All schools have Boards of Governors, made up of members of the school staff, parents and participants from the local community. Their main job is to support and challenge the school management team in their delivery of the highest possible standards of teaching and care for all pupils.
School governors are all (aside from the Headteacher) volunteers.
Chris Jinks
Chair of Governors Parent Governor C/O: New Marston Primary School, Copse Lane, Oxford, OX3 0AY.
Contact: cjinks@nmps.org.uk
Chris and his wife Antonia have two boys at the school. He also has two older children. He is the CEO of a salad and produce company called Vitacress.
He is keen to ensure that the children at our school are helped to develop in a healthy, happy, supportive and safe environment.
Link Governor Role: Safeguarding
Term of office ends: 6th October 2025
Nigel Chapman
Local Authority Governor
Nigel Chapman is one of the Local Authority Governors. He is one of the City Councillors for Headington Hill and Northway and as the school is the only one in his ward, he wants to see it thrive and offer excellent educational opportunities for all the children. Education is a passion from his time as a BBC editor and World Service Director and as the Chief Executive Officer of Plan International where children’s education was the key programme in the fifty counties where the charity works. He now has a portfolio of roles including being a Non-Executive Director in the Health Service, and chair and Trustee of a number of national and international charities.
Link Governor Role: Finance
Term of office ends: February 2025
Phephi Nkwanyuo
Community Governor
I started at New Marston as a teaching assistant in 2008 and began teaching in 2018. Both my children attended primary school here and it’s a place I still consider home. I feel both honoured and privileged that I can serve as the community governor on the board. As of 2024 I have pursued a career change and now work for Thames Valley Police where I can continue my service to the community, something I care about deeply.
I believe that New Marston stands out as a shining example of what it means to look after and educate the future and remain invested, alongside my committee members, to ensure that we uphold only the upmost standards in our school. This is something that is not very difficult to do when blessed with the incredible team we have; from our cleaning staff to the governing board, the care and love we have for what we do is palpable in the New Marston air and it’s a gift to be a part of it all.
Link Governor Role: LPPA and Opal
Term of office ends: November 2028
Rachel Vlachonikolis
Ex-Officio by virtue of office as Headteacher/Principal
Rachel is married to George, and they have two beautiful children at the school. She has taught at New Marston for the last 10 years and loves it here! Her roles have ranged from teaching (Y2/3, Early Years) to working with the inclusion team, supporting pupils with SEN, amongst other things! She trained in Sheffield and has just completed the National Award for SEN with Oxford Brookes.
Term of office ends: N/A
Arran Babbs
Vice Chair - Parent Governor
I have three children at New Marston Primary school and am invested in the success of the school and the happiness and well-being of its students and teachers. I am passionate about ensuring our children have a diverse and inclusive education. We feel privileged as a family to have been welcomed into this special community.
I have been a research scientist at Oxford University for the last 16 years and believe I can bring a wide range of skills to the role of parent governor. I have been trained to be a critical thinker and have worked well in a close-knit team. I am keen to learn more about how the school works ‘behind the scenes’ and will bring enthusiasm, commitment and empathy to the role.
Link Governor Role: EYFS and Anti-Bullying
Term of office ends: April 2025
Gerallt Skym
Community Governor
My name is Gerallt Skym, and I am honoured to be joining New Marston Primary School's team of Governors. I moved to Oxford 5 years ago and love the city. I am a Physics teacher and have worked in secondary schools for the last 15 years. I've also been involved with teacher training, specifically with maths and physics teachers. I also have two young children, so I am keen to help my local community.
Link Governor Role: Enrichment
Term of office ends: April 2025
Magalie Bertholle
Community Governor
I am from Paris and I have been living in Oxford since 2009. It is a fantastic city and I feel privileged to live here. I have a son who has made many friends at New Marston Primary School and who enjoys going to school every day.
Professionally, I am a language teacher in a local secondary school and I want to support my community further by being a governor in a primary school as I am fascinated by the way children learn at every stage of their life. Being a governor is a great opportunity to make a real difference in the learning of so many children.
Link Governor Role: Impact & Standards ( Reading Focus )
Term of office ends: December 2026
Stephanie Best
Parent Governor
Term of office ends: December 2027
Amy Waterston
Staff Governor
I started at New Marston in September 2017 after teaching in inner city London for 12 years. I am passionate about Early Years and love that each day is different. I have been fortunate enough to teach in such a diverse range of schools which have helped me be the practitioner I am today. I have two amazing daughters and a very patient husband who puts up with my hoarding of teacher resources.
I love to bake cakes in my spare time as well as go on holiday where I can read uninterrupted (sometimes!).
It is so rewarding to be a part of New Marston Primary School doing a job I love.
Term of office ends: October 2028
Further Information
NMPS – Governors Membership, Terms and Pecuniary Interest & Roles 2024-2025
Linda Cowmeadow (Clerk) lcowmeadow@nmps.org.uk
Trust Board of the River Learning Trust
Details about the River Learning Trust Board can be found here: https://www.riverlearningtrust….
If you have any questions about the Trust Board, please contact office@riverlearningtrust.org
