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The security of the children whilst at school is taken very seriously. Our school site is entirely surrounded by secure fencing and hedging. The pupil entrance gate is unlocked at 08.40 to allow the children into the playground where they assemble in class order when the bell is rung at 08.50. After the children have entered the school building and any accompanying parents have left, the gate is locked again at 09.00. Any child arriving after this time will need to enter school through the main reception which has an internal security door between reception and the rest of the building.
The pupil entrance gate is unlocked at 15.10 to enable those picking up to wait for the children outside the classrooms. Each class teacher waits and ensures that their class members are met by a known adult. If a child is being picked up by somebody other than his or her parent or usual carer a message with the details needs to be passed to the school secretary who will in turn let the teacher know. No child is permitted to leave the site unaccompanied unless permission has been given to the school by a parent or guardian. Children enter school in the September of the year in which they become 5. We offer full time entry from the first full week of term but are happy to accommodate any children part time by prior arrangement. In general we anticipate all children attending full time by the second half term in October/November. Class 1 is for these children who are known as Reception age within the Early Years Foundation stage. Thereafter children are taught in mixed age classes of Year 1-2; Year 3-4; Year 5-6. We look at class sizes and structure every year to ensure children are placed in the best class for their needs. This may mean children working with older or younger pupils to meet individual needs.
Class 2 is for children aged 5-7 and is known as Key stage 1 in the National Curriculum.
Class 3 is for children aged 7-9 and is known as Key stage 2 in the National Curriculum.
Class 4 is for children aged 9-11 and is also Key Stage 2.
What our children like about our school:
- Lunch
- Playtimes
- Feeling special
- PE
- Special days out
- Sports day
- School plays
- Visitors in Assembly
- After school clubs
- Being with their friends
- Making things in Art and DT
- Solving problems in maths
- Helping others
- Knowing everyone
Older children are eager to help the wider school community by acting as monitors.
- Miss Taylor - Headteacher, RE, Music
- Mrs. Brotherwood - Deputy Head, English, PE, SEN, Class 3
- Mrs. Gooch - Mathematics, PSHE, Design Technology, Class 2
- Mrs. Gibbs - Geography, ICT, Languages, Class 1
- Mrs. Buck - Art, ICT, History, Class 4
- Mrs. Blair - Class 4, Science
- Secretary - Mrs Squires
- Caretaker/Cleaner in charge – Mrs. Jones
- Cleaners - Mrs Shuker, Ms. Jo Ryan
- Teaching Assistants - Mrs. Green, Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Watkins,
- Lunchtime supervisors - Mrs. Prosser, Mrs. Wheadon
- PE co-ordinator - Mrs. Brotherwood
- Chef - Mrs. Holmes
- Breakfast Club Supervisor - Mrs. Holmes
Allyson Taylor - Headteacher
Born in Edinburgh and educated at Mary Erskine School, St Hilda’s College, Oxford, Edinburgh University and Worcester College.
Over the years I have taught children from Nursery age to 14 years old. I have served as subject coordinator for English, PE, Music, RE and Science.
Single with a son of 23 and a daughter of 9.
Passions include making this the best school it possibly can be !!
Through harnessing the talents and enthusiasm of all connected with St Mary’s we nurture each child and enable them to move onto High School with confidence.
Derek Colley - Associate Member
I have been a governor for 8 years, having served for four years as Chair of Governors I handed over to Dr Ian Williams, but I continue to support the school as an Associate Member of the Governing Body.
During my time as a Governor I chaired the Finance Group and managed a variety of improvements to the fabric of the school; drawing on my experience as a Chartered Civil Engineer.
It is for my technical and management experience that I have been asked to continue as an Associate Member in support of the Governors.
Jemima Bristow - Foundation Governor
I first became a governor at St Mary’s in 1998 with 20 years Agricultural experience and 20 years Education experience. I was deputy principal (pastoral) in a Girls Secondary School. I am a Churchwarden, a member of the Art Fund Committee, the Deanery Synod and served on Hereford Health Authority (1993 – 2001).
I have a scholarship to Secondary Education, B.A. Hons 2:1 Open University, keen on sport, sewing, reading and gardening.
Morrison Sellar - Local Authority Governor
I was appointed as an Associate Member of the Governing Body in September 2008 and then became the Local Authority Governor in September 2009. I had been a governor at Manor Community College, Cambridge 1996-2000.
I have been associated with Fownhope Pre-School Playgroup since 2002, as a trustee and for much of the time as treasurer, my current role. I was very involved in the move of the Playgroup from the New Memorial Hall into the school. During that time two of my grandchildren have passed through the Playgroup and are now in School. I have three children and seven grandchildren.
I am a retired Chartered Engineer, with over 50 years membership of the IEE. I have worked in the electronics industry for this time, and this has given me great pleasure. I still dabble in electronics. I am passing some of this onto an after-school club “Imaginaring”.
I was a governor at a local school in Cambridge, acting as chair of the CP committee, and working as a “Neighbourhood Engineer” to bring practical engineering into the classroom.
I am involved in many other activities in Fownhope, and enjoy the great community spirit in the area.
Ian Williams - Foundation Governor
I have been a governor for seven years. It is an honour to serve on the Governing Body and have been a parent governor and also past Chair of Governors. Both of my children attended the school and – all too many years ago! – so did I ! I appreciate that the school is a vital part of the community and do my best to engage with and listen to the views of the people in the area. I am passionate about education – hence my particular interest in the work of the school: I have a BSc, MSc and PhD and am a Visiting Fellow at Cass Business School. Day to day I am Executive Director of an International Development charity Concern Universal and via this I am often fortunate to be able to bring a variety of interesting speakers to meet with the children. I am also non-executive director of two business; one of them Caplar Farm, is the “Adopted Farm” at the school.
Geraldine Jones - Foundation Governor
I have been a governor for six years. With a 20 year career in communications in a number of different industries I am well placed to advise on marketing, PR, and brand related issues. I currently work for St Michael’s Hospice handling communications and publicity and have good relationships with a variety of local media.
My youngest son (7) attends the school; my eldest left in July 09 and is now at St Mary’s R C High School, Lugwardine. I have served on the PTA committee for several years, two of those as chair.
Revd Will Pridie - Foundation Governor
I have been a governor for 10 years. Before going into the ministry I was Headteacher of a large C of E Primary School for 13 years.
I was appointed Rector of Fownhope Benefice in September 2000.
Santi Dominguez - Associate Member
I joined the Governing Body in September. I am chair of St Mary’s P.T.A. and parent to Samuel who is in year 1.
I am a graduate in Business Management from the University of Santiago and have 15 years experience in Middle and Senior Business Management, having run both a multinational company division and general SMES and START UPJ. I currently am a founding partner and CEO of a scientific software company operating at a global level.
I have a keen interest in sport, having actively participated at a competitive level in athletics, tennis, basketball, chess, football and rugby.
Jaine Yule - Parent Governor
I have been a part of St Mary’s School since 2004, when my older son started as a pupil after attending playgroup here. I live in Fownhope with my family and I now have 2 boys progressing through school. Professionally, I am also involved in education through my role as administrator in a Hereford School. I became a parent governor in 2006 and Chair of the Governing Body in September 2009 and am enjoying this opportunity to help shape the future of the school and strengthen its links with the community it serves.
Will Dereham - Foundation Governor
I have been a governor for the past five years. I run my own business as a marketing and IT consultant. I am married to Sue and have two daughters Imogen and Emily who both will be attending St Mary’s School. Sue is currently secretary to the Pre-school Playgroup. Many years ago I actually attended both the Playgroup and St Mary's as my parents live in Woolhope.
I went to college in London and worked there for 10 years before returning to Herefordshire. Most of my work is computer troubleshooting and Web Design.
Christine Brotherwood - Staff Governor
I have lived in Herefordshire all my life. I attended Hereford College of Education studying English Literature and have worked in schools in the county ever since. I started my teaching career in a special needs unit with a local secondary school and was there until I had my first daughter. I continued to do supply work in primary schools until my youngest daughter started at primary school and that was when I started at Fownhope. I have been at the school for 16 years and am the Deputy Headteacher and part of the senior management team. I am also the Special Needs co-ordinator and in charge of the provision for PE. I have recently become a Level 1 FA football coach and enjoy all types of sport.
I have been married to my husband Rob for 28 years. My son and my eldest daughter both have degrees in PE and my youngest daughter is studying to become an early years teacher at Birmingham City University. My son works for Hereford United Football Club in the community and helps provide football training for the younger children at the school.
On my days off I am generally to be found watching my son play football and travel to clubs throughout the West Midlands. In the morning my son and I are generally to be found watching a junior level football game somewhere within the county. I like all sport especially football and tennis and support Liverpool Football Club. My other interests include reading, especially a good detective novel, music and travelling. I recently fulfilled a long yearning to visit Rome and Athens.
Sarah Whittall - Foundation Governor
I was appointed as a Foundation Governor on 1st October 2009 so am fairly new to the governing body. I was raised in Newport, South Wales. On leaving school I moved to study law at the at University in Chester and completed my articles at a commercial firm in Cardiff.
After a few years in the legal profession I took a year out, which I spend in Egypt studying Arabic and working with a Christian Charity amongst Teenagers. I returned to Britain and took up a post as a solicitor in Hereford law firm, Gabbs. Although I thought this job would be a temporary measure this has not been the case.
I met and married Jonathan, a local farmer from Woolhope and I remain working at Gabbs specialising in Commercial Property work as well as helping Jonathan run the family farming business.
We have one child, Wills, who started in the Reception Class at St Mary’s, Fownhope last September.
Sian Nunn - A Parent Governor elected November 2007
I currently have 3 boys at the school. I also have a younger son who is due to start in 2009. I have been involved in helping at the school for the last two years and on the PTA Committee. I worked at a Child Development Centre as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist with a special interest in dyspraxia and dyslexia. I am very interested in the development and progress of the school and am pleased to take a more formal role in this, as well as continuing to take part in day to day school activities.
You can download the latest copy of our PTA newsletter here
The minutes of the last PTA meeting can be found here
Pupil voice in action
Classes elect a member from each year group, Years 1-6. Council meets most weeks during an Assembly time with an experienced Teaching Assistant to support its discussions. Council meetings are led by the elected chairperson and minutes are posted on the council notice board. School council makes decisions about playtime games and fundraises for new resources for playtimes. It works closely with our PTA, for example holding a coffee afternoon and sharing the proceeds. Recent council campaigns have been around eco themes with children promoting energy saving in classes and working with local villagers in tree planting projects and other ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Councillors wear their council badges with pride and contribute to school development by commenting on what is good about our school and what might develop further.
