Current Governing Body Members Page
The members of the Governing Body are drawn from parents/carers, staff and the wider community. Most Governors are initially appointed for a 4 year term which can be extended if necessary.
Stanford Infant School Governor Roles 2023-2024
On this page, you can find information about each the Governors, including the date of their appointment and end date, register of interests and more information on the responsibilities of our Governing Body and its Committees & Working Groups.
| Jenny Stratton | Head Teacher | Appointed – 22.04.2025 |
Register of Interests: None
Governing Roles in Other Schools – None
Elected by: Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal
| Emma Remnant | Staff | Original Appointment 4.10.2013 | Appointed – 04.10.2021 | End date – 3.10.2025 |
Register of Interests: None
Governing Roles in Other Schools – None
Elected by: School Staff
| Martin Blake | Co-opted |
Appointed – 28.09.2021 |
End date – 27.09.2026 |
Martin is a recruitment professional who has worked for several large recruitment and technology companies as well as running his own business for almost 6 years. Martin is an Arts graduate from the University of Essex who was previously active in the PTFA and volunteering for various school events. He was keen, therefore, to continue this association after both of his children moved up to the Juniors. He feels passionately about the role of the school in the wider community and has a particular interest in the educational needs of looked after and previously looked after children.
Register of Interests: None
Governing Roles in Other Schools – None
Elected by: Appointed by GB/board
| Andy Cottle | Co-Opted | Appointed - 01.07.2022 | End Date - 30.06.2026 |
Andy is a qualified accountant and spent a number of year working with innovative businesses in the London tech-scene. He now runs a practice that focuses on providing accounting support to mental health and wellbeing practitioners. His daughter started in reception in 2021 and he was immediately impressed with how happy and keen to learn she was on joining the school. He feels very strongly about supporting the school going forward.
Register of Interests: Parent
Governing Roles in Other Schools - None
Elected by: Parents
| Lauren Gilligan | Parent | Appointed – 02.12.2024 | End date – 01.12.28 |
Register of Interests: Parent
Governing Roles in Other Schools – None
Elected by: Parents
| Sarah Court- Brown | Parent | Appointed – 31.01.2025 |
End date – 31.01.2029 |
Register of Interests: Parent
Governing Body Roles in Other Schools - None
Elected by: Parents
| Gerard Cotton | Co-Opted | Appointed - 30.06.2025 | End Date - |
Ged graduated in Psychology at Sheffield University, gained a PGCE at Bradford University and a Masters in Education at Sussex. He has been a headteacher for 25 years in 4 very different infant and nursery schools in London, Brighton and Hove and West Sussex. He has also worked as a national programme leader for Early Years and Key Stage One at the QCA and has done some advisory and consultant work. He is passionate about early years and infant education (3-8) and how this practice and approach can and should be built upon throughout the primary age range. Now retired he enjoys travelling and 'nice things'!
Register of Interests: None
Governing Body Roles in Other School - None
Elected by: GB Board
| Yasha Gosrani | Associate | Appointed – | End date – |
Register of Interests: Parent
Governing Roles in Other Schools – Stanford Junior School
Elected by: N/A
Governing Body Responsibilities
At Stanford Infant School, all governors meet at least twice a term to discuss strategic matters, ensuring that there is a clarity of vision and ethos. At these meetings they act as questioning friends, holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and the management of staff, as well as making sure that funding is well spent.
Governors have recognised the need to be involved in all conversations related to school organisation and finance. Committee structures have been subsumed into Full Governor meetings to allow all governors to be involved in offering advice and viewpoints and to contribute to strategic decision making in these areas.
Every Governor takes responsibility and an interest in at least one area of the School’s Development and Improvement Plan. Governors will work hard with the school’s Senior Leadership Team to ensure all of the priorities are progressing in the right direction and will break into smaller working groups to achieve this.
The responsibility of the Clerk is crucial to the success of the Governing Body. The clerk arranges and publishes the agendas for meetings. The clerk will prepare and circulate minutes of all meetings- when minutes have been formally agreed, they are published on the school website. The Clerk will also circulate training opportunities for Governors, and advise Governors on legal and procedural matters.