Governance

Our Chair of Governors is Peter Ullyatt

Governors act as the school’s 'critical friend'. We are there to support the headteacher so that she can set the school's direction and stay focused on it. We establish the school's vision, which we use to help our strategic thinking. Taking our lead from Mrs. Carlton the governors think about how the school looks, whether we need new buildings and how to maintain the ones we have. Governors must check that the budget makes sense, adds up, and isn't overspent —and we also try to allocate money towards projects that will develop the school.

It is crucial to look at whether the children are making good progress, and we support Mrs. Carlton to support the staff in delivering an effective and engaging curriculum. We have built frameworks to ensure that the children are always safe, and that everybody's needs are met.

We work through a system of committees, which report back to the full governing body. Our agenda is determined by an evolving self-evaluation document, which shows us where we would like to push for improvements, and we are responsible for the extensive range of policies that every school must have in place.

The Full Governing Body meets once each term to discuss school strategy and take decisions. Many of us are in school on a regular basis, either taking Collective Worship, helping in class or just dropping off or picking up our children. Being a governor is challenging and rewarding and we are all hugely proud to be part of Downton Primary School.

The Governing Body consists of the Headteacher, Foundation Governors (appointed by the Church), Parent Governors (elected by the parents), Teacher and Staff Governors and one Governor appointed by the LA. From time to time we have Associate Governors for special projects.

Four governors currently have children at the school, one has grandchildren at the school and one used to have children here. Governor elections are held when posts are vacant; we currently have a Foundation Governor vacancy, so if you are interested in joining us please do get in touch.

If you have any questions about the work of the governors you can contact us via the school office, or by email.

Peter Ullyatt, Chair of Governors

Download Governance information below:

• 2022 Governor’s Declaration of Interests

• Current Downton C of E Primary School Governors

Information about our Governors

Peter Ullyatt
I am Co Chair and a Foundation Governor with this amazing school, We moved to the Downton area over 9 years ago and love the area and community and feel extremely lucky for our children to have benefitted from attending the school. I have been a Governor for a while now with our 3 children now successfully passed through the school and experiencing the wonderful team of teaching and support staff. 
In being a Governor, I find it quite astonishing the amount of work and effort the Head and staff put in beyond the lessons that the children experience. I hope as part of this Governor team to be able to support them in small ways to alleviate the pressure and stresses they face. I enjoy being a Governor and can assure anyone thinking of it, that it does not take a large amount of time and is extremely rewarding.  I would recommend it to anyone thinking of it.

Nick Dand
My family and I moved to the village in the summer of 2021, in time for my daughter to begin Year 1 at Downton Primary. I joined as a Parent Governor at the end of the year, hoping that I can make a positive contribution to the school and engage with my new community. I previously worked as an actuary in the insurance industry but am now a research scientist in a university setting, focused on genetics and health data science. I was lucky enough to receive a good education that provided a foundation for lifelong learning, and I am keen in my role as a governor to support and challenge the school so that all Downton pupils benefit from early opportunities to flourish.

Laura Kachale
At the start of 2022, after three years as a parent at Downton Primary School, I became a Foundation Governor in order to contribute as much as I can to the life of the school. We are a multi-cultural family, and we lived in Malawi before our son joined the school; he is now in Year 2 and we have a daughter who attends a local nursery. We are members of St Paul’s church in Salisbury, and I work full time as a programme coordinator for an international health charity. I hope that I will be able to use my skills and experience to support the school to continue to be an ambitious, happy and supportive learning environment for all children, and an enjoyable workplace for every staff member.

Ian Summerfield
I have three daughters, one in Y9 at Trafalgar and two in Y4 and Y6 at Downton Primary. I enjoy the community spirit of the village, and so it was an easy decision to get more involved with the school. I joined the premises committee because I am a building professional and have experience of managing the construction and building improvements of schools. I look forward to working with the staff to identify their needs and improve the teaching environment and supporting the school any way I can.

Annie Hardie
I moved to Salisbury when I retired in 2016 having worked for 20 years as Matron at a boarding school in Surrey. While I was there I was a Governor at Godalming Primary School for 9 years. I strongly believe that a good primary education is the firm foundation for secondary and university education, and that a primary school is an excellent place for learning lessons for life. I am originally from Edinburgh, but I have lived in England for many years, my family live in Bridport. I volunteer with the Education Department at the Cathedral, I am also a Cathedral Guide, and I volunteer with the National Trust.

Rosemary Leo
I have lived in Downton for thirty years, and both my children (now adults!) attended the Primary School, which gave them an excellent foundation.  I have recently retired from teaching – having taught across the primary age range - and was keen to continue my association with children, families and education.  I am lucky enough to have the time to volunteer to help out with listening to readers in KS1 and working with upper KS2 on Maths – one of my special interests.  I have a degree in Maths and for many years was a Leading Maths Teacher in Hampshire – so it’s good not to lose touch with things completely.  I am enjoying the experience of being a governor – the school is an important part of the Downton community and it’s very encouraging to see how village and school are still interlinked and how each contributes to the success and well-being of the other.  I am currently Link Governor for Art and for Music, and on the Teaching and Learning Committee.

Rev Ron Hart
I left University to teach physics, and later retrained and practiced in Social Work for Kent CC  (mainly child protection and adult psychiatry). At 40 I was priested in the C of E , and since have worked in parishes and as a University Chaplain, and have an MA in Christian Studies.  I have worked in Kenya , and since 2000 have made many visits to South Sudan to work with the church there. I have been a School Governor for 30 years. I am married to Creddy who was a nurse, we have 3 children and 5 grandchildren , one currently at Downton.