The Governing body
The Governing Body (also known as the Full Governing Body) acts as an important link between the school, parents / carers and the local community so that the school can grow from strength to strength every single year.
The three main functions of the Governing Body are to:
- provide strategic leadership
- act as a critical friend
- monitor and gather evidence to show what progress has been made towards the school development plan
The School Governance (Roles, Procedures and Allowances) (England) Regulations 2013 says that "the 'board of governors’ should operate at a strategic level, leaving the head teacher and senior school leaders responsible and accountable to it for the operational day-to-day running of the school. The board should avoid its time being consumed with issues of secondary importance.
To carry out their strategic functions, the governors attend meetings at least termly and complete activities such as learning walks and pupil perception interviews. Our governors come from a range of backgrounds but all have a vested interest in the school's progression.
We have an instrument of government which outlines the key principles of the governing body's remit and the overall vision for the school. This is read and agreed with at the beginning of each academic year.
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School Instrument of Government Adopted by the Full Governing Body, 28th November 2016 Recognising its historic foundation, the school will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England and in partnership with the Church at parish and diocesan level. The school aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith, and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers to all its pupils. |
We warmly welcome your comments and feedback about our school and, as parents, your involvement with the Governing Body. If you would like to contact any of our governors, please contact Mrs. Wells, our Clerk of Governors, who will happily support your request:
Telephone: 01638 720296 Email: clerk@fordham.cambs.sch.uk
Our Chair of Governors, Mr. Rob Seal, is also available. Her email address is: chair@fordham.cambs.sch.uk
Please see below full details of our current Governing Body. Click on the picture to find out more about them.
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Mr. R. SealChair of Governors, Co-Opted
Mr. R. Seal
Category: Co-Opted
Appointing Body: GB
Committees: Resources and Standards
Other Functions: Chair of Governors, Date Working Party, Computing, Headteacher Appraisal, Safeguarding
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Mr. B. CavesVice-Chair of Governors, Co-Opted
Mr. B. Caves
Category: Co-Opted
Appointing Body: GB
Committees: Standards
Other Functions: Vice-Chair of Governors, Curriculum, History, Geography, Data Working Party, Link Training Governor, Behaviour
Favourite quote When you eliminate the impossible whatever is left, no matter how improbable, must be the truth - Sherlock Holmes
Favourite Children's book Danny the Champion of the World
Person who inspires you the most Sir Ranulph Fiennes the explorer
Lifelong ambition To travel round Japan
Favourite place visited Tanzania on safari
Favourite memory from school The build-up to Christmas
Favourite food Indian food
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Mrs. L. Cox-WatsonFoundation
Mrs. L. Cox-Watson
Category: Foundation
Appointing Body: ED
Committees: Standards & Resources
Other Functions: Inclusion link, English, Phonics, RE, Pupil Premium Champion, Prevent
Favourite quote: 'Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light' Albus Dumbledore
Favourite Children's book: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Person who inspires you the most: My Mum who is no longer with us but taught me many valuable life lessons.
Lifelong ambition: Contentment and fulfilment for myself and my loved ones. And to go on a walking holiday!
Favourite place visited: Edinburgh during the Fringe Festival
Favourite memory from school: So many lovely memories but I will say nativity plays in the winter and playing rounders in the summer.
Favourite food: Chocolate, especially Terry's Chocolate Orange!
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Mrs C. GeorgeCo-Opted
Mrs C. George
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Mr. M. GildingParent Governor
Mr. M. Gilding
Category: Parent Governor
Appointing Body: PE
Committee: Resources
Other Functions: Maths, Finance
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Mrs. S. HackingFoundation
Mrs. S. Hacking
Category: Foundation
Appointing Body: ED
Committees: Standards
Other Functions: Early Years, LGBTQ+ + Equality
Favourite quote:Honesty is the best policy
Favourite Children's book:The Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson
Person who inspires you the most:My Mum
Lifelong ambition:To see the northern lights
Favourite place visited:Lapland
Favourite memory from school:Going on a school trip to London
Favourite food:Pancakes
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Mrs. J. HufferCo-Opted
Mrs. J. Huffer
Category: Co-Opted
Appointing Body: GB
Committees: Resources
Other Functions: JTA
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Mr. S. MoffatCo-Opted
Mr. S. Moffat
Category: Co-Opted
Appointing Body: GB
Committees: Resources
Other Functions: DT and Science
Favourite Quote: "The more I practice the luckier I get" and "It's better to be lucky than smart."
Favourite Children's Book: 'Whatamess' series by Frank Muir
Person who inspires you the most: Captain Tom Moore
Favourite Place: Zion Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
Favourite Food: Any family sit down meal
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Mrs. P. MunkParent Governor
Mrs. P. Munk
Category: Parent Governor
Appointing Body: PE
Committees: Standards
Other Functions: Forest School
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Mrs. I. Newport-MangellLocal Authority
Mrs. I. Newport-Mangell
Category: Local Authority
Appointing Body: LA
Committees: Resources
Other Functions: MFL, Music, Health and Safety, Sustainability
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Miss. D. RankinHeadteacher, Associate
Miss. D. Rankin
Category: Headteacher
Appointing Body: GB
Committees: FGB; Standards
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Mrs. C. BramleyStaff Governor
Mrs. C. Bramley
Category: Staff Governor
Appointing Body: SE
Committees: Standards
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Mr. R. ThomasParent Governor
Mr. R. Thomas
Category: Parent Governor
Appointing Body: PE
Committees: Standards
Other Functions: PE, Attendance, SEN
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Mr. K. O'ConnellAssociate Governor
Mr. K. O'Connell
Category: Associate
Appointing Body: GB
Committees: Standards
Favourite Quote: Education is all about two things, the parents and the teachers working together, with the child in the centre.
Favourite children's book: Non-Fiction - I have only ever taken to books that allow me to absorb information.
Person who inspires you the most: Brian Downey - Thin Lizzy
Lifelong ambition/goal: To complete my autobiography for my children.
Favourite place visited: 4-week  honeymoon in Wales
Favourite memory from school: Skiing Trip to Italy
Favourite food: Fish
| Name | Category | Appointing Body | Committee | Other Functions | Date of Appointment | Term of Office |
| Mr Robert Seal | Co-Opted | GB |
Resources Standards |
Chair of Governors Date Working Party Computing Headteacher Appraisal Safeguarding |
29/09/2025 Chair
01/09/2024 |
Elected annually
4 years |
| Mr Ben Caves | Co-Opted | GB |
Standards |
Vice-Chair of Governors Curriculum History, Geography Data Working Party Link Training Governor Behaviour |
29/09/2025 Vice Chair
26/11/2024 Governor |
Elected annually
4 years |
| Mrs Laura Cox-Watson | Foundation | ED |
Standards |
Inclusion link English, Phonics RE Pupil Premium Champion Prevent |
01/09/2024 |
4 years |
| Mr Mark Gilding | Parent Governor | PE |
Resources |
Maths Finance |
29/04/2025 |
4 years |
| Mrs Claire George | Co-Opted | GB |
Standards |
Art, LGBTQ+ + Equality Early Years |
12/03/2024 |
4 years |
| Mrs Sarah Hacking | Foundation | ED |
Standards |
Early Years LGBTQ+ + Equality |
02/12/2024 |
4 years |
| Mrs Julia Huffer | Co-Opted | GB |
Resources |
JTAs |
01/03/2023 |
4 years |
| Mr Stewart Moffat | Co-Opted | GB |
Resources |
DT, Science |
23/22/2022 |
4 years |
| Mrs Isobel Newport-Mangell | Local Authority | LA |
Resources |
MFL, Music, Health and Safety, Sustainability |
05/12/2023 |
4 years |
| Mrs Pippa Munk | Parent Governor | PE |
Standards |
Forest School |
29/04/2025 |
4 years |
| Mr Ryan Thomas | Parent Governor | PE |
Standards |
PE, Attendance, SEN |
29/04/2025 |
4 years |
| Miss Debbie Rankin | Associate (Headteacher) | GB |
Standards Resources |
|
01/04/2020 |
|
| Mrs Chantal Bramley | Staff Governor | SE |
Standards Resources |
Data Working Party, School Council |
07/02/2023 |
4 years |
| Mr Kevin O'Connell | Associate | GB |
Standards |
|
29/09/2025 |
4 years |
Key:
LA - Local Authority
AE - Auto-elected (when there is a single parent applicant / nomination)
GB - Governing Body
ED - Ely Diocese / Fordham parish
PE - Parental election
SE - Staff election

