Governors

Welcome to the Local Governing Body (LGB) section.

Cranbourne is part of The Hoddesdon School Trust, which comprises three schools - Cranbourne, Roselands Primary and The John Warner Secondary School. As such there are several layers of governance. This page tells you about the Local Governing Body of Cranbourne.

Visit the The Hoddesdon School Trust website where you can learn more about governance of the whole Trust.

Governors, trustees, trust and school leaders share an ambitious educational vision.

Ofsted 2020

Below you will find information about who the Local Governing Body are. Each governor, apart from the headteacher, serves a four year term in office.

If you would like to know more about becoming a governor, please come in and see us.

The Chair of the LGB can be contacted through the school office.

Rob McCarthy - Chair
Rachel Semark - Headteacher
Fran Connolly - Clerk

Beatrice Ramelle (Sept 2020 - Aug 2024)

Lynne Bennett (Sept 2020 - Aug 2024)

Rob McCarthy (Sept 2020 - Aug 2024)

Christina Whellams (Nov 2022 - Oct 2026)

Emma Foxcroft (Nov 2022 - Oct 2026)

Rebecca Bannocks (Feb 2022 - Jan 2026)

Jemina Punni (Nov 2021 - Oct 2025)

Murray Bruce (March 2023 - Feb 2027)

 

 


Pecuniary interest

Governors are required to declare any pecuniary interest. No governors have declared any such interest.


Other information

Relationships with current pupils:
Emma Foxcroft, Christina Whellams and Muray Bruce are parents of children in the school.


Governors responsibilities for specific areas are:

Christina Whellams - Safeguarding                                                                                 
Emma Foxcroft - SEND and Pupil Premium
Beatrice Ramelle - Curriculum
Rob McCarthy - Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety (inc wellbeing)
Rebecca Bannocks - tbc
Lynne Bennett - Phonics
Jemina Punni - Phonics and Equality and Diversity

Introducing the Governors

Rachel Semark

I joined Cranbourne in 1991 after working at two other Hertfordshire schools and have been here ever since!

After a five year stint as deputy head I became headteacher in January 2008. I have an absolute passion for helping children reach the highest possible standards in their learning, and for broadening their horizons by giving them experiences they may not get outside school. I have supported other schools as consultant deputy and executive headteacher, and mentor new headteachers as a Herts Professional Partner. I sit on the board of HABS (our local Family Support Workers), am Chair of the local consortium of schools and sit on Primary Heads' Forum which represents all headteachers in Hertfordshire. I am a Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching. I am a member of the senior leadership team of The Hoddesdon School Trust. Outside of school I love spending time with friends and family.

Lynne Bennett

I started as a co-opted governor at Cranbourne in 2014, moving to staff governor in 2016 with SEND, Pupil Premium and RRSA as my areas of responsibility.

I am now SEND/RRSA governor. I have a special interest in SEND, particularly in the areas of autism and ADHD. I have worked with children on the autistic spectrum for over 11 years and am school Autism and Communication lead. I have three children, a husband and two grandchildren. I thoroughly enjoy being a governor and having an important role maintaining the provision and outcomes for the children in the school.

Rob McCarthy

I've been a Governor at Cranbourne for 20 years, and am currently the Chair of the Local Governing Body with health and safety as an additional responsibility and a ken interest in diversity and inclusion.

I am also Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Hoddesdon School Trust, serving on several committees including Education, Risk and Audit, and Personnel and Pay.

I am a retired civil servant after almost 40 years service working on major infrastructure projects in and around London. I was awarded the Order of British Empire Medal in the 2018 Queen's New Year Honours, for work in the community and the environment.

Both of my children, now adults, attended Cranbourne from nursery through to year 6, giving them an excellent start to their secondary education at John Warner. I still get a great buzz from being part of the school team, seeing children reach their fullest potential as young people in our community.

Beatrice Rigollet

I became a Parent governor in December 2013. My daughter has now moved on from Cranbourne to John Warner.

I am link governor for the Sports Premium and staff training. I have worked in education for over 8 years as a research professional and also as a coach. As a governor, I am keen in all aspects of learning together with foreign languages that will help children enjoy their education and will help them progress further.

Emma Foxcroft

I have been a Parent Governor at Cranbourne since November 2018 and have one child in year 6 and one in year 1.

I work for Hertfordshire County Council in the Environment and Infrastructure Directorate, on Procurement and Contract Management projects. Previously I have been involved in young people’s organisations as a sports coach and youth leader. Now as a parent I am interested in how the strategic and financial management of the school affects the day to day experience and learning for the children at Cranbourne. I am also on the Friends of Cranbourne School (FOCS) committee.

Christina Whellams

I became a Parent Governor in November 2018 and have one daughter at the School.

I have 10 years experience of working in higher education, having previously held positions as Programme Manager and Head of Drama Administration at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. I am also a qualified Swimming Instructor, teaching children between the ages of 4-11. In both fields, I have seen pupils progress and develop which has been hugely rewarding and I therefore have an obvious interest in maintaining high educational standards in order for children to achieve the required expectations. 

Jemina Vekaria

I have been a governor at Cranbourne since November 2021.

As a parent I am very invested in every child being able to explore and fulfil their potential. I have a particular interest in diversity and inclusivity. I am aware that when the standards of education are elevated for every child great things can be achieved. I look forward to seeing Cranbourne build on a strong foundation.

Attendance at meetings 2023/24

Rob McCarthy  1/1
Beatrice Rigollet   0/1
Rachel Semark  1/1
Lynne Bennett   1/1
Emma Foxcroft  0/1
Christina Whellams  1/1
Rebecca Bannocks 1/1                                                                                                      Jemina Vekaria 1/1

Murray Bruce 0/1