Governors' welcome
Governors have an important part to play in the running of the school through supporting our Headteacher and staff. Our prime aims are to raise standards in pupil achievement and create a happy environment that is conducive to learning. To this end, we fully support the school's strong priority to provide a well rounded education for our young people, enabling them to value the rich diversity of life within their immediate surroundings and out in the wider community. We have high expectations for all our pupils and will continue to challenge them to fulfil their potential in line with our vision and values.

Governors take an active interest in all aspects of the school and together with the Headteacher continually look for ways to build on the school's successes. This leadership team provides managerial and financial stability with a clear sense of direction to take the school forward.

This year we are facing a challenging financial environment and will also be leading on the recruitment of a new headteacher. We are enormously grateful that Liz Mason has taken on the interim role and have confidence that the school will benefit from the continuity this bring. I would also like to welcome our new members of staff to the team.

Children who leave North Leigh School take with them a sense of self-worth and high levels of achievement. The children know that they are respected as individuals and respect others equally and can continue their education well supported by our core Christian values of respect, honesty, perseverance, creativity and community.

Sophie Warner
Chair of Governors

Governors 2022-23

Sophie Warner
I am currently Chair of Governors. I am a Foundation Governor reporting to St Mary's Church and was appointed by the Oxford Diocese. My term of office is 4 years. I really enjoy my involvement with the school in my capacity as Chair and specifically on the School Improvement and Finance and Resources Committees. I am the Governor with responsibility for Safeguarding and Equalities.
There is always something new to learn and it is a privilege to work with such dedicated and skilled staff.

Ben McPherson
Hello, I'm Ben McPherson and I am in the fortunate position of being the Headteacher of North Leigh Primary School. It is a truly brilliant school. I have worked in education for 20 years now and I have worked across Oxfordshire in city and village schools. My passions in education are English, PE and Maths, as well as making children feel excited, curious and invested in learning. Enabling children to become the best versions of themselves gets me out of bed every morning and I cannot wait to see what each day holds when working with our fabulous young people. When I'm not in school, I enjoy a range of sport. I coach rugby and cricket, as well as a recent convert to golf. If that doesn't keep me busy, I have two young children with whom I am constantly busied!

Carol Crow
I have lived locally for over 30 years, during which time my three children attended North Leigh Primary School and I was an active member of the PTA. I am delighted to have been appointed a Community Governor and am looking forward to being involved with the school again. I have recently retired but worked in an educational environment for over 25 years and hope to be able to support the Governing Body by drawing on my experience and understanding of the broad range of responsibilities and challenges in running an effective school, as well as the importance of creating an environment in which children are safe and enjoy learning.

Rashi Gandhi Dawson
Hello, my name is Rashi and I was recently appointed as a school Governor and am a member of the School Improvement Committee. I still have one child at the school whilst my eldest has now moved on to secondary school. I believe that my professional background, together with my strong commitment to the school, will enable me to make a positive contribution and add to the success of the school.

Rev Margaret Dixon
I'm Margaret Dixon, the Associate Minister in charge of St Mary's Church, North Leigh, where I have been for a year. Before training as a priest I worked in education as a Youth and Community Worker, initially in Calderdale and then with Bucks County Council. During a career break while I had my twins, I studied for a degree in Archaeology. I then began working in a Church of England primary school involved in ICT, library and supporting pupils. I remained at the school for over 10 years as I continued to use my archaeological photography skills in the summer holidays on an excavation at Silchester in Hampshire. I served as a curate in a benefice of four churches in Buckinghamshire before moving to North Leigh. I serve on the School Improvement Committee, have a role as Community Link Worker, lead weekly Collective Worship, and fortnightly St Mary's Lunch. My hobbies include photography, archaeology, church history and walking my dog, Rylie.

Catherine Hill
Hello, I’m Catherine Hill. I am a newly appointed Teacher Governor beginning this role in September 2022. I am also a member of the School Improvement Committee. This is my 20th year in Primary Education and I have enjoyed working at North Leigh Primary School since 2011. I began working here in KS1, but I have found my natural home to be in the Reception Class where I enjoy the varied days, in the moment learning and enthusiasm of teaching four year olds. No day is ever the same in Holly Class! As the EYFS lead and I work closely with the Pre-School to ensure the smooth transition of pupils starting school and nurturing their development as learners during their first year. I also lead Outdoor Learning where I am able to support staff to make the most of our wonderful school grounds and woodland. I hope, to support our Head Teacher, to help ensure that that our school continues to provide our children with an environment to thrive and with a love of learning which will see them achieve their potential.

Lucy Hill
Hello my name is Lucy Hill and I have recently become a parent governor. As a parent with 2 children at the school I am keen to ensure that all pupils are able to reach their full potential and are safe, happy and well supported within the school. The skills that I have gained through my professional career will enable me to support and work with the governors, staff and school so that it can continue to thrive, improve and offer a rich educational environment to our children.

Elizabeth Mason
Hello, I'm Liz Mason and have the privilege of serving our school community as the Assistant Head, working alongside an inspiring and dedicated staff team. This is my 30th year in primary education, beginning my teaching career in Manchester and then more recently moving to the Witney partnership. I never fail to be excited about coming to school each day. North Leigh is a great place to be! Delivering high quality learning experiences for all our children, enabling them to flourish and grow as happy and fulfilled individuals, full of curiosity about the world around them and a desire to grasp all that life has to offer as they move on from our school continues to bring me a deep sense of fulfilment and joy. When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my three grown up sons, going for long walks with my husband, baking, watching a gripping drama on TV and dreaming about learning to sew one day (probably when I retire!).

Anna Poole
I recently became a Governor of North Leigh Primary School in October 2016, bringing a real passion to help create an exciting and thriving future for the school. As a parent with a child at the school I was keen to look beyond the classroom and work with the governors and staff to make their ideas and ambitions a reality. I'm able to draw on my background in education to support the school in its desire to do the very best for the children in their care.

Fiona Watts
I'm Fiona Watts and I am a Foundation Governor appointed by The Diocese of Oxford and my appointment is for 4 years. In my role I hope to support Margaret and Sophie in maintaining and improving the strong relationship that exists between the school and church communities.
I have previous experience of being a governor at the primary school in Yorkshire where my two sons were educated, a role I held for a number of years.
Since retiring from my career as a Dentist I have devoted much of my time to various charity projects. I have a strong link with a charity that educates children in one of the poorest areas of Kenya. I firmly believe that a good education is the best start in life we can give any child and that it is through education that our hopes of a better world for all can be achieved.
In my spare time I like going to the gym and walking. You may sometimes see me in school listening to Year 1 read and I also work as a Volunteer Assessor for Citizens Advice.


The Governing Body is a group of people who work together to support the headteacher in developing the school. North Leigh has Foundation, Parent and Community Governors and can also co-opt Governors if seeking a particular skill. Governors are involved in areas such as setting the budget, recruiting staff, ensuring maintenance of the buildings and grounds, and assisting the headteacher in monitoring the quality of educational provision offered to the children. The strategic direction of the school is shaped by the Governors.

Governors are specifically trained in data assessment, schools finance, safeguarding, Prevent training, performance management, safer recruitment and admissions management. All Governors also receive induction training.

The Full Governing Body meets at least four times a year and there are regular sub-committee meetings. Every governor serves on one of the two main sub-committees: School Improvement and Finance & Resources. Other committees (e.g. Pay & Performance, Admissions) are held when needed.

Register of Pecuniary Interest Forms 2022-2023