Mr Richard Fenwick
Co-opted Governor
Chair of Governors
Sits on Standards & Curriculum, Resources and Finance Committees
Curriculum Lead Governor
Governor Development Lead
Richard has lived locally with his wife Katie, since retiring in 2017. He was previously a Prep School Headmaster for nearly 20 years in boarding schools in Kenya and Somerset. He is passionate about childhood and the way schools prepare our children for their futures. Before becoming a Head, he was involved in curriculum management and taught Design & Technology and Science. He supports the school co-ordinating the pupils’ school council. He is also a trustee for Goodwill, a charity supporting disadvantaged children in India. Appointed to the Board by the Governors in June 2019, he became the Chair of Governors in September 2021. Richard's term of office ends on 02.06.23
Mrs Grace Smith
Head Teacher
Designated Safeguarding & Child Protection Lead
Safer Recruitment Trained
SENDCO
Grace joined St Wenn School in September 2021 as the new Head Teacher.
She has been teaching for 16 years across schools in Devon and Cornwall. She believe that all children should have the opportunity to develop academically whilst also having plentiful opportunities to develop socially and emotionally through sport, music and the wider curriculum.
She is an advocate for developing independence and resilience within children whilst also building their confidence.
As Ex-Officio, Grace sits on all Committees.
Mr Michael Rabone
Co-opted Governor
Vice Chair of Governors
Chair of Resources Committee
Governor Mentor
Michael was Co-opted by the Board on 16th November 2020 and his term of office will end on 15th November 2024. Michael's eldest son joined St. Wenn school just a couple of months before his appointment and has been recently joined by a younger sibling who has joined our pre-school.
Michael grew up in Cornwall and has two decades of experience as a Human Resources professional, supporting employee wellbeing and development in both large and family businesses with a keen interest in encouraging improvement. Michael has also worked with a number of local schools and colleges, motivated by the opportunity to inspire young people to fulfil their potential.
Mrs Sarah Hawkey
Parent Governor
Sits on the Resources Committee
Having two children currently attending the school, Sarah has a keen interest in the school and the local community. Having been the Chair for the Friends of St Wenn School Fundraising committee and helping to raise thousands of pounds for our amazing school, enabling to enrich the school lives of all the pupils, Sarah felt that having now joined the Governing Board she can take her input into the school a step further.
Sarah has years of experience within the education sector, and currently works as a Lecturer at The Cornwall College Group. Within this, she has gained many skills that will help in the role of Governor including how educational systems work, OFSTED, curriculum development and planning, safeguarding, PREVENT and pastoral support to name a few!
Sarah truly believes that every child - no matter what their ability or where their interests lie – should have access to the best education possible and individual talents and interests should be nurtured. All children should have a truly safe and inclusive learning journey. With this in mind, Sarah has a particular passion for Safeguarding and pastoral support and identifying any barriers that a child may have to learning. Supporting and giving children the tools to overcome barriers has a big impact on later life. Sarah is looking forward to working with fellow board members, parents, and staff of the school. Sarah's term of office starts 16.11.2020 and runs until 15.11.2024
Mrs Elizabeth Lawrenson
Co-opted Governor
Chair of Standards & Curriculum
Sits on Resources Committee
Wellbeing Lead Governor
Governor Mentor
Elizabeth is a strong believer that a happy education with the right opportunities is crucial to allow children to fly and fulfil their potential. As an organised, responsible and motivated person, she has held many different employment and voluntary work positions, which have prepared her to work with St Wenn School, its community and the governing board. She was re- elected to the Governing Board in 2017 and moved to a co-opted Governor from 29.01.21 to 28.01.25 .She hopes that her approachable, energetic and positive attitude within the community helps to create cohesion and her ability to support and challenge situations are an asset to the Governing Board of St Wenn School.
Mrs Sarah Lush-Williams
Staff Governor
Sarah is the Y1/Y2 teacher at St Wenn School. She trained as a teacher at University College of Ripon and York St John, specialising in nursery and lower primary education with English Literature. Sarah returned to Cornwall (having been born and bred in West Cornwall) and began her teaching career at Otterham School. Starting in my role at St Wenn in May 2014, she is delighted to be able to serve as the staff governor. Sarah has 8 children, 2 of whom spent their Key Stage 2 years at St Wenn, so she has been a parent at the school as well as a teacher. In my spare time (!) I enjoy exploring the South West Coast path, gardening and reading.
Sarah was elected by staff to the Board as Staff Governor following the resignation of Kevin Beer. Her Term of Office starts 05.09.22 - 04.09.26.
Mr James Ram
Partnership Governor
Member of the Finance Committee
Having grown up nearby in Ruthernbridge and now with two small children attending St Wenn, James is keen to be involved with the school and to support the wider community.
James has been a press and commercial photographer since 2006. This has given him a breadth of experiences across many contrasting areas of society. James plans to encourage and volunteer for school programs which will help the children to be robust, healthy and independent. He has a particular hope that young people at St Wenn continue to take part in lots of outdoor pursuits and physical activities so that they can make the most of the rural location of the school and pursue wholesome and fulfilling experiences in the years to come. James was an Associate Governor until 01.02.23 before becoming the Partnership Governor from 02.02.23. His term ends on 01.02.27
Mrs Jeannie Hodkin
Local Authority Governor
Sits on Standards & Curriculum Committee
SEND Lead Governor
Jeannie relocated to this beautiful part of the world eighteen months ago from Hampshire with her husband and son. She has been a class teacher throughout the primary phase for forty years and loved every day of her career and recognised what a privilege and responsibility it has been. Jeannie is particularly interested in Early Years, music and outdoor learning.
When visiting St Wenn, Jeannie was immediately struck with the friendly atmosphere and how it has a very similar ethos to her school in Hampshire – also a small village school in the heart of the community.
Having been a governor twice - as a staff member and then as a parent governor in her local secondary school, Jeannie is looking forward to using her teaching experience as part of the governing board to support St Wenn School and become part of its community.
In her spare time she enjoys exploring the many footpaths of Cornwall, singing, playing the piano, and spending time with family.
Jeannie's term of office started on 11.12.22 - 10.12.26 having been an Associate Member from 04.07.22.
Mrs Kate Messenger
Co-opted Governor
Safeguarding & Child Protection Lead Governor
RSHE Lead Governor
Safer Recruitment trained
Sits on Standards and Curriculum Committee
Having two children currently at the school, I am excited to be a part of the Governing Board from 11.09.19 to 10.09.23 following an election by parents. Before moving back to the area to bring up my family, I worked in pastoral care in a secondary school and found my passion for helping make school an inclusive environment where every child has the support they need to achieve. I have had CPLO training and a qualification in counselling studies and so have experience handling confidential, sensitive and safeguarding situations. I am currently studying for a degree in Inclusive Education and have a qualification in British Sign Language. I work in the school as a class TA and a 1-2-1 TA and so am well known to children, parents and staff. I hope that I am a friendly and approachable member of the school community.
Mr Ross Savage
Co-opted Governor
Chair of Finance Committee
Governor Mentor
Whistleblowing Governor
Pupil/Sports Premium Lead Governor
e.Safety Governor
Having children attending the School, Ross was keen to be as involved as possible! For the past few years, he has assisted his wife, Emma, and the team in their efforts to raise money for the Friends of St. Wenn School fundraising group. Ross’ career background is in the Military & Law Enforcement sectors. He now runs his own company delivering bespoke training and consultancy services to a range of private sector and government clients. He also manages a local family property lettings business.
His working life has enabled him to gain a great deal of experience in handling difficult and sensitive problems in the strictest of confidence. Ross hopes to contribute to the school in any way that is needed to help St Wenn continue to go from strength to strength. Ross served 4 years on the Board from 2017 before being reappointed by the Board as Co-opted Governor from 01.04.2021 to 31.03.25.
Ms Alix Farquhar
Parent Governor - Appointed
Sits on the Resources Committee
Wellbeing Lead Governor
Alix and her family moved to St Wenn from Hong Kong at the start of 2022, her eldest child starting reception class at the school in September and another to follow in the years to come. It is her hope to be as involved in the community and school as possible, so volunteering as a Governor felt like a natural step. Alix works in leadership development and organisational culture change. Over the last 17 years she has helped leaders and their teams in many different countries, sectors and industries to grow to be the best they can be and create happy, healthy, productive working environments. Working in adult learning has given her an even greater appreciation for teachers and education and the work they do to help children realise their true potential. She hopes that her skills can be useful to the school and the community.
Alix initially joined the Board as an Associate member in July 2022. Following Naomi Mather's resignation, Alix was appointed by the Governing Board as Parent Governor on 05.09.22 and her term of office ends on 04.09.26
Mrs Linda Cackett
Clerk to Governing Board
Linda joined St Wenn as Clerk in February 2023, replacing Jo Trudgian who had previously been the Clerk since 2015. Linda is fully responsible for pre and post meeting information to the Governing Board and governance on the school website. She can be contacted via email: clerk@st-wenn.cornwall.sch.uk