Our Governors are all volunteers and help to lead the school. Their role is one of strategic leadership, leaving the day to day management of the school to the Headteacher. Declarations of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests are a standing item on Full Governing Body meeting agendas.

There are four categories of Governors: 

1. Parent Governors - we have 2 of these who are elected by the parents and serve for 4 years.
2. Foundation Governors - we have 7 of these who are appointed by the Parish and the Diocese. They serve for 4 years too and can be re-appointed.
3. Local Authority Governor - we have 1 of these and s/he is appointed by the Local Authority, serves for four years and may be re-appointed.
4. Staff Governor - there is 1 of these, representing the teachers and non-teaching staff.  They are elected by the staff and serve for 4 years. 

The Headteacher is also a Governor.

To contact the Governors please email our clerk Mrs Clare Hawkins on  clerk@stjames.worcs.sch.uk

Meet our Governors

Revd Paul Folland – Foundation PCC Governor, Chair of Governors 

Term of office 19/01/21 - 18/01/25

Declaration of interest: None

6 out of a possible 6 meetings attended last academic year

My name in Paul Folland and I am currently the Chair of the governing Board. I am a qualified teacher, and currently work at Regents Theological College which is part of the Elim site next to the school. My role involves supporting the Early Years area against the School Development Plan, and leading the governing team in the work we all do. 

Mr Nick Brown - Foundation PCC Governor, Vice-Chair of Governors

Term of office 19/07/22 - 18/07/26

Declaration of interest: None

6 out of a possible 6 meetings attended last academic year

I joined the Governor team is 2018, after being proposed for the position by the St. James Parochial Church Council which I am a member of, also being a regular in the St. James congregation. I have been living in Malvern for ten years, and take a keen interest in the local community. I sit on the West Malvern Social Club committee and have been running the local monthly charity quiz for the past five years. I bring a broad business background to the team, utilising the skills I have develop through work across many companies in the UK and in Europe, where I specialised in helping businesses implement change in organisation, systems, processes, and products. I am married, with seven children and four grand-children, so know a bit about kids! I enjoy walking and can often be seen walking the hills with my dog. 

Revd Geoff Richardson – Foundation DBE Governor

Term of office 14/01/20 - 13/01/24

Declaration of interest: None

5 out of a possible 6 meetings attended last academic year

I have lived in West Malvern with my wife, Helen, since 2009 when Regents Theological College relocated from Cheshire.  I retired from the College in 2016 having worked as Lecturer and Pastoral Dean for 21 years.  Prior to that I was a pastor and before that an HR Manager in the engineering industry.  Much of my life has been in education, and four of our five children are teachers, so I have always been passionate about learning.  I look forward to serving St. James’ School, focusing on Religious Education, Worship and Christian Values.

Geoff Richardson (Revd.) BA, MTh

Mrs Gywn Klee – Foundation DBE Governor

Term of office 25/03/22 - 24/03/26

Declaration of interest: None

5 out of a possible 6 meetings attended last academic year

After a lifetime of interest on and in Education in High Schools and Colleges, a Senior Examiner in English for a number of years and still teaching foreign languages, I am now discovering the foundations of all teaching and learning. It is a privilege to have access to these and to understand how crucial they are to our children. I am the lead Literacy Governor. 

Foundation DBE Governor - vacancy

Mr Liam Hanson - Staff Governor

Term of office 19/01/22 - 18/01/26

Declaration of interest: None

6 out of a possible 6 meetings attended last academic year

I am the Interim Headteacher and joint Class 2 (Years 3&4) teacher at St James' CE Primary School. I began teaching in 2004 and have worked at this school since 2016. I am also Deputy Designated Safeguard Lead in the school and I lead the subjects of RE, Art, PE, Music and PSHE. One of my roles on the governing body is to represent the views and opinions of the school staff. I am also able to report on how decisions made are affecting the teaching and learning across the school.

Rebecca Elliott - Co-opted Governor

Term of office 26/04/21 - 25/04/25

Declaration of interest: None

4 out of a possible 6 meetings attended last academic year

I am Rev Becky Elliott, vicar of St James' Church in West Malvern. Before I became a vicar, I was a Secondary School Science Teacher, and I enjoy being the lead governor for Science.

I am delighted that St James' Church and St James' School have a good relationship; it is always great to welcome the school into church for services and lessons.

Mrs Hazel Bamford - Associate Governor

Term of office 2/09/2024 - 01/09/2028

Declaration of interest: None

I am mum of 3 boys and live in the village. All of my children have been taught at St James' and now it is time for me to contribute to this wonderful place in this new role. 

Financial information

We have no employees at our school with a gross annual salary of £100,000 or more