Welcome!
I would like to welcome you and your family to our school. Ducklington Church of England Voluntary Controlled School is unique, and holds a special place within our community where we nurture children from their first experience of education on their journey to become lifelong learners. I am proud to be the chair of our Governing Board, working closely with my fellow governors, our Headteacher – Mrs Bramwell – and other staff members to ensure that our school provides the best possible education for its pupils.
Our school is managed by an active Governing Board which is composed of parents, the Headteacher and other staff, as well as volunteers from the local community, representing the interests of the Church, Parish Council and Local Authority. The governing board is made up of the various stakeholders that the school serves; parents, foundation governors (elected by the church), local authority representatives, staff and members of the local community. Governors work strategically and do not work at an operational level. This means that the Headteacher has overall responsibility for the everyday management and organisation of the school.
I am Chair of Governors and bring with me a drive for having a cohesion and clarity to bring together all stakeholders to ensure the educational offer at Ducklington enables all children to thrive.
The staff at Ducklington are committed and hardworking; through their dedication, the school is a successful, welcoming and exciting place for the children.
The remit of the governing body is to:
- set the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction
- hold the headteacher to account for the performance of the school
- oversee the financial performance of the school, and ensure that money is well spent
We have structured our Committees to reflect this overall remit. These committees report – as and when appropriate – to the full governing board, which meet six times each year.
Main Committees
Finance, Staffing and Health & Safety
Heidi Bramwell (HB), Sarah Kerswell (SK), Angela Williams (AW), Ian Halfpenny (IH)
Subsidiary Committees/Working Groups
Marketing and Fundraising Working Group
Rebecca Buckland (RB), Samantha Wright (SW), Sarah Kerswell (SK), Harriette Chowne (HC)
Governor Leads
Each governor takes a lead in a specific area, working with staff to monitor the impact of their work. Here are our areas of responsibility:
| Chair of Governors: |
Rebecca Buckland |
| Vice-Chair: |
Sarah Kerswell |
| Health and Safety: |
Finance Committee |
| Safeguarding: |
Angela Williams |
| Inclusion/SEND/Pupil Premium: |
Alison Spencer-Schoemann |
| RE/SMSC: |
Jenny Pratley |
| Whistleblowing: |
Jenny Pratley |
| Data Protection: |
Resources Committee |
There is a link to the National Governance Association website, which includes a wide range of information about national perspectives and initiatives. There is usually a governor or two at school events so do come and introduce yourselves.
If you have any questions, do email at the address below.
Rebecca Buckland
Chair of Governors
rbuckland@ducklington.oxon.sch.uk
Our Governors
Rebecca Buckland
Appointed by GB
Term of office
03/03/23 - 02/03/27
Responsibilities
Chair of Governing Board; Headteacher’s Performance Management; Religious Character of the School (Ethos); Marketing/Fund-raising Working Group
I am a current parent at the school with one child here already and another who will soon be too. I am an experienced school leader, having worked in education since 2007. I have been a staff governor at my current school since 2014. This gives me a very good understanding of the current education climate from many viewpoints. I am passionate about all children having the best educational start in life, bringing together curriculum, extra-curricular activities and the vast array of opportunities available through a school community which can shape learners and support a well-rounded education, allowing them to thrive in their individual ways.
Read more:
Sarah Kerswell
Local Authority governor
Term of office
22/01/24 – 21/01/28
Responsibilities
Vice Chair of Governing Board; Finance, Staffing, Health & Safety; Data Protection, Cyber Security, Filtering & Monitoring
I have had more than 20 years’ experience in primary education, including 11 years as headteacher and three years as CEO of a multi-academy trust. I have extensive experience of supporting schools to improve in a variety of capacities, including acting headships and governance
Read more:
Angela Williams
Foundation governor
Term of office
01/09/25 – 31/08/29
Responsibilities
Vice Chair of Governing Board; Health & Safety; Safeguarding; Finance, Staffing
I am a retired Primary School teacher. I have three children and four grandchildren, the youngest being five years old. My hobbies are various and mainly include art, poetry, gardening and walking. My faith is important to me and l attend St. Bartholomew’s Church. It is a privilege to be a member of the Governing board of Ducklington CE Primary School.
Read more:
Heidi Bramwell
Ex officio - Headteacher
Term of office
01/01/26 onwards
Responsibilities
Religious Character of the School (Ethos); Marketing/Fund-raising Working Group
Read more:
Samantha Wright
Parent governor
Term of office
05/12/22 – 04/12/26
Responsibilities
Marketing/Fund-raising Working Group
I am familiar with the education system having been a secondary school teacher. Currently, I am taking a break from school teaching while our children are young. 2 out of 3 of our children are currently at Ducklington School, which they love very much. I passionately believe in our education system and want to see our children thriving through their learning and the opportunities that school gives them.
Read more:
Lauren King
Parent governor
Term of office
26/09/25 – 25/09/29
Responsibilities
I am a current parent and have 2 children currently at the school. Having struggled through education myself, I have a keen interest in their education and wellbeing, as well as that of all the children at the school. Professionally I am a beauty therapist, giving me communication and leadership skills which I believe useful to this role.
Read more:
Harriette Chowne
Staff governor
Term of office
01/09/25 – 31/08/29
Responsibilities
Marketing/Fund-raising Working Group
Read more:
Jennifer Pratley
Foundation governor
Term of office
04/04/23 – 03/04/27
Responsibilities
Religious Character of the School (Ethos); Whistleblowing; RE; SMSC; School Website
Having moved into the village in June 2018, I was very keen to get involved in the community, and so I attended St Bartholomew’s church and found myself being embraced by opportunity. I have since become a bell ringer, have joined the village WI and was invited to become a governor of Ducklington CE Primary School. My own experience of teaching, and of being a pastoral leader at Cokethorpe School since 1999, stands me in good stead for understanding how schools strive for excellence and how educational opportunities help develop our youngsters on every level. I have many interests which keep my mind and soul active and engaged – running, walking, gardening, reading, needlework – along with spending quality time with my three daughters and the growing tribe of grandchildren that I’m blessed with.
Read more:
Alison Spencer-Schoeman
Foundation governor
Term of office
01/09/25 – 31/08/29
Responsibilities
Religious Character of the School (Ethos); Attendance; Headteacher’s Performance Management; Inclusion; SEND; Pupil Premium, Well-being
I am a retired primary school teacher and SENDCo with over twenty years’ experience. After retirement from teaching, I worked for four years in the Special Educational Needs team at local authority level. I have also been both a parent governor and staff governor over the years. I have therefore a great deal of experience in education and am keen to use that to support my local school. As a practising Christian I was delighted to be invited to join the governing body of Ducklington Church of England Primary School and look forward to strengthening the links between church and school. Although we have lived in Ducklington for less than a year, my husband and I have been made most welcome here and look forward to further involvement in village life.
Read more:
Ian Halfpenny
Co-opted governor
Term of office
30/23/24 - 31/12/28
Responsibilities
Finance, Staffing, Health & Safety; Sustainability/Climate Change
I joined as a co-opted governor in 2025, and although I am new to governing a school I bring a wealth of global experience around talent acquisition & management, HR, finance, building maintenance, property, business and strategy. I also have the privilege of having a son in Ducklington CE Primary School who is thriving. I am here to serve and use whatever skills I have in helping Ducklington CE Primary School and the children develop, grow and thrive, ensuring every child is given the right tools to succeed.
Read more:
Sarah Cox
Co-opted governor
Term of office
24/02/26 - 23/02/30
Responsibilities
I have lived in the village since 1996, and during that time my son attended the village hall Pre School and School. I am keen to use my experience of working for the OCC Schools Team and Multi Academy Trusts to benefit our village school. I enjoy getting involved with events in the village, such as the Beer Festival and Flower Show bar at the Sports Club.
Read more:
Julie Carvell
Clerk to Governing Board
Term of office
01/09/24 onwards
Responsibilities
Read more:
