Governors

Ex-officio by virtue of occie as headteacher / principal

Chair of Governors

10 March 2022 - 9 March 2026

Safeguarding Governor

I have lived in Witney since 1988 and my four sons attended local schools. I have been in education for over forty years and I am at present an interim, part-time Headteacher in a local Primary school in West Oxfordshire.

I started my career in the London Borough of Newham and after 9 years, I moved to Witney. I have always been in Primary schools and have moved from classteacher to Deputy Head to Headteacher and now Interim.

I have been in awe of governors for many years as I have always been impressed with the amount of time that volunteers can give to a school. I now feel it is my time to join this group of people in the move to help support new Headteachers in their amazing task of improving the lives of so many children.

I now have grandchildren in Witney and I feel that my role is now changing into a more pastoral role in enabling schools to get on with the learning process as governors manage the more official matters. 

I am passionate about the state system for education in enabling all children to thrive and be ready to embrace their community.

Community Governor

David How

6 July 2023 - 5 July 2027

Occupation: Commercial Insurance manager for 40 years now retired.

Family: Married with two sons, three grandchildren.

Moved to Witney from Southampton in 1989

Interests/ Activities: Exam Invigilator at Woodgreen, Committee member of Witney Boys and Girls Youth Football League, Committee member of Brize Singers Choir, Local Witney and District Football referee, Oxfordshire Cricket Association Umpire for Witney Swifts CC, Also enjoy the role as a steward at the Witney and District History Museum.

Staff Governor

1 September 2021 - 31 August 2025

 


Community Governor






I have lived in Witney for over 30 years. I am married with two grown up children. 

I finished working at a Witney Primary School in July 2021 after 21 years. My role was a School Business Manager and previously I worked for Barclays Bank.  

I now have more time to give back to the community and am very much looking forward to being a Governor at Witney Community Primary School and look forward to being part of such a great school. 

Alex Coleman

14 November 2022 - 13 November 2026

I have lived in Witney for 10 years or so, and grew up in Oxfordshire. We have 2 children at Witney CP, they have loved their experiences and the support they've received has been exceptional.

I believe passionately in equity for education, and remember fondly the inspiring teachers I had growing up and how they helped shape me.

I am excited to join the governors and hope to be able to help to contribute to the school.

John Rayneau

7 December 2023 - 6 December 2027

I’ve worked in the public sector for most of my life – as a staff nurse in various Oxford hospitals and in education, as a mathematics teacher in colleges and schools around Oxfordshire.  I’m also a trained statistician.  It’s this background that I hope to bring to bear as a governor at Witney Community Primary School.

I live in Witney with Rosemary and our son Isaac, who is in year 4 at the school.  I’m excited by the prospect of serving as a governor at WCPS.  I’m in the playground before and after school most days and would welcome the opportunity to talk to you there. 

Leo Prince

14 November 2022 - 13 November 2026

Born and raised in Oxford, we moved to the local area in 2015 with aims of starting a family.

My eldest child started in reception at WCP in 2022, moving up from nursery, and I wanted to take the opportunity to help support and develop his environment, especially as my youngest will be joining the nursery the following year too. The school has been an incredibly nurturing and supportive environment, and I feel privileged to be able to give something back.

As a former secondary school teacher and now working in the higher education sector, I have been privileged to experience education from a range of perspectives, which I hope to support the school to continually aid the community. 

Co-opted Governor

I worked in education for 43 years, first as a history teacher, then as a head of sixth form, Assistant and then Deputy Head in large comprehensive schools in Oxfordshire.

I spent my last few years of work as a school manager and so have have seen all sides of school life. I have also been a staff governor in different schools at different times.

My hobbies are local history, archaeology, and gardening, as well as my four grandchildren who keep us very busy. Two of my grandchildren attend Witney Community Primary and love it !