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Governors

Chairs of Governors

Rachel Houghton rhoughton@middlebartonschool.org

Patrick Hunter phunter@middlebartonschool.org

The Local Governing Body

The Local Governing Body (LGB) is made up of volunteers from the community, parents of children at the school and schools. The headteacher also forms part of the LGB.

The governing body has three core strategic functions, delegated by the River Learning Trust:

Ensuring clarity of vision, ethic and strategic direction
Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
Overseeing the school’s finances and ensuring its money is well managed

Governors work in partnership with the headteacher and staff to ensure that children receive high standards of education, are able to learn in a safe and nurturing environment, and are given a range of educational and extra-curricular opportunities.

The LGB meets a number of times throughout the school year to discuss topics such as children’s attainment and progress; safeguarding for the whole school community; site management; budgets; and the curriculum. Governors also attend school to meet with subject leaders, observe lessons, talk to children about their experiences of being a pupil at the school and monitor key areas such as safeguarding and SEND.

If you have comments, concerns or compliments you would like to pass on to the school, please contact your child's class teacher in the first instance if you are a parent with a child in school. Otherwise, contact the Headteacher, who will discuss issues raised with the Co-Chairs of Governors and/or the Governing Body if appropriate, please do pass on your feedback. If you have any matters you wish to raise with the Chair of Governors, please post a letter (addressed to the Chair of Governors) to the school office or email rhoughton@middlebartonschool.org or phunter@middlebartonschool.org marking it for the attention of the Chair of Governors.

RLT Governance

Governor Membership list and register of interests Governor Attendance

Rachel Houghton, Joint Chair of Governors

My name is Rachel Houghton and I am Joint Chair of Governors. I have experience of primary education both as a parent and in my career as a publisher and learning specialist. I have worked for many years in educational publishing, including over a decade in primary. I have worked with many primary teachers and pupils while developing reading, literacy and intervention resources.

Patrick Hunter, Joint Chair of Governors

My name is Patrick Hunter and I am a Parent Governor and joint Chair of Governors. I have been a Police Officer for over 10 years and have previously worked in the music industry. I am the link governor for maths and art but also feel strongly about supporting equality, diversity and inclusion in Middle Barton School.

Linda Cowmeadow, Clerk to the Governors

My name is Linda Cowmeadow and I am the Clerk to the Local Governing Body at Middle Barton Primary School. I provide clerking services for several schools across the River Learning Trust.

Alison Umney, Community Governor

My name is Alison Umney and I am a community Governor. During my career as a primary school teacher in Oxfordshire, I worked as a Key Stage One coordinator, SENDco and Senior leader and have always been interested in working to improve the educational experiences of young children. As a governor, I welcome the opportunity to support the continued growth and success of Middle Barton Primary school.

Ali Mawer, Community Governor

My name is Ali Mawer and I am a Community Governor and safeguarding and attendance Governor.

Steve Bryan, Parent Governor

My name is Steve Bryan and I am a Co-opted Governor, responsible for Health & Safety. My child attends Middle Barton School. I have many years’ experience in Schools Estate Management and Health & Safety and I hope to be able to share this in my role as a governor.

Claire Hague, Parent Governor

My name is Claire Hague and I am a Community Governor. I have been a primary school teacher since 2005 and am now a teacher of deaf children and young people

Adam Hinchliff, Parent Governor

My name is Adam Hinchliff and I am a Parent Governor. I have two children at Middle Barton School. I am a project manager working for a biotech company in Oxford. I am the link governor for maths and data.

Emma Merry, Staff Governor

My name is Emma Merry and I am a Staff governor. I teach Reception and Year One in the school. I am the school SENDCo, and I also lead Early Years and Phonics. I began my teaching career in 2005 and have been at Middle Barton since 2019

Scarlett Sylvester, Staff Governor

My name is Scarlett Sylvester and I teach Year 2 and 3 in the school as well as being the Science Coordinator. I began my teaching career at Middle Barton in 2019 and joined as a Staff Governor in 2025

Bex White, Parent Governor

My name is Bex White and I am a Parent Governor. I have one child at Middle Barton School. I am an environmental consultant working on responsible sourcing of high-risk deforestation commodities. Environmental sustainability is very important to me in my home and working life, so, I am excited to be supporting the fantastic staff at Middle Barton School as the link governor on outdoor learning and sustainability.

Kim Griffin, Headteacher

My name is Kim Griffin and I am the Headteacher at Middle Barton School.