Our Local Governing Body Members
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Matthew Fisher, Foundation Governor
I joined Deddington School as a Foundation Governor in November 2021. We have been in the village for four years, and with one son at the Deddington, I wanted to take up the role to contribute to the development of the School. I have been in Education in Oxfordshire since 2003. In this time I have worked in several schools across the county, progressing from teaching roles, to school leadership. Currently I am at Warriner, as Assistant Headteacher. I have always been passionate about teaching and learning, and the impact this has on students. I hope that my background and skill can be used to help the School so that students can continue to flourish academically. More widely, I understand the wider contributions that schools can make to enrich the lives of students. From my own experience, I am a keen sportsperson, and have played hockey to a high level. This has given me the appreciation of the importance of enrichment within the curriculum. I hope that my skills and experience in education can be used to help support Deddington primary school, so that the excels in all that it does.
Mark Gilkes, Foundation Governor
I joined as a governor in January 2022. I live in Clifton along with my wife (a Primary School Teacher in Banbury) and 18 month old son. I grew up in nearby Milcombe and following university I moved to Ashby de la Zouch to take a job as a graduate surveyor at Fisher German LLP. We decided to move back to Oxfordshire in 2018. I was invited to become a Partner at Fisher German in 2020 and enjoy working in the national infrastructure part of our business. My role involves leading teams of surveyors in consulting, negotiating and compensating landowners impacted by large scale infrastructure projects. I deal with budgeting, financing, advising on legal rights and helping my colleagues develop and upskill and I hope these skills may assist with my contribution to the school.
Paul Honess - Foundation Governor, LGB Chair
I joined the Board of Governors as a Parent Governor in May 2018 and became the Chair of Governors in February 2021. I have twins at the school.
I am an educator with a background of teaching and research in a number of UK universities including Oxford and Cambridge. With degrees in Zoology and Anthropology I have specialized in Animal Welfare Science investigating the impact of captive conditions and the effects of environmental enrichment. Since 2011 I have worked as a consultant in the bioscience sector, both in the UK and internationally as well as taking an active role in the raising of our family.
Deddington C of E Primary School has created a wonderful community in which the children can maximize their learning and development. I feel privileged to being able to support the school in maintaining and further developing the high quality education it delivers to give the children the very best start to their formal education.
Mike Naylor, Parent Governor
I joined as a parent governor in September 2022. My family and I moved to Deddington in early 2020, with my daughter joining the Foundation Stage at the school shortly after and is currently in Year 1, with my son hopefully soon to start in the Foundation Stage. In the time since, I have witnessed how the school has not only helped to develop and nurture my daughter but is also at the heart of the community. As a Local Authority finance adviser, for the last 11 years I have worked exclusively with maintained primary schools in Oxfordshire, providing financial support and advice including budgetary, risk identification, information management and analysis. I hope my experience in this role will help provide further insight for the school and to have the opportunity to be able to contribute towards and support the school, and in turn the local community is a real privilege.