Meet our Governors
Mrs Sue Hodson:
I have served as a Governor at OCEPS since 2010. I am currently a Co-Opted Governor and have also acted in the capacity as Parent Governor when my son attended the school.
Having being the Vice Chair of Governors for a number of years, I am proud to have been elected this academic year as Chair of the Governing Board. It is an absolute privilege to lead a team of experienced and talented governors, who are passionate about Oldswinford Primary as much as I am ! I am also an active member of the Resources Committee.
In my professional life, I have 40 years’ experience working in all aspects of HR management having worked for the NHS, Local Authorities, West Midlands Police and latterly supporting Schools and Academies for the past 22 years. I am a Deputy Head of HR within a well-established consultancy organisation which specialises in providing a range of services to schools and academies. I provide professional advice and consultancy to Headteachers and Governing Bodies on a whole range of HR issues ensuring advice is ‘solution focussed’ to meet school business needs. Therefore I bring a good range of relevant skills and experience to the Governing Body.
I am committed to ensuring that the children of OCEPS receive the best possible education. As such it important that as a governor I ensure that the right measures of support and challenge are in place to ensure that the Senior Leadership Team maintain and continue to have an unrelenting focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for pupils, regardless of their starting points or the barriers they face. Collectively, we work hard to help all children in our care grow and flourish in a safe, happy, and nurturing environment as confident individuals with high personal aspirations and a lifelong love of learning.
Mr Allan Gilhooley:
I have been a Co-Opted Governor at OCEPS since January 2022 and was pleased to be elected Vice-Chair of the Governing Body. I am also Chair of the Standards & Curriculum Committee, and am Governor with responsibility for Safeguarding, meeting regularly with the School Senior Leadership Team to ensure all statutory safeguarding duties are fulfilled at all times.
I am a retired Secondary School Headteacher, and provide training for new Governors through Dudley Governor Support, so bring a good range of relevant skills and experience to the Governing Body.
Mrs Ellie Game:
I’m proud to be the Headteacher at Oldswinford CE Primary School, and was appointed in September 2019, when I also automatically became a member of the Governing Body. I sit on all committees: Resources, Standards & Curriculum and Christian Foundation, and enjoy listening to the views of my Governor colleagues and answering their questions.
Prior to my appointment as Headteacher at OCEPS I was the Deputy Headteacher of another local church school within Dudley and, supported a school in Kidderminster by being a member of their Governing Body – so have sat on both sides of the table!
I am a mother two children myself, and am passionate about delivering the best possible primary school experience to our children at OCEPS.
Rev John Flitcroft:
It is my privilege to be Rector of St. Mary’s Church, Old Swinford. I was appointed to this office in May 2019 and I’m delighted that with it I also became a member of the Oldswinford CE Primary School Governing Body.
For the Governing Body I am Chair the Christian Foundation Committee and so share in the Governors’ responsibility to maintain the distinctive Christian character of the school. I am also the Governor with responsibility for Children Looked After (CLA) and Pupil Premium; in this role, I meet with the Senior Leadership Team termly to ensure that all statutory duties are being full met by the School.
In my role as Rector I also regularly enjoy the wonderful challenge of leading worship in school, both alone and also with St Mary’s Open the Book team.
Mr Stan Williams:
I have been a Governor at OCEPS since 1989 when my children attended the school. My children are now grown up and have children of their own, but I am still passionate about OCEPS and ensuring it’s ongoing success.
I was the Chair of Governors for many years before stepping down five years ago, but still enjoy Chairing the Resources Committee and being an active member of the Governing Body, and member of the Christian Foundation Committee too.
I am a regular member of St. Mary’s Church congregation and Treasurer of the St. Mary's Church PCC. Before retiring I was a Bank Manager for twenty years.
I understand the challenges that schools face well and know that the Governing Body plays a vital role in making sure every child gets the best possible education. Fundamentally, our core purpose as defined in law is to conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement in the school.
Mrs Deana Holdaway:
I have been a Foundation Governor at OCEPS since January 2023. I am a retired Primary School Headteacher and HMI Inspector which allows me to bring a good range of relevant skills and experience to the Governing Body.
As a parent and grandparent myself, and an active member of the local community, including at St. Mary’s Church, I am passionate about ensuring the children at OCEPS have the best possible primary school experience.
I am looking forward to getting to know Oldswinford CE Primary School and understanding it’s challenges and celebrating it’s successes in the future.
Mrs Anne Bond:
I have been a Staff Governor at OCEPS since 2018. I have been teaching for 30 years and have worked OCEPS since 2011. Both of my own children attended here as pupils too.
I sit on the Standards and Curriculum Committee, which is a good fit for my skill-set and experience.
As a whole we are responsible together with the school to ensure the delivery of a good quality education. It is the children who are at the heart of all that we do. Together with the Headteacher and the Senior Leadership Team who are responsible for the day to day management, Governors set the aims, policies and future direction of the school.
Ms Beth Scrimshaw:
I joined OCEPS Governing Body as a Parent Governor in April 2021 and sit on the Resources Committee. I’m mum to two girls, one has now left OCEPS for secondary school, another who is still a pupil here. I’ve volunteered at the PTA and now as part of the governing body, helping school to continue to achieve and develop.
I’ve worked in community volunteering and project management for national charities for over 20 years, including supporting children with spinal cord injury back into mainstream school. At the Stroke Association, I oversee our Stroke Group Network, a community of over 400 stroke support groups across the UK. This includes managing the infrastructure, processes and tools for groups, including strategic planning, communications, finance and health and safety.
I’m committed to a wide educational curriculum that is broad, rich and ambitious. I’m not afraid to ask difficult questions on behalf of the children the school serves, while offering lots of support. I understand governors must be committed, a critical friend, and fair.
Mrs Becky Lewis:
I joined OCEPS Governing Body as a Parent Governor in September 2022 and sit on the Standards & Curriculum Committee. I am also the Governor responsible for EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage). As a parent of three children currently at Oldswinford Primary School, I am committed to wanting the very best for the children in our school.
As a Primary School teacher for almost 20 years, which has included roles as SENCO, Foundation Stage Lead, Forest School Leader and Maths specialist, I believe that I am in a strong position to be able to have a balanced understanding of the current challenges in education. My experience provides me with the necessary
knowledge to support and challenge the school in a drive to continually improve.
I am in a good position to understand how efficiently and effectively money is being spent in school to have the best impact on the day-to-day experiences of the pupils and am not afraid to ask difficult questions.
I have a strong moral standpoint, with high expectations of the education of young people. I am passionate about ensuring children have a broad and supportive experience in school every day.
Mrs Sara Walker:
I joined OCEPS Governing Body as a Parent Governor in September 2022 and am a member of the Resources Committee. I have two children who attend the school, the youngest having recently joined reception class. I feel very passionately regarding the performance and overall direction of the school, and I am keen to play a part of its ongoing and future development.
I am approachable, reliable, and hardworking. As a parent, I understand the importance of ensuring sensible expenditure, and of being accountable for decisions that are made.
For the last 20+ years I have worked for the government in a senior role focussed on the safeguarding of children and adults, and I believe I have the appropriate skills to make a real difference. I have undertaken extensive training in matters that assist my role as school Governor, and engage wholeheartedly in the training programme offered.
I have both the time and dedication required to commit fully to the effective governance of the school.
Dr Ben Looker:
I joined OCEPS Governing Body as a Parent Governor in December 2022. I sit on the Standards & Curriculum Committee and am the Governor responsible for SEN. I have a passion for education, and have spent my career working in the sector. Having worked as a secondary school teacher in local schools for over 10 years, including as an Assistant Headteacher in charge of teaching and learning, I now work at a university, training secondary school science teachers.
I hold a doctorate in psychology of education and my main research areas are effective teaching and the impact pupil-teacher relationships can have on experiences and academic outcomes at school, both at the primary and secondary level.
I hope to be able to use my skills and experience to contribute to an effective governing body.