Governors
Provide all children with the opportunity to develop towards their full potential
About Us
Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.
The Governing Body of Marlow Church of England School is made up of parents, members of staff and members of the local community who are committed to the promotion of high standards of educational achievement.
Governors bring a wide range of experience, interests and skills to the role and a vast range of experience and qualifications. More importantly, they bring enthusiasm and a vested interest in supporting our school.
The Governing Body acts as a critical friend to the school and is responsible for its strategic direction, policy and overall management and has legal duties and responsibilities. Governors work collectively and do not take individual responsibility. The day-to-day management of the school rests firmly with the headteacher and school staff.
The minutes from the Governing Body meetings are a public record and can be accessed via the School Office if required.
Who are we?
As volunteers, governors come from a variety of backgrounds, and represent a diverse range of local interests and bodies. As a church school, the constitution of the governing body is currently as follows:
- 7 Foundation governors, appointed by the Diocese of Oxford. This includes a member of the clergy from All Saints Church, Marlow, as an ex-officio member.
- 2 Parent governors, elected by the parent body
- 2 Staff governors (including the Headteacher)
- 2 Trust Appointed Governors
If you wish to contact the Governors, then please email the Chair at:
governors@marlowinfant.uk
Mr R McFarlane - CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
Foundation Governor
- Appointed by Oxford Diocesan Board of Education and Elected as Chair by the Board of Governors: January 2024
- Term of office until: November 2028
Originally from Ireland, I moved to the UK in 2000 to start university in Surrey. I met my wife in 2007 whilst I was training in Spain. Beccy is a Marlow girl through and through and a former student of the school. Whilst I ended up taking us to Birmingham for 12 years, we finally moved back in January 2020. Our two daughters are former students of Marlow CE Infant School.
A former Training Captain with a UK regional airline, I am now a pilot with British Airways. Before flying, I had a brief period as a Telecoms Manager for a large multinational, and, since the '90s, have been developing websites to support small businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy cycling and being out and about with my girls.
Mrs D Howarth - Vice Chair of Governors
Trust Appointed Governor
- Appointed by the Board of Governors following a parent election: December 2020
- Reappointed by the Board of Governors as a co-opted governor: September 2024
- Reappointed by the Marlow Education Trust: 1st May 2026
- Term of office until: September 2028
I moved to Marlow in 2018 following time in London and Geneva and my eldest started at Marlow Infants the following year. I've got three small children and have a long-term investment in the school.
I'm a solicitor by profession and spent ten years working, initially for a law firm, then as an in-house lawyer. I had the honour of being elected as a parent governor at the end of 2020 and am delighted to be able to use my experience to support this wonderful school and community!
Mrs S Reynolds - Headteacher
Staff (headteacher) Governor
- Appointed by Governors: February 2017
My relationship began as a parent when my son, and then my daughter, started school in Reception. At that time, I was working in Marketing in London and knew very little about the local area, community and education.
I retrained and became a teacher at Marlow C of E Infant School and have never looked back. Teaching in different year groups and holding many different roles in the school has given me a real love for the school, and its ethos. I am passionate about the school and what it represents.
When I have spare time, I like to look after our garden and bake. My children are now grown up and leading their own lives as adults, but they always reflect fondly on their time at this school.
Mrs S Downing - Staff Governor
Staff (teaching) Governor
- Appointed by school staff: September 2023
- Term of office until: September 2027
I gained my Music degree back in 2000 and, following a short time working in travel, getting film and TV crews around the world, I decided that I would miss music and retrained as a secondary school music teacher. A role I really enjoyed until the arrival of my first child. Following that, I took a break from teaching to be a full-time mum, which included the arrival of my youngest. I have been at Marlow Infants since 2014, where I started as an SEN teaching assistant. A role I thoroughly enjoyed. In my spare time, I like to row at Marlow Rowing Club, run and I play in the local Marlow Town Brass Band.
MR B Jennings - Trust Appointed Governor
lOCAL AUTHORITY Governor
- First appointed by the Board of Governors: October 2019
- Reappointed by Buckinghamshire Local Authority: October 2023
- Term of office until: September 2027
I moved to Marlow in 2013 and my son started at Marlow C of E Infant School in September 2019. I have always appreciated the education I have received and the important role that it has played in the opportunities I have had. I am a technology lawyer in the financial services industry.
Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, the cinema, the gym and spending time with my family.
MRS S Slyfield - Parent Governor
Parent Governor
- Appointed by the Board of Governors following a parent election: October 2022
- Term of office until: October 2026
I live in Marlow with my husband and two children – my eldest attends Marlow C of E Infant School. I have worked in local primary schools for over 10 years. I had the privilege of being elected as parent governor in October 2022, and I am delighted to further support this fantastic school.
MRS C CARTER - Foundation Governor
Foundation Governor
- Appointed by the Oxford Diocesan Board of Education: January 2023
- Term of office until: January 2027
I moved to Marlow from Chiswick in 1997, as I had taken up a post at Sir William Borlase's Grammar School the previous year as a teacher of French and German, subsequently becoming Head of German.
I retired in 2014, having spent my entire career teaching in secondary schools. I am married with three grown-up children and four grandchildren, one of whom attends Marlow Infants and one of whom goes to Teatimers. I am a committed Christian and a member of All Saints Church and help there every Thursday at Teeny Saints, a playgroup for children aged from 0 to 4.
My main interests are travel, hiking, gardening and solving cryptic crosswords.
Mrs C Miller - Foundation Governor
Foundation Governor
- Appointed by the Oxford Diocesan Board of Education: January 2023
- Term of office until: January 2027
My family moved to Marlow when I was a young child and, aside from three years spent studying music at Birmingham University, have lived in or near Marlow since then.
I live with my husband and three young children, the eldest of whom attends Marlow Infants. I am delighted to be able to serve as a governor at this wonderful school.
In 2010, I gained my PGCE to qualify as a teacher and I have held various roles in my career, including senior leadership. I am currently enjoying working part-time as a music teacher at a local primary school.
In my spare time, I enjoy family adventures, cooking, playing the piano and spending time in nature.
Mrs L Oliver - Parent Governor
Parent Governor
- Appointed by the Board of Governors following a parent election: December 2024
- Term of office until: December 2028
I grew up in Chalfont St Giles and, since returning from University, where I studied English Literature and then completed my PGCE in Secondary Education, I have lived in different parts of Buckinghamshire.
I love teaching and am extremely passionate about the prospect of helping to shape a young person’s life. I have taught in a range of schools within Buckinghamshire and London and enjoy the challenges of helping young people navigate this ever-changing landscape. I have had many roles within schools, including: Head of Year, Head of English and Assistant Headteacher, all of which have given me a wealth of knowledge and experience.
I live with my husband, and we have two daughters; one of whom is in Reception and my youngest, who is still in nursery. I have loved becoming a mother and sharing special milestones with my girls.
Previously, I was a staff Governor and enjoyed seeing and experiencing the ‘inner workings’ of a school.
In my spare time, I am a keen netballer, playing for a local club. I also enjoy family days out, travelling, having adventures and making memories with the family.