Monks Risborough CE Primary School
Governor Portraits
Jane Curry – Foundation Governor & Chair of Governors
Painting by Elsa Year 5
I joined the governing body as a foundation governor in April 2017. I am a retired solicitor, formerly an in house company lawyer and now using my corporate legal experience as a charity trustee. I have 4 adult children, one of whom is now a schoolteacher, and two young grandchildren, as a consequence of which I have been continuously following developments in education. I now serve as chair of the Personnel Committee, in addition to being a member of the Curriculum Committee and of the Community, Ethos and Values Committee. In my first degree I studied languages, which has led me to accept with enthusiasm the governor curriculum responsibilities for Literacy and Modern Foreign Languages. Since arriving in the Risborough area in 2010, I have been actively involved with St. Dunstan’s Church, so I am keen to foster the links between the school and the church, as well as with the wider community.
Dave Wagner - Parent Governor
Drawing by Sid Year 2
"I have had the privilege of serving on the school’s governing body as a Parent Governor since 2017 and became involved as I was keen to play an active role in the school with two young boys of my own attending. I am Chair of the Resources Committee and also assist the school as the Maths subject coordinator. Originally from Canada, I have lived in the UK since 2008 and in a professional capacity I am Finance Director for an international environmental consulting firm and I do my best to leverage my financial and leadership skills from my work with the governing body. In my spare time I enjoy keeping a keen eye on the American football from across the pond."
Amy Robinson - Headteacher
Drawing by Josie in Reception
As Headteacher at Monks Risborough School, I am a member of the governing body. I qualified as a teacher in 2009 after completing a BA in Primary Education with QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) at The University of Winchester. I joined the Monks team in 2015 as a class teacher and have taught Year 4 and Year 6. I became KS2 lead in 2016 and then Deputy Head in 2019. During my teaching career I have taught across all of Key Stage Two and have led a variety of subjects such as Maths, Science and PSHCE. I feel very privileged to teach and be part of the leadership team here and love being part of the wider school community. As Headteacher, I am a member on all Monks Risborough Governing Body Committees.
Paul Summerscales
Drawing by Harrison Year 1
I joined the board as a co-opted governor in 2020 as I have a daughter in Key Stage 1 and a son starting in Sep 21 and I am keen to help and support Monks as it develops our children. I am in the Achievements Committee and I have several governor responsibilities including data protection.
I graduated with a master’s degree in engineering science before joining the Royal Air Force to serve as a helicopter pilot, and then as a communications engineering officer. In 2019 I left the RAF, moved with my family to Princes Risborough, and took a new role as an airline pilot.
I am passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM), and believe these subjects will give our children the tools to succeed whatever the future holds.
The Rev’d Peter Godden - Foundation Governor
I arrived in Monks Risborough as Vicar at St Dunstan’s in July 2021, and joined the governing body that September. I do a number of things as part of my contribution to the life of the school. In addition to sitting on the governing body, I also lead collective worship in the school hall on a weekly basis, as well as leading services for special festivals such as Christmas, Easter, and Harvest. I occasionally help deliver R.E. lessons, if one of the class teachers requests some assistance for a subject that could benefit from some extra input. And, as the parish priest, I am here to serve everyone, particularly in providing pastoral support to the community.
I am married to Caroline, and we have a young son. Together we enjoy gardening, walks through the countryside, cooking, and trips to Vicarage Road to watch Watford FC.
Bev Webb - Co Opted Governor
'I was co-opted to the governing body in January 2024, and will be sitting on the Resources Committee and taking on the roles of Safeguarding Governor and Health & Safety Governor.
My links to the school go back to the early 2000’s, when my son – and then my daughter, both attended from Reception through to Year 6. They both really enjoyed their time at Monks and, as a parent, I was happy that my children were attending a school which not only encouraged them to flourish academically, but which was also such an active and positive part of the community they were growing up in.
My children are now grown up and I am recently retired, so I am looking forward to spending some time supporting the School which has played such an important part in the lives of my family.'
Rui Pestana - Parent Governor
'I joined the governing body in 2023 as a parent governor hoping to put my MA in Education to
use for the good of the school. I also hope to leverage my experiences of disability, both
personal and in caring for my partner, to better inform my role as governor of SEND and Pupil
Premium provisions.
I have previously worked as a Games Designer of both video and board games and am keen to
explore the ways in which both can be used to enhance learning and wellbeing in the
classroom.
My son is currently in year 2 at the school and, despite a tumultuous start following the
pandemic, has settled in well thanks to the excellent school staff. I hope to be as great a support
to them in return.'
Angie Lench - Co Opted Governor
I became a co-opted governor in January 2024, as I wanted to contribute more to my local
community after retiring early. I also want to be able to use my career background to benefit the
growth and success of the school. I am a member of the Resources Committee and the governor for the PE & Sports Premium.
Professionally, my first career was in fashion buying and planning. After 20 years I switched careers to education and am a qualified teacher (lifelong learning) with experience in higher education senior lecturing and programme directorship in leadership and management degrees (under- and post-graduate), with research in sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals.
In my personal life I engage in a lot of physical activity including open water swimming, walking and cycling. I recently took part in a charity cycle ride across Kenya. I also work at sports events in both paid and volunteer roles.