Chesterton CE Primary School
Chesterton CE Primary School
Chesterton CE Primary School

Governors: Who We Are

Governors
Who We Are Structure/ Register of Interests Downloads Governor Vision

Governors meet regularly throughout the year at full meetings and also at Resources and Curriculum Standards committees.

The Reverend Gareth Miller (Rector)Mr Craig Morley - Chair - Foundation Governor
I've lived in Chesterton since 2018 and became a Foundation Governor in Dec 21. I am currently Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors and also sit on the Resources Committee, and Admissions Committee.

I have been a public servant throughout my working life. I spent the bulk of my career as a Diplomat for the Foreign Office, taking a career break in 2018 where I advised the University of Oxford on post-Brexit International Strategy. I returned to government in 2021 for a role in the Ministry of Defence. I have strengths in leadership, strategy, public financial management, and strategic communication – recently attending Executive Education Programmes at both the University of Oxford and MIT.

In addition to my role as a Foundation Governor, I also volunteer as: Head of the Minis Section, Touch Rugby Manager, and Head Youth Coach at Bicester Rugby Club; Chairman of First Kingsmere Scout Group; and Head of the National Air Scouts & Air Activities SASU for the Scout Association. In my spare time, I enjoy rugby, modern board gaming, history, and politics.
Mrs Katy SalterMr David Neal - Vice-Chair - Foundation Governor
After moving to Chesterton in 2021, I became a Foundation Governor in 2022, seeking to give back to the school and village community. I am now a member of the Admissions and Appraisal committees, and Chair of the Resources Committee.

Over the last 15 years I have held various roles in business and finance both in the UK and in Asia, developing experience in strategy, financial planning and management, and a variety of business and people management areas.

In my spare time I enjoy music, reading, and spending time with my family.
Mr Iain Horner Mr Iain Horner - Headteacher
Working alongside such a strong and committed governing body was a major factor in persuading me that Chesterton was the right place to embark on my first permanent headship.
Before my appointment at Chesterton, I worked at King’s Meadow Primary School in Bicester for 11 years, where I undertook a range of roles, including class teacher, English and PE subject co-ordinator, assessment lead and, more recently, Deputy Headteacher and Interim Headteacher.
As Headteacher, I sit on both the Resources and the Curriculum Standards committees. Since taking up my role in September 2015, the governors have provided invaluable support and challenge to both me and the school staff. They really do go 'above and beyond' to contribute to the school and I have certainly appreciated their regular and visible presence - whether through assisting with the monitoring and evaluation of our school or attending school events.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time outdoors. I like walking in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, looking after my garden and playing a range of sports, including hockey, golf, tennis, cricket and football.
Mrs Katy SalterMrs Katy Salter - Staff Governor
I have been working at Chesterton CE Primary school for 11 years as a class teacher, and more recently as a Senior Leader.

I was appointed as the Staff Governor in September 2015 and I am part of the Performance and Standards Committee.

During my time here at Chesterton, it has always been my aim to ensure that all pupils can achieve their best.

Being part of the Governing body has encouraged and enabled me to more fully consider the impact we have on pupil progress and achievement.
Mr Simon Dancer - Foundation Governor
Simon is a Foundation Governor, with two children at Chesterton School.

Professionally, Simon is an economist with over 25 years' experience in economic development, housing and regeneration. He is a member of the Society of Professional Economists and the Royal Economics Society.

Prior to private consultancy, Simon was lead economist at the Homes & Communities Agency (now Homes England) in Whitehall, managing a team of specialised economists. Simon has helped produce several economics policy guidance notes that have become "industry standards". These include the Employment Densities Guide - applied across the United Kingdom - to calculate job capacity within built development. There is also the Additionality Guide, which is used around the world to help public sector agencies identified the real effect of government intervention. This Guide led Simon presenting to a global academic audience at the World Bank in Paris, France. Simon has also advised the South Korean government on housing policy, a former Prime Minister’s household and Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

In addition to his role as a Foundation Governor, he is a member of the Church PCC and Vice-Chair of the Village Hall Committee. In his spare time, he enjoys following the mixed fortunes of Oxford United, listening to Test Match Special and watching Peppa Pig (... with his two young children)
Mr Chris Messum - Parent Governor
Mrs Sarah Morey - Foundation Governor
Mrs Hayley Reader-Curtis - Foundation Governor
I joined the Governing body in 2023 and am a member of the Curriculum Standards committee, Complaints committee and focused on Safeguarding. I'm really looking forward to being part of the Chesterton community.

I am the Director of Operations for the ImpactEd Group, who support organisations such as schools, academy trusts and education organisations or charities to use high quality evidence to make better decisions to improve outcomes for young people. Prior to joining the ImpactEd Group I have worked in a variety of roles within the education sector including EdTech product development, curriculum management and operations.

I have lived in Bicester since 2015 and my husband is a teacher in a local secondary school and my daughter has recently started in Reception at a local primary. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, board games and spending time outdoors, although as a parent a lot of time seems to be taken up with after school activities and going to children's birthday parties!
Mrs Beata Shaheen - Parent Governor
Ms Luisa Summers - Foundation Governor
I have lived in Chesterton since 2016 and became a Foundation Governor in 2017. My son has attended Chesterton School since 2019.

I am currently Chair of the Curriculum Standards Committee. I have been a member of the Headteacher Monitoring & Appraisal Committee since 2017, a member of the Complaints Committee since 2022, and the Governor responsible for Safeguarding from 2017-2020 and 2022-present.

I have an MA in History of Art & Visual Studies from the University of Warwick and BA Hons in History of Art from Oxford Brookes University.

I have over 20 years professional experience working with contemporary art as project manager, event manager, researcher, editor, and personal assistant. I have previously worked at Modern Art Oxford, the Hayward Gallery, London, and the University of Oxford. I currently work as Arts & Music Manager at Wolfson College, Oxford. I also work with international artists in a freelance capacity providing support in studio management, project management, research, and editing.
Ms Freda Wolfenden - Foundation Governor
I’ve lived in Oxfordshire for over 20 years and became a Foundation Governor in 2023. I am currently a member of the Curriculum Committee.

My professional life has been in education, driven by a passion to improve learning outcomes for all students. I began my career as a secondary school science teacher in London and Asia before becoming involved in innovative projects to harness digital technologies to support learning. Since 2004 I have been an academic at the Open University, teaching on the Education Masters degree and working with policy makers and stakeholders across the globe to improve teacher practices.

I have previously been a school governor in London and Oxford and look forward to getting to know staff, pupils and fellow governors at Chesterton.
The Reverend Gareth Miller (Rector)The Reverend Gareth Miller (Rector)
I have lived in the area since 2017 and am Rector of the Akeman Benefice, which includes Bletchingdon, Chesterton, Hampton Gay, Kirtlington, Middleton Stoney, Wendlebury and Weston on the Green. I come into school as often as possible and am part of the team which leads collective worship on a Tuesday. It's one of the highlights of my week!

It's part of my job to help maintain the Christian ethos of the school, but I hope we do it with a light touch and it is very much part of our philosophy to be a school that is warm, welcoming and inclusive to children and parents of any faith or none.

I have been in ministry for nearly 40 years, in rural, urban and suburban parishes. In my spare time I enjoy reading, cooking, travel and family history.
Ms Pauline Durham - Clerk to the Governors


Chesterton CE Primary School
Alchester Road, Chesterton, Bicester
Oxon OX26 1UN
Tel: 01869 252498
office.3082@chesterton.oxon.sch.uk