Posted on: 17/10/2025
Governing Body
Bartholomew School has a Local Governing Body (LGB) comprising director appointed governors, elected parent governors, elected staff governors and the headteacher.
Information about the EPA Trust (the Trust)
The LGB is a committee of the EPA Trust (the Trust) and has responsibilities delegated to it via the Trust Scheme of Delegation. The LGB currently meets seven times a year, and Governors also have link roles and are involved in smaller working groups, which monitor different areas of the School’s performance. Meetings take place in the evenings and, where possible, Governors are also encouraged to visit school a few times a year during the school day to gain knowledge about the day-to-day culture and ethos and to see how policies and strategies works in practice.
The three key roles of the Governing Body are:
- strategic leadership
- accountability and assurance
- strategic engagement
Governors are not responsible for the day-to-day operation of the School. They are “eyes on, hands off" and work to improve outcomes for every student at Bartholomew School.
The Local Governors of Bartholomew School agree that boards should aim to reflect the diversity of the school communities they serve. Having a range of voices around the table should promote inclusive school environments and provide diverse role models for staff and young people. Governors are selected in a variety of ways, with parent and staff governors being elected by the parent and staff communities respectively. We will continue to advertise any such vacancies as widely as possible (including on this page and in parent newsletters), to encourage applications from across these communities, and to support all those who put themselves forwards for these positions.
Director appointed governors are selected and approached by the Governing Body and appointed by the EPA Directors. We regularly undertake skills audits and look at many aspects of the ethos and composition of the board, including considerations of religion, ethnicity, etc. These discussions are used to inform our recruitment and training needs and to ensure there is always a diverse range of perspectives around the table to support robust decision making.
Due to the relatively small size of our governing body, we do not publish diversity data online as individual governors could be identified, and we have a legal obligation to protect their personal data.
Governors' Business Interests and Attendance
News and Updates from the governors
For the latest news from our Chair of Governors, Dr Lucy Dickinson, please see our termly Bartholomew Bulletin newsletters. Governing body communications can be found on the Letters Home page (please select 'Governors' from the filter list).
Becoming a Governor
We currently have three vacancies for parent governors and warmly invite any parents or carers of Bartholomew School students who are interested in supporting the School to apply.
For further information, please see the letter from Lucy Dickinson, Chair of Governors. If you are interested in applying please feel free to contact us, and complete the application form by the deadline of 12.00 noon on Friday 7th November 2025.
Bartholomew School Governors Code of Practice
Contact the Chair of Governors
If you wish to contact the Chair of Governors, please email: Governors@bartholomew.epatrust.org
Governor Profiles
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LUCY DICKINSON Chair of Governors |
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Category of governor |
Director Appointed |
|
Term of office |
December 2022 – December 2026 |
| Work |
Currently self-employed as a Clerk to the Governors, as well as doing freelance environmental, educational and publishing-related consultancy. Academic background in Chemistry, with several years’ experience in science publishing, and grants administration |
|
Links to the school/area |
Lives in Eynsham and has one child at Bartholomew School |
| Why did you become a governor? |
Having both a professional and personal interest in good School Governance, I joined the Bartholomew Governors in 2014 in order to help support and challenge the school in providing the best possible opportunities for all students. I became Chair in September 2021, and also Chair the EPA steering group on Climate and Biodiversity |
 |
TESSA FORD Director Appointed |
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Category of governor |
Director Appointed |
|
Term of office |
February 2020 – December 2027 |
|
Work |
Mainly retired but continue to work as School Improvement Adviser to some schools in West Berkshire |
|
Links to the school/area |
I was previously a parent governor at Eynsham Primary School and enjoyed that involvement. Having recently retired from working as a School Improvement Adviser I am keen to make best use of my knowledge and skills to support the school in my community |
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GAVIN ROBINSON |
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Category of governor |
Director Appointed |
|
Term of office |
February 2023 – February 2027. First appointed 2011 |
| Work |
Chartered Accountant and Corporate Treasurer by profession. Since 1991 I have worked in different roles and in different locations for a FTSE 250 listed Industrial and Electronic Components Distributor. I’m currently in the Corporate Development area |
|
Links to the school/area |
Lives in Eynsham |
| Why did you become a governor? |
Having settled in Eynsham in 2009, I wanted to be more involved in the local community. In early 2011, when I saw that Bartholomew School was looking for new governors, and in particular one with finance experience, I saw this as a great way to use my professional knowledge to help drive an exceptional educational experience for the young people in our community |
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CRAIG THOMAS |
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Category of governor |
Bartholomew School Headteacher |
|
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FIONA LOADER |
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Category of governor |
Director Appointed |
|
Term of office |
May 2019 – March 2027 |
| Work |
Financial Adviser, Paton Financial Planning (Principal) / St James’s Place (Authorised Representative) |
| Links to the school/area |
My parents moved to Eynsham in 1983, so I have lived here on and off since then. I moved back to live here permanently in July 2018. I have two sets of twins; my eldest two attended Bartholomew School |
| Why did you become a governor? |
I am keen to represent the parents at the Governor meetings and would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the continual success of the school. I believe that my professional experience, along with my strong commitment to the school, would enable me to make a significant positive contribution and add value to the school governing body |
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DARYL BACK |
| Category of governor |
Director Appointed |
| Term of office |
February 2023 – February 2025 |
| Work |
Director of theatrical charity and freelance Theatre Producer (20 years) working across the South East. Each large-scale production offers paid work placement opportunities to students in their final year of university/college and I work closely with these colleges in ensuring that the students graduate with the relevant knowledge for careers in the theatre industry. Prior to this I was an actress working in theatre, television, film and radio |
| Links to the school/area |
Has lived in Eynsham for 20 years |
| Why did you become a governor? |
Having been Chair of the PTA and Annual Fund at Oxford High School for 15 years and passionate about education, I felt that I would like to be involved in the continued success of Bartholomew School in ensuring that young people are given every opportunity to fulfil their potential |
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Image to follow |
KASSIM JAVAID |
| Category of governor |
Parent Governor |
| Term of office | Profile to follow |
| Work | |
| Links to the school/area | |
|
Why did you become a governor? |
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BERNY AUTON |
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Category of governor |
Director Appointed |
| Term of office |
November 2023 - September 2027 |
| Work |
I work as an artist from my studio in Abingdon including facilitating the occasional workshop and classes. I also coach Young People on job applications, interview preparation and career progression. I volunteer as a Mentor with abandofbrothers and am supporting Oxfordshire Youth to help them move to new premises. All the above being a deliberate switch from a corporate career in management consultancy and technology businesses around the world |
| Links to the school/area |
I was introduced to Eynsham Partnership Academy by Governors for Schools. I have lived in Oxfordshire for 23 years and have friends in Eynsham whose children attend, or used to attend, Bartholomew |
| Why did you become a governor? |
Learning and Development have been extremely important for me and my family. I was an ‘involved' parent at both my daughters’s schools and continue my commitment to education, particularly the importance of the arts, in all its forms, across our community |
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ROSA ARIAS-YAGUE |
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Category of governor |
Parent Governor |
| Term of office |
December 2023 – December 2027 |
| Work |
I am a Sociologist and a facilitator working as an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor at an English charity. I support schools and organisations with training and consultancy work to develop professional environments without prejudice and discrimination. I am a former teacher and Curriculum Manager at an independent school in Oxford |
| Links to the school/area |
I have lived in Eynsham since 2022 and my youngest daughter is attending Bartholomew School since that academic year. I love how dynamic the village is |
| Why did you become a governor? |
I used to be a governor at Bayards Hill Primary School and when I moved to Eynsham, I wanted to contribute with my passion for education and inclusion expertise |
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ANNE ARMITAGE Vice Chair |
| Category of governor |
Director Appointed |
| Term of office |
March 2024 – March 2028 |
| Work |
Self-employed medico legal expert witness for medical negligence cases and case manager working with personal injury litigation clients. I have several years of senior management experience and working as an occupational therapist |
| Links to the school/area |
I live in Eynsham and have two children at Bartholomew School |
| Why did you become a governor? |
I have been a Governor at St Peters school Cassington since 2019, with the past 2 years as Chair of Governors. I am keen to combine my Governor experience between primary and secondary school education. I am keen to use my professional background to help to challenge and support the school, to provide the best outcome for students and for the school |
Governing Body meetings
2025/2026
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Date |
Start | End | Committee | Meeting | Location |
|
Mon 1st Dec 2025 |
18:30 | 20:30 | Bartholomew School | LGB Meeting | Hamilton Centre (Sixth Form Centre) |
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Mon 19th Jan 2026 |
18:30 | 20:30 | Bartholomew School | LGB Meeting | Hamilton Centre (Sixth Form Centre) |
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Mon 9th Mar 2026 |
18:30 | 20:30 | Bartholomew School | LGB Meeting | Hamilton Centre (Sixth Form Centre) |
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Mon 11th May 2026 |
18:30 | 20:30 | Bartholomew School | LGB Meeting | Hamilton Centre (Sixth Form Centre) |
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Mon 29th June 2026 |
18:30 | 20:30 | Bartholomew School | LGB Meeting | Hamilton Centre (Sixth Form Centre) |
