Our Governors
All Local Authority schools like Clinton have governors. We play a key part in leading the direction of the school, with a role similar to that of a board of directors, except that we’re all volunteers. We work with our Headteacher, who manages the day-to-day running of the school, providing support and challenge to ensure that Clinton School is run effectively.
Clinton’s Governors (ID 1263)
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Sean WorrallChair of Governors
Sean Worrall
I joined the board of Clinton Primary School as a parent governor in 2018, focusing on the development of the Lab building. In 2020, I was honored to become the Chair of Governors, and in 2025, I took on the role of Local Authority Governor.
Professionally, I collaborate with industry, universities and government agencies to advance technologies and enhance sustainability in the automotive and industrial sectors. Working alongside the dedicated staff, leadership, and board members at Clinton Primary School has been a rewarding experience, contributing to the school's continuous growth and success.
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Ian AscroftVice Chair of Governors
Ian Ascroft
I first joined the Board as a co-opted member in May 2022, before being elected as Vice-Chair in September 2023. I'm originally from Coventry but have lived in Kenilworth for several years. I joined the board to utilise my knowledge and experience to give back to the local community. In my day job, I am a governance manager for an arms-length body of Defra, also specialising in risk management and policy development, amongst other skills. I have tried to utilise these skills as best I can to help Clinton keep being the best school it can be. I have several roles on the Board, none more important than SEND Link Governor. I am heavily involved with school governance away from Clinton as a Trustee for two primary school-focused MATs.
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Clifford HumeChair of Pupil Achievement focussed meetnigs
Clifford Hume
I am a retired actor, writer and stage director, with my work taking me all over the world. I also had a number of years working in the bus industry and was responsible for running 88 routes in central, east and south-east London.
In recent years, I also ran a successful high-end walking tour company, specialising in royal, political and bespoke history tours all over London. I still write and produce historical videos under the guise of The History Lord.
I retired after moving from the capital to Warwickshire in July 2023 and am looking forward to helping Clinton Primary as best I can.
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Matt HopkinsonChair of Resources
Matt Hopkinson
As a parent with a child currently at the school and another due to join this year, I am committed to supporting the school’s ongoing success. Professionally, I am an experienced Portfolio Manager, which equips me with strong strategic, resource management, and decision-making skills.
Having researched the role and engaged with current governors, I am inspired by the school’s dedication to fostering a family-oriented community and its commitment to encouraging all children to achieve their best. As a parent governor, I aim to contribute meaningfully to maintaining the school’s outstanding standards and shared vision for excellence.
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Sarah HoskinsAttendance Link Governor
Sarah Hoskins
I joined as a Parent Governor in 2024 and have a daughter at Clinton. I am a member of the Communications Committee, and Attendance Link Governor. I am a solicitor for a utilities company and have lived in Kenilworth since 2020. I am committed to the ethos of Clinton Primary School and am proud to contribute and be a part of the vibrant school community.
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Nafeesah Nembhard
Nafeesah Nembhard
I’m an Operating Department Practitioner & Surgical First Assistant by profession for the last 11years, working within various specialities, such as Orthopaedics, General, Laparoscopic, Gynaecological, Plastic and Maternity operations on a full-time basis. Prior to this I worked as an Assistant Management Accountant for various property companies.
I am elated to be a School Governor for Clinton Primary, I am privileged to be a part of such a wonderful group of experienced Governors and I am looking forward to this additional role, helping students thrive academically and bringing a new perspective.
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Rob BirdSafeguarding Link Governor
Rob Bird
I am Safeguarding & Wellbeing Governor; I am Co-opted but do have a daughter at school. I was appointed 26th May 2022 having served in the same role at another Kenilworth Primary School.
Career-wise I was a police officer for 30 years, retiring as Superintendent and my roles included Head of Child Protection in Coventry. I was a Senior Lecturer at Coventry University where I taught Digital Forensics, Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity; I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I am now a writer, awaiting publication of my first non-academic book “Don’t Dis-Ability.”
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Stephen Paul
Stephen Paul
I lead A level English at a secondary school in Coventry. Originally from Glasgow, I've been in the West Midlands for 10 years now, having studied at the University of Warwick. In addition to my experience in education, I have a background in journalism and communications.
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Elaine MitchellGDPR Link Governor
Elaine Mitchell
I attended Clinton from 1989-1996. In 2013 I returned as a governor, having been serendipitously allocated to the school by Governors for Schools. I am now an associate governor, which enables me to also devote time to being a governor in a primary school in Worcestershire. This is invaluable in terms of learning about and sharing best practice.
I am a solicitor specialising in professional negligence and financial crime compliance. I am also a qualified data protection practitioner. My role as a governor is assisting primarily with data protection and legal matters as they arise.
In my spare time I am a Kennel Club dog agility judge, and complete with my cockapoo Paddy.
A Code of Conduct sets out the expectations on and commitment required from school governors, in order for the governing board to properly carry out its work within the school/s and the community.
Code of Conduct for Clinton School Governing Board
What do Governors do?
Our aim is to ensure that Clinton continues to provide a stimulating and supportive learning environment to improve the achievement of all pupils in our school community. We check that test targets and results, curriculum plans, resources, finances, appointments, health and safety including safeguarding, and all aspects of school life are run in accordance with the relevant laws and guidelines. We live in changing times and we are responsible for making sure that plans to provide outstanding teaching and learning meet ever changing external requirements. The roles and responsibilities of Governing Bodies have recently been more tightly defined as to:
- make sure that the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school are clearly defined – the strategic plan can be see here.
- ensure that our Headteacher’s responsibilities for the educational performance of the school are met
- oversee the sound, proper and effective use of the school’s financial resources. Click here to see the Schools' Financial Benchmarking page for Clinton.
How do governors fulfil their roles?
As suggested above, one of the ways we do this is through meeting formally, on average every half term. We have moved to a ‘circle model’ of governance, where all governors attend all meetings. This enables us to cover our duties more efficiently and ensures all governors are knowledgeable about all the pressing school issues. Our meetings tend to have either a ‘Pupil Achievement’ focus where we look at the attainment and progress children are making as well as the impact of our action planning on school improvement OR ‘Resource Management’ focus, where we look at premises issues, health and safety, staffing and pay and finance. The last meeting of each term enables us to summarise progress made and to look strategically at next steps. The circle model enables us to be flexible with our agendas, so we may cover finance in a ‘Pupil Achievement’ focussed meeting, if our priorities dictate that.
In addition, there are subcommittees which enable governors to focus on particular aspects of school development. There include:
- Communications, including staff and parent views and website;
- Pay, Performance and Staffing (including absence and governor recruitment);
- Finance, including scrutinising budges and variance and ensuring we meet financial standards;
- Premise development, including environmental work and bids to charities.
You can read about our School Development Plan for this year. One of the most rewarding aspects of governance is spending programmed time behind the scenes with teachers and children, seeing how everything we talk about in meetings works in practice.
Governor attendance at meetings should be reported on the school website. Attendance for 2023-24 is here. Attendance so far in 2024-25 is here.
All governors are asked to declare any business or personal interests that might impinge on their responsibilities as governor at each meeting. Find the record of those here.
Parent Consultations
Every year we ask parents for their feedback on various aspects of the school via a short survey. This survey is an important part of our self-evaluation and informs our continuous improvement plans. You can see the results of the latest survey and the actions we took as a consequence here.
Who are Clinton’s Governors?
As you can see from the document linked below, there are four categories of governors. All of our governors are quite different, but we’re bonded by the common goal of providing the very best educational experience for the children at Clinton. We are committed, enthusiastic and friendly, with a wide variety of experience, skills and interests. Many of us are often in school and would be happy to talk informally about our strategic direction or any other aspect of school life. We hope you can tell that our Governors are highly ambitious for the school and incredibly proud to be associated with Clinton. You are welcome to contact us via the school office admin2308@welearn365.com or you can get in touch with the Chair of Governors at worrall.s1@welearn365.com
Freedom of Information scheme – governors’ minutes and papers
All documentation from governors’ meetings can be made available to those who request it. Where further information is required, please contact the school office. Clinton Primary School has adopted this Freedom of Information scheme which explains the types of information you can request. Most of the information that the school has to make available is within governor paperwork. (There is no information which is personal within these documents.)