C Crawford - Chair of Governors (Parent Governor)

My daughter started at Stratton in 2018 and I have a son who will start in 2020. I therefore have a significant interest in ensuring the continued excellence and improvement of the school. I am keen to ensure the children are able to achieve to the best of their abilities and are happy and confident. In doing this I will learn more about the school and education system in order to support the teachers in giving the children the best education and experience possible. I believe that my skills will bring a fresh perspective to the school. I regularly use information, data and experience to make decisions about complex situations. This involves working under pressure and communicating difficult issues. I work within an accreditation system that ensures continuous improvement which I am heavily involved in. I am director of a property management company, a role in which I have had to learn to deal with finances and property management. In my free time I like to exercise and spend time at my allotment as well as having fun with my kids and husband.

Tom Austin- Associate Member

Having attended Stratton myself, progressing through Deer Park and Cirencester College, I moved away from the area after reading Geography at Exeter University and completing my Chartered Accountancy exams in Bristol with a global accountancy firm who I still work for. Wanting to be closer to family, my wife (Gemma) and I moved back to Cirencester several years ago and now have a family of our own, two girls and a rather mischievous whippet. I am a firm believer in wanting to create the best learning environment for the children of our school and hope they enjoy their experience at Stratton as much as I did as a child. In my spare time I am keen to get involved in anything sport related and never pass up the opportunity to get out on the golf course.

Elizabeth (Beth) Hamid- Foundation Governor

I have lived in Stratton since 1986 and all three of my children came to Stratton School. I have been a Governor here for over 25 years, as a Parent Governor, as Chair of Governors for nine years, and now as a Foundation Governor appointed by the church. It is a particular pleasure to have known as children the parents of some of our present pupils! I work for Swindon Borough Council as a Child Care Social Worker in the Adoption Team and also as a practice teacher with social work students. It has been a great pleasure to be able to play a little part in the expansion of the school, to see new classrooms, and to support all the children and families in our continuing commitment to excellence.

Rev. David Minns- Foundation Governor

I moved to Stratton at the beginning of 2017 as Rector of the Churn Valley and I am a Foundation Governor at the school.

I was Ordained Priest 22 years ago. I have been governor at 3 schools before and was a member of Guildford Diocese’s Board of Education before moving here. I enjoy working leading collective worship in the school and finding creative ways to access the wisdom and love of God for the children.

I see the school as an important part of the community, equipping our children to live the fullest possible life.

Hilary Tippett - Parent Governor

My son Oliver started at Stratton school in 2017. Since Oliver joined the school, I have been impressed by all the hard work which goes into providing the supportive, nurturing environment that Stratton offers our children. I believe passionately that the school can only really deliver what we want it to for our children if we as parents support the staff. I value the opportunity to play a role in helping the school provide a great education for our children.

In my day job as a solicitor for the National Trust I am often dealing with challenging situations. I have experience in working with charity trustees so I’m used to dealing with people who oversee the running of an organisation. I feel I have useful skills that will be of assistance to the school.

Head Teacher - Mrs Ceris Towler

Dr Sarah Woods- Foundation Governor

I have been a Foundation Governor for 7 years, having been invited to take on the role by Stratton PCC. As a Foundation Governor, I have a responsibility to ensure that the school maintains its Church of England Distinctiveness. I have had 2 children at the school, they are now in years 7 and 10 at Cirencester Deer Park School. I agreed to become a Governor because I am passionate about the education of our children and relished the opportunity to be able to have a positive input into my local primary school by encouraging the school to strive for improvement to provide the best opportunities for all the children who pass through the school. I work as a Geriatrician at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon and have been involved in education and training at the hospital. For some years I have been an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Bristol University whilst I was Unit Tutor for Fourth Year Medical students doing their Care of Elderly module. I have more recently taken on the role of Educational Lead for Simulation Training for postgraduate doctors. I love gardening and enjoy sharing that love of gardening. I have designed and helped the children to plant our Reflective Garden in the playground, and I have also coordinated our PolliNation project. I have set up an after-school gardening club for children in Key Stage 2, and most years will be seen running the plant stall at the School Fayre.

Hanna Price - Parent Governor

I have lived in Stratton for the last 12 years, my eldest son has recently left Stratton for secondary school and my other two sons still attend.  I am delighted with the progress that my children have made at the school and have thoroughly enjoyed watching them develop and take part in such a wide variety of opportunities including mock trials, Shakespearean plays and numerous sporting activities.  Over the years I have played an active role within the PTA, attending and helping to run events, as well as acting as joint secretary for a year.  I work part time as a History and Sociology teacher at Malmesbury secondary school which means that I am very familiar with the education system and how schools operate.  I am looking forward to extending my involvement within the school and helping to maintain its excellent standards in my role as parent governor. 

Barbara Cartwright- Staff Governor

I have been part of the team at Stratton C of E Primary School for four years.  I am currently a teacher in Class 2 and subject lead for DT.  I am excited to be part of the Governing Body and to have the opportunity to help shape and continue to strengthen our school and community.

I have a degree in French with Politics from Newcastle University and qualified as a teacher in London.  My husband and I moved to Cirencester 14 years ago and we now have two school aged children.  Outside of school, I like to read and go to the gym.

Stephanie Knowles - Associate Member

I have two children who both attend Stratton School. I am a Chartered Accountant and work as a portfolio Finance Director with Charities, SME and Start up businesses. I was a school Governor for several years at a Special Needs School. I believe that all children should be able to reach their full potential with the appropriate support and help.

Susan Hudson - Associate Member

I have lived in Cirencester for twenty-eight years and my background is in property with a degree in Estate Management. I later qualified as a teacher and have taught in local primary schools for twenty-four years. I was a Governor at my daughter's school some years ago. Having recently retired from the classroom, I now work with accounts and do some voluntary work. I have been invited to join the Governing body by the church, and I look forward to supporting the school in providing opportunities for all the children to achieve their best.

Craig Collins - Parent Governor

I have lived in Cirencester since 2007 and my daughter started at Stratton school in 2019.  I work as a control systems engineer in the electricity supply industry with no career background in education.  However, my wife teaches locally, so education is always a topic for discussion at home!  I am looking forward to learning more about primary education and the mechanisms which exist to ensure that all children thrive at Stratton school. 

Emma Archer- Co-opted Governor

I live in Stratton and have two (almost) adult children. Now working freelance as a writer and researcher, I previously worked as a teaching assistant for 10 years.

Whilst working in schools, I studied for a master’s in education to deepen my understanding of the learning difficulties that children encounter and the underlying reasons for challenging behaviour. This gave me the extra tools and confidence to nurture positive behaviour and achieve better learning outcomes for children.

Alongside supporting pupils to reach their utmost academic potential I believe a school should strive to ensure every child, regardless of ability or needs, has an equal chance to progress and find their strengths. In tandem with ensuring children feel safe and happy in school, it’s key that the governing body supports the well-being of teachers and school staff too.

I hope my hands-on experience of working in education and my research and analysis skills developed in the private sector can benefit the school community and help nurture its success.