Janet Hatfield  Co-Chair and Safeguarding Governor

I have been associated with Christ the Sower, (CtS) since September 2019 when I was invited to join the Interim Academy Committee, (now the Governing Board) by the Oxford Diocese Buckinghamshire Schools Trust,( ODBST). They took over responsibility of the school following the 2018 OFSTED Inspection. Since then I have seen great, very positive changes at CtS and am very proud to be involved with the school and the community.

I have worked in education for most of my working life in schools in England, South Africa and Zimbabwe. This led to one headship in Milton Keynes and two in Buckinghamshire. I have also worked as an education consultant in Buckinghamshire and for a relocation company throughout the UK.

I have lived in Milton Keynes since 1976 and am passionate about the city and all it has to offer everyone from so many diverse backgrounds and cultures.

I am a member of the Royal Voluntary Service which involves supporting the wider community. I enjoy walking especially around our many beautiful parks and lakes, am an avid reader, enjoy the theatre, the cinema, gardening and travelling.

Janet Hatfield

Reverend  Ruth Harley - Co-Chair of Governors.

I have been involved with Christ the Sower since I arrived as a minister in Watling Valley Ecumenical Partnership in 2021. Since then, it has been a delight to see the school flourish as a learning community where everyone is nurtured and enabled to grow and achieve.

I bring to the LGB my previous experience as Chair of Governors in a Church of England school, including steering the school through Ofsted and SIAMS inspections with successful outcomes. I also bring a wealth of experience working with children and families in a wide range of settings, including schools, community groups, and churches.

In my church role I have a longstanding interest in developing intergenerational worship and community, and enabling children and adults to grow, learn and flourish together. My current role in Watling Valley means that I know the local community well and have strong links with community groups and organisations. I am also a published theologian and occasionally teach in theological college settings. Outside of work, I enjoy reading and writing poetry, and trying not to kill the plants in my garden!

As someone who came from a deprived background but flourished because of the education I received, I am passionate about the difference education can make to a child’s life, as well as the essential role of schools as a cornerstone of local community life. I also firmly believe in education as part of the church’s mission: ensuring that every child knows they are loved and valued, and has the tools and opportunities they need to live life in all its fullness. 

Ruth Harley

David Cousins  - Vice Chair of Governors

I am a foundation governor and have been on the local governing body at Christ the Sower since it joined ODBST in September 2019.

I have considerable experience across the full education age range in senior leadership and head teacher posts; as a senior adviser for local authority children's services and in two large Multi Academy Trusts as Director of Schools and latterly, as a Chief Executive Officer. I have inspected for Ofsted for most of my professional career and I continue to work with HMI on graded and ungraded inspections.

Gill Rees - Foundation Governor 

My name is Gill Rees, and I am a Foundation Governor at Christ the Sower School. I am currently a mature student at the Open University; a former primary school Deputy Headteacher and education consultant for the local authority advising schools how to best support children for whom English is an Additional Language.

I am link governor for the Foundation Stage, music and joint link governor for English at Christ the Sower. This year I have enjoyed regularly visiting the Year 4 class to listen to readers as well as visiting the foundation unit. 

 Amy Inchley - Parent Governor 

I have been a Parent Governor at Christ the Sower since September 2021 and have two daughters in school – Erin in year 5 & Juliet in year 2.

I must admit my knowledge of what being a Parent Governor entailed prior to me coming on board a few years ago was slim to none….. However, I knew I loved seeing my children thrive at the school, felt overwhelming pride at witnessing on a daily basis all the hard work the teaching staff were doing, and, if I’m honest, am not one for keeping quiet if I’d like more information about something or want to express my opinion or offer feedback!

I also grew up in the ‘90s with Whitney Houston blaring from my CD player & so, if you’re at all familiar with the lyrics from her Greatest Love of All number one hit, you’ll understand why I can regularly be seen shedding a tear in Collective Worship! Children really are our future, we just need to teach them well and let them lead the way J.

Aside from questioning lots and feeding in general pieces of information, observations and feedback from a parental perspective, I am also the PE Governor, something that I feel incredibly passionate about. I have been thrilled to see the impact Mr Froud has had on both the children and the school in general since his arrival last academic year. And yes, we’d all love for our children to become the next Leah Williamson or Mo Farah, but the importance of giving as many children as possible the opportunity to participate in sport at grassroots level has to be one of the most important factors when thinking about our children’s physical, mental & emotional development both now and in the years to come. To witness a child grow in confidence, learn to lead, build unbreakable friendships through teamwork, and express so much joy & pleasure in setting and achieving their own goals – it’s truly a beautiful sight to see.

So if there’s anything I can support the parent and carer’s community in feeding anything in to the Governing Board and making us all feel as involved as possible in our children’s development, learning and futures then please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m often around at school drop off and pick up and am more than happy to stop for a chat if anyone wishes.  

Mrs Gemma Williamson - Foundation Governor 

I have been a governor at Christ the Sower for almost two years. I am also Deputy Principal for Teaching & Learning at The Hazeley Academy. I am proud to support the school as link governor for English, mathematics, science and also health and safety. In my role at Hazeley, I focus on staff development, standards and lead the teaching and learning strategy. I also teach English. I am passionate about the science of learning, pedagogy and engaging learning. As an experienced senior leader, I have substantial experience in leading highly effective teams and securing strong outcomes. As a governor for Christ the Sower, I have the opportunity to bring our community closer together for the benefit of our children.

Christ the Sower’s development has been nothing short of phenomenal, making rapid and sustained improvement in all areas. Parents, children, and the wider community should be rightly proud and reassured that the school offers a high-quality education and enriching wider experiences helping prepare children for life beyond the school gates. The Hazeley Academy is delighted to receive wonderful groups of year 6 children into year 7 annually as we know that Christ the Sower develops ambitious, kind, characterful children.

Gemma Williamson

Ranbir Sandhu - Staff Governor 

I have been the  staff governor at Christ the Sower School since October 2021.

I have been at the school since 2005, I started at the as an EAL assistant/teaching assistant, and then I trained to become a HLTA and have since been teaching across the school. I have also worked as unqualified teacher in Years 3 and 5 and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The children at Christ the Sower are unique and special and that’s what has kept me at CTS for all of these years.

I am married, and I have two boys, and we enjoy spending time together as a family. I enjoy cooking, baking and reading. I also enjoy socialising with family and friends.

Ranbir Sandhu

 Shekhar Gund -Foundation Governor 

I have been on the local governing body at Christ the Sower ecumenical school run by Oxford Diocesan Bucks Schools Trust (ODBST) since March 2022.

I have over 33 years of industrial experience in developing and implementing of sustainable growth strategies across global geographies. I have a good flair for financial management and understand the strategic role of a school’s board in ensuring educational success through better financial planning. Having an engineering degree and an MBA, and a dissertation on implementing sustainable and climate change strategies in educational institutes, I wish to ensure better SRM (Schools Resource Management) and drive the school’s development plans for the betterment of our next generations.

Driving the trusts (ODBST) mission and vision statements and establishing success is my personal goal.

 Shekhar Gund

Reverend  Mike Morris - Foundation Governor

I’ve been actively involved with Christ the Sower for many years, regularly leading collective worship and supporting with the RE curriculum.  I was appointed as a Foundation Governor in early 2021.  In 2022/23 I took on the role of SEND & PP Governor

I am one of the ministers in the Watling Valley and since I arrived here in 2004 have worked hard at engaging with all the local schools and regularly lead assemblies and support the curriculum.  I am also heavily involved in running a summer holiday club at Christ the Sower as well as our young people’s group ‘Hot Potatoes’.  I am passionate about seeing children grow and reach their full potential, becoming the person God created them to be. 

I have four children of my own and am very aware of the pressures that children and young people face today.  I enjoy cooking and have recently taken up running, and I am hoping to run a marathon at some point in the future.

Mike Morris

Louise Worrall- Parent Governor

Mel Nugent - Headteacher 

I have been headteacher at Christ the Sower since September 2022, prior to this I was headteacher at another ODBST school in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.  

I am delighted to have the opportunity to put the skills and qualities that I have developed throughout my career to maximum effect in leading this wonderful school through the next phase of her journey. This really is an incredible community and school that I feel honoured to serve.

Throughout my career, I have been driven by the desire to make a real difference to the lives of children, in particular, those who face disadvantages, by teaching them the skills to grow as individuals, aspire highly, and find and develop the inner reserves necessary to overcome all challenges in the pursuit of their full, God-given potential.

Teaching has always been a passionate vocation for me, and as I have moved into leadership, and ultimately headship, I have not only remained committed to being an outstanding practitioner, but I have also worked hard to enthuse and develop staff at all levels to improve outcomes for children; whom I believe should always be at the heart of everything that we do in schools.

I am also a mum, with two grown up children, and I live in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. 

Mel Nugent

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