Welcome to the Governors' section

Please find below details of how our Federation Governing Body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor. We became part of the Three Rivers Federation, with Stoke Canon Church of England Primary School, on 23rd April 2019. 

The Three Rivers Federation has a team of fourteen governors who are committed to helping guide the federation schools in their development and strategic planning. Our governors are volunteers who come from all walks of life and include excellent parent representatives from both schools.

Governors bring an outside perspective to the running of the school, monitoring everything from progress and achievement to budgets and expenditure, from safety and security to the social development and wellbeing of all the children. They help prepare and regularly review policies and emergency procedures and keep an eye to the future in order to meet the challenges of new initiatives in education. In short, the governors work together as a ‘critical friend’ to the school. The Federation's team of governors includes parents, teaching staff, governors appointed by the Diocese and other members of the community, all of whom give their time voluntarily to help the federation's schools maintain their academic success, ethos and caring family atmosphere. Together, they make a valued and enriching contribution to the running of the schools in our Federation. 

To contact any of our governors, please send your enquiry to the Clerk to Governors, Ms Sam Morgan, by emailing clerk@threeriversfederation.org.uk and this will be passed onto the appropriate governor.

 

The Federation Governors are:

Louise Herbert: Ex Officio Governor 

Executive Headteacher of the Federation

Committee: Quality of Education & Resources

Lead Role: Safeguarding
 

Laura Leat: Ex Officio Governor 

Headteacher Clyst St Mary Primary School

Committee: Quality of Education & Resources

Lead Role:

Peter Grierson: Co-opted Governor 

Head of School at Stoke Canon C of E Primary School.

Term of Service:  April 2023 to April 2027

Committee: Quality of Education

Tanya Smith: Local Authority Governor

Term of Service: April 2023 to April 2027

Committee: Quality of Education & Resources

Lead Role: Chair of the board
I joined the Governing Body at Clyst St Mary in 2015. I have 3 boys and  work full time for South Gloucestershire Council’s education department as the Strategic Lead for School Place Planning and Capital Investment. I develop policy and practice in the delivery of key statutory functions of the Local Authority including school admissions and school organisation, and I lead in the commissioning of new schools. I am also an Independent School Admission Appeal Panel Member and School Exclusions Review Panel Member for Devon County Council. I work with other governing bodies to model good governance.

Clare Werry:  Co-Opted Governor

Term of Service: April 2023 to April 2027

Committee: Quality of Education (Chair)

Lead Role: Vice Chair of Board, & Data Protection

I was a parent governor at Clyst St Mary Primary School from 2015 and, when Clyst St Mary and Stoke Canon primary schools federated, I was co-opted as a governor of the Three Rivers Federation. I am Chair of the Quality of Education committee, and I’m particularly involved with school performance data and school improvement. My children were at Clyst St Mary Primary School, and I was previously chair of Clyst Valley Pre-school. I enjoy playing an active role in school life, and am keen to give support and challenge as a governor to help ensure that all children across the Federation have a high-quality education. I’m a solicitor in private practice.

Danielle Sparks: Co-opted Governor

Term of Service: April 2023 to April 2027

Committee: Resources & Second Committee
I have worked in business management in the financial services industry and have 15 years of experience of providing UK and International recruitment and HR advice. I currently work in People Operations for a global animal welfare charity. I have several family members that attended Stoke Canon Primary school and my
daughter also attends the school. My strengths lie in being able to build and maintain productive relationships and forge cohesive partnering and I hope to use these skills in the role of Governor.

Lucy Topliss: Co-Opted Governor

Term of Service: April 2023 to April 2027

Committee: Quality of Education &  First Committee

Lead Role: SEND
I served as governor and chair of the PTFA at Clyst St Mary Primary School for four years prior to the formation of the federation. I have two children who attended Clyst St Mary School and am passionate about representing the views of parents. I hope you all see me as an approachable member of the school community who ensures a comprehensive challenge of school leadership.

Briony Kempton: Co-Opted Governor

Term of Service: April 2023 to April 2027

Committee: Resources (Chair) & First Committee

Lead Role: Health & Safety
I was a co-opted governor at Clyst St Mary Primary School for several years prior to the formation of the federation.  My son was a pupil at the school, so I had a vested interest in supporting the school and being involved in its governance. I am now a co-opted governor of the Three Rivers Foundation, and I am involved in the Resources Committee as my background is in finance. I am a chartered accountant and for many years worked at EY where I was an audit director.

Stuart Busby: Foundation Governor

Term of Service: September 2023  to September 2027

Committee: Resources, Quality of Education & SIAMS

Lead Role: Climate Action & SIAMS

Both of my children attended a school in our federation and, thanks to the excellent support they received, are now achieving success in their later lives. My day job is Director of School Improvement for a group of schools in Worcestershire. I am also completing a part-time Phd at the University of Exeter, focused on leadership and Education in the East African country of Tanzania. I hope that my skills and experiences can support our federation's future work, so that it continues to provide motivational learning experiences for all pupils within our schools.

Peter Hale: Parent Governor

Term of service: Jan 2024 to Jan 2028

Committee: Resources

As a data scientist with a background in physics, I am keen to help promote Science and Mathematics to the next generation. Where better to start than my children's primary school! I have two children at Clyst St Mary school. My father is a retired primary school headteacher, so I'm well aware of the difference a good governing body can make to a school.

Peggy van der Ploeg: Parent Governor

Term of Service: July 2025 to July 2029

Committee: Resources

I volunteered to become a parent governor because I want to ensure all children have a positive, safe and happy learning environment. I work as a Project Manager and some of my transferable skills include safety, planning, budgeting and organisation. I hope these skills will be useful in supporting the running of the schools. I have a daughter at Clyst St Mary Primary School and live locally, so I feel connected to both the school and the wider Three Rivers Federation. I want to make sure our teachers feel supported and valued, so that they are empowered and comfortable in their roles and thereby offer the very best teaching experience to our children during their formative years. I am always happy to listen to the thoughts and ideas of parents and staff. I believe that working together is the best way to help our schools thrive and ensure every child has the opportunity to flourish, so please do come and say hello if you see me around.

Lewys Ryan: Parent Governor

Term of Service: July 2025 to July 2029

Committee: Quality of Education

Lesley Hockin: Staff Governor

Term of Service: April 2023 to  April 2027

Committee: Resources

Lead Role: Safeguarding
I have worked at Clyst St Mary Primary School, in a variety of roles, since 1998 and served on the governing body for many years, but my first contact with the school was when my children were pupils there. My background in medical research has provided me with a keen interest in the teaching of science and my self-driven interest and determination to conquer computers enabled me to help the school move forward in its IT provision and teaching. My current role is that of administrator, singing co-ordinator and Health & Safety coordinator.

Kellie Perry: Associate Governor

Term of Service: April 2024 to April 2028

Committee: Resources
I am the School Business Manager for the Three Rivers Federation and joined the School in September 2021. I have worked in the education system for 6 years and have previous experience of HR, Finance and Business Management.

Mandie Rose: Associate Governor

Term of Service: April 2023 to April 2027

Committee: Quality of Education

I have been involved with Clyst St. Mary Primary School since 1998; as a parent, a volunteer, class teacher and over 8 years as a governor. I hope my skills and experience are useful in supporting the staff and the Three
Rivers Federation governing body in maintaining a supportive learning environment, continuing the high standards of education, and supporting the well-being of all the children in Clyst St. Mary and Stoke Canon primary schools.

Rev Tim Collins: Foundation Governor

Term of Service:

Committee:

Emma Hunt: Associate Governor

Term of Service:

Committee:

Updated 31.10.26

Name	Governor Type	Lead Role	Committee Membership	Term of Service	Register of Business Interests	Attendance at Meetings 24/25	Attendance at Meetings 25/26
Louise Herbert	Ex-Officio (Headteacher)		Q of E Resources		None	FGB: 4/4 Q of E: 3/3 Resources: 3/4	FGB: 2/4 Q of E: 1/3 Resources:  1/3
Rev Tim Collins	Foundation Governor				None	FGB: 1/4	FGB: 0/4
Stuart Busby	Foundation Governor	Climate Action SIAMS	Q of E Resources SIAMS	05.09.27	None	FGB: 2/4 Q of E: 3/3 Resources: 1/3	FGB: 1/4 Q of E: 1/3 Resources:  0/3
Lesley Hockin	Staff	Safeguarding	Resources	22.04.27	None	FGB:3/4 Resources: 3/4	FGB: 2/4 Resources: 1/3
Tanya Smith (Chair)	LA	English Lead 2nd Committee	Q of E	22.04.27	None	FGB: 4/4 Q of E: 2/3	FGB: 2/4 Q of E: 0/3
Peter Hale	Parent	Maths Lead Science Lead	Resources	23.01.28	None	FGB: 3/4 Q of E: 1/3 Resources: 2/4	FGB: 2/4 Q of E: 0/3 Resources:  0/3
Peggy van der Ploeg	Parent	EYFS Lead 2nd Committee	Resources	16.09.29	None	FGB: N/A Resources: N/A Q of E: 1/1	FGB: 2/4 Resources: 0/3
Lewys Ryan	Parent	Safeguarding Lead	Q of E	16.09.29	None	FGB: N/A Q of E: N/A	FGB: 2/4 Q of E: 1/3
Peter Grierson	Co-opted		Q of E	25.04.27	None	FGB: 4/4 Q of E: 3/3	FGB: 1/4 Q of E: 1/3
Briony Kempton	Co-opted	H&S Finance Lead	Resources (Chair)	25.04.27	None	FGB: 4/4 Resources: 3/4	FGB: 1/4 Resources:  1/3
Lucy Topliss	Co-opted	1st Committee SEND H&S	Q of E	22.04.27	None	FGB: 1/4 Q of E: 0/3	FGB: 1/4 Q of E: 0/3
Clare Werry (Vice Chair)	Co-opted	Data Protection Maths Lead	Q of E (Chair)	25.04.27	None	FGB: 4/4 Q of E : 3/3	FGB: 2/4 Q of E: 1/3
Danni Sparks	Co-opted	1st Committee	Resources SIAMS	22.04.27	None	FGB: 4/4 Resources: 2/3	FGB: 1/4 Resources:  1/3
VACANCY	Co-opted
VACANCY	Co-opted
Ellie Wilkinson	Associate	EYFS	Q of E	25.04.27	None	FGB: 4/4 Q of E: 3/3	FGB: 2/4 Q of E: 0/3
Kellie Perry	Associate		Resources	02.12.28	None	FGB: 4/4 Resources: 3/3	FGB: 2/4 Resources: 1/3
Mandie Rose	Associate			25.04.27	None	FGB: 0/4	FGB: 0/4
Emma Hunt	Associate		SIAMS	01.11.27	None	FGB: 3/4	FGB: 2/4

Financial Information

Stoke Canon C of E Primary School does not have any employees with a gross annual salary of £100,000 or more.

Please click here to view our school’s financial data