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Meet The Governors
Cerne Abbas VC CE First School is part of an informal collaboration of schools including Prince of Wales First School, Cheselbourne Village School, Broadmayne First School ,St Mary's Charminster, Winterbourne Valley First School & Sunninghill Prep School. It is called the Learning First Alliance.
Our Governing Body diversity is predominantly white British. There are currently 8 female and 4 male Governors. The age range is 80's-30's
If you wish to contact a Governor please email the clerk on office@cerneabbas.dorset.sch.uk or ring the school office 01300 341 319
Our Co-Chairs can be contacted directly on the emails below
 | Co Chair of Governors
Retired Clinical Oncologist Involvement in Medical education and committee experience - Accredited teacher for London University Practical approaches to training and teaching and demonstrating the success of these methods is of particular interest to me. Interests - Trained to licentiate standard in Piano and music theory. Gardening and Forestry, Stone and slate carving, Fishing |
Barbara Southcott - Chair barbaras@cerneabbas.dorset.sch.uk | All committees Special Responsibilities - Health & Safety, Music, RSHE |
| Co - opted Governor | 03/12/2022- 02/12/2026 |
 | Co Chair of Governors
I have four children and three grandchildren, my husband and I retired to the village nearly 10 years ago. In my career I managed a range of early years settings within Hampshire. Taught, assessed EYE practitioners and apprentices at further education colleges. My project in the village was to start the Little Giants Preschool in the village.
Having worked in the Early years sector for over 35 years I enjoy being a governor for the school, where I hope to continue supporting its valuable work for the community. |
Valerie Champion valeriec@cerneabbas.dorset.sch.uk | All committees Special Responsibilities Safeguarding & EYFS |
| Local Authority Governor | 13/09/2025 - 12/09/2029 |
 | I have worked at Cerne Abbas CE VC First school since 2014, initially as the Head of School and then I became the substantive Head Teacher in 2017. I have been in teaching for over 30 years and my experience includes being an Acting Head Teacher and a Co-Head teacher in previous settings. I have 2 children, my son who is studying for a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy and my daughter who has just completed her degree at University in Bristol. I attend a local church in Dorchester and my passions include running and keeping fit. |
| Catherine Cresswell | All committees |
| Head Teacher | 01/09/2014 - present |
 | I am retired and have been living in Cerne Abbas for 14 years. My career has been in Education and has offered a wide range of teaching and learning experience - primary and preschool, International schools, British Council language teaching and a University where I taught and helped to develop HR and management qualifications, I was also involved nationally in the development, verification and implementation of higher level management NVQs in industry. My favourite area of education remains with Primary and pre school and I consider myself fortunate to be involved with the dedicated team at this school. Other interests include travelling, sewing, cooking, furniture restoration and lots of activities with grandchildren, all of whom live locally |
| Judy Burnham | Committees - Teaching & Learning (Chair) Pay & Personnel Special Responsibilities - English, History, Geography Community Link Governor |
| Foundation Governor | 05/05/2025- 04/05/2029 |
 | I have been a school governor for well over 30 years, and have retained an interest in education ever since my own children were small. I grew up in Weymouth and did my doctoral research in New Zealand; subsequently I lectured for the Open University for 40 years, ran my own geological consultancy, involving trips to the Middle East, Europe and Kazakhstan, and delivered numerous Earth Science workshops to science teachers in UK. Having recently retired, and living in Cerne for the past 13 years, I hope to pass on some of that Earth Science knowledge. Hobbies include swimming (not particularly wild!), cycling, choral singing, botanical painting, gardening and monitoring butterfly and cowslip populations. I attend Cerne Abbas church and sit on the PCC (Parochial Church Council). |
Fiona Hyden
| Committees - Pay & Personnel (Chair) Special Responsibilities - Science, Maths, Educational visits monitor, Staff welfare |
| Foundation Governor | 05/05/2025 - 04/05/2029 |
I’m Jenny, I live in Cerne Abbas and have one child at the school, and another at DMS. I am a Research Nurse at Dorset County Hospital, with a background in cardiology. I became a co-opted governor in September 2020 as I wanted to become more involved in the school. | |
| Jenny Rees | Committees - Pay & Personnel
|
| Co-opted Governor | 10/09/2024 - 09/09/2028 |
 | I live in Cerne Abbas with my wife and 3 children , 2 who are at the school. I am a Chartered Quantity Surveyor working for Wessex Water and have a vested interest in career support for our children and young adults with responsibility across several areas. I manage Wessex Water's QS degree apprenticeship programme and am founder/chair of an RICS Collaboration Initiative comprising major employers in the region, who provide support to candidates on their pathway to becoming professional. I am also an official RICS mentor, as well as a Wessex Water Enterprise Advisor for a local Dorchester middle school. |
Justin Rush - Vice Chair justinr@cerneabbas.dorset.sch.uk | Committees - FR&E - Chair Special Responsibilities - Computing & E Safety |
| Co-opted Governor | 28/06/2025 - 27/06/2029 |
 | I am Jonathan Still, Vicar of Cerne Abbas since 2011. |
| Rev Jonathan Still | Special Responsibilities - Religious Education |
| Ex- officio Foundation Governor | since 01/06/2016 |
 | I have two children at Cerne Abbas First School school and as a governor (and parent) I am keen to help support the school in creating the best environment for the children to learn and grow in. I moved to Cerne Abbas in 2012 and set up Quince Art School; art classes for adults and children in Dorset. Prior to that I was a secondary school Art teacher in London. I strongly believe everyone can learn to draw and paint, it just requires supportive teaching and enthusiasm. As a governor (with a special responsibility in Art & Design) I hope to share some of my skills and experience in supporting the school |
| Leonora Phelan | Special Responsibilities - Design Technology & Art. Shadow Gov for Music |
Co-opted Governor |
06/09/2022 - 05/09/2026 |
 | Hello, I’m Fergus. My son is in year 2 at Cerne Abbas school and my daughter will follow in years to come. A friend of mine who was a school governor said it was the best thing he had done to become involved with his children’s school, so here I am. I am very proud to be part of the board of governors giving support to the great work the school is already doing. My son has really enjoyed his first year and that is down to all of the effort given by those involved in the school. I am keen to bring my enthusiasm for sport and fitness to help with Physical Education, particularly when based outdoors. I enjoy the outdoors and will support the school in creating a space for all children to enjoy movement and activity, increasing their health wellbeing. |
| Fergus Grimes | Special Responsibilities - PE & Forest School. Shadowing for Health & Safety |
| Parent Governor | 23/04/2024 - 22/04/2028 |
| Jonny Woodthorpe | Special responsibilities - SEND |
| Co-opted Governor | 10/09/2024 - 09/09/2028 |
| Reception teacher and Early years lead. Additional responsibilities in school include RWInc lead, Art and Music subject lead | |
| Heather Stephens | |
| Staff Governor | 10/09/2025 - 09/09/2029 |
| Andrea Schafer | As well as being clerk, I work in the school office |
| Clerk to Governors | 01/09/2015 |
Cerne Abbas CE VC First School - Governing Body
Summary of Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests 2025/2026
| Name of Governor | Name of Business | Nature of Business | Nature of Interest |
| Barbara Southcott | No business interest declared |
| |
| Catherine Cresswell | No business interest declared | Education | Head Teacher |
| Fiona Hyden | No business interest declared | ||
| Alex Ryan | No business interest declared | Education | School Business Manager. Also SBM at Nicholas & St Lawrence, Weymouth |
| Rev Jonathan Still | No business interest declared | Parish Vicar Governor at Buckland Newton School | |
| Jenny Rees | No business interest declared | Parent | |
| Judy Burnham | No business interest declared | ||
| Leonora Phelan | No business interest declared | Parent
| |
| Justin Rush | No business interest declared | Parent | |
| Valerie Champion | No business interest declared | ||
| Fergus Grimes | No business interest declared | Parent | |
| Jonny Woodthorpe | Buisness interest declared | Company Director of Treow - children's social care Charity Trustee - Longmead Community farm | Parent |
Governor's Attendance
A positive, purposeful and enthusiastic atmosphere