Meet the Governors

Governors can be contacted via the school office by phone on 01252 715 619 (option 3) or via email at clerk@potters-gate.surrey.sch.uk.

GST Board Membership

GIAS - (Get Information About Schools)

• Larry Peppin
  Chair of Governors
  Larry Peppin

  

• Jayne Venables
  Executive Headteacher
  Jayne Venables

  I have been associated with St. Andrew’s Infant school since 2008 when I first started working at the school as Kingfisher Class teacher, and then becoming the Headteacher at the school in 2011. I became the Headteacher at Potters Gate Primary School in April 2015 and it is so exciting to be working with both schools currently.

  When I am not working at Potters Gate Primary or St. Andrew’s I like to spend time walking with my lovely Working Cocker Spaniel, Jasper and out in my garden. I have chickens which help with my other passion which is cooking. When  I find quiet time I like to knit and read. I live in Farnham with my two teenage children. 

• Carol Trottier
  Staff Governor
  Carol Trottier

  Having lived in Farnham for 23 years I feel very fortunate to live in such a wonderful town. Since 2009 I  have been teaching in Farnham schools and now have the privilege of working with wonderful colleagues and children at both Potters Gate and St Andrew's.

  I have three teenage daughters and one very cute guinea pig called Lily. As a family we love travelling, walking, cooking and generally just being together!

• Trevor Walker
  Foundation Governor
  Trevor Walker

  I have been closely involved in primary education all my working life; and since retirement, I still am. I have been the headteacher of four primary schools, a lead inspector for Ofsted and was principal inspector/adviser for primary education for Hampshire. I still inspect church schools in Guildford and London.

  I have six children, all grown-up (or so they tell me) and eleven grand children who are all of primary or pre-school age, although only three live in Farnham, others living as far away as Cape Town

  It is a privilege to be a governor at Potters Gate and St Andrews. My wife and I attend St Andrews Church and the connection between church and school is much valued. The school has a well-deserved reputation for the excellent and caring education within the context of a strong sense of community.

   

• Catherine Knight
  Member Governor
  Catherine Knight

  I am really pleased to be able to support St Andrews infant school as a co-opted governor. Our twins started at this idyllic school in 2014 and have enjoyed every day they have spent there. I had gained some insight into school life via volunteering with reading in reception and school trips (which I would recommend) but wanted to learn more about how the school works and develops children locally. We now have three children enjoying a fantastic introduction to school life at St Andrews.  I have worked in destination marketing for the national and regional tourist boards much of my career and now also lecture adults in marketing. I think it is important parents understand what governors do and cant do.

• Janet Elliot
  Co-opted/Community Governor
  Janet Elliot

  I have lived in Farnham since 2009 and I work part time for the Environment Agency. When we chose St Andrews school for our eldest child (who moved at Year 3 to Potters Gate), I still wasnt convinced about infant schools, although both my husband and I loved St Andrews.  Now I look back on how great it has been for Victoria, and the whole family, and I have changed my mind to being a big fan of small infant schools.  So we were relieved when our youngest Sophie got a place to start at St Andrews in September 2017. I think small infant schools suit certain children better than larger schools.  But more importantly, they give all the children lots of opportunities to do things, like being in the school council and doing solos in assemblies, that they may not get to do until their junior years in a primary school. It’s also great that the whole school is focused on learning in a style that suits the infant years. 

  I volunteered to be “Head Gardener” for the school allotment and love being there with the children and seeing them enjoy outdoor learning.  It has been a great experience and has helped me feel part of the school community, interacting with all the children, teachers and teaching assistants. I am now very keen to do what I can, as a parent and a governor, to help support the school, so that Farnhams children can continue to benefit from its great small infant school experience.

• Andria Degia-Davies
  Parent Governor
  Andria Degia-Davies

  I have lived in Farnham town centre for the past 20 years, and doubt I could be persuaded to have a permanent base anywhere else! Our daughter Ava, started at St Andrews in September 2016 and I have been struck by what a nurturing and holistic environment the school offers. I am excited to become a governor, and look forward to contributing to and learning more about how the curriculum is put together to achieve the positive learning environment that the school has.

  In my work life I am a Clinical Scientist, currently managing drug research into Alzheimer’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. When I do have any spare time (having a husband, a 5 year old, and a 2 year old to manage!) I like to expand my waistline with exotic foods, develop my keen interest in the different gins of the world, and potter in my garden.

• David Uffindell
  Incumbent Governor
  David Uffindell

  I have lived in town for just two years, since be-coming Rector of Farnham in September 2016.I have been involved in church leadership for over 30 years, in South West London, Surrey and Berkshire. I have served as Governor in Infant, Primary and Secondary schools in Surrey and in Berkshire; and I was Chaplain for 5 years at St Georges School in Ascot. A lawyer by background, I am married to Kathryn, who is a secondary school teacher in Hampshire. We have three children, all of whom have benefitted greatly from their education in local church schools. I am delighted that Farnham Parish has four schools and a university. We are developing healthy relationships with them all. In St Andrews and Potters Gate, our church team engages with the children and staff in our regular assembly programme; and with all our families in our end of term celebration services in St Andrew’s Church. One of my key roles, as a governor, is to make sure we focus on and develop the things which mark our schools out as distinctively Christian. My membership of the Faith team in school is one way of me doing this.

• David Edwards
  General Governor
  David Edwards

  Ive lived in Farnham with my partner Elaine since 2004, and I became a parent governor at Potters Gate when our son went into Reception Class there three years ago. I work in the theatre as a stage director (and Elaine is an opera singer) so its been a huge and fascinating learning curve for me to witness the complexities of the education system at close quarters. We are very fortunate to have a dedicated and brilliant teaching staff at both our schools. I am committed to my governor role, which is both to support and also to challenge, and ensure a safe and happy environment in which all our children can thrive.

• Kathy Pond
  Co-Opted Governor
  Kathy Pond

  I became a co-opted Governor for Potters Gate School in 2015 and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I work in Education  I am a lecturer in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Surrey and have a son at Potters Gate School. Since being a parent and a Governor I have appreciated how important primary school education is in providing the grounding for secondary and tertiary education. I have been working with Potters Gate School on a number of science activities made possible with a Royal Society Partnership Grant between the school and the University. I am fully committed to ensuring both Potters Gate and St Andrews provide high quality education in a fun and nurturing environment 

• Jonathan Wheatcroft
  Co-Opted Governor
  Jonathan Wheatcroft

  "I am one of the co-opted governors at St. Andrew's and Potters Gate. With financial background as a forensic accountant, I provide help and guidance in respect of managing the schools resources and its finances. As an outsider (I don't live in Farnham), I also provide an independent and objective perspective regarding the running of the schools. On a personal note, I have three young children who have just started (or are about to start) their own journeys through the education system. It is fascinating to watch their development at this stage and I fully appreciate how important it is for them to learn in a nurturing and stable environment. As such, I feel privileged to participate as a governor at St. Andrew's and Potters Gate and I'm committed to ensuring that my input is constructive to the schools".

• Bonnie Lloyd
  Staff Governor
  Bonnie Lloyd

  I have been working as a Class Teacher at St Andrews since January 2017. Prior to this, I have taught in schools across London, mainly within Early Years. I have recently been appointed as the Early Years Leader across St Andrews and Potters Gate. I am looking forward to working with the team, utilising my knowledge and skills to enhance the teaching and learning of the children within this age range.

   

  I am looking forward to my new role as Staff Governor, hoping to gain a greater insight into how a school works behind the scenes and to be a voice for staff members.

• Emma King
  Parent Governor
  Emma King

   I have lived in Farnham since 2010 with my husband and two children, the eldest of whom started Potters Gate in 2011. She is now in Year 8 at Weydon and my son is in his final year at Potters Gate.  I have always tried to play an active part in their school life, volunteering for school trips, helping the PTA and being a member of the Care Club committee, around my role as an HR Manager.  

  I am now looking forward to being able to contribute more in my role as Governor, with the opportunity to use my professional skills, qualifications and experience to support and contribute to the great work that is already being done to provide the best education for our children.  I am committed to ensuring that Potters Gate and St Andrews continue to thrive and develop whilst retaining the nurturing environment, from which my children have benefitted, so that all children have the opportunity to learn, succeed and shine. 

   

• Nicola Budd
  Parent Governor
  Nicola Budd

  

• Sarah Gudgin
  Parent Governor
  Sarah Gudgin

  I have lived in Farnham with my husband since 2007. Farnham is such a great place to raise children and we are lucky to have such excellent, nurturing schools at its centre. Our eldest child, Arthur, started at Potters Gate in September 2016 (Jemima started in 2018) and, since that time, I have been consistently impressed by the dedicated team of staff and the tireless contribution of parents.
  I am a lawyer by profession and am committed to bringing my skills and experience to my governor role,
  supporting and challenging decisions, as and where necessary. Having recently been appointed, I am very much looking forward to this opportunity to be able to support our schools and to learn more about their inner workings.
  As a governor, I want to help to ensure that all children at our schools have the best opportunities to learn and
  achieve by ensuring that they have a happy and stable environment in which to start their learning journey.
  On a more personal note, I am a keen runner, although admittedly, my enthusiasm far exceeds any skill!        My other passion is food, hence (the need) for running!