Governors (ID 1031)

• Mr Elliston Ensor
  Co-Chair of Governors/Foundation Governor/Admission Panel/Estates Planning Link
  Mr Elliston Ensor

  I have been a Foundation Governor at St John and St Francis Church School for just over a year. I really enjoy being part of the team of governors and have become the link governor for EYFS.

  I have worked in education for over 17 years and currently work at a large independent day and boarding school.

  As a governor I have witnessed how the school has improved over the last year. As a parent of two children in the school I have experienced first-hand how well children can thrive in our school environment.

  I believe children flourish when they are happy and nurtured while being challenged in a supportive way. It’s lovely to see the high level of care and commitment that each staff member brings to their role and how that is making a real difference to the families in our school community.

  In what little spare time I have I enjoy music. I am currently learning to play the piano and recently have started to learn the guitar. I am very family orientated and enjoy spending time with my wife and our 3 children.

• Mr Chris Moore
  Co-Chair of Governors/Foundation Governor/Admission Panel/Finance Link/Humanities Link
  Mr Chris Moore

  Hi, I’m Chris and I am a Foundation Governor as well as the governors Safeguarding Lead at the school. I was appointed as a Governor in December 2018. I have lived in Bridgwater and the surrounding area all my life and I am a former pupil. I have one child currently at the school and hopefully my youngest will be joining in September.

  In my professional capacity I work for the MoD as a Technology Procurement Manager from which I look to bring my knowledge and expertise to support the school in achieving its goals. Some of my hobbies and interests include playing golf as well as being a keen gamer.

  I enjoy being part of the school and take the opportunity to be involved as often as I can. As well as fulfilling my governors duties, I have also supported the school in some of its extra curricular activities such as attending the Year 6 Residential Kilve Trip (where my first activity was to take a group on the mud trail which was great fun but more of a challenge when you have forgotten your wellies!) as well as a visit to the zoo with Early Years and a trip to the Steam Museum with Year 6. These activities, as well as regular site visits and educational walks, allow me to see our school in action and not just from report and see first hand the amazing work the team are doing.

  Since becoming a Governor I have supported the school in both a SIAMS and OFSTED inspection. Both of these were challenging, however I do believe the school is moving forward and that there is a clear plan to get us to where our school deserves to be. I believe I have built a strong and trusting relationship with the senior leadership team and the teaching staff at the school. I am passionate about education and want to ensure that every child has the opportunity to meet their maximum potential. The school has a fantastic ethos and a hardworking passionate team of staff that I am proud to be part of.

  If you see me about at the school, please feel free to have a chat I’m always keen to hear feedback from parents.

• Mr Jim McCall
  Headteacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead
  Mr Jim McCall

• Mr Daniel Steele
  Vice Chair/Parent Governor/SEND Link/Maths Link/RE Link
  Mr Daniel Steele

  I have been a Governor here for just over three years. My main responsibilities are to support Yvonne, our Chair of Governors and Mrs Crane, our SENCO, to ensure the school responds appropriately and transparently to change and pupil progression throughout the curriculum they are taught. This is achieved by challenging school leaders and their decisions to ensure change is in the best interest of the children and the wider school as a business.
  I am also a Parent Governor and you may well see me frequently on the playground dropping my children to class, two of which have transitioned very successfully into secondary education with the excellent support and education provided here at St John and St Francis. This role links between parents and the school and I am always happy to stop and chat to any parents with concerns or feedback of the school
  Outside of school, I have 15 years of service within the NHS as a Paramedic here in Bridgwater.

• Major Yvonne Rouffet
  Foundation Governor/Health & Safety Link/EYFS Link/MFL Link
  Major Yvonne Rouffet

  In 2014 my husband and I retired to Bridgwater and soon after I was invited to join the SJSF board of Governors. A school governor requires enthusiasm, commitment, and an interest in education, all which I have actively cultivated since receiving my letter of appointment in July 2015. As a Foundation Governor I also pledged to monitor the Christian Ethos of our school so as to enrich and enhance pupil outcomes.

  My professional life was rooted in the NHS where I worked as an Orthopaedic then Paediatric ICU Staff nurse . My vocational pathway changed when I felt ‘called by God’ to become a Salvation Army Officer (minister/pastor). This led to various Pastoral, Emergency Response, Research and Development, Hospital Chaplaincy and Leadership appointments in the UK, France, and Belgium over a 40-year period.

  Now, as a wife of 48 years, mother of four, grandmother to nine (two of whom are pupils at SJSF) and recently great-grandmother, life is busy and colourful! In addition to family activities and school governance I coordinate a weekly Christian ‘Sunday Club’ for 4-12yr olds, sing in the choir and, with my husband, am often called upon to support colleague Officers by leading Sunday services.

  Upon reflection, I feel that alongside our pupils I too have become a ‘lifelong learner’. Not only through the varied training opportunities governance offers me, but through the beautiful life lessons experienced as I engage with the staff and pupils of our school.

• Miss Melissa Bryant
  Staff Governor/Admission Panel
  Miss Melissa Bryant

• Lt Jonathan Culshaw
  Foundation Governor/English Link/Science Link/DT Link
  Lt Jonathan Culshaw

  Our family moved to Bridgwater last August as my wife and I took up our appointment as the new leaders of Bridgwater Salvation Army. We have enjoyed a warm welcome and our youngest son, Noah has settled into Year 5 quickly, making lots of new friends. We also have a daughter, Ella, who attends Chilton Trinity school.
  Before becoming a Salvation Army Officer, I worked in Secondary Education for 28 years. Originally a Science teacher, I completed my teaching career as an independent inspector and advisor after a time as a headteacher. I am hoping that this experience will be helpful as I serve as a governor and contribute in whatever way I can to the fantastic work that they have been doing.

• Mrs Jessica Lynch
  Foundation Governor/Art Link/Music Link
  Mrs Jessica Lynch

  I started my position of Foundation Governor in January this year and I am learning lots of new skills to help me to support the school, children and parents going forward.
  I have worked in financial services for 20 years in numerous high street banks and building societies in a variety of roles as well as being mum to two little girls, one of which attends St John & St Francis School.
  In my spare time I enjoy music and until recently performed in a local band which had been running for 16 years and followed on from my studies in performing arts at college.
  I am very approachable so please don’t be afraid to catch me in the playground if you need to and say hello.

• Revd Catherine Carlyon
  Foundation Governor/Ethos Link/RE Link
  Revd Catherine Carlyon

  Catherine has a background in nursing and has worked in both surgical specialities and as a community nurse. Following her ministerial training at theological college in Oxford, she was ordained as a Church of England minister in 2002, serving her training curacy in the town of Launceston, where she was also a foundation governor of the local VA church school.

  In 2006 she moved to Sandford, Devon working in a dual post role as parish priest and chaplain among Deaf People across Devon. During this time, she served as a governor at the Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education for 4 years which is a non-maintained, special educational establishment from primary through to young adults.

  Prior to her recent move to St Francis of Assisi Church, Bridgwater, she was working full time as the Chaplain among Deaf and Deaf Blind in the Diocese of London.

  Her interests include gardening, hill-walking and creative crafts particularly textile and fibre. Catherine is a registered British Sign Language/ English Interpreter and understands the importance of appropriate support to enable every individual to have the opportunity to achieve their potential and goals.

• Miss Laura Jones
  Foundation Governor/Deputy Safeguarding Link/PSHE Link
  Miss Laura Jones

  I have recently joined the governing team at St John and St Francis. I have worked in secondary education for 6 years in a number of roles; behaviour management, student support/ welfare and safeguarding. I have a passion for working with young people and also our local community. Many years ago I was a SJSF student myself and currently have a niece and nephew who attend. I am keen to work with the team of governors and give something back to this amazing school. I look forward to meeting you all soon.

• Mr Sebastian Wallace
  MAT Appointed Governor/Safeguarding Link/Pupil Premium Link/Computing Link
  Mr Sebastian Wallace

  I am a MAT appointed Governor and the Pupil Premium Governor at St John & St Francis Church School. I’ve been a Governor at the school for over 3 years and have one child currently at the school and one child who has recently and successfully transitioned to secondary school. I really enjoy being a part of the Board of Governors and link Governor to Year 3.

  I work as a cybersecurity software engineer and have 15 years’ experience in both the Information Technology and Security industry. I’m a former police officer with the Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

  Since becoming a Governor I’ve helped support the schools Pupil Premium team, which is led by Mrs Wells. I am regularly impressed at the level of dedication the school and Mrs Wells shows to supporting our students, both pupil premium and non-pupil premium alike. One of my roles is to help support the school and the Trusts Pupil Premium strategies, by reviewing and challenging systems in place on a regular basis to ensure they meet the high standards set by St John & St Francis School. With my regular meetings with Mrs Wells, I am always happy to hear the wonderful things being done to help our students, from learning packs to forest school and music lessons.

  As a governor my role allows me to be a channel between the parents and the school and I am always happy to stop and chat to anyone who would like to discuss any aspect of school life.

• Mrs Vanessa Locke
  Clerk to the Governors
  Mrs Vanessa Locke