending a year living and working in Lower Saxony, Germany.  I care very much about our unique School – it is such a special place to work.  I feel very privileged to now be part of the Board of Governors, to help ensure the very best for the future of our School.

Helen Bradbeer

Parent Governor

SEND Governor

Term of Office: 07/01/2022 – 06/01/2026

I live in Churchinford and have lived in the Churchinford/Churchstanton area virtually all of my life.  I was a pupil at Churchstanton Primary School many years ago and now my two boys are pupils there too.  I completed a National Diploma in Agriculture at Cannington College and work as an Agricultural Land Agent near Branscombe in Devon which I have done for over 25 years.   I hope that in becoming a Governor I can support this lovely School in whatever way I can and give something back to the School that gave me a great start to my education.

Keri Blatcher

Parent Governor

Early Years Governor

Term of Office: 07/01/2022 – 06/01/2026

I have worked within the Education sector for many years with varying roles.  I studied Education through the University of Worcester, gaining a degree in Education and a BA(Hons) in Early Childhood Studies.  I am passionate about education and ensuring that the provision and education of each and every child is the best it can possibly be.  I attended Churchstanton Primary School as a child myself and now my two children attend the School.  As a family we feel very fortunate that our children attend such a wonderful School and, as a parent, I wanted to play an active part in the community, and with my background in education I thought I could use this to fulfil the role as a parent governor.  My husband, myself and our two daughters live in Churchinford and enjoy walks with out springer spaniel.

Frances Hobbs

Parent Governor

Term of Office: 07/01/2022 – 06/01/2026

I have recently returned to the South West having grown up near Honiton and I now live in the beautiful Blackdown Hills with my husband, two daughters and puppy.  I have a degree in Mathematics and over 15 years experience in Secondary schools.  I recently took a step away from the classroom to focus on my family but I am very busy supporting individuals, offering Maths tutoring from 11+ through to A Level.  My passion remains encouraging all students to access understanding in Mathematics and develop an “I can do” approach to the subject.  Therefore, I am keen to support the School’s development in this aspect, along with any other areas in which I can help.  I am so impressed with the community spirit here at Churchstanton Primary School and I look forward to observing its continued success.

Marcus James

(Vice-Chair of Governors)

Co-Opted Governor

Chair of Business Finance Sub-Committee

Term of Office: 31/01/2022 – 30/01/2026

​I currently lecture in BEng Motorsports and Composite Engineering at Bridgwater and Taunton College, through Oxford Brookes University.  My family and I moved to Churchinford a few years ago from just over the Devon border after looking into primary schools for our two young children.  We fell in love with the idea of them having a forest as their playground and participating in outdoor learning, and so made the decision to move closer to the School.  Both my wife and I wanted to play an active part in the local community and with my background in education, I thought I could add some value to the role of a Governor.  I have enjoyed the challenges so far, especially the appointment of a new Headteacher and I look forward to taking this wonderful School from strength to strength in the years to come.

Sandra Spall​​​​​​​

Co-opted Governor

Safeguarding Governor

Term of Office: 31/10/2021 – 30/10/2025

I studied Theatre Design at the University of Central England in Birmingham and worked within television and theatre for several years before travelling and volunteering in Central America and Africa.  I then completed a PGCE and worked in various schools in the North West before moving to Somerset.  I am now an Art teacher at Queen’s College, Taunton and have been there for 8 years.  It is incredibly interesting and a privilege being a Governor and I have learnt much.  I have one child, a dog, 2 cats and lots of fish.

Julie Jennings
Co-opted Governor

Term of Office:  26/09/2022 – 25/09/2026

I have been a Governor for 5 years and have been employed in a School office, firstly at Churchstanton and subsequently at Two Moors Primary School in Tiverton, for over 20 years. I enjoy being involved in the attainment and learning of the pupils.

Becky Rhode

LA Governor

Vice-Chair, Finance Sub Committee

Terms of Office: 30/10/2021 – 29/10/2025

Becky joined the Board of Governors in November 2021.  She is a CIMA qualified accountant and works for one of the major accountancy firms in the South West. Becky has a long history working with businesses to help them improve their overall performance.  Both Becky’s children have attended Churchstanton Primary School and, having lived locally to the School for many years, Becky understands the unique challenges and benefits of rural school settings.

Becky loves spending time with her family – enjoying nature walks and cycling, believing that you can’t beat some good fresh air! However, Becky is also a keen reader and gets very absorbed in a good book. Becky’s other interests include Taekwando, music and travel.

Fiona Vidler

Clerk to Board of Governors

Term of Office:  01/09/2017 ongoing

I have been the Clerk of Governors at Churchstanton School since 2017 and prior to that I was the Clerk of Governors and full-time Office Manager at another primary school near Taunton for almost ten years.  Since retiring, I still enjoy being able to help and continue to use my organisational skills which keeps my mind and brain active.