Our Governors

Role of the Governing Board

Over the last years the responsibilities and work carried out by Governing Bodies have increased dramatically as “control” has shifted from Local Authorities to the individual schools.

Each Governor serves a term of four years and is expected to sit on at least one of the following committees:

Standards of Education Committee
Resources Committee

These Committees in turn report back to the Full Governing Body (FGB) which meets at least once every half term.

The Governors’ task is to set strategy and policy, to ensure that things are running smoothly, to provide support and encouragement and to offer a sympathetic but critical ear. To learn more about the role of the Governing Body, please read our ‘Governor Code of Conduct’ below.

If you would like to find out more about being a governor, watch this short video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRqJ_bFipHk or contact the Chair of Governors, Vince Chaney on chair@bourn.cambs.sch.uk

The governors can be contacted through the Clerk at clerk@bourn.cambs.sch.uk

Key Documents

Details of the Governance Structure can be found here

The Terms of Reference for the Standards of Education Committee can be found here.

The Member Register of Pecuniary Interests for 2023-24 can be found here

The Governor Attendance Record for 2022-2023 can be found here

Articles of Association can be found here.

Our Funding Agreement can be found here.

Information about our Annual Report and Audited Accounts can be found on the Reports and Policies page.

Key information can be found in the reports below.

Bourn Governor Code of Conduct 2023-24

Bourn Governor Meeting Dates 2022-23

Bourn Scheme of Financial Delegation 2022-23 Bourn Governors Compliance and Pecuniary Interest Register 2022-23 Bourn Primary Academy Annual Report and Accounts 31 8 21

Bourn Governor and Member Compliance Register 2023-24 Bourn Governor Membership 2023-24

Financial Benchmarking

Benchmarking is the process of comparing a school’s spending with similar schools and schools with similar challenges. It allows us school to look at our spending in different areas such as staffing, supplies and services.

The GOV.UK Financial Benchmarking website enables us to make these comparisons and to identify areas where spending may need review. Click here to see the Schools Financial Benchmarking data for Bourn Primary Academy.

There are no school employees whose gross salary is £100 000 or more.

MEET OUR GOVERNORS

Vince Chaney

Chair of Governors (Governor since December 2017)

I live in Bourn with my wife and our three young children. Our eldest daughter has started in class Acorn so we will have children at Bourn Primary for quite a few years! I believe it’s essential that we give our pupils the best possible start in their journey through life and I want to do what I can to support the outstanding work that the staff do.

I’m Managing Director of a two hundred person company as well as being a pension fund trustee for our parent group. I have worked in a number of strategy and leadership roles in industries including environmental assessment, technology and financial services. I’m an engineer by training and have recently completed a certificate in coaching. I hope to be able to put my varied experience and energy to good use in helping the school to continue to thrive.

I enjoy many outdoor pursuits with my family and am a keen runner and cyclist.

Laura Latham

Head Teacher (Governor since January 2019)

I was delighted to take up the role of Headteacher at Bourn Primary Academy in January 2019. I have worked in schools since 2002, first as a parent helper, then as a Teaching Assistant and I trained to become a teacher at Cambridge University in 2004. During my teaching career, I have taught all year groups from Foundation Stage to Year 6, as well as having been Special Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo), maths lead, English lead and I have specialised in developing positive behaviour management in each school where I have taught. I have been a governor for over 16 years in three different schools.

I have lived in Cambridgeshire since 2001, having previously lived in London, Sheffield and Manchester. I have two children, one of whom is also a teacher (the fourth generation of teachers in our family!) When I am not working, I run, cycle and enjoy walking along the beach in Norfolk, looking for fossils. I am also learning to play the piano, partly to prove my mantra that you can become good at anything if you work hard enough!

Jennifer Collard

Community Governor (Governor since September 2018)

I moved to Bourn in 2013 with my family. Although my children did not attend Bourn Primary Academy, I was delighted to be asked to be a Community Governor and be able to support the local community through the school whose excellent reputation I was already aware of. I look forward to working closely with the dedicated staff and governors.

My background is in languages and teaching. Prior to moving to Cambridgeshire I spent 16 years in Hong Kong, initially teaching English and French, and then as a full time mum who has always been heavily involved in my children’s education and school life, volunteering wherever possible.

Peter Watts

Parent Governor (Governor since September 2019)

It was clear when we moved into the village in 2011 that Bourn Primary School played a central role in the community and now with two children, I feel very fortunate to be able to send them to this school. I became a new parent to the school in 2018. I am delighted to be a member of the governing body at Bourn: I am passionate about high quality education for all and look forward to working with the governing team.

After graduating from Chichester University in 2003, I have spent the last 16 years working in education at a secondary school in Cambridge. I started as a teacher of PE, and have undertaken a variety of responsibility roles along the way which has lead me to my current role as Deputy Headteacher in charge of teaching and learning. In my spare time, I am often found on the golf course, playing football, or enjoying a film.

Sally Ward

Vice Chair of Governors (Governor since April 2020)

After a large number of moves with the Royal Air Force, in 1998 my family moved to Bourn. We loved the village and stayed. Bourn Primary School made a big contribution to our welcome. Both my son and daughter attended, and were immediately enveloped in a challenging but stable learning environment that lay solid foundations for their adult aspirations.

Before my retirement from careers in telecommunications, teaching, and tourism, I gained a lot of experience in operational management, leadership, and strategic planning. As I strongly believe that good education should be available to everyone, I am keen to use my skills and knowledge to support this ethos and contribute to the development and success of Bourn Primary Academy.

I am delighted to be a Community Governor, a role in which I will be able to assist in providing a gateway between the academy and the community.

James Davenport

Finance Governor (Governor since October 2021)

I grew up in Bourn and followed the same educational path as a lot of my contemporaries attending Bourn Primary, Comberton Village College and finally Hills Road Sixth Form College before leaving the village to study at university.

I know first-hand the value that Bourn Primary brings in providing a safe and nurturing environment to grow up and feel very privileged to be able to contribute to the governing body of my old school.

After finishing my degree at King’s College London, I joined a mid-tier accountancy firm and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2016. I am a Director in the General Practice team advising entrepreneurial businesses.

My main interest outside of work is football which started on the playing fields with my friends at Bourn Primary.

Penny Bell

Foundation Governor (Governor since September 2021)

I moved to Cambridgeshire in 2017 with my husband and 2 children, who are now enjoying life at Bourn C of E Primary Academy. I want to support the staff at Bourn Primary as they deliver an outstanding education and provide strong foundations for our own children’s futures.

For over 2 decades, I have implemented large scale transformational IT projects in healthcare. As part of a national IT programme, I led a team of 40 people delivering projects to 62 NHS Trusts across London and the Southeast of England. I have strong experience in both programme and project management of a wide range of technology projects.

I am a Christian who has been actively involved in church since I was a child, with experience in church governance, children’s work, safeguarding, music and lots of organisation of events! It is a privilege to be a Foundation Governor at Bourn Primary, ensuring the strong Christian ethos in our school continues into the future.

Hong Wang

Parent Governor (Governor since July 2022)

Before moving to Cambridgeshire with family in 2015, I had previously lived in USA and China. I obtained my Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, with a focus on educational assessment and statistics. I am currently a Senior Validation Manager at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, responsible for quality assurance of English language assessment.

My daughter currently attends Bourn Primary and loves the school. I was delighted to become a governor in 2022. In this role I hope to gain a better understanding of the primary education in the UK and draw on my expertise in educational assessment to support the development and success of the children at the school.

Simone Glennen

After living in various locations around the UK, we found ourselves moving to South Cambridgeshire in 2016, now we can’t imagine living anywhere else and one of the main factors of this is Bourn Primary. As a family we will forever be linked with the school. The school and the community has shown us so much love and compassion. So when the opportunity arose to be able to give something back, I couldn’t think of a better way to show my gratitude, whilst being a part of and supporting a great team of teachers and volunteers who are all dedicated to making sure the school and the children continue to grow and succeed.

My background is hospitality, starting out as a 15 year old cleaning tables in a chain restaurant I found a passion for the industry. I have worked across numerous functions for the biggest hospitality companies in the UK. My most recent roles have been in Internal Audit and Fraud Management. I manage a nationwide team of fraud investigators who are responsible for monitoring 45,000 employees and billions of business transactions. I have extensive experience in team management, project management, training & development and strategic planning.

I look forward to bringing both my personal and professional experiences to my role as a parent governor.

My personal passions are: my family, the Book Bus, being part of the community and supporting The BSA as secretary.

Richard Zubrik

We moved to Bourn 5 years ago and our eldest daughter moved to Bourn Primary. Our younger daughter started in Acorn a few years ago and our youngest boy, has started Acorn this year. I want to help make sure all children at Bourn Primary have as great learning and overall experience as possible and receive the best possible early education.

I'm currently a senior executive at a large global business and have been in multiple digital and technology leadership roles over the years. I've worked in retail and cultural entertainment leading strategic initiatives in the UK and internationally. I have a Master's degree in Finance and Business Management. I was always interested in computers, technology and software and have a lot of working experience in technology. I’m looking forward to using my experience to help the school every way I can.

Outside of work I enjoy many outdoor activities including running, skiing, cycling and swimming.

Andy Johnson

Having spent just over 24 years moving around the world with HM Forces (Army) my wife and I settled in Cambourne in 2018. As a family we have a deep bond with Bourn. We celebrated our marriage at St Helena and St Mary's Church, where our son was later Christened. With my in-laws living just a hundred yards from the school and numerous friends living in the village Bourn is an integral part of our lives. Our son started in Acorn class in September 22 and moved up to Willow this year.

With over 24 years in policing, I have a strong background in Multi Agency Safeguarding and Child / Public Protection. I have extensive experience in team leadership, management, coaching and mentoring and am a firm believer in supporting and empowering the wider team to achieve their goal.

I currently work within Central Government delivering large scale IT transformational Infrastructure projects. I am delighted to have the opportunity to take up a role as parent governor and look forward to being involved in supporting the continued success and development of the school .

Jenny Wangui

I am Jenny Wangui (Wang-go-e) and I am delighted to be joining such a great team of Governors.

As the newest member of both the board and Cambridge, I hope I can bring a somewhat fresh perspective. I moved to Cambridge in 2022 with my Fiancé who is in the Armed Forces, having spent the last 5 years in Norwich.

Following a degree in Marketing, I completed my Masters in International Development and particularly enjoyed my modules in Education for Development.

I have since worked for Home-Start – a charity that supports families with young children through challenging times, and for New Routes, which provided services to refugees, asylum seekers, and isolated migrants in Norwich. In both these roles, I was able to feed into the support that children and young people received at a local level.

Currently, I am a National Digital Marketing Coordinator within the education sector.

I have always felt strongly that all children should receive an equal opportunity for quality learning. I have heard great things about Bourn School and I am looking forward to contributing to the team.