Our Local Governing Committee
The role of the Local Governance Committee is to work closely with the Headteacher and staff to provide the very best education for all the children at school.
The school governors are volunteers and give their time freely. They bring a range of skills and experience to supporting the school and are committed to the school’s values and standards.
As governors we have a range of roles and responsibilities.
Working with the Executive Head Teacher and Pickwick Academy Trust the Governors establish the school’s aims and objectives and how the school will develop and improve to the benefit of all our children.
The governors are there to support and challenge the school’s leadership team. It is their job to hold the head teacher to account to ensure the best possible outcomes for the children. They do this in a constructive and positive fashion by rigorous questioning and challenge.
The governors have a responsibility to ensure that the school complies with all relevant legislation and regulations, especially safeguarding.
Working with the Executive Head Teacher and the school’s senior leadership, the governors are there to ensure that the children are safe and have every opportunity to flourish and grow at St Gregory’s into resilient and confident learners, and that our school remains at the centre of our community into the future.
From September 2025, the Local Governance Committees of St George’s CE Primary School, Bourton and St Gregory’s CE Primary School, Marnhull have come together to form a single Joint Local Governance Committee.
Both schools share an Executive Head Teacher, an Executive Deputy Head, and a SENDCo and are proud members of the Pickwick Academy Trust. The staff across both schools work well together to support the children and families at both schools. By joining our governance teams, the Governors can share ideas, experience and time to give both schools the very best support.
The Joint Local Governing Board:
- Provides cohesive oversight and support across both schools.
- Builds on the shared Christian ethos and values.
- Helps make the best use of expertise, resources, and opportunities within the Pickwick Academy Trust.
- Continues to champion high standards of teaching, learning, and pupil well-being.
For families, children and staff, nothing change's in the day-to-day running of either school. Parents and carers still see the same friendly staff, routines and events – but behind the scenes the governors work as one team to help both schools' flourish.
The Governors are all volunteers, giving their time freely to support the development of each school.
The Chair of the Joint Local Governance Committee is Mrs Harriet Ridout, and she is supported by two Vice Chairs: Mrs Sharon Martin (St Gregory's) and Mr Harry Phillips (St George's).
What Skills do You Need to be an Effective Governor?
It is important that each governor can use their skills in the governor’s meetings. Some of the skills that are important are as follows:
Listening
Organising
Problem solving
Communication
Leadership
Teamworking
Governors who have life experience and transferrable work skills can also make an important contribution to the work of the Local Governing Committee (LGC)
But the most important thing is ENTHUSIASM!
Interested in becoming a Governor? Please contact our clerk: clerk@bourton.dorset.sch.uk
Meet Our Governors:
Mrs Harriet Ridout
Chair of Governors
Harriet is a Chartered Accountant and Tax Advisor - before having her children, she worked for a South West firm specialising in rural and agricultural accountancy and tax advice. She now runs her own business which has enabled her to fit work flexibly around being a busy Mum.
Harriet enjoys working alongside fellow governors and the committed and dedicated staff teams at St George's and St Gregory's to ensure all the children achieve the best outcomes and are able to shine.
Mrs Sharon Martin
Vice Chair, Foundation Governor, Safeguarding and SEND Governor for St Gregory's
Mr Harry Phillips
Vice Chair, Safeguarding Governor for St George's
Mrs Caroline Collard
Associate Governor
Mr Mark Moorby
Foundation Governor, Curriculum Link Governor
Mr Ben Spicer
Parent Governor
Mrs Zoe Feeney
Parent Governor
Mrs Louise Harris
Foundation Governor, EYFS Governor
I'm my spare time I enjoying baking, gardening, walks in the countryside most of all I enjoy spending time as a family.
Previously I was chair of Bourton and Zeals preschool before preschool joined St George's and have a keen interest in Early Years Education.
Mr Erik Ruane
Data Governor, Community Governor
I have been a Community Governor of St George’s Primary School, Bourton since mid-2023. Originally, from a Norfolk farming family, I am a Chartered Surveyor MRICS with 43 years’ professional experience in the UK and European property industry, particularly commercial sectors. Having worked with several large companies, I now provide consultancy services. 2016-2024, I was Hon Treasurer of Cambridge University Land Society and 2018-2019 Co-chair of the UK Sustainability Forum of the Urban Land Institute. I enjoy the local history of this area, tennis, walking our dogs, cycling and running. I have completed numerous marathons, half-marathons and tri/duathlons, often for charities. I am presently also the volunteer Guardian of the Stourton Parish defibrillator in Spread Eagle Yard!