The Duchy School
Governors
Your school governors are members of the local community and include parents of pupils at the school. Parent governors are elected by parents and co-opted governors are appointed through the Local Governing Body (LGB). The LGB works with the Head teacher, School Leadership team and staff to ensure that together we achieve the common aim of providing the best possible education and welfare for all our pupils in a safe and happy environment. In order to fulfil this role, we work hard to gain as full an understanding as possible of the varied aspects of school life, by attending governor meetings, focused school visits as well as attending many school events.
Governors are all volunteers who willingly give their time to work together promoting high standards through support and challenge to the Headteacher. The LGB operates in legal terms as a Committee of the Board of Ventrus Multi Academy Trust and receives its delegated powers from Ventrus.
Chair of Governors
Molly Southwood
Molly moved to Bradninch in 2021 and has a daughter at the school.
She is currently Chief Executive Officer at Exeter Leukaemia Fund, following nearly two decades in higher education fundraising. Molly’s other volunteering roles include organising the Bradninch Bolt Fun Run and supervising at Clyst Hydon swimming pool in the summer months. She is a keen swimmer, particularly outdoors.
Community Governor
Sue Eakers – Health & Safety Governor
Sue started out working as a factory shift cook in South Molton, before being asked to join Devon County Council’s Direct Services in the early 80’s. She then moved to Cardiff to assist with the hosting of the 1999 Rugby World Cup, and stayed in Wales to support the European Summit, Nelson Mandela’s freedom of the Cardiff event and a rare visit by the Emperor of Japan.
An opportunity to move into Cardiff’s Education department gave Sue responsibility for the infrastructure of 127 schools and management of the authorities trading units; Building and Architectural services, Ground Maintenance, Catering & Cleaning, Health & Safety and Emergency Planning. Overseeing a workforce of 1,500 in the role of Assistant Director of Education until retiring in 2014.
Sue helped start Exeter Women’s Rugby in 1986, went on to play for England and for many years held senior roles in the RFUW (Rugby Football Union for Women).
After coming home to Devon and building an eco-house in Bradninch, Sue now volunteers as a Countryside Ranger at Killerton, is a Director of Bradninch Together and is assisting the Town Council with a new Emergency Plan.
Sue will be using her first year as governor to look for practical ways of supporting learning and improving the schools facilities.
Parent Governors
Rebecca Davies – Safeguarding Governor
Rebecca has lived in Bradninch for nearly 8 years and has two children who are both at the school in Year 1 and Year 4.
She has worked for the NHS in the mental health services for the last 16 years, most recently in a specialist team leader role within vocational rehabilitation. She hopes to bring to the role her knowledge and experience of safeguarding, mental health and wellbeing.
Chris Goddard – Health & Safety Governor
Chris was born and raised in East Devon and has lived in Bradninch for over 6 years. His daughter is in Year 1 at the school.
Chris works in Exeter at a software engineering company and has an academic and design engineering background with a passion for finding out how things work and making interesting things. He is hopeful that through his role as governor he can help support the school in providing an excellent learning and creative environment.
Eve Malatjie – SEN Governor
I’ve lived in Bradninch since 2013. I work clinically in NHS at the royal Devon university hospital where I have worked for just over 16 years. I am very passionate about well-being in all its aspects from mental health to inclusion and representation. Another part of my work role is to support staff and ensure their voices are heard, I hope to bring this experience to my role as governor to ensure we are listening to our communities.
Outside of school and work life I like being active and enjoy CrossFit. I love spending time as a family including dog walks, cooking and entertaining friends. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a governor at the school.
Mark Pierce – SEN Governor
I work as a technical consultant for a software company, and have lived in the area for 8 years.
I’ve got two children who attend The Duchy, and their love and enthusiasm for the school has prompted me to take a more active role in the environment they care so much about.
We’re a family of dedicated beach goers, and you’ll more than likely find the family taking a swim in any weather!
Staff Governor
Kate Dunning
Headteacher
Simon Roberts
I qualified as a primary school teacher in 2016 after leaving a career in the environmental sector. Prior to starting at The Duchy School I was a teacher in a large primary school in Cambridge, then in a medium-sized primary school in Exeter. I feel very privileged to be the Headteacher of this school as all the staff and governors are committed to school improvement and are passionate about enhancing the children’s educational experiences.
Timothy Lunn – LGB Clerk
The clerk is appointed by the LGB. The role involves a wide range of responsibilities including providing procedural advice as well as submitting agendas and minutes of meeting.
If you would like to read about the role of the Local Governing Body, please see: LGB Terms of reference
If you need to contact the Chair of Governors, please use the following address and the clerk will forward it to them: