Meet our Governors
Barry Anns - Chair - Local Authority Governor
I joined the governing board in September 2016. I am Chair of the Full Governing Board and previously Chair of the Personnel sub-committee.
I am married to Charlotte, live locally in Upper Bucklebury, and have two children, Issy and Ellie, both of whom have attended the school for their primary educations.
In work, I am a Director of an education focussed software company, with my work focused on transforming education as we live through the information technology revolution. I have transferable skills from the varied roles within my career that are useful for my role in governance. For example, management of people, problem-solving, finance, IT, recruitment, alongside general business experience.
Outside of work, when not spending time with my family, I enjoy running and generally trying to keep fit and healthy! I also enjoy playing golf and watching football, supporting Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.
I am passionate about ensuring that the school provides the best possible outcomes for our children, ensuring that we strive not only for academic excellence, but also that we look after the "whole child" and their needs, incorporating a broader view of the skills and knowledge that all children must develop for long-term success, and recognising that every child is unique.
Joanna Grew - Parent Governor
Vice Chair of Governors
Chair of Finance & Premises
I joined the governing board as a Parent governor in October 2021. I am married to Laurence and we live in neighbouring Ashmore Green with our two children Albert and Elizabeth.
I am new to school governance, but I am passionate about building on the success at St Marks to make it the very best school for all the children it serves.
I am an experience rail professional, having worked in the rail industry for nearly 15 years, my experience is varied but in recent years has focused on third party investment with stakeholder management being at the heart of this. My current role of Industry Programme Director for the Thames Valley area gives me the privilege of leading on the investment in our local area and on the route into Paddington. Building business cases, securing funding, leading teams, delivering on budget to programme and delivery fantastic benefits are all key to my role and some of what I hope to bring into my governance at St Marks.
Outside of work life is pretty busy with the family but I also love travelling, walking and getting out in the garden and beautiful countryside that we live in.
Adrian Slaughter Co-opted Governor
Having very recently joined the Governing Board in September 2024, I am very new to school governance. I have one child currently at St Mark’s Primary School and have found the School to be an enriching, warm and supporting educational establishment. As a Governor, I very much want to support the School in continuing these high standards.
I currently work for West Berkshire Council and have done so for the past 23 years. In that time, I have had various roles and experiences that I can hopefully bring to the table as a Governor.
My background is in health, safety and environmental issues, having received formal qualifications in Environmental Management & Technology (MSc), and Health & Safety (Diploma).
Outside of work, when time and commitments allow, I am a keen golfer and play football as often as I can.
Pauline Cload - Staff Governor
Nominated governor for Religious Education
Having moved with my family from Thatcham to Cold Ash in 2017, I joined the staff of St Marks around Easter 2019 as a lunchtime supervisor. While this is my first job directly working in a school, I have a varied background where teaching, entertaining and keeping children safe has been a repeating theme. From involvement with YMCA day camps, to teaching archery at various groups and clubs, to volunteering with the Guide and Scout movements, to raising my own children and working at historical sites as a living history demonstrator and re-enactor, I have often found myself outdoors with young people all around.
My official qualifications are in Microbiology and Biochemistry and I have worked previously in the NHS and for a multinational household and body-care company, mostly in a laboratory dealing with quality control of raw materials, finished products and microbial contamination related customer complaints. The rigorous and exacting standards used in science translate well to governorship, as does the desire to learn and improve. In 2006, I gave up the long hours to focus on caring for my family and having a better work life balance. This led to me diversifying my skills into crafting medieval inspired and replica items and trading at medieval events and more recently online, as a sole trader.
I feel that I have reached a stage in my life where I want to put down long term roots and give back to the community in which I am living, the chance to be a governor at St Marks fits well with my desire to serve; while supporting the staff, parents and children of this wonderful village school to strive for greater excellence.
Vacancy - Foundation Governor
Harriet Fidler - Co-opted Governor
Chair of Personnel Committee
Chair of Learning and Progress Committee
I joined the governing board in October 2022 and am new to school governance. I do not have children but have always been interested in giving back to the community in ways that support children. I am currently the leader of 1st Speen Rainbows (Girl Guiding group for 4-7-year-olds) and previously was an independent visitor with Action for Children.
Mitch Warrender - Headteacher
The headteacher is an ex-oficio governor which means they are a member of the Governing Board by virtue of the position held in the school and do not need to be elected.
Caroline Stevenson - Co-opted Governor
Nominated Governor for Safebuarding and Early Years Foundation Stage
My husband Andy and I have lived in Cold Ash since 1994, our three children attended St Marks Primary School. During that time, I played an active role in the School Association. We now have five grandchildren, some of which attend St Marks-so we have a long association with the school and have seen many changes.
I work for West Berkshire District Council in the Public Protection Partnership Team and have provided both enforcement and educational roles within the department. I recently took early retirement, saying that I am presently providing two days a week short term contract with the food team!
I feel the reporting, enforcement and educational skills required within my Public Protection roles are transferable to the role of a school governor. With more time available I feel now I can give back to the school that have given us so much over the years.
I do volunteer work with the Thatcham Community Larder and assist an organisation in Hampshire run a resident’s association. My hobbies include walking, cycling and fly-fishing.
Clerk to the Governors
Anne Hunter - Clerk to Governors
Vacancy - Parent Governor
Stuart Bravery - Parent Governor
Nominated governor for Pupil Premium and SEND
I joined the governing board in September 2022 as a parent governor and am new to school governance. My son George is a current year 2 pupil at St. Marks and my other son Harry will be starting in September 2023.
I was keen to become a governor as I feel that St. Marks is a fantastic school, and I would like to help support the school is achieving even more successes for its pupil.
Professionally, I work within financial services. I am the principal of a small company that provides technical support to a large national Wealth Management company. The skills I have obtained throughout my career I believe transfer into school governance, and I hope will be beneficial to St. Marks and the governing board.
Outside of work, life can be pretty busy with various activities for my boys but I do enjoy going to the gym regularly and when I can, being out on my motorbike.
Sarah Chamberlain - Foundation Governor
Nominated Governor for Health and Safety
I joined as a Foundation Governor in February 2021. I am mum to Edie who is in year 1 at the school.
My expertise is in all things security: I worked in law enforcement for over 20 years before I joined a large high profile organisation 9 years ago where I now manage their physical and personnel security risk.
I hope to be able to use the skills I’ve gained throughout the years to support the school where I can, but my main area of interest is the personal development of the children.
The academic side is obviously vitally important, but I’m keen that we deliver on the school’s mission and values. I want to ensure we translate this effectively so the children are provided with the best guidance and support to nurture them through this critical stage in their development so they can lead the most fulfilling and enjoyable lives they can, providing them with some fantastic memories of their early days.
I feel that the governors as a group may not have the right level of visibility, understanding and engagement they should have with parents/carers and staff, and that we are perceived as a group that can’t be reached. I believe that we should have a closer, more open relationship: that we make our group approachable and show we are there to support them as well and would like to see us work to actively raise our profile.
When I’m not working or managing Edie’s hectic social calendar I like to go running to clear the cobwebs. I love reading and my dream is to find the time to start writing the series of books I’ve started planning!