Our Governing Body

Our Local Governing Body is made up of people approved by Diocese of Ely Multi-Academy Trust (DEMAT). They comprise representations from our staff, parents and the local community.
All Governors have equal status and together they take Corporate responsibility for the school and collective responsibility for their decisions.
Governors are elected for four years. They are unpaid and their role is voluntary.

Our Governors are closely involved with the Life and Strategic plan of the School. information regarding minutes taken at Governors meetings can be accessed by contacting the school office. office@mepalwitcham.cambs.sch.uk

The Governors for Mepal and Witcham Church of England Primary School are:

Joy Walker (Chair of Govenors)

I feel very proud and privileged to have been appointed as Chair of Governors at Mepal and Witcham C of E Primary School.   I have had connections with Mepal since a girl and have lived in Witcham for 40 years. My son attended the school and I also taught there for many years.  From being a class teacher, then Deputy and Acting Headteacher at Mepal and Witcham I moved into the role of substantive Headship at a small Primary School and then to a large 4 form entry Infant School which is now part of Cambridge Primary Education Trust.  I have since retired from being Headteacher and now mentor graduate trainee teachers on the SCITT programme.  I  have always had a keen interest in local education and the provision offered to our children.  From my experience I have a wealth of knowledge and expertise to offer in support of the future development and growth of Mepal and Witcham C of E Primary School.  I look forward to getting to know the children and parents at the school as well as offering my support as an effective member of the Governing Body by assisting the Headteacher and staff in achieving future goals.

Elizabeth Stazicker

Elizabeth Stazicker, brought up first in inner Essex, and then in North Norfolk, was lucky enough to be funded, through a county scholarship and her parents’ sacrifice, to attend the Girls’ Public Day School Trust’s Norwich High School for Girls.  As a result of their excellent teaching she gained a scholarship to Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, to read Modern History (which covered c430AD – 1914).  She thereafter studied archive administration at University College, London, and spent her career in the local government archives service; from the mid-1990s, when she moved to Mepal, she was Cambridgeshire’s County Archivist and Head of Heritage.  Since 2005 she has continued to work part-time as archivist to King’s Ely and honorary archivist to Ely Cathedral, as well as serving a number of roles in the village and county community, including as churchwarden of St Mary’s Mepal.  She says that she will work as long as she can to ensure that the good fortune she enjoyed is shared, as far as can be in present political circumstances, with those around her.

Jane Lucas

I live in Witcham and have been a teacher (primary and now secondary maths) for nearly 20 years.  Prior to that I worked in finance.  I have been a staff governor of Thomas Easton primary school in Wimblington and until recently was a parent governor at Witchford Village College (WVC).  I am now a member of the Morris Education Trust.  My three children attended Sutton Primary School and WVC and have now all left home.  I am a Parish Councillor in Witcham and have joined the Governing Body at Mepal and Witcham to contribute to my local community and bring the benefit of my governor and teaching experience to the help further improve the school.

Rev. Mary Hancock

Coming originally from Devon, I have lived in Cambridgeshire since 1979. After a career as an applied invertebrate ecologist, team manager and business development manager, I was ordained in the Church of England in 2007 and served my title post in North Cambridgeshire/ West Norfolk in five villages between Wisbech and March. While there I regularly went into two C of E primary schools and two LA primary schools taking assemblies and helping with RE. I was a community governor of Emneth Primary School for three years. Currently I am the vicar/rector of Sutton, Mepal and Witcham, and am also a Foundation Governor of Sutton C of E VC Primary School, and a Trustee of Sutton Poorsland.

My expertise includes: experiment design and analysis, project planning and management, team leadership and management, process improvement, facilitation, communication. I have degrees in zoology and theology, and a publication record (peer reviewed papers, edited papers, book chapters and popular articles) as well as experience in radio and TV broadcasting.

Loretta Clark

I live in Witcham and have done so for the last 30 years.

It has been a privilege to be a part of the Witcham and Mepal Primary School governing body. I am firm believer in supporting the community in which you live in whatever way you can.

I grew up in Cambridge and started my working life at Pye Telecommunications. After 6 years as a departmental secretary I left to become the Office Manager for a local seed and corn merchants based in Stretham and from there moved to a Biotech company on the Science Park in Cambridge working as P.A. to the C.E.O. Currently I am a director for a medical devices company based in Papworth with primary responsibility for Customer Service and Logistics. I am the secretary for the Witcham Village Hall Committee and Acting Chair for Mepal and Witcham Friends Committee, I have been a member of this committee since my son who is now 20 joined the school.

Having grown up in a deprived area of Cambridge, education is extremely important to me. University was never mentioned during my school years and at that time would have been frowned upon especially for the female contingent. I believe in inclusive education for all people whatever their background or ability. Each child should be nurtured to reach their full potential and most importantly they should leave us as fully rounded people, with a thirst for learning.

Richard Holdaway

Richard is married to Laura with two teenage daughters Thea and Lacey. The family have lived in Witcham for the past 8 years, previously to that in Wardy Hill and Ely.

Born in London he’s moved around the UK with his job and has now settled in Cambridgeshire for the last 15 years.

Richard is The National Account Manager - Team Leader for Corus and Laura Ashley hotels, which owns 7 hotels in the UK. Spending his career in the hospitality industry ranging from small independent hotels to working for Hilton Worldwide for over 10 years managing global accounts.

He comes with a wealth of experience from business development, people management and the hospitality industry.

The family are keen riders and he spends his time with his daughters in their outdoor activities along with their two dogs and several chickens.

Contacting the Governing Body

The governing body can be contacted via the Chair jwalker@mepalwitcham.cambs.sch.uk

Governor Responsibilities

Autumn 2020

DEMAT Compliance

DEMAT STATEMENT

The Diocese of Ely Board of Education supports the teaching of children throughout the Dioces particularly through our Church of England Schools. As part of this the Board has established the Diocese of Ely Multi Academy Trust. Through this Trust, the Diocese aims to take more responsibility for the running of operation between the academies. The Trust is committed to:

• developing a shared identity and common purpose whilst preserving each school’s individuality, Christian ethos and distinctiveness;
• encouraging innovation and collaboration across the partnership;
• supporting schools so that they may serve their local communities more effectively.

Link to DEMAT for annual report and annual audited accounts, along with DEMAT’s Memorandum of association and articles of association.

http://www.demat.org.uk/compliance/

DEMAT Trustees:

http://www.demat.org.uk/demat-board/

DEMAT Financial Statements:

http://www.demat.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2015-16-Financial-statements.pdf

DEMAT Funding Agreement:

http://www.demat.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Master-Funding-Agreement-2013.pdf

Current Academies Financial Handbook

 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f4754ac8fa8f5362e74ba76/Academies_Financial_Handbook_2020.pdf