Governors

The Role of the Governing Board

Schools have a statutory requirement to publish information regarding any employees who earn in excess of £100,000 per year. Ther are no employees in our school who earn this amount.

Our Chair of Governors is Craig Allen.

A list of our Full Governing Board including Associates is available here.

You can read our Governance Statement for 2024-25 here.

Our Complaints Policy and Procedures can be found on our Policies page.

If you wish to contact the Chair of Governors regarding a complaint or any other matter please email clerk@ottery-primary.devon.sch.uk

Ms Amie Langley-Ellis

Chair of Governors (Co-opted)

Mrs Jo Wilson

Governor (Foundation)

Date of Appointment: 19th July 2026 (2nd term of office)
Term of Office: 4 years
Appointed by: Smile Trust
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: Parent

I am the Director of JW Dance, with our own studio premises in Ottery St Mary, although I am a qualified secondary school teacher in Dance and PE too. After performing professionally for a number of years I then progressed to teaching and love to share my passion for dance. I have a son in Year 1 at Ottery Primary and I am keen to provide support to the school as a Governor.

Mr Mark Gilronan

Ex Officio Governor (Headteacher)

Date of Appointment:
Term of Office: Ongoing
Appointed by: Ex Officio
Registered Business and Pecuniary Interests: Trustee of Smile Trust

I moved to Ottery with my family in 2008 and joined the school as Deputy Headteacher. I have been the Headteacher since 2012. Both of my children attended the school when we moved to Ottery and have grown up in the town. In my spare time I enjoy getting out and about with my camera and indulging in my love of photography.

Mrs Katie McLelland

Governor (Staff)

Date of Appointment: 11th July 2023
Term of Office: 4 years
Appointed by: Staff
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: Nil

I joined Ottery St Mary Primary School in September 2020. I currently hold the position of Pastoral Support Manager and the primary objective in my role is to ensure all children feel safe and listened to. I’m eager to utilise my experience to provide extra support and welfare to the children and parents at the school. I love spending time with my two young children, we all have a fondness of animals which we like to enjoy at weekends.

Mr Matthew Gardner

Governor (Co-opted)

Date of Appointment: 19th March 2026
Term of Office: 4 years
Appointed by: Full Governing Board
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: Nil

I have recently retired as a secondary school Headteacher in Somerset. I have lived in
the local area for over 20 years and after nearly 35 years working as a teacher and
school leader in the South West, I want to use the skills and knowledge I have
developed, to help Ottery St. Mary Primary in its continued growth and development.

Mr Sam Blackford

Governor (Foundation)

Date of Appointment: 19th March 2026
Term of Office: 4 years
Appointed by: Co-opted
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: Nil

My wife and I moved to Ottery in 2018 as a temporary measure but very quickly decided to make it our permanent home. I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2015 and have since gained a wide range of experience across all areas of accounting and finance. I now run a small independent accountancy practice in Ottery serving the local area and specialising in small owner-managed businesses. Our daughter will be starting at Ottery Primary in September 2026 and we are very lucky to have such an excellent school on our doorstep.

Vacancy

LEA Governor

Mrs Alice Riley

Governor (Co-opted)

Date of Appointment: 19th July 2023
Term of Office: 4 years
Appointed by: Co-opted
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: Parent

I have 2 young children, the eldest currently at Ottery Primary and the youngest excited to start next September. I have over 15 years experience of assurance provision and am proud to work for a Devon based mental health charity as their Governance and Assurance Manager. I am keen to use my skills and experience to support the school in achieving its vision.

Mrs Debbie Wigginton

Co-opted Governor

Date of Appointment: 25th September 2024
Term of Office: 4 years
Appointed by: Co-opted Governor
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: None

I recently retired following 26 years working for Devon local authority and leading their school governance team. I bring experience of advising, supporting and training school governors and leaders across Devon. I have served previously as a governor on both primary and secondary school governing boards, and most recently served on Devon’s Virtual School board with responsibility for all children in care to the Local Authority.

I have a long connection with Ottery St Mary having been a pupil at the King’s school – albeit many years ago! I moved to Ottery from mid Devon in 2015 and also have family living here too. I am passionate about ensuring all children receive the very best opportunities and leave well prepared for the next stage in their lives.

Mr John Farquhar

Parent Governor

Date of Appointment: 16th January 2024
Term of Office: 4 years
Appointed by: Parent Governor
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: None

As a parent of 2 children at Ottery primary, I am very thankful for all of the fantastic work the school does, and am very pleased to have the opportunity to use my skills and experience to support the school. I have worked in Primary Education for 20 years; for the last 10 years I have been the IT director at a Multi Academy Trust based in London. I have experience across a number of projects including the building of new schools, large capital procurement projects and supporting other local schools. When not working I enjoy playing football and I volunteer as one of the youth coaches at Ottery St Mary AFC.

Mr Toby Cooper

Parent Governor

Date of Appointment: 28th January 2025
Term of Office: 4 years
Appointed by: Parent Governor
Relevant Business and Pecuniary Interests: None

My family and I moved to Ottery in 2024 and now feel very settled here, thanks in a large part to the welcoming nature of the school where one, soon to be two of our children attend. I have worked across a variety of roles in education for the last 20 years, most recently as a dramatherapist within specialist SEND provisions and now as a supervisor of school leaders. I look forward to bringing my knowledge and experience to the board of governors in an effort to support the ongoing success of Ottery St Mary Primary School.

Miss Lois Harris

Associate

Date of Appointment: 19th July 2022
Term of Office: 4 years
Appointed by: Governing Board
Registered Business and Pecuniary Interests: None

I am an HLTA at Glendinning Academy in Newton Abbot and I have been there since the school opened in 2020. This is a school for social, communication and interaction needs, and every child has an EHCP. This has helped me to gain a deeper understanding of different additional needs and ways that they can be supported to thrive. Music is a big part of my life, whether that is teaching it to students or outside of work where I often perform and write songs. I also spent time volunteering in the music department at Newton Abbot College where I helped put on productions, live events and ran music clubs.

Vacancy

Parent Governor