
Meet our Governors

(Co-opted Governor)
(tara.george@dsj.school)
Appointed in:
I really enjoy being a member of the Governing Board at DSJ and I stepped into the role of Chair last academic year.
I enjoy being able to support the school and to bring my skillset as an HR professional within the education sector to the Board.
The best bit about being a Governor is being able to go into school and see the children learning and interacting. Our staff do a wonderful job bringing the curriculum alive and encouraging achievement for all children. Outside of being a Governor, I am a mother to two young daughters and a member of the Deeping Scouting Association in the Squirrels section. If you see any of the Governing Body at school, please do pop over to say hi to us or drop us an email if you have anything you would like to discuss further.

(Co-opted Governor)
(Mark.williams@dsj.school)
Appointed in:
I have been Vicar of Deeping St James since August 2019, and prior to that, Vicar of Belmont (Surrey), and Curate in Wellington (Somerset). In a former life, I was a teacher, ending up as Head of RE, PSE and Careers at Beaminster School in Dorset. I am married to Helen, and we have 2 grown-up children, and one dog. I have been a governor at DSJ since 2023, and have specific roles as Safeguarding governor, and RE. I am also vice-chair of the governing body. I was a governor in my previous job for about 13 years, and also chaired the Sutton Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE). My main interests are music (playing and listening), and reading (especially historical detective novels). I am committed to ensuring the best all-round educational experience for all children, and to encouraging a supportive and caring ethos in the school.

(Parent Governor)
(rebecca.berill@dsj.school)
Appointed in:
Hi, I’m Rebecca and I joined the board of Governors earlier this year. I have one daughter in Reception and a son who will start in a few years.
I’ve lived in Deeping for 27 years and absolutely love it – I spent the early part of my childhood growing up in Cyprus which has shaped my life for enjoying being outdoors and as active as possible!
I’m a complete animal lover, as you can tell from my photo, which makes my job as a Dog Trainer for the last 11 years my perfect job! Alongside this, prior to having my children, I worked as an Account Manager and Project Manager for 15 years in the insurance industry. I’m hoping I can put the skills I’ve developed in these jobs to good use.
I wanted to become a Governor as I’m passionate about making sure children have the best possible start in life and I see their early school years as a critical time. I feel that school should be a safe and enjoyable place for children to be, where they can feel comfortable to grow and develop. I’m always really keen to hear other parents thoughts, so please feel free to come and chat to me at drop off or pick up.

(Parent Governor)
(jenny.purdy@dsj.school)
Appointed in:
I was appointed as a Parent Governor in October 2017 and am a member of the Curriculum, Community and Standards Committee. I work as a teacher at a local secondary school and have found my initial time as a governor extremely exciting and rewarding. I am the appointed governor for Safeguarding, EYFS and Music.

(Local Authority Governor)
(gavin.knox@dsj.school)
Appointed in: 2023
I hope this message finds you all in good health and high spirits. It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I introduce myself as a newly appointed school governor. My name is Gavin Knox and I am honoured to join Deeping St James Primary Board of Governors.
I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve as a school governor. I bring with me a deep passion for education, a commitment to fostering positive change, and a genuine desire to contribute to the growth and success of our school.
I believe that education is the cornerstone of a thriving society, and that each child deserves the best possible learning experience. As a school governor, I am dedicated to upholding the values and principles that empower our children to reach their full potential and become responsible, compassionate, and well-rounded individuals. I am eager to collaborate with my fellow governors, the dedicated teaching staff, and the wider school community as we work together to shape the future of the school.
Throughout my professional journey of working in education for over 20 years, I have acquired valuable experience in curriculum development, SEN and professional development. I am confident that these skills and perspectives will contribute meaningfully to our governance team's discussions and decision-making processes. I am a firm believer in open communication, active listening, and collaborative problem-solving, and I intend to apply these principles in my role as a school governor. I am excited to learn more about our school's unique strengths, challenges, and aspirations.
I am genuinely thrilled to be a part of this wonderful school community and look forward to meeting and connecting with many of you.

(Parent Governor)
(Lauren.maddison@dsj.school)
Appointed in: 2022

(Headteacher)
(Richard.westley@dsj.school)
Appointed in: 2021
As the headteacher I have been a governor since April 2021 after having served on several other governing bodies. The governors work closely with the school to ensure that our pupils are well-rounded individuals and that each and every child is given the opportunity and encouraged to reach their full potential.

(Assistant Head)
Appointed in: 2022
As Assistant Headteacher I was appointed as a Staff Governor in July 2022. I have previous experience on school governing bodies and look forward to ensuring that all children are included and reach their full potential.

(Staff Governor)
Appointed in: 2011
I became a governor in September 2011. I have worked for over 15 years as a primary school teacher, working mostly in early years. I am now the Early Years Foundation Stage governor. I have had the opportunity to join in many of the experiences the school creates to enrich the curriculum for all children. I am a member of the Curriculum & Standards Committee. I am also a member of the Jimmy D's committee and the link governor for Jimmy D's.
Any communications to the governors should be addressed to Clerk to the Governors via the school office.
INSPIRE TO LEARN; ACHIEVE TOGETHER