Governors

Welcome to our Governors’ section. Please find below details of how the Governing body for the East Somerset Federation (Bruton and Upton Noble primary schools) is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor. 

Meet the East Somerset Federation Governors 

Currently there are 11 members of the Governing Body, representing the Local Authority, local community, parents and staff. We are all volunteers, and we all have the same aims and ambitions for the schools. We are interested in children, their education and their development.  The Full Governing Body meets 6 times a year, with sub-committees in and Business & Finance and Pay meeting 3 times a year, Pay and Appraisal meeting 2 times a year and Ethos meeting a minimum of twice a year.

We recognise that there are three important core roles to our contribution at both Bruton Primary School and Upton Noble Church of England Primary School.

• The first is strategic. It is our responsibility to agree policies and to monitor their impact.
• The second is to be a ‘critical friend’. It is important that we ask relevant but probing questions. We examine the performance of the children in the school, and we give praise where it is good and seek ways of making improvements when expectations are not achieved.
• Thirdly, we must ensure accountability. For instance, if we delegate a task to a committee or working party, the terms of reference for the group must be clearly set. We must evaluate ourselves and the actions we take.

Introducing the members of the Governing Body (2023/24 school year):

Susan Simpson (Chair)

Appointed as a co-opted governor as from 31st March 2022 to 31st March 2026.

Having spent over 10 years in Further Education in both teaching and management roles, and as an employer for 25 years, I have seen first-hand what can happen to a person's life when they miss out on a great primary education.  I am, therefore, totally committed to ensuring that our children do not suffer that fate. 

I have a degree in Accounting & Economics, a wide experience of successfully dealing with Ofsted and other inspection bodies along with County Councils, funding bodies, auditors and banks. 

I help my partner run a local, longstanding family business.

Rachael Bisset

Executive Headteacher of the East Somerset Federation from 1 September 2019.

Emma-Louise House

Emma-Louise is the Head of Schools and an associate Governor since September 2023, prior to this was co-opted to the board in June 2020. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the Governing Body.

Anna Baker

Appointed as staff governor as from 1st November 2022.  She is currently a Year 6 teacher at Upton Noble Primary School and has also taught at Bruton Primary School.

Elaine Cosser

Appointed as a associate governor as from 1st January 2023 when she was appointed to the role of Head of School at Ditcheat Primary School.  She is an experienced Deputy Head and brings a wealth of experience to the board. 

Rachel Brown

Appointed as a parent governor as from 17th April 2023.  Rachel works as a Programme Manager for an education charity, and brings experience from her career working on higher education access and school leadership projects. She was a pupil at Bruton Primary School. 

Nathaniel Gooding

Appointed as a parent governor as from 17th April 2023.  I have worked in Security and Investigations for over 15 years. I am also the Deputy Chair for the Avon and Somerset Neighbourhood Watch Association.

Emily Simper

Emily Simper is the partnership Governor and has oversight of curriculum. She is the Deputy Head Pastoral at King’s School, Bruton as well as a DSL, Head of PSHE and a History teacher. She has three children who all attend Bruton Primary School and she was formerly Chair of Community Kids Management committee before it was incorporated into the Federation.

Suzanne McCutcheon

Appointed as a Foundation Governor by the Diocese of Bath and Wells as from 18/07/202 3.  I am a member of the PCC for my local church.  My children attended Upton Noble Primary School in the past.  I am employed as a Local Government Manager with 40 years experience in the role.  I am also a Finance Director of Trading Standards South West CIC having held this position since 2017.  I am the chair of the Safety at Sports and Events Group in BANES and liaise regularly with the emergency services, alongside this I hold the post of lead officer for Modern Slavery for the council. 

Anna Chubb

I became a Governor in September 2023 having previously been a Parent Governor from 2008 until 2012 when my children were at School.  With my husband and son we run a longstanding family business within the farming community. I look forward to getting to know and become involved with the School Federation. 

Brian Lippitt

Originally from Wales Brian is now retired after working in a wide range of educational contexts in the Midlands and the South East. His experience includes Prep, Public School and State school teaching, leadership of a non- selective school and a Technology College. In later years he has become involved in Academy special school establishment / development, local authority leadership support and school inspection. His interests are varied and include both sport, particularly rugby, and the arts. Education has been a life long passion and he is hoping that his experience will help him support our schools effectively. 

Rev Helen Drever

Associate Ex: Offico governor as from September 2023.

Thelma Hartnell (Clerk)

Clerk to the Governing Body of the East Somerset Federation.  As first point of contact for the governors, please get in touch at clerk@eastsomersetfederation.co.uk