Meet the Governors

Who are the school governors?

Malmesbury Park has nine school governors from a wide range of backgrounds. Some are parents with children at the school, two are staff members and others are members of the wider community. The Headteacher is automatically a member of the governing body.

What we all have in common is a desire to support and guide the school so that it offers the best possible education and social development to the children who attend it, preparing every child effectively for the move to secondary school.

If you wish to contact the Chair of Governors or Clerk of the Board, the email address is governance@reachsouth.org

Profiles of current Malmesbury Park governors

Mr Lee Joy

My name is Lee Joy and my inital involvement as a Governor was as a parent. In 2022 I was appointed Vice-chair. Professionally I am a lawyer and work for the Ministry of Justice with expertise in adult crime, youth crime, and family law (particularly proceedings involving children). I am educated to both the standard required to practice as a lawyer, and also hold a Masters Degree. I have therefore experienced education at a variety of different levels and with varying degrees of quality, attending 7 different schools between the age of 5 and 11. Although I have never worked in an education setting, I hope that my experiences can contribute in my role as a School Governor. I am the Governor Champion for the areas of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, English Reading, and English Writing.

Category of Governor: Trust Appointed
Appointed By: Governing Body
Term of Office: 08/07/26-08/07/30
Declaration of Interests / Relationship with Member of School Staff: N/A

Mr James Whitehurst

I have two children at Malmesbury Park in Years 1 and 2 and was pleased to be elected as a Parent Governor. I’ve worked in banking for over 20 years and bring experience in financial planning, strategic thinking, and governance. I’m passionate about supporting children’s personal development, including life skills such as emotional intelligence, financial awareness, and a strong sense of personal responsibility. I also enjoy recreational sport and games, and value the role of teamwork and resilience in education. I’m keen to support the school in maintaining a positive, ambitious environment for all pupils to thrive. Governor: Parent Governor
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of Office: From 07.03.2025 to 06.03.2029

Mr Matt Theodore.

Governor: Parent Governor
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of Office: From 10.03.2026 to 09.03.2030

Miss Roxanne McPherson

I have worked at Malmesbury Park for 11 years, as a teaching assistant in both mainstream and the LEAPs classroom. I currently manage the Riggs Unit which supports children with autism and social communication difficulties. Alongside my role of supporting children within the unit to achieve academically, I also take the lead in art across the school, Year 5 and 6 productions, MAD week and have been working on our application for the Artsmark accreditation.

As a Governor, I was heavily involved in designing and resourcing the Library Bus which is amazing resource for all the children at Malmesbury Park.

Category of Governor: Support Staff Governor
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of Office: From 10.07.23 - 10.07.27
Declaration of Interests / Relationship with Member of School Staff: None

Mr Michael Bryan

I’m Michael and have been a Governor at Malmesbury Park Primary since 2019. At the school, I am a member of the Curriculum and Standards Committee whilst carrying responsibility for financial oversight as well as health and safety.

Bournemouth-born, my hope has been to support Malmesbury Park and the surrounding community as best I can. My background is as a medical student, where I also develop novel biotechnologies targeted to remotely diagnosing neurological and respiratory conditions. This has led me to pursue an interest in quality improvement, solidified through work with the Metropolitan Police as well as on the governing body of the Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. I would encourage any parents, carers, members of staff and those part of the wider community to reach out with anything I can do to help.

Category of Governor: Trust Appointed
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of Office: 10.07.2023 - 10.07.2027
Declaration of Interests / Relationship with Member of School Staff: None

Mr Tom Hodkinson

I currently work as the Vicar of St Andrew's Church, a short walk away from Malmesbury Park School. I have previously been on the LGB of two local infant and junior schools in Bournemouth that were part of a wider MAT. As part of my job at St Andrew's, I have an extensive awareness of safeguarding and regular training, and alongside my previous experience as a governor I developed a good understanding of the requirements of safeguarding within an educational environment. I am keen to work as a governor at MPPS as I want to support and help the local school continue to thrive to be the best that it can be for the children and families within our part of Bournemouth. I currently am involved in the life of the school through taking regular assemblies as well as hosting Christmas events at the church and am keen to get a better understanding of the school through serving as a governor and helping to deepen the links between the school and the local community.

Category of Governor: Trust Appointed
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of Office: From 10/7/24 – 9/7/28
Declaration of Interests / Relationship with Member of School Staff: None

Governor Roles

SEND – Lee Joy

Safeguarding – Tom Hodkinson

Pupil Premium – James Whitehurst

Health and Safety – Michael Bryan

School Governor vacancies

School governors oversee our school at a local level, providing support and challenge to the Headteacher and her senior team while monitoring the school’s performance. Governor monitoring looks at safeguarding, teaching and learning, health and safety and school finance, with different governors taking the lead on an area in which they have an interest. Being a governor is a rewarding, voluntary role which gives you an opportunity to contribute positively to the experience of children at the school.

There are 12 posts on Malmesbury Park’s Local Governing Body. Our parent governor and staff governor roles are filled, but we have some other vacancies for members of the wider community. We are looking for new governors to fill these. We are keen for the governing body to reflect the diversity we see in our school.

Do you know anyone who would be interested? This could be a grandparent or family member of a child at the school. It could be a work colleague or friend. If so, the first step is to ask them to contact the school office, who will arrange for them to have an informal chat with one of our current governors about what’s involved.

Malmesbury Park currently have a vacancy for a staff governor and trust appointment governor