Welcome to our Governors’ section

Who are we?

Our Governing Body is made up of 12 people, drawn from different parts of the community, including parents, staff, the local authority and the wider community.  Everyone brings their own skills, perspective and experiences to ensure we have a diverse team.

What are we responsible for?

• offering a strategic view of the running of the school by reviewing and agreeing policies, targets and priorities and monitoring and reviewing aims and objectives;
• accountability to parents and the wider community.  We must gather views, ask questions and decide what is best for the school;
• supporting and challenging the head teacher  (critical friend) through a mutual relationship of trust and respect. The Governing Body works with the head teacher  to create a clear understanding of the challenges faced in managing a school.

We currently do this by holding 3 meetings per term. These meeting include the whole governing  body to ensure we are all fully informed and can agree and approve key decisions, visions in a timely manner. We receive a report form the head teacher at every meeting which updates us on all aspects of school life and we make regular monitoring visits linked to the School Development Plan. We also review the school’s financial position at every meeting, making sure our money is well spent and that we are operating within approved budgets.

Each Governor is also assigned to a particular responsibility, covering everything from the curriculum, the school’s financial position, safeguarding, Health & Safety, pupils’ development and well-being, through to supporting the Head Teacher in making decisions on the strategy and direction of the school and responding to external concerns, such as the Covid 19 pandemic.

Please find below details of how our Governing Body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each governor.

Governors' Details for the Last Academic Year

Register of Governors' Interests for the Last Academic Year

Governor Attendance Record For the Academic Year 2020/2021

                      Full Governing Body                                   

Pen Portraits for Current Governors (2021-22 academic year)

Kate Armond

My name is Kate Armond and I was elected staff governor in September 2019. I have been a teacher at the school for four years and am currently teaching in Year 2 and have previously taught in reception. My passion is ensuring all children reach their full potential through engaging and inspiring learning opportunities. As the music subject leader at the school I  also aim to ensure all children experience opportunities to perform and learn different musical instruments during their time at the school. In my spare time I enjoy taking long walks with my dog, going to the beach and following new cooking recipes. 

Nicola Bartley

I was elected as a Co-opted Governor in September 2021. I currently work for Her Majesties Courts and Tribunals Service in the County Court and prior to that, I was a primary school teacher working in Years 1, 2, 3 and 4. I loved working with young people and since leaving teaching I have wanted to help in a school and see this as a great opportunity to support a local school. I hope to be able to bring my experience and skills of working in education to the role of governor for the benefit of the school. My own two children have sadly long left education but I know how important having your children in the right school for them is. I love to read in my spare time and hope to come into school and share a book or two in the near future.

Karen Bean

I was elected as a parent governor in December 2016, and I am now a co-opted governor and the co-Vice Chair of Governors. My background is in health economics and evidence based medicine looking at cost effectiveness, efficiency opportunities and budget impact. I hope to continue to utilise these skills in my role as a governor. I have three children, two of which were at Fleet Infants school and have now moved on to junior school, and one who is still at the school. As a result, I am hugely invested in seeing that the high standards of the school are maintained. I have lived in Fleet for the last 23 years and love the area and the opportunities it offers for our children. In my spare time I love to run, play netball and read. 

David Bentley

I was elected to Staff Governor in October 2017. Now retired, I have worked as a Director of Management for the NHS as well as 22 years in the military. I have lived in Church Crookham for the last three years and I am also chairman of Fleet and Church Crookham Society. I have four young grandchildren and take a genuine interest in their schooling and education and I am very keen to ensure the children at Fleet Infant School have the best opportunities, particularly in terms of the facilities the school has to offer. 

Monique Clark

My name is Monique Clark and I am the Headteacher of Fleet Infant School. I have served as a Governor in several schools and as a Parent Governor at my daughter’s secondary school a few years ago. The role of the Headteacher is to work with the Governing Body on the strategic development of the school. I believe children thrive in a stimulating learning environment, where they can grow through challenge and a love of learning.

I have two older children, one who works in animal welfare and the other lives in Japan. My hobbies include taking long walks with my husband and our dog Bailey, and visits to the seaside.

Linda Cullen

I was co-opted to the Governing Body in July 2017 and I am the Chair of Governors. I have worked in banking and finance for over 40 years and was Chief Operating Officer for a financial institution in London until retirement in 2018. I am now doing consultancy work on a part-time basis and hope my financial and business skills add value to the Governing Body. I have lived in Fleet for 30 years and my daughter attended Fleet Infant School and is now a teacher. In my spare time I enjoy walking, cookery and music. I have been Safer Recruitment trained in order to support safeguarding when recruiting new staff.

James Dumbelton

I was elected as a Co-opted Governor in March 2020. I’ve lived in Fleet for six years, and have a younger child at Fleet Infants and another of university age. My work has largely been in the area of pricing business services, and this has given me a wide range of skills including governance, commercial evaluation and regulatory compliance. I hope to be able to apply my experiences and skills to the role of governor for the benefit of the school. My hobbies include running and swimming, and I am an enthusiastic gardener and enjoy growing my own vegetables.

Hannah Hall

I was delighted to be coopted as a Governor in October 2020, having been a Parent Governor at the school since March 2017. I am Vice Chair responsible for the curriculum. I believe that an inspiring start to a child's time at school should set them up with a life long passion for education as confident and curious learners, and I am excited to be part of providing that for our children at Fleet Infant School. I worked as a civil servant in Central Government for seven years and now run two small businesses, so I bring a strong professional skillset to the Governing Body, as well as a commitment to deliver the best for our children. In my spare time I'm a keen runner and outdoor fitness enthusiast.

John Hatter

I was elected as a Parent Governor in November 2019 and hope to bring my experience working in finance for a property and facilities management company to the role. In what spare time I have I like to run and spend time with my family."

Frances O'Sullivan

I am a mother of two young boys. I have worked in education for over twenty years, as a teacher and a Deputy Headteacher, and have previously been a staff governor. I am passionate about helping young people achieve their potential through education, ensuring they have the best opportunities to succeed whilst developing into caring and responsible individuals. I recently moved to the area and love being closer to the countryside, making the most of the outdoors. I volunteer with the Scouts and am a keen swimmer and runner.

Gareth Saunders

Joined as Local Authority Governor in September 2021. Moved to Church Crookham in 2017, and have served on the Parish Council since 2018, currently Vice Chair of the Council and Chair of the Finance & Policy Committee. Retired in 2013 after 28 years working in the City of London. Married with 3 older children. Hobbies include swimming, walking, and cricket.

Stephanie Watson

My name is Stephanie Watson and my two younger children both attended Fleet Infant School. My background is in education and I taught in primary schools in inner London for 14 years. When a vacancy arose for a co-opted governor I volunteered for the role as I wanted the opportunity to continue to help and support the school where my daughters were so happy. Please find below details of how our Governing Body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each governor. We have also provided a Register of Governor Interests and an Annual Statement of Issues for your information.