Local governance matters in our Trust. It is what ensures our schools are rooted in their communities. For children, staff, and schools to flourish and succeed, governance at all levels of the Trust must be highly effective. 

Our governors work closely with staff to help children achieve their full potential in a happy, caring environment. Local governing committees collaborate with the Headteacher and senior leaders to ensure the school is running effectively and in the best interests of all pupils. 

Our governors are representatives of all the key groups involved in our school – parents, staff, the local community, the Trust, and the Church. Some governors are appointed, while others are elected, ensuring a wide range of voices and perspectives are included. 

Governors come from diverse backgrounds and bring with them a variety of skills that support the school’s strategic leadership. They work in partnership with the Headteacher and Rise Multi Academy Trust to guide and shape the direction of the school. 

As part of the wider Trust board, our governors have delegated responsibilities which include: 

• Promoting high standards of educational achievement 

• Monitor targets and progress 

• Monitor that schools are working to their vision and values 

• Ensuring that all pupils, including those with special educational needs are able to thrive 

Meet the Team

Mr Richard Bingham (Vice Chair of CGC)

Having moved to Redmile village recently, my family and I are keen to be involved in the local community. Professionally I have held various positions in enterprise software development over the last 25 years and have a long-standing passion for education of all types. I have some experience in primary school governance and am therefore very excited to be part of the team.

Mr Micheal Wray

I have lived in Redmile, with my wife and 2 young girls since 2016. Professionally I work as a senior leader for a large financial services firm and have done so for the past 20 years, specialising in commercial performance and digitalisation. I hold a Masters in Economics and more recently a Masters in Strategic Leadership from Loughborough University. Both my girls attend Redmile Primary and I look forward to being part of the Governance structure at the school

Revd Monica Judson

I’m an ordained priest in the Church of England and I am passionate about both children and adults being able to find safe spaces where they can explore their faith. As a Growing Faith Minister and a governor of the school it is always a joy to see the children help shape Collective Worship and absorb and understand that they are all loved and valued by their Creator God.

Mr Jamie Cope

Staff governor.

I began my position as the Year 5 and 6 class teacher at Redmile CE Primary School 7 years ago, having studied Primary Education at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln. During this time, I have developed skills beyond the classroom, leading English across Redmile and our Vale Cluster, completing both a Maths and Reading TRG and achieving the National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership (NPQML) in 2022. Coming from a drama and musical theatre background, I have developed my participation across the school, singularly directing whole school and KS2 musical productions and am dedicated to the wider life of the school as the Wellbeing lead (for both staff and pupils) and Mental Health First Aider, ensuring our children receive the best possible outcomes, ready for life outside of Primary.

Mrs Anna Butler (Chair of CGC)

I moved to Waltham with my family 6 years ago.  I have worked in education for 20 years; initially as a maths teacher and now as a member of the school improvement team for a multi-academy trust, overseeing outcomes and professional development. Prior to this, I was Vice Principal at a secondary school in Nottingham.  I am passionate about ensuring all children have access to a quality education that allows them to flourish and achieve their potential.  It is a privilege to be Chair of Governors at our school where this is achieved by a team of such dedicated staff. 

Reverend John Barr

We moved to Waltham in April 2017 from Great Malvern in Worcestershire, when I became Rector of the Ironstone Villages - a family of seven churches - at the same time as my wife Mary became Vicar in the Melton Mowbray Team. I am delighted to be involved with Waltham School which I look across at every day from the other side of the Melton Road! As a parent of two (now adult) children who both went to their local Church of England Primary School, I fully appreciate the value of a church school education in those formative years and the opportunities to build good community links. I look forward to continuing to work with others in developing the already strong links between school, church, and wider community, and to contributing in whatever way I can to the flourishing life and Christian ethos of this lovely village school.

Mrs Briony Cheeseman

My husband Ben and I moved to Waltham in 2013 from Reading to be closer to our family. We renovated our current house and live here with our two children.  Both our children now attend Waltham School and really love it. I wanted to get more involved with the school, so I became a parent Governor in November 2020. I currently work part-time as a Transport Planner in Nottingham, and I have previously worked for Sustrans. I have a keen interest in sustainable travel and developing sustainable travel habits. I am looking forward to working in partnership with pupils, parents, staff and other governors to support the school and help it grow.

Mrs Alexandra Wilson

I arrived in Waltham in early 2020 after spending a year in the Arctic, studying the effects of global warming and climate change in these regions, as part of an Arctic research project at UiT (the Arctic University in northern Norway).

However, prior to this, much of my working life has been spent in a variety of educational settings, including the University of Nottingham and twelve years as a residential housemistress at Eton Collage, Windsor.  Since returning to the UK I have been a part-time member of the matron team at Witham Hall School in Lincolnshire.

I now look forward to becoming more involved in the village and feel honoured to be able to serve as governor at Waltham school.

Mrs Sarah Macdonald

Mr Phil Corlett

Anushka Beck

Cluster Governing Committee Membership