Hello and welcome to the Governors’ page of the Limington House School website.
The Role of a Governor
The role of the governing body is both interesting and rewarding. Governors have 3 main roles:
- To support and challenge the work of the school. To be a critical friend and ask questions about what the school does and the benefits to the pupils.
- To think and act strategically by looking at the big picture and not at the day to day running of the school.
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school, by ensuring we are representing good value for money for the pupils of the school and the spending of public money.
As a governing body, we are a diverse group of people from all walks of life, all volunteers, who bring a variety of different experiences and expertise to the school.
To help with the workload governors are divided up into 2 committees;
“Curriculum Committee” and “Resources Committee”. Each committee meets once every half term. Each half term we have a Full Governing Body meeting, this is where all governors meet together to discuss and support the strategic management of the school. The minutes of these meetings are available on request from the school office.
Governor Impact Statement – July 2024
The Governing Body of Limington House School is an experienced and diverse group of unpaid volunteers who have had the following impact on the school.
We recognise, and value, the importance of the Governing Body ensuring that we fulfil our statutory obligations. We also set the ethos, strategic direction and values of the school by: –
- Being a “Champion” for the school – inside and outside of the school setting.
- Liaising with parents to listen to their views, and acting where necessary.
- Supporting the curriculum by visiting classes for activities/themed days and triangulating this with the School Improvement Plan.
- Supporting our leaders, whilst also holding them to account.
- Recognise and value the importance of our staff and pupil’s wellbeing.
- Providing support and challenge on the running of the financial budget.
- Providing support and challenge on Safeguarding, Attendance, and Health & Safety throughout the school.
- Supporting the school to ensure that complaints are dealt with effectively.
- Maintaining a culture of continuous improvement.
Personal Summaries
| Roy Cleaver – Chair | |
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I worked for over 20 years as Managing Director of an International Group of companies in the Oil and Gas industry and have been a local magistrate for over 14 years.
I was previously Chair of Governors for 6 years at a Special School in Alton as well as being a governor at two other junior schools. I have been a Governor at Limington House since 2014 and am a member of both the Resources and Curriculum committees. I am one of the elected representatives for Special Schools on the Hampshire Schools Forum.
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| Janella Thow – Vice Chair | |
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I have been in education all my working life and passionately believe that all children have the right to achieve their full potential through a good education. I joined the governing body in 2007 and have been a governor in previous schools. My present roles are Vice Chair of the FGB, Chair of the Curriculum Committee, a member of the Resources Committee and the Safeguarding Governor. I am the Local Authority Governor. |
| Justin Innes – Headteacher | |
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I have over 25 years successful teaching experience, as a class teacher and a leader, in a range of different settings. I have the highest aspirations for all pupils in the school and recognise that they all learn, achieve and succeed in different ways. |
| Susan Chivers | |
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I joined Limington House School governing body in 2012 as a co-opted governor. I am a retired Civil Servant working in areas such as education, housing and neighbourhood renewal projects. I have had previous experience as both a primary and secondary school governor. I am at present on the curriculum committee and the training liaison governor. It is a joy and privilege to be part of the governing body and in a small way help contribute to the opportunities this school gives to its pupils.
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| Jane Oliver | |
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I am a parent governor; my daughter has gone through the school and is now in the FE department. Before being a full time carer, I worked in management for the Hampshire Magistrates Court Service, following a degree in Archaeology. I am an active member of Friends of Limington House (FOLH) and am currently the chair. Previously, I have been the local parent rep for the Portage service and have been a trustee for a local Down Syndrome charity. |
| Steven Vear MBE | |
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I work for one of the UK exam boards where I am one of the Operations Senior Leadership Team. I was previously a governor for a primary school in Andover where I live for 4 years and then supported in the federation of the governing bodies of two special educational needs schools in Basingstoke and Eastleigh.
In my spare time I am Chairman of a local cricket league and a listening volunteer at the Samaritans. I previously served on the board of trustees at the University of Winchester Student Union and I sit in both the adult and family courts having been a magistrate for more than a decade. I am a current trustee of the Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance.
In recognition for my voluntary service, I was appointed an MBE by HM The Queen in the 2019 New Years Honours List.
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Helen Jermy |
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I have been a governor at Limington House School since 2015. Now retired, I bring the skills and knowledge acquired from a long career in adult learning disability services, at both operational and strategic levels in health and social services. I was also a local magistrate for 25 years. Being a governor at Limington House School means working as part of a multi-talented team in a forward thinking school that puts the pupils at the centre of all that it does. |
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James Russell |
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I have been a leader in special schools for ten years and have been teaching for over twenty years. I have great passion and enthusiasm for teaching and learning. Every day I see the positive impact the school has on young people and their families. I believe in giving the pupils the very best experiences to develop their communication and independence to allow them to be as independent as possible in the future, allowing them to have safe, happy and fulfilling lives. |
| Charlie Brake | |
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After leaving the Royal Navy, and graduating from the University of Winchester, I have spent 20 years working in the Oil and Gas, and Power generation industries. I am a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) ambassador for Hampshire schools, and I’m involved in several charity initiatives, both through work and in Alton, where I live. In my spare time, I am a keen runner and also volunteer as a Run Director at Alice Holt Parkrun. This is my first role as a governor and I am looking forward to being involved in the continuing success of Limington House School. |
| Tom Heritage | |
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I work for a global IT company and specialize in marketing operations and data insights. As both a father of two young children as well as being from a family of teachers, I have a strong interest in education as well as a firm belief in the education system. This being my first role as a governor, I am very enthusiastic about supporting this fantastic school and adding value to the critical work of the governing body for Limington House School. |
| Aime Peters | |
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It is a privilege to be a Parent Governor at Limington House School. I have been a member of both the Curriculum and Resources Committees since my appointment in 2019.
I have worked within the NHS for over 15 years, from management roles in secondary care to my current position as a Dispenser in primary care. I can bring a parent’s perspective to our committee meetings whist supporting the school to continue to provide our children with a happy and safe learning environment to meet their full potential.
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Sophie Maxwell
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I have two children, my youngest child is thriving at Limington House School. As a parent governor, I have the opportunity to bring the parent’s views to the governing body. I enjoy being a volunteer at a local SEN group, which supports SEN families. I have a degree in music and I love teaching piano, as my part time job. I hope my contribution as a parent governor builds upon the success of the school, in continuing to support all pupils to develop new skills, through an effective curriculum.
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Governor attendance by meetings