Governor Profiles
Becoming a parent governor is a very worthwhile and rewarding way of supporting our school and being involved in its daily life and future development. If you are interested in helping in this way, the Chair of Governors, would be pleased to hear from you. Our Chair of Governors is Mrs Clare Muir and she can be contacted at the following address: chair@fairford.gloucs.sch.uk.
Clare Muir – Co-opted Governor. Chair of Governors.
I moved to the local area in 2007 when I was posted to RAF Brize Norton and my husband and I subsequently bought a house here. My children attended Fairford Primary and I wanted to give something back as they had such a positive experience during their time at the school. We think Fairford is a great place to bring up a family – I have previously been a Fairford Town Councillor and my husband plays an active role in Fairford Cricket Club. I am passionate about lifelong education and my last two jobs in the RAF were training roles within the Defence Academy. I left the RAF in 2019 to settle down and worked as an Assistant Director for the National Trust for two years before taking a career break in summer 2021. I am delighted to be able to support the school as the Chair of Governors.
Elizabeth Knox – Co-opted Governor. Chair of Curriculum and Standards Committee.
I am a solicitor and live in the area. My own seven children are now grown up and working but because of them I have long been interested in education. I have been a governor of Farmor’s School for some years and became a governor of Fairford Primary in May 2018. I look forward to making what contribution I can to the school’s continued success.
Rev. Caroline Symcox – Ex-officio.
I moved to the area in October 2014 to take up my post as Team Vicar in the South Cotswolds’ Team Ministry with particular responsibility for Fairford. I was ordained in Oxford in July 2011, and served my curacy in Amersham, Buckinghamshire for three and a half years. This role included close involvement with the two Church of England schools in the parish, which I greatly enjoyed. Before ordination I studied theology at Keble College, Oxford at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels before beginning a career in publishing. As a priest, theologian and mother, I am committed to ensuring that our staff, pupils and parents are fully supported as we shape our school into a place founded on Christian values, which encourages the very best from our children and community. I am a member of the Christian Values Committee and the Curriculum & Standards Committee.
Molly Moffat – Parent Governor.
I relocated to Fairford with my husband and children in 2017. Our two daughters are now both at Fairford Primary School which has been pivotal in making Fairford our home. We feel very lucky.
I work locally as a GP and for the commissioning group as their Clinical Lead in Learning Disability and Autism. I believe firmly in inclusivity and that neurodiversity should be celebrated.
I enjoy exploring our local area with my family, I like to run and am a foodie who loves to cook, bake and then eat!
I am really looking forward to being part of the governing body and helping to support the school that looks after my family but also does so much for our community.
Andy Prall – Parent Governor.
I started as a Parent Governor in February 2020. I live locally with my wife and two children, and my son attends Fairford Primary. A member of the RAF for the past 16 years, we settled in Fairford due to my wife leaving the military and falling in love with the area. I’m also a member of the Resources Committee and the link Governor for Science. I hope that in some way I can make a positive contribution and support an already amazing school, continuing to help our children grow and prepare for the future.
Darren Ryllo – Parent Governor.
As a proud resident of Fairford, I was pleased to be offered the role as Parent Governor in February 2020. An Officer in the RAF for 16 years, my family and I settled in Fairford, having previously lived in Cheltenham. With my eldest son just starting school, I was keen to learn more about the education system. As an instructor in the military, I have a passion for education and learning. I hope to use these skills to support our wonderful school and build on the successful efforts of everyone who works so hard. My family and I love our town and its fantastic school. I am honoured to be able to support our community as a Parent Governor.
Carly Hicks – Co-opted Governor. Safeguarding, SEND and CIC Governor.
My family and I settled in Fairford in 2018. I am lucky enough to work in Fairford and I am impressed by the community spirit I see here every day. I have 2 young children, and from when my son started school, I have seen the friendly and happy learning environment the school provides. I became a governor in February 2020 and I look forward to making my contribution to the continued success of the school.
Peter Paredes – Parent Governor.
I moved to Fairford in 2013, having lived in London the whole of my life until then. It was a busy time in our lives as this was just two weeks before my little girl was born, but we quickly realised that the area was an amazing place to live and I’ve been lucky enough to have successfully restarted my photography studio in the area. I love working with local families and feel very lucky to do a job I love, so wanted to help my little girl’s school in any way I could, so I volunteered to be a governor in 2020. I very much believe that learning enriches all our lives, but especially those of children, and believe that the teachers do an amazing job, which I think this Covid pandemic has highlighted. I very much hope I can make my own contribution to the continued success of this school and in turn support our local community too.
Michael Vann – Foundation Governor.
I am a retired solicitor and moved from London to Fairford in 2018. As a child, I lived on Butterrow below Rodborough Common . My parents later farmed at Malmesbury before moving first to Chedworh and finally to Kemble Wick. They are both buried at St Matthew ‘s Church , Coates where my father’s great uncle was Rector between 1913 and 1936.
I am married (to another retired solicitor) and we have two grownup daughters who live in London and frequently visit us.
I am a member of St Mary’s Church, Fairford and recently became Chairman of the Fairford and District U3A.
I was a school governor for over 20 years at St Mary’s CE Primary School at West Hampstead and am pleased that I shall be able to draw on that experience as a Foundation Governor of Fairford Primary School. I look forward to being able to contribute in some small way to the life of the school.
Victoria Maltby – LA Governor.
I recently moved to the area with my family, and my two young children are just starting out at Fairford Primary School. I grew up in Bath then spent 10 years in London working as a professional services marketer, before setting up my own business offering brand consultancy services to charities and social entrepreneurs. I passionately believe in the importance of early years education as a foundation for a happy, fulfilled life. I have huge admiration for our incredible teachers (especially after attempting to home school through Covid-19!), and it’s an honour to support a thriving school providing a happy learning environment for my children and local community.
Julie Fellows – Ex-officio. Head Teacher Fairford C. of E. Primary School. Chair of the Christian Values Committee.
Deborah Bullingham – Staff Governor.
I joined the governing body as an Associate Member representing EYFS in January 2021 after 3 years of teaching at Fairford Primary School and as a Staff Governor from January 2022.
My teaching career began in 1995 in a school in Stroud followed by positions in Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bredon and Winchcombe-26 years has flown by! In my 26 years, I have taught in a range of schools and all year groups in the Primary range but Reception has always been my preferred year group. Prior to teaching at Fairford, I was an Early Years Moderator and a Glos Ed leader for Early Years for the Local Authority and had been an Early Years Lead for the previous 8 years at my previous school. I was excited to join the Fairford team in September 2018 as EYFS Phase Lead with the EYFS new build imminent and the amalgamation with Fairford Pre-School-what a wonderful opportunity!
I believe our school is a very special place which offers wonderful opportunities both for our children and for the people who work with them: it really is a special place to work. I am thankful that I am able to give back to this wonderful community through my role as Staff Governor.
Yvonne Bennetts – Associate Member.
I was a Fairford Primary School Governor for twelve years. I have been a member of Staffing and Standards Committees and then Chair of Quality & Standards and member of the Strategy Committee in the past. I have had other governor experience working for over 2 years on an IEB (Interim Executive Board), gaining valuable experience in HR issues. Most of my career was in teaching with particular interest in assessment, teacher training and educational research. I am passionate about education and providing young people with all round education and life skills for the 21st Century. I previously served as Chair of Governors but feel privileged to be able to continue to work with Fairford Primary School staff and governors as an Associate Member on the Christian Values Committee.