The Governing Body at Rye Park Nursery School

At Rye Park Nursery School, our governing body plays a vital role in shaping the vision and strategic direction of our school. As a maintained nursery school, we are committed to promoting high standards of educational achievement and ensuring our children have the best possible start to their learning journey.

The Role of our Governors

Our governing body is responsible for overseeing the management and operation of the school. They work closely with the headteacher and staff to:

  • Set the school's vision, values, and strategic aims
  • Monitor and evaluate the school's performance
  • Act as a critical friend to the Headteacher, providing support and challenge
  • Ensure the school is accountable to the children, parents, and wider community it serves

Who are our Governors?

Our governing body is made up of key stakeholders, including:

  • Parent governors, elected by other parents at the school
  • Staff governors, including the Headteacher and other teaching/support staff
  • Co-opted governors, appointed by the governing body
  • Local authority governors
  • Associate members, appointed by the governing body to serve on committees

We aim for a diverse representation to ensure that all voices are heard and that our school's decisions reflect the needs and aspirations of our community.

Putting our Values into Practice

At Rye Park Nursery School, our governing body is fully committed to upholding our core values of "Playing Together, Learning Together, Achieving Together."

Through their strategic oversight and collaborative approach, our governors play a crucial role in maintaining the high-quality early years education that our families have come to expect. We are grateful for their dedication and the invaluable contribution they make to our school community.

If you would like to learn more about our governing body or how you can get involved, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We welcome engagement from parents, carers, and the wider community as we continue to shape the future of Rye Park Nursery School.

Our Governors - July 2024

Name and Role Type Term of Office Committee and Area of Responsibility Attendance at FGB September 2023-July 2024 Other business or financial interst/skills/Governor at another school

Mrs. Wendy Wright

(Chair)

Co-opted

01/09/2023-31/08/2027

First appointed:

01/09/2006

Finance and Personnel

Champion for EYPP an Leadership and Management

2/3

Retired manager of Three Parks Children's Centre

Former employee of the Nursery School

Mrs. Jane Greenslade

(Vice Chair)

Local Authority

01/09/2019-31/082023

First appointed:08/02/2003

Quality of education and staff well-being 3/3

Former Early Years Advisor for Herts Education (formally known as Herts for Learning)

Former employee of th Nursery School

Mrs. Debbie Penwill

(Headteacher)

Headteacher 01/09/2020

Finance and Personnel

Sites and premises

3/3  

Mrs. Margaret Brent

Co-opted

01/09/2023-31/08/2027

First appointed: 01/10/2009

Sites and premises

SEND governor

Champion for personal development

3/3 Retired speech and language therapist
Mrs. Helen Blay Staff Governor

19/09/2021-18/09/2025

First appointed: 01/05/2017

Sites and premises 3/3  
Mrs. Helen Wills Parent

01/09/2023-13/08/2027

First appointed: 13/02/2012

DPO 3/3

Qualified in Landscape and Design

Employed as a Technical Author

Interested in environment and learning spaces

Mrs. Camilla Smitham-Payne Parent

01/09/2024-31/08/2028

First appointed: 01/09/2020

Site and premises

Champion of Quality of Education

2/3

Teacher at St. Augustine's Primary School

Governor at St. Catherine's Primary School, Hoddesdon

Mr. Nick Sharp Co-opted

11/10/2021-10/10/2025

First appointed: 11/10/2021

Finance and Personnel

Safeguarding

Champion leadership and management

3/3 Vicar at St. Cuthbert's Church, Hoddesdon
Mrs. Jingjing Wang Parent

23/01/2023-22/01/2027

First appointed: 23/01/2023

Finance and personnel 3/3  
Mrs. Eleni Difrancesco Parent

08/01/2024-07/01/2023

First appointed:

08/01/2024

Sites and premises 

Health and safety

2/2  

Mrs. Kirsten Crouch 

(School admin assistant)

Clerk     3/3  

 

imageimageimageimage
imageimageimageimage
2007200720072007
2007
2010201020102010
2010
2012201220122012
2012
2017201720172017
2017
2023202320232023
2023
imageimageimageimage
imageimageimageimage
2007200720072007
2007
2010201020102010
2010

The Governing Body at Rye Park Nursery School

At Rye Park Nursery School, our governing body plays a vital role in shaping the vision and strategic direction of our school. As a maintained nursery school, we are committed to promoting high standards of educational achievement and ensuring our children have the best possible start to their learning journey.

The Role of our Governors

Our governing body is responsible for overseeing the management and operation of the school. They work closely with the headteacher and staff to:

  • Set the school's vision, values, and strategic aims
  • Monitor and evaluate the school's performance
  • Act as a critical friend to the Headteacher, providing support and challenge
  • Ensure the school is accountable to the children, parents, and wider community it serves

Who are our Governors?

Our governing body is made up of key stakeholders, including:

  • Parent governors, elected by other parents at the school
  • Staff governors, including the Headteacher and other teaching/support staff
  • Co-opted governors, appointed by the governing body
  • Local authority governors
  • Associate members, appointed by the governing body to serve on committees

We aim for a diverse representation to ensure that all voices are heard and that our school's decisions reflect the needs and aspirations of our community.

Putting our Values into Practice

At Rye Park Nursery School, our governing body is fully committed to upholding our core values of "Playing Together, Learning Together, Achieving Together."

Through their strategic oversight and collaborative approach, our governors play a crucial role in maintaining the high-quality early years education that our families have come to expect. We are grateful for their dedication and the invaluable contribution they make to our school community.

If you would like to learn more about our governing body or how you can get involved, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We welcome engagement from parents, carers, and the wider community as we continue to shape the future of Rye Park Nursery School.

Our Governors - July 2024

Name and Role Type Term of Office Committee and Area of Responsibility Attendance at FGB September 2023-July 2024 Other business or financial interst/skills/Governor at another school

Mrs. Wendy Wright

(Chair)

Co-opted

01/09/2023-31/08/2027

First appointed:

01/09/2006

Finance and Personnel

Champion for EYPP an Leadership and Management

2/3

Retired manager of Three Parks Children's Centre

Former employee of the Nursery School

Mrs. Jane Greenslade

(Vice Chair)

Local Authority

01/09/2019-31/082023

First appointed:08/02/2003

Quality of education and staff well-being 3/3

Former Early Years Advisor for Herts Education (formally known as Herts for Learning)

Former employee of th Nursery School

Mrs. Debbie Penwill

(Headteacher)

Headteacher 01/09/2020

Finance and Personnel

Sites and premises

3/3  

Mrs. Margaret Brent

Co-opted

01/09/2023-31/08/2027

First appointed: 01/10/2009

Sites and premises

SEND governor

Champion for personal development

3/3 Retired speech and language therapist
Mrs. Helen Blay Staff Governor

19/09/2021-18/09/2025

First appointed: 01/05/2017

Sites and premises 3/3  
Mrs. Helen Wills Parent

01/09/2023-13/08/2027

First appointed: 13/02/2012

DPO 3/3

Qualified in Landscape and Design

Employed as a Technical Author

Interested in environment and learning spaces

Mrs. Camilla Smitham-Payne Parent

01/09/2024-31/08/2028

First appointed: 01/09/2020

Site and premises

Champion of Quality of Education

2/3

Teacher at St. Augustine's Primary School

Governor at St. Catherine's Primary School, Hoddesdon

Mr. Nick Sharp Co-opted

11/10/2021-10/10/2025

First appointed: 11/10/2021

Finance and Personnel

Safeguarding

Champion leadership and management

3/3 Vicar at St. Cuthbert's Church, Hoddesdon
Mrs. Jingjing Wang Parent

23/01/2023-22/01/2027

First appointed: 23/01/2023

Finance and personnel 3/3  
Mrs. Eleni Difrancesco Parent

08/01/2024-07/01/2023

First appointed:

08/01/2024

Sites and premises 

Health and safety

2/2  

Mrs. Kirsten Crouch 

(School admin assistant)

Clerk     3/3  

 

imageimageimageimage
imageimageimageimage
2007200720072007
2007
2010201020102010
2010
2012201220122012
2012
2017201720172017
2017
2023202320232023
2023
imageimageimageimage
imageimageimageimage
2007200720072007
2007
2010201020102010
2010

The Governing Body at Rye Park Nursery School

At Rye Park Nursery School, our governing body plays a vital role in shaping the vision and strategic direction of our school. As a maintained nursery school, we are committed to promoting high standards of educational achievement and ensuring our children have the best possible start to their learning journey.

The Role of our Governors

Our governing body is responsible for overseeing the management and operation of the school. They work closely with the headteacher and staff to:

  • Set the school's vision, values, and strategic aims
  • Monitor and evaluate the school's performance
  • Act as a critical friend to the Headteacher, providing support and challenge
  • Ensure the school is accountable to the children, parents, and wider community it serves

Who are our Governors?

Our governing body is made up of key stakeholders, including:

  • Parent governors, elected by other parents at the school
  • Staff governors, including the Headteacher and other teaching/support staff
  • Co-opted governors, appointed by the governing body
  • Local authority governors
  • Associate members, appointed by the governing body to serve on committees

We aim for a diverse representation to ensure that all voices are heard and that our school's decisions reflect the needs and aspirations of our community.

Putting our Values into Practice

At Rye Park Nursery School, our governing body is fully committed to upholding our core values of "Playing Together, Learning Together, Achieving Together."

Through their strategic oversight and collaborative approach, our governors play a crucial role in maintaining the high-quality early years education that our families have come to expect. We are grateful for their dedication and the invaluable contribution they make to our school community.

If you would like to learn more about our governing body or how you can get involved, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We welcome engagement from parents, carers, and the wider community as we continue to shape the future of Rye Park Nursery School.

Our Governors - July 2024

Name and Role Type Term of Office Committee and Area of Responsibility Attendance at FGB September 2023-July 2024 Other business or financial interst/skills/Governor at another school

Mrs. Wendy Wright

(Chair)

Co-opted

01/09/2023-31/08/2027

First appointed:

01/09/2006

Finance and Personnel

Champion for EYPP an Leadership and Management

2/3

Retired manager of Three Parks Children's Centre

Former employee of the Nursery School

Mrs. Jane Greenslade

(Vice Chair)

Local Authority

01/09/2019-31/082023

First appointed:08/02/2003

Quality of education and staff well-being 3/3

Former Early Years Advisor for Herts Education (formally known as Herts for Learning)

Former employee of th Nursery School

Mrs. Debbie Penwill

(Headteacher)

Headteacher 01/09/2020

Finance and Personnel

Sites and premises

3/3  

Mrs. Margaret Brent

Co-opted

01/09/2023-31/08/2027

First appointed: 01/10/2009

Sites and premises

SEND governor

Champion for personal development

3/3 Retired speech and language therapist
Mrs. Helen Blay Staff Governor

19/09/2021-18/09/2025

First appointed: 01/05/2017

Sites and premises 3/3  
Mrs. Helen Wills Parent

01/09/2023-13/08/2027

First appointed: 13/02/2012

DPO 3/3

Qualified in Landscape and Design

Employed as a Technical Author

Interested in environment and learning spaces

Mrs. Camilla Smitham-Payne Parent

01/09/2024-31/08/2028

First appointed: 01/09/2020

Site and premises

Champion of Quality of Education

2/3

Teacher at St. Augustine's Primary School

Governor at St. Catherine's Primary School, Hoddesdon

Mr. Nick Sharp Co-opted

11/10/2021-10/10/2025

First appointed: 11/10/2021

Finance and Personnel

Safeguarding

Champion leadership and management

3/3 Vicar at St. Cuthbert's Church, Hoddesdon
Mrs. Jingjing Wang Parent

23/01/2023-22/01/2027

First appointed: 23/01/2023

Finance and personnel 3/3  
Mrs. Eleni Difrancesco Parent

08/01/2024-07/01/2023

First appointed:

08/01/2024

Sites and premises 

Health and safety

2/2  

Mrs. Kirsten Crouch 

(School admin assistant)

Clerk     3/3  

 

imageimageimageimage
imageimageimageimage
2007200720072007
2007
2010201020102010
2010
2012201220122012
2012
2017201720172017
2017
2023202320232023
2023
imageimageimageimage
imageimageimageimage
2007200720072007
2007
2010201020102010
2010