Governing Body

Bartholomew School has a Local Governing Body (LGB) comprising Trust appointed governors, elected parent governors, elected staff governors and the Headteacher.

The LGB is a committee of the Trust and has responsibilities delegated to it via the Trust Scheme of Delegation. The LGB meets once every half term as do three sub-committees with delegated powers, which monitor different areas of the School’s performance.

Being a governor is extremely rewarding and interesting. Elections are underway for a new parent governor and we are also looking for non-parent (community) governors. Please see the 'Becoming A Governor' section below and get in touch if you are interested.

Governors' Business Interests and Attendance

Business interests and attendance April 2022

News and Updates from the governors

The Chair of Governors, Lucy Dickinson, writes an update for the end of term newsletter. For the most recent update please click on the image below and for previous issues go to our Newsletters page. Letters from the governing body can be found on our Letters Home page (please select 'Governors' from the filter list).

Becoming a Governor

Shape the future of our young people

Opportunities for Governors to make a real difference to the students in our school:

Becoming A Parent Governor

Bartholomew Community Governor advert October 2022

Bartholomew School Governors Code of Practice

Contact the Chair of Governors

If you wish to contact the Chair of Governors, please email: Governors@bartholomew.oxon.sch.uk

Governor Profiles

	LUCY DICKINSON
Category of governor	Director appointed
Term of office	6 February 2019 – 5 February 2023
Committee membership and roles	Chair of Governors, member of Behaviour, Ethos, Wellbeing and Communication, Teaching, Learning and Outcomes, Strategic Resources and Financial Management
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	Live in Eynsham and have two children at Bartholomew
Why did you become a governor?	Having both a professional and personal interest in good School Governance, I joined the Bartholomew Governors in order to help support and challenge the school in providing the best possible opportunities for all students
	COLEEN HUNTER
Category of governor	Academy appointed
Term of office	21 May 2020 – 20 May 2024
Committee membership and roles	Vice-Chair of Governors, member of Strategic Resources and Financial Management
Work	Retired – previously Senior College Officer and a Member of the Governing Body of Worcester College in the University of Oxford. I served on a number of College Committees, Governing Body, Finance, External Relations, Buildings, and Gardens and Grounds. My main role as Director of Development and Alumni Relations was to take overall strategic responsibility for Fundraising and Alumni Relations which included building effective relations with donors and alumni relations
Links to the school/area	Lives in Witney
Why did you become a governor?	Working in higher education for over 30 years has given me a wealth of experience; serving on Committees within a College environment and raising funds to support their strategic aims. I am absolutely passionate about education, and I wanted to use the knowledge I have gained over the years which I believe will be useful as a Governor at Bartholomew School
	JANE OSBORNE
Category of Governor	Academy appointed
Term of office	1 September 2020 - 31 August 2024
Committee membership and roles	Behaviour, Ethos, Wellbeing and Communication (Chair), Safeguarding Governor, member of Teaching, Learning and Outcomes and Strategic Resources and Financial Management
Work	Retired Teacher
Links to the school/area	All of my 4 children attended Bartholomew School, during which time I was involved in the work of the PTA. I have been a governor for many years, including some years as Chair of Governors, and am now the Safeguarding Governor and Chair of the Behaviour Ethos, Wellbeing and Communication committee
Why did you become a governor?	To support the school in providing the best possible education for the children and young people in its community
	GAVIN ROBINSON
Category of governor	Academy appointed
Term of office	6 February 2019 – 5 February 2023
Committee membership and roles	Chair of the Strategic Resources and Financial Management Committee. Member of the Teaching, Learning and Outcomes Committee. Chair of the Members of the Eynsham Partnership Academy
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	Have live in Eynsham since Easter 2009
Why did you become a governor?	Having settled in Eynsham, I wanted to be more involved in the local community. In early 2011, when I saw that Bartholomew were 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
	TESSA FORD
Category of governor	Academy appointed
Term of office	4 February 2020 – 3 February 2024
Committee membership and roles	Chair of Teaching, Learning and Outcomes committee. Pupil Premium Governor. Member of Behaviour, Ethos, Wellbeing and Communication
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 was keen to make best use of my knowledge and skills to support the school in my community
	MICHAEL RYAN
Category of governor	Academy appointed
Term of office	21 May 2019 – 18 May 2023
Committee membership and roles	Member of the Teaching, Learning and Outcomes committee and the Strategic Resources and Financial Management committee. Elected Trustee of EPA
Work	I am now retired except for my Parish Council where I am Parish Clerk
Links to the school/area	I had two grandchildren at Bartholomew, I am involved as Business Advisor to the Young Enterprise Group
Why did you become a governor?	I have always had a strong involvement in my local community and with more available time offering myself as a Governor of Bartholomew was a natural progression
	GILL DIXON
Category of governor	Parent
Term of office	12 June 2018 – 11 June 2022
Committee membership and roles	Teaching, Learning and Outcomes, Strategic Resources and Financial Management
Work	Director of Teachers To Your Home Ltd, an educational company, based in Oxfordshire, which works with 20,000 teachers, who provide high quality home tuition and home schooling across England and Wales
Links to the school/area	Work with 20,000 teachers in schools and colleges across England and Wales
Why did you become a governor?	Previously Head of Trent College (2006 to 2014), a large independent day and boarding school in Nottinghamshire; also Governor of Witham Hall Prep School (2012 to 2104). Our family relocated to Oxfordshire in 2015 to set up our own business. I wanted to become Governor of Bartholomew School as I have a thorough understanding and appreciation of the role of a Governor, in both providing collegiate support and robust challenge for a school, to help determine its ambition. I also have broad experience of the workings of the relevant Sub-Committees, though my experience is all from the context of the Independent Sector; which can have a different dynamic
	CRAIG THOMAS
Category of governor	Bartholomew School Headteacher
	HARRY COPSON
Category of Governor	Staff
Term of office	7 February 2022 – 6 February 2026
Committee membership and roles	Currently being decided!
Work	Teacher of Geography, Sociology and History and Assistant Pastoral Lead (APL).
Links to the school/area	Apart from my undergraduate degree at Nottingham University I have always lived in Oxfordshire and did my teacher training in Oxford too. I have lived in various parts of the county and now work at Bartholomew
Why did you become a governor?	To represent the views of day-to-day staff and students to the governing body in the hope of making it an even better place to work and study
	SHELLEY BRUCE
Category of Governor	Academy appointed
Term of office	15 November 2018 – 14 November 2022
Committee membership and roles	Behaviour, Ethos, Wellbeing and Communication
Work	Retired from paid employment; Justice of the Peace
Links to the school/area	Lived in Eynsham for 43 years. All 3 of my children went to Bartholomew School
Why did you become a governor?	As my grandchildren were/are approaching school age I became aware of the increasing pressures and challenges placed on our education system and having plenty of free time I wanted to contribute in any way I could to ensure that all children have a solid education to establish a firm foundation for their future lives
	FIONA LOADER
Category of governor	Parent
Term of office	26 May 2021 – 25 May 2025
Committee membership and roles	Strategic Resources and Financial Management Committee
Work	Chartered Accountant (UK & Australia) – partner in a major chartered accountancy firm. I am currently taking a career break to raise my young family
Links to the school/area	My parents moved to Eynsham in 1983, so I have lived here on & off since then. I moved back to live here permanently in July 2018.I have two sets of twins; my eldest two attend Bartholomew School, whilst the younger two will be joining when they complete primary 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
	JANINE BROOME
Category of governor	Parent
Term of office	26 May 2021 – 25 May 2025
Committee membership and roles	Teaching, Learning and Outcomes
Work	Senior Project Manager currently working for AirTanker at RAF Brize Norton
Links to the school/area	We moved to Eynsham 10 years ago (2011) just before my eldest son joined the Foundation class at Eynsham Community primary. I was a member of the primary school PTA for the 10 years that my sons were in the school, including a few years as secretary
Why did you become a governor?	My younger son joined Bartholomew in September 2021. This seemed a good time to try to support the senior school more. I want to represent a parent’s view in the TLO committee and the wider governing body. I enjoy learning more about the challenges and successes of the school
	ADEMOLA ADEDIRAN
Category of governor	Parent
Term of office	14 October 2019 – 13 October 2023
Committee membership and roles	Behaviour, Ethos, Wellbeing and Communication
Work	Further information to follow
Links to the school/area	Further information to follow
Why did you become a governor?	Further information to follow
	JO FEEHILY
Category of governor	Parent
Term of office	Category of governor
Committee membership and roles	Member of Teaching, Learning and Outcomes Committee
Work	I am a Programme Lead and Principal Lecturer in higher education. I manage postgraduate provision in marketing. I have worked in higher education for 22 years in a range of business-related subject areas and I research in coaching and mentoring. In my early career, I worked in public sector marketing and PR
Links to the school/area	Both of my children attend Bartholomew and I have lived in Long Hanborough since 2007
Why did you become a governor?	I would like to support the school in achieving the best outcomes for the children of the community