Governors

Governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in all St Christopher’s Multi Academy Trust schools however the ultimately responsibility for the school lies with the Board of Directors with much of the work delegated to the Local Governing Body (LGB).

The LGB has three core functions:

• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent
• Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

Governors set the aims and objectives for the school and set the targets/policies for achieving those aims and objectives. They monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making and act as a source of challenge and support to the headteacher. 

Governors bring a wide range of skills and expertise from their professional lives to the governing board and schools benefit greatly from working with skilled volunteers. 

Contact details for governors: bps.clerk@stcmat.org

Governors Details

Governor Vacancies

There are currently no vacancies on the Local Governing Body. However, if you are interested in becoming a governor in the future, please email bps.clerk@stcmat.org for further information.

Governors who have left within the past 12 months

Governor Attendance 2022/2023

Governor Attendance 2021/2022

Meet Your Governors

Rebecca Porter - Headteacher (Ex-Oficio)

Jillian Mallender - Staff Governor

Justin Montague - Foundation Governor (ex-oficio)

I become Priest-in-Charge of St Michael’s Church, Beer, and St Gregory’s Church, Seaton in 2022. Prior to the Priesthood, I was a Royal Marine Commando for eleven years. I have also previously worked as a teaching assistant in a school for children with special educational needs and as a librarian. My wife Melissa and I enjoy distance running, music and spending time with our three cats.

I am passionate about supporting the children and staff at Beer Primary school and seeing them flourish.

Clive Robertson - Foundation Governor 

Clive became Chair of Governors at the end of September 2018, taking over the role from Mrs Jean Smith.

Clive worked in the electrical industry for most of his life, first in consultancy and then general management, responsible for a variety of companies in the UK and abroad.

On retirement he was a non-executive director in the NHS for a number of years.

His wife, Jan, taught at Beer Primary for some years and was a staff governor for part of that time.

Sarah Taylor - Foundation Governor

I taught Maths in a large Secondary C of E school in Kettering for many years. In addition to my classroom teaching, I was Head of Year for years 7 and 9, and latterly years 12 and 13. During my time as Head of Year 7, I had responsibility for liaising with many Primary feeder schools, which involved visiting Year 6 pupils and trying to make the transition from Primary to Secondary as easy and stress-free as possible – for both pupils and their parents!

I have been coming to Beer since I was tiny as my grandparents lived here, and I now love living here too. It is great to be involved in Beer Primary School which has such a special place at the heart of the village community.

Hilary Deakin - Foundation Governor

I taught for many years in Key Stage 1 schools but my passion has always been for Early Years.  The importance of each child as an individual and that their first experience of school should be enjoyable and stimulating.

I have been in large schools where the intake could be as many as sixty children, but also taught vertically grouped classes in a village school.

I hope my past experience but also my enthusiasm will be of use to the governing body of the school.

Caroline Fowle - Foundation Governor

I have lived in the parish of Beer since 2000 and my family have had links with the village for many generations.  I am pleased to have been asked to join the board of Governors, knowing the school as both our boys were here.

Nette Hamnett - Foundation Governor

I was lucky enough to move to Beer 18 months ago to run a long-

established local business within the village.  Prior to this move I was an enthusiastic teacher of GCSE and A Level Mathematics for just under 30 years.  Half of this time was spent working in leadership roles across several schools, finishing my career as deputy headteacher with responsibility for Safeguarding, Learning and Teaching and all things related to Data. 

Gaining the opportunity to become involved with Beer Primary School is an honour and hopefully my knowledge and experience of educating young people will be of some benefit to the governing body. 

Nicki Seignot - Foundation Governor

I spent 29 years working in Food Retail in a wide variety of roles across Operations, HR, Learning and Development and now run my own leadership and coaching business.  I specialise in coaching and mentoring that point where careers intersect with parenthood and am the co-author of the first business book on parental mentoring ‘Mentoring New Parents at Work’ (Routledge 2017).

I’m a mum with two grown up daughters.  I bring my knowledge and experience as a parent supporting them through the education system and transitioning into early careers. 

I’m delighted to have been asked to support Beer Primary School as a governor.  I come with an open mind, curiosity to learn and look forward to giving back to this wonderful community of people. 

Kate Adkin - Parent Governor

Having relocated into the village at nine, I treasure memories of being taught at Beer C of E Primary School.

After studying A levels, I moved to Cheltenham to obtain a B.A English with Media Communications (Hons) Degree.

I've worked within education for well over ten years - initially supporting a Head of Year with a Year group's wellbeing, then alongside children in care and under achieving KS4 pupil premium students as a 1:1 mentor. More recently, I became the Lead T.A. for Years 7 to 11, both in class and through small group or individual interventions. I enjoy specialising in speech and language difficulties.

As a parent, I've helped with creative activities in class, organised the Usborne Book Fair and am part of the Beer Blazer Committee and the PTFA.

If parents/carers have any feedback, questions or queries, please approach me or email the clerk and I will do my best to help.

Di Trewick - Co-opted Governor

I started my working life as an Education Social Worker in London and completed my teaching qualification in Devon.

I specialised in Early Years, Special Educational Needs and Behaviour Management, and most recently worked for the University of Plymouth mentoring Trainee Teachers.

I have lived in Beer for 40 years. This is my second time as a Governor at Beer Primary. I was Parent Governor, then Local Authority Governor for some 25 years.

The school is a vital part of our village and it is a privilege to be able to help support it. Having now retired, I have the time to be involved again.

Bec Davey - Clerk to Governors

As well as being the Clerk to Governors for Beer School, Bec is also Clerk to Governors for All Saints Primary School (another school within the St Christopher's Trust), Clerk to Governors for West Hill Primary School, the Clerk and Coordinator for NCOGS, the Clerk for Hele's Educational Trust and also Axmouth Parish Clerk.
Bec lives with her husband and two dogs. She enjoys walking, running and reading. She is a member of the Grizzly Committee and part of the Core Team for Seaton Parkrun.

Should you wish to read other minutes from Governing Body meetings, please email bps.clerk@stcmat.org