'Governance is excellent. Governors meticulously ensure that pupils have all their needs fully met and no one is left behind. They champion the school because they assiduously check it is as good as it can be.' Ofsted, 2016
On this page you will find details of the names and terms of office for all of our Governors, together with details of their category of Governor, positions of responsibility and details of any additional committees that they serve on. We have also included details of the business and financial interests of each Governor and information about any Governance role they play in other schools, as well as a full breakdown of the structure and responsibilities of the governing body of our school and its committees. All governors sit on the local governing committee (LGC), each governor then sits on either the resources or quality of education committees. The pay committee meets once per year and is usually made up of some or all of the resources committee.
To contact the governors please email: clerk.buckland@faringdonlearningtrust.org
The Board of Trustees at Faringdon Learning Trust
The structure and remit of the FLT Members, Trustees, and its committees including the LGCs is available on the Trust website and can be found here https://faringdonlearningtrust.org/about-us/governance/
The Local Govering Committee Governors
Mrs Emma Brown (Current Term Began – Sep 2024) – Headteacher
Committees: LGC, Pay
Key Responsibility: Oversees all responsibilities
Term: 01/09/2009 - ongoing
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None
Meetings Attended 23/2024: 83% (as Associate Governor)
Mrs Rosamund Willis - Chair
Committee: LGC (Chair), Headteacher Appraisal, Disciplinary Panel, Pay Committee
Key Responsibilities: English, History, Art and DT, Leadership and Management, Attendance, Finance, GDPR
Term 20/03/2024 - 19/03/2028 Community Governor
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared
Meetings Attended 23/2024: 100%
Since joining the school community in 2014 when my eldest daughter started in Beech Class, I have been deeply impressed by the dedication and effort of our teachers. Their commitment inspired me to become a governor and support the school.
I am now proud to serve as the Chair of Governors. My background is in project management and change management consulting, where I specialise in performance improvement and business change. This experience helps me contribute effectively to the school's ongoing development.
With three daughters having completed their journey through the school and my youngest currently in Oak Class, I am passionate about ensuring that every child receives the best possible education. As Chair, I work closely with our leadership team and staff to support high-quality teaching and learning, monitor educational performance, and ensure strong financial management.
I am committed to using my skills and experience to help our school continue to be a welcoming and outstanding place for all our children.
Mr James Stevens
Committees: LGC
Key Responsibility: Assessment
Term: 01/09/2021 - 31/08/2025 Staff Governor
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Employee - Faringdon Learning Trust
Meetings Attended 23/2024: 100%
I am the year 5 & 6 Oak class teacher and have taught at Buckland School for over 11 years. During my time here, I have also gained experience teaching throughout KS1 and KS2. I have enjoyed many responsibilities across school. I am currently the Computing, Assessment and Maths Mastery Development Lead. I have also been PE subject lead, Maths Academy lead and been responsible for overseeing remote learning during the pandemic. I am Deputy Safeguarding Lead and provide Senior Leadership support. I am passionate about teaching and inspiring children, and I believe that learning is a lifelong journey that does not stop when you leave school. Over recent years, I have completed a Mathematics Specialist Teacher degree and achieved a National Professional Qualification Middle Leadership award. In my role as governor, I aim to represent my teaching colleagues whilst supporting the development of the school to ensure all children receive the best quality education.
Dr Tim Saunders
Committee: LGC, Disciplinary Panel
Key Responsibilities: Achievement, Pupil Premium, Geography, Pupil Premium, Looked After Children
Term: 10/07/2022 - 09/07/2026 Community Governor
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared
Meetings Attended 23/2024: 66%
Tim has been a community governor since 2018. His four sons previously attended the school having now moved on to secondary. Tim is a Consultant at The Great Western Hospital, Swindon. Tim leads on progress, assessment and achievement in school.
Mrs Lucy Gildersleeves
Committee: LGC, Disciplinary Panel
Key Responsibilities: PHSE, Science, Collective Worship, Mental Heath and Well Being, Personal Development 
Term: 27/03/2012 - 26/03/2026 Community Governor
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: CHAFT Trustee
Meetings Attended 23/2024: 83%
My name is Lucy Gildersleeves and I am one of three Foundation Governors appointed by the Church to the school’s governing committee because Buckland School is a Church of England primary school.
My professional background was as a librarian and in training future children’s and schools’ librarians, where my specialism was in evaluation of outcomes and impact. I am an authorised lay member of the local benefice ministry team. I have a particular interest in the place of creative reflection and prayer within the development of children’s spiritual awareness and wellbeing. I became involved with Buckland School through helping with the Prayer Space, and then as Governor because I was inspired by the strong sense of the school’s ‘whole family together’ commitment to its vision and values.
I am a member of the Quality of Education sub-committee and am subject link governor for PHSE and for science.
I also have a supporting subject link role for RE.
Mrs Mary Lines
Committee: LGC, Disciplinary Panel
Key Responsibilities: SEND, EYFS, Safeguarding, Whistleblowing, Prevent, Equality, Behaviour and Attitudes, PLAC
Term: 23/07/2022 - 22/07/2026 Foundation Governor
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Wesley Memorial Methodist Church Trustee, Westminster College Oxford Trust Trustee, Oxford Phab Club Trustee
Meetings Attended 23/2024: 100%
I have been an active member of Buckland Governing Committee for many years. I was appointed as a Foundation Governor in September 2014 when I retired from teaching and am now in the second year of my second term of office.
Prior to retirement I was a teacher and staff governor at Buckland.
My 37 years of teaching have given me a good background for being a Governor. My experience teaching a range of age groups from 3 to 11, also as a SENCO and Designated Safeguarding Lead have given me relevant experience for my specific Governor Roles.
I am Early Years Governor, SEND Governor and Safeguarding Governor.
I was appointed as a Foundation Governor and have come in to school regularly to lead assemblies and Prayer days.
I am keen to develop good links with the village and church.
Rev Talisker Macleod 
Committee: LGC
Key Responsibilities: RE
Term: 31/10/2019 - ongoing
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Charney and Lyford Educational Trust Ex Officio Trustee
Meetings Attended 23/2024: 66%
I am the Rector of St Mary's Church in Buckland (part of the Benefice of Cherbury with Gainfield), and as Rector, I am an ex-officio Foundation Governor of Buckland Church of England Primary School. Prior to ordination, I was a Classics teacher at a secondary school, and so have experience of educational settings. As a Foundation Governor, I work closely with the Headteacher and with the other Foundation Governors in particular on the spiritual life of the pupils and staff, looking at the RE curriculum, and helping to prepare the school for the SIAMS inspections. I also play a key role in planning and preparing assemblies for major Christian festivals, Open the Book assemblies, and other aspects of spiritual and mental wellbeing. I see part of my role as an ex-officio governor as being someone who can offer a long term vision, and from a Christian perspective can help to keep the emotional, mental and spiritual health of both pupils and staff at the very core of the school's vision.
Mr Steven Houston
Committee: LGC, Pay
Key Responsibilities: Health & Safety, PE
Term 03/02/2021 - 02/02/2025 Community Governor
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None
Meetings Attended 23/2024: 100%
I am a parent and community governor, starting as a governor in 2021 after having been incredibly impressed with the teaching team, leadership and whole school ethos and its positive impact on my children. There is an extremely strong community feeling to the school and to contribute to its development as a governor, by providing both challenge and support, is very rewarding. My particular responsibilities are supporting health & safety and premises planning. My background is in sports consultancy, and I have used my analytics and sustainability focus experience in my governance role. I have a passion for sport and the positive impact it can have on physical and mental health.
Mrs Phillippa Rivero Bosch
Committee: LGC
Term: 12/7/23 - 11/7/27 Support Staff Governor
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Employee - Faringdon Learning Trust
Meetings Attended: 23/2024 83%
Having completed a degree in Childhood Studies, I went on to do a Masters in Education and am passionate about children’s leaning and development. I have been a Teaching Assistant in the EYFS at Buckland since 2021 and understand that each child is unique and that a supportive and secure environment at school is key to encouraging a lifelong love of learning.
I have over 10 years experience working in Art Galleries and alongside this worked as a tutor for The Little Grand Tour which gave me the opportunity to take children around museums and galleries to learn about different exhibitions including Vincent Van Gogh at The Tate Britain and Pierre Bonnard at the Tate Modern and enjoyed supporting children's learning in these environments.
Alongside art, I am passionate about the impact reading has on children from a young age and think stories play an essential role in their development. I have volunteered at the ‘Barnes Children’s Literature festival’, which is London’s largest dedicated children’s literature event and won The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS).
Mr Adam Solley
Committee: LGC
Term: 04/10/2023 - 03/10/2027 Parent Governor
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None
Meetings Attended: 23/2024 100%
I am a devoted husband and father of 2 young children (with a 3rd due May 2024) and am excited to be a part of the Buckland Board of Governors to be able to help shape the learning foundation for my children as they go through this fantastic school. I will use the experiences I have gained in my career and personal life to help inform and guide my inputs and challenges to the curriculum and school management topics, whilst taking a hands-on approach to being an active member of the wider school community. Since moving to Oxfordshire and Buckland in 2021, the welcome me and my family have felt from those associated with the school and the Buckland villagers alike has been incredibly warm, friendly and inclusive and that is how I aim to govern.
Mrs Kerry Spurry
Committee: LGC
Term: 13/06/2025 - 12/06/2029 Parent Governor
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None
Meetings Attended: N/A
Clerk - To be appointed
Resigned in the last 12 months:
Louise Warren (31/12/24)
Paul Cullinan (19/03/25)