Meet our governing body

Our governing body is representative of  both our school families and our wider community. Our governors represent a wide range of ages, gender, race, religion and physical ability. As such, we are confident we reflect our families and our community. We also consider diversity to mean the diverse skills and knowledge that our board possess as well as the diversity of their protected characteristics.

We are fortunate to have a board which consists of a variety of knowledge, skills and experiences including backgrounds in education, business and finance, HR, police, early years pre-school and health care. Together they make sound, knowledge based decisions for the efficient running of the school and children’s education.

Chris Jones was elected as a Governor in July 2014, and is the Chair of the Governing Body. Chris has 1 son in the school and is keen to further promote the school within the local community. He has spent the last 25 years leading teams of Area Managers and advising small businesses in the Leisure Industry.

Melanie Sims currently has 1 child at the school. She has lived in Aston all her life and attended our primary school between the age of 5-11. Mel was a mainstream classroom teacher for 10 years and now works for the local authority in their sensory and physical support services as an advisory teacher for children with special needs. She is passionate about inclusive education. Mel believes Aston on Trent primary school is a wonderful place, and would like to play a part in all of our children having positive experiences through their learning journey.

Carolyn Delehanty was appointed Parent Governor in April 2021 and is part of the Resources Committee as well as being aligned to English and Year 6.  She has one child at the school and lives in Aston on Trent.  Professionally, she’s one of the UK’s leading Customer Experience experts specialising in regulated businesses and vulnerable customers. 
She sees and is warmed by the joy on the children’s faces at the end of each school day and is passionate about the school’s ambition to be rated as outstanding by OFSTED.

Haydn Wheeler was originally co-opted as a representative of the parish council, which he left in November 2018. He worked in primary education for 38 years, including 7 years as headteacher at Aston primary school (1984-91). Following retirement from full-time work in 2008 he was employed part-time to work with and advise headteachers in Derbyshire schools. Haydn is honoured and privileged to be back at the school as a governor, supporting the headteacher and staff. Haydn is also a school governor at Firfield Primary School in Breaston.

Sam Moore began his headship at Aston on Trent Primary School in September 2022. He started his teaching career in 2009,  after completing his BEd in primary education at the University of Derby. Sam has taught children throughout the primary phase and has led school improvement in his own schools and across Derby City. He was appointed as senior leader at Aston on Trent Primary in 2019 before later taking on the headteacher role at the school. Sam is passionate about the education of children and reaching the school’s vision to ‘achieve success for all.’

Mark Dunn lives in Aston, over the years, he has had three children attend the school, all of which have benefited greatly from the safe friendly learning environment they experienced.

Since retiring from public service, Mark has found more time to devote to supporting the local community, he enjoys being hands on, and regularly helps with activities within the school.

“I am passionate about education, and as a member of the Governing Body, will help to ensure that all of our children are equipped with the intellectual building blocks necessary for future success''.

Tom Bamford has taught here at Aston for a number of years and is passionate about the education of all children in school. He began teaching Reception, and has since enjoyed teaching in years 2, 4 and now 6. Tom is a qualified Forest Schools Leader and leads outdoor sessions with children throughout school. Tom also has a passion for school sports, and runs various sporting teams including football, netball and tag rugby. Since Sam's appointment as Headteacher, Tom has supported him in this role as part of the school's Senior Leadership Team as leader of Teaching and Learning and Behaviour.

Roy Briscoe was appointed by the governing body in September 2023 initially as an associate governor. Roy is married to Nicky Briscoe who works at Aston-on-Trent Primary School.

They have three children. Roy resides in nearby Melbourne and is the Managing Director of an Electrical Contracting business since 1987. 

Roy has in depth experience in and around councils, local authorities and corporate buildings including schools. Roy's background and expertise in health and safety matters places him perfectly within our governing body resources committee. Roy is also heavily involved in the social aspect of local sports including Rugby & Cricket and is an avid MCC member. 

Governor’s Minutes and Contact Information

To contact our governors please email governors@aston-on-trent.derbyshire.sch.uk

Our Clerk to Governors is Julie Abbott j.abbott@aston-on-trent.derbyshire.sch.uk

You can request a paper version of any minutes by contacting Mrs Shacklock in the school office enquiries@aston-on-trent.derbyshire.sch.uk 

Chris Jones - Chair of Governors/Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 09.07.22 - 08.07.2026
Committee Membership/ Responsibility:  Chair of Resources, Pupil Discipline, Complaints, Performance Management & Pay.
No business interests to declare, not a governor at any other school and no relation working in school.
Attendance at meetings 2022-23:  Full Governors 5/5   Resource 4/4    T&L: 3/4

Sam Moore-Ex Officio Governor (Headteacher)
Term of Office: 01.09.22 - 31.08.32
No business interests to declare, not a governor at any other school and is married to Mrs Moore who is a teacher here at Aston.
Attendance at meetings 2022-23:   Full Governors 5/5   Resources 4/4   T&L 3/3

Tom Bamford- Elected Teacher Governor
Term of Office: 01.09.22 - 01.09.32

Committee Membership / Responsibility:  Behaviour
No business interests to declare, not a governor at any other school and no relation working in school.

Attendance at meetings 2022-23:   Full Governors 4/5   Resources 4/4   T&L 2/3

Clare Coles - Parent Governor
Term of Office: 01.04.2021-31.03.2025
Committee Membership/ Responsibility:  T&L, Pupil Discipline, Staff Discipline and Complaints and Safeguarding. 
No business interests to declare, not a Governor at any other school and no relation working in school.
Attendance at meetings 2022-23:   Full Governors 5/5  T&L 3/3

Anthony Cooper - Elected Parent Governor
Term of Office: 01.12.2022-30.11.2026
Committee Membership / Responsibility:  Resources 
No business interests to declare, not a governor at any other school and no relation working in school.
Attendance at meetings 2022-23:   Full Governors 3/3   Resources 3/3  

Mark Dunn- Parent Governor
Term of Office: 18.01.2022-17.01.2026
Committee Membership/ Responsibility: Resources
No business interests to declare, not a governor at any other school and no relation working in school.

Attendance at meetings 2022-23:   Full Governors 4/5   Resources 3/3

Carolyn Delahanty - Parent Governor
Term of Office: 26.04.2021-25.04.2025
Committee Membership/Responsibility : Resources and Curriculum
No business interests to declare, not a governor at any other school and no relation working in school.

Attendance at meetings 2022-23:   Full Governors 5/5   Resources 4/4  

Melanie Sims - Parent Governor
Term of Office: 07.10.2022-07.10.2025
Committee Membership/ Responsibility :  T&L , Pupil Discipline, Staff Discipline and Complaints and special educational needs.
No business interests to declare, not a governor at any other school and no relation working in school.

Attendance at meetings 2022-23:   Full Governors 5/5   T&L 3/3

Haydn Wheeler - Co-opted Governor
Term of Office: 12.01.2023-11.01.2026
Committee Membership / Responsibility : Teaching & Learning, Numeracy, Looked After Children, Pupil Discipline, Staff Discipline, Complaints, Performance Management & Pay.
No business interests to declare, and no relation working in school. Haydn is also a school governor at Firfield Primary School in Breaston.

Attendance at meetings 2022-23:   Full Governors 4/5   T&L 3/3

Roy Briscoe - Associate Governor

Term of Office: 22.09.2023- 21.09.2024
Committee Membership / Responsibility : Resources, Health and Safety
No business interests to declare, not a governor at any other school and is married to Nicola Briscoe who is a school business administrator here at Aston. 

Attendance at meetings 2022-23:   n/a

Former Governors-

Vicky Topps - Parent Governor
Term of Office : 24.04.17-23.04.21
Committee Membership / Responsibility:  Resources, Staff  Discipline and Complaints.
No business interests to declare, not a governor at any other school and no relation working in school.
Attendance at meetings 2019/20:  Full Governors 5/5 Resources: 4/4 

Lindsey Kalirai - Former Headteacher
Committee Membership: Resources & Teaching & Learning.
No business interests to declare, not a governor at any other school and no relation working in school.
Attendance at meetings 2019/20:  Full Governors 4/5    Resources:4/4   T&L: 4/4

Angie Donaldson - Staff Governor
Term of Office- 11.09.17 – 10.09.22
Committee Membership/ Responsibility : Teaching & Learning.
No business interests to declare, not a governor at any other school and no relation working in school.
Attendance at meetings 2019/20:  Full Governors 5/5     T&L: 4/4 

Valerie Graham - Vice-chair of Governors and LA Governor
Term of Office: 01.09.2017-28.02.2026
Committee Membership / Responsibility:  Resources , Pupil Discipline, Staff Discipline and Complaints
No business interests to declare, not a governor at any other school and no relation working in school.
Attendance at meetings 2022-23:   Full Governors 2/4   Resources 3/4   T&L 2/3