The governing body has specific statutory responsibilities and its main tasks are: to provide a sense of direction for the work of the school; to support the work of the school as a critical friend; and to hold the school to account for the standards and quality of education it achieves.

The key tasks are:

- Supporting the strategic direction of the school

- Promoting high standards of education and achievement

- Monitoring and evaluating school performance

- Budgetary allocation and control

- Ensuring that the appropriate checks and balances are in place

The governing body’s overarching role is to act as a critical friend, to support school staff in their work to provide the best possible standards of education, and to help children throughout the school realise their aspirations and expectations within a safe and secure environment. The day to day management of the school is the responsibility of the Headteacher and his Senior Management Team.

Apart from the staff governor and the Headteacher, most of the school’s governors are parents, come from the local community or are representatives from the church. Governors can come from any walk of life, and consequently have a range of skills to complement one another in supporting the school’s main functions.

The key attributes of a governor are:

- The ability to work in a team

- A desire to help the community

- An external perspective

- A willingness to challenge assumptions and express their opinions
 

Our governors are drawn from the local area and as such have a strong commitment to establishing the school to serve Newcourt. Between them, the governors offer a wealth of experience and expertise in primary education, school governance and church schools.

Our Governing Board consists of 12 Governors including

- 2 Parent Governors

- 1 Local Authority Governor

- 1 Staff Governor

- The school Headteacher

- 7 Foundation Governors (one of whom shall be Ex-officio)

The governors are supported by a team of staff from the Diocesan Board of Education which oversees church schools across Devon.

Our governors are:

Chair: Stacey Hedge - appointed 5th October 2021 by The Diocese of Exeter 

Stacey has lived in Newcourt since 2014 with husband Jon-Paul and their two children, and has been a governor since the school opened in 2017. Previous to living in Newcourt, she lived and grew up in the Torbay and Newton Abbot areas. She is an experienced marketer who currently works as Head of Marketing and Communications for ATG (Ambassadors Theatre Group) at the Princess Theatre in Torquay, with previous experience in publishing, insurance, education, events and charity marketing and business development. Stacey also volunteered and led the communication team for Exeter’s ideas festival, TEDxExeter until 2018. She also volunteers as a musician as part of Trinity Church. She has previously been a Parent Governor (5th October 2017- 4th October 2021).

Stacey was elected Chair of Governors in September 2022

Vice-Chair: Ian Brown - appointed 1st September 2021 by The Diocese of Exeter

Ian Brown is a Foundation Governor of Trinity School and this is his second term of office. He has lived in Newcourt since January 2015 and has a wife and two young children, both of whom attend Trinity. Ian is a solicitor in Exeter, specialising in accidents abroad and insurance. He grew up in Ottery St Mary and has spent his working life living in Exeter. He is a member of the congregation at Trinity Church, plays hockey and enjoys cooking. This is Ian's second term of office, having previously been a Foundation Governor from 1st September 2017 to 31st August 2021.

Ian was elected Vice-Chair of Governors in September 2022.

Headteacher: Owen Wilder - ex-officio - appointed 1st September 2017

Being the Headteacher of Trinity is the best job in the world! Working with dedicated staff to give our young people in the surrounding community the opportunities to make a difference in the world is a privilege that I am lucky enough to be part of.  

I have been the Headteacher of Trinity since the very beginning in 2017. Being part of the team that grows this school is very rewarding and although the last couple of years have been challenging for everyone, I am excited about the future of this fantastic school and community we serve.  

When you and your child join Trinity School, you will feel part of our school family very quickly and I make it a priority to meet every child and learn all of their names!  

Thank you for taking the time to look at our website and read about our wonderful school. If there is any further information you would like to know about the Trinity or the education we provide, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Rev Jonny Elvin - ex-officio - appointed 1st September 2017 by The Diocese of Exeter

Jonny is responsible for the Christian distinctiveness of the school.

He has been vicar of Trinity Church since it started in 2003. In 2005 Trinity Church moved to Clyst Heath to serve the people of this parish with the good news of Jesus Christ. The church currently meets in Clyst Heath primary school and the Newcourt Community Centre. As well as Clyst Heath, King’s Heath and Southam Fields, Trinity’s parish now also includes Newcourt, Greenacres and Seabrook Orchards. He is married to Jane and they have four school age children.

His main passion in life is to see people come to discover and respond to the love of God in Jesus Christ. He is also keen on sport and music. His main sport at present is cycling, though he will participate in a number of other sports given the chance. He plays guitar, trumpet and sings, though not all at the same time.

Mark Stevens - appointed 1st September 2021 by The Diocese of Exeter

Mark is responsible for the Christian distinctiveness of the school, and is also one of the governors responsible for the performance management of the Headteacher.

Mark is a Science teacher in a local secondary school, specialising in Physics. He has experience of teaching in the Midlands as well as the South West. Mark lives near the school with his wife, Hannah. They worship at Belmont Chapel in Exeter. Mark is passionate about showing God’s love for people in the different communities he’s a part of. He enjoys watching sport and plays touch rugby, and whenever he can will get out to walk or cycle in the beautiful Devon countryside. Mark has previously been a Foundation Governor from 1st September 2017 to 31st August 2021.

Ruth Maxwell - appointed 13th February 2023 by The Diocese of Exeter

After growing up in Liverpool, I found myself in Exeter 28 years ago, via Nottingham, Germany, London and Bexhill on Sea. I have three grown up children and two young grandsons, who I love to spend time with. After my husband, who worked full time for the Church of England, died, I worked as a Teaching Assistant for several years before completing a PGCE. For 13 years I worked in a local junior school and now work in many different schools in Exeter and the surrounding area, as a supply teacher. 

Sally Robertson - appointed 6th November 2019 by the Local Authority

I grew up in Scotland and qualified as a dentist there. I then began working for the military in various parts of England before settling in Devon in 2013 where I met my husband who is also Scottish. We moved to Newcourt in 2018 with Trinity School in mind for our 2 girls, the eldest of whom started at Owlets in 2019.

My roles as a mother, clinician and educator have led me to become a governor as I have come to understand the importance of the early years in education.

Josie Ronson - elected by school staff 22nd July 2022

I am the KS1 Lead and class teacher in Robins and am very excited to be working at Trinity. I bring 13 years of early years experience in urban and rural settings. I've worked across nursery and Foundation, once starting my own nursery in a deprived part of London. In my spare time I love walking, yoga and reading.

John-Paul Smith - elected by parents 18th October 2022

I’m really excited to be appointed as a Parent Governor at Trinity and hope I can do my bit to help the local children have the best possible education and opportunities in this fantastic community. I live in Newcourt with my wife and 2 children, and my daughter is a pupil in year 3. I work as a Consultant Paediatrician in Exeter having previously worked and trained in hospitals throughout Devon, and in Bristol. Outside of work I enjoy listening to music, cycling and playing tennis. I very much look forward to working with all the staff and parents.

Gill Kendrick - appointed 24th November 2022 by the Diocese of Exeter

 Autumn 2022 is the first term for Gill Kendrick as one of the Foundation Governors at Trinity School. After retiring as the Headteacher of a local large Church of England Primary Academy and as a member of Trinity Church, Gill is keen to use her experience to support Trinity School to be the best that it can be for the children and the local community of Newcourt. As a Christian she is delighted to be involved in a school that is proud of its Christian heritage and which bases its values and ethos on the Bible. Gill enjoys a number of hobbies and walking the family’s dogs on the seafront of Exmouth where she lives with her husband. She has two adult children and one young granddaughter, whom she loves spending time with.

Jane Ge - elected by parents 20th June 2023

I grew up in Shanghai, China and successfully obtained MSc Business and Management with the University of Plymouth in 2003. I have been working in the marketing sector before I became a full-time mum with a small bit of online trading business from home. My husband and I settled in Newcourt in July 2010. My elder daughter is in Year 9 at Colyton and my boy is in Year 1 at Trinity. 

I am honoured to serve as a parent governor. With a commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive school community, I am passionate about ensuring every child's well-being and success. I will try my best to promote open School-Home communication. By collaborating with the school staff and governing body, I am aimed to actively engage with fellow parents to address any challenges and make positive changes that enhance the overall learning experience. 

Previous Governors (left within the last 12 months)

Antony Hart, Foundation Governor, 13th January 2021 - 31st July 2023 (resigned) (attended 11/11 meetings in 2022-23)

David Birchley, Parent Governor, 18th October 2022 - 2nd May 2023 (resigned) (attended 4/6 meetings in 2022-23)

Governing Board - members and responsibilities

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