Meet the Governors

Richard Jones

Chair of Governors

Hello. My name is Richard Jones and I have been a Parent Governor since 2014. I am the Chair of Governors and also the Chair of the Finance & Premises Committee. When our first son was in reception year I felt it was the right time for me to take an active interest in our local school. I now have 1 child at St White's and 1 who has transitioned from St White's to a local secondary school. I am a Chartered Surveyor and Director of a local Architecture firm and would hope to use some of my skills to assist the Governing Body in making sound, positive decisions. I feel I am very approachable and would be happy to discuss any queries you may have. I sit on the Finance & Premises and Personnel Committee.

Clare Tilling

Headteacher

Hello! My name is Clare Tilling and I have been at St White's School for over twelve years. I have taught in all year groups but most recently in the lower juniors. I run both the choir and the Debating Society in school. I have been the Behaviour Lead, the head of key stage two and the English Coordinator. I have also held the position of Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and now I am delighted and proud to be your Headteacher.
I live fairly locally with my lovely husband. My two gorgeous sons have grown up and left home but I am very fortunate that they both live nearby with their wonderful partners, so I still get to see a lot of them. I enjoy cooking feasts for them when they all come home and in my spare time I knit, and I read – a lot! I sit on both Finance and Curriculum Committees.

Kathryn Goddard

Co-opted Governor

Hello, I have recently been appointed as a Governor and sit on the Curriculum and Standards Committee. I have two teenage children, one of whom attended St Whites. I am a professional photographer and often visit the school to take photographs for the school and produce the year book. When I am not behind the camera, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading and baking.

Lynne Adams

Co-opted Governor

Hello, I'm Lynne and I was appointed as a Governor in January 2018, sitting on both the Curriculum & Standards and Personnel Committee; I will be taking responsibility for Special Educational Needs Governor and will be working with Mrs Tilling to ensure the wellbeing of all children's needs are met. I am a History teacher at a secondary school in the Forest of Dean and absolutely love the challenges and successes that this presents. In my spare time, I can be found either taking part in a huge amount of sporting activities or reading!

Tony Griffiths

Governor

Hello there! Having worked in education for over 45 years, I am delighted to have become a co-opted governor here at wonderful St White's Primary School.
I have taught throughout the primary school age range in North Wales, Barcelona and Aylesbury before becoming Deputy Head at Highnam in 1998 and Head Teacher at Goodrich CE Primary in 1992. I left headship to be come a student teacher link tutor at the University of Gloucestershire in 2013.
It is in this latter capacity that I have worked closely with St White's over the past 10 years as the school has a well-established reputation of nurturing trainee teachers with, for example, many of our current staff having been former students of mine.
During my career, I have had the experience of sitting on 5 governing bodies and experienced 5 full Ofsted inspections, including one where Goodrich was judged to be Outstanding.
I very much look forward to becoming further immersed in the life of St White's and to meeting you soon.

Fran Palmer

Governor

“Hello ! I was appointed a Governor in May 2023. I have two grown up children and a granddaughter who attends St Whites.
I now work in Local Government. My previous 19 years employment was in Special Needs Education from Nursery through all Key Stages and finally supporting young adults aged up to 24.
I have worked overseas for SSAFA, as a volunteer, whilst my husband served in the RAF so understand the stresses and strains of military life on families.
I am also a freelance artist and ceramicist and run my own business. I believe that creativity and freedom of expression is essential for development regardless of age or ability not to mention the well-being benefits.
My hobbies include hill and mountain walking, gardening and spending as much time as possible with family.”

Bill Acland

Governor

Hello, I have recently been appointed as the Local Authority Governor and look forward to working with the governing body representing local and county business. Even though I am retired, I am one of the local councillors for Ruspidge & Soudley which keeps me busy, plus I also sit on the Village Hall committee as liaison for the council. Both of my children attended St. Whites, I really value the impact it had on their early years. For myself, I look forward to being a part of the school's governing body and helping in any way I can.

Oliver Palmer

Parent Governor

Hello there! I'm Oli, I am an Agile Coach working where I work largely with software development teams and organisations, and coach them to maximise the value that they are delivering to their customers with a focus on iterative delivery.

I was appointed as a Governor for St White's Primary School in 2022 and have a daughter that attends the school. The enthusiasm and passion that she has for school and her schoolwork can only be testament to the amazing work that the staff here at St White's do. The school as a whole cares about the education of our children here and I am here to help them as a governor.

James Smith

Governor

Hello, I was appointed to the position of parent Governor in early 2023.

My day-to-day career is as a director of a local property maintenance company which specialises in adaptations to properties assisting young adults to live independently.

I have three children; we all enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle including cycling, swimming and walking the family dog. My youngest attends St. White’s and having participated in a number of parent-child events at the school, I have seen first-hand the value of these additional activities and I’m looking forward to being involved in the development of the school’s future.

Michelle Saddington

Clerk to Governors

Hello, I am Michelle Saddington and I was appointed as Clerk to the Governors in May 2014. My role is to deal with the paperwork for Governors meetings, agendas, minutes etc. and to advise the Governors on their duties and responsibilities. I previously worked as a Parish Council Clerk. I moved to the forest with my family twenty years ago and love the area. As well as being Clerk to the Governors, I also Clerk both of the Committees at St White's, and I work in the school office as Administration Assistant and Attendance Officer

Stacie Adams

Co-opted Governor

Awaiting Bio

Donna Sheen

Staff Governor

Awaiting bio