School Governors

Being a School Governor is a rewarding and effective way of making a voluntary contribution to your community and to the lives of local, young people.  Local Governors are appointed by the Trust Board and have a keen interest in the school.

The Headteacher is accountable to the Trust Board, whose role is to set the aims and objectives of the school and monitor progress (together with the Executive Leader), in line with national guidelines.

Each governance role is vital in ensuring the strategic direction of the Trust and the success of each school.  Local Governors provide valuable support governing at a local level and in assisting the Trust Board in fulfilling their legal duties. The Local Governing Body of Barton Farm Primary Academy will meet regularly and include parents, staff and community representatives.

local governors

Date of appointment:  13th October 2020

Term of office: 4 years

For details of the governance structure of the University of Winchester Academy Trust click here.

Meet Our Governors

Caroline Rogers - Chair of Governors/ Co - opted Governor/ SEN Governor
Date appointed: 13.10.24       Term of office: 4 years

I am proud to be chair of the local academy committee for Barton Farm and Stoneham Park primary schools. Going into the schools is always a joy! We governors work together to support the schools and contribute to their development. In my working life, I am an Associate Director at the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership where I commission and manage national clinical audit for the NHS. I develop and monitor high value contracts with external suppliers and I manage teams and contractors. I am motivated by quality improvement, both in my career to ensure delivery of programmes that improve care for patients, and personally by trying to make a positive difference in my community. I'm delighted that we are building the new communities and schools together!

Nicola Wells - Executive Headteacher/ Ex- Officio
Date of appointment:  13 October 2020

I have been in primary education for the last 15 years. I graduated from university with a BA Hons in English Literature with French and immediately joined Lloyds Bank on their graduate scheme. I held a number of positions in commercial and corporate banking before finding my real passion – teaching! I have worked in 5 schools both in the UK and overseas. Prior to joining the Trust I held an Acting Head role and set up a School Centred Initial Teacher training programme (SCITT). I also co-led our Teaching School. I think that primary education should be fun and memorable – after all we all learn more when we enjoy it! 

Terri Steele - Head of School, Barton Farm Primary School
Date of appointment:  1 September 2024    

Tess Craddock - Staff Governor 
Date of appointment:  1 September 2024    Term of office: 4 years

I have been part of the trust and working at Barton Farm Primary Academy since the year after opening and it has been a joy to watch it grow and flourish. I have taught across the primary age range, and love working in our schools which are such enthusiastic, dynamic and joyful working environments.  It is a privilege to be a teacher, and I thoroughly enjoy my role in enabling children to foster their sense of curiosity and inquisitiveness about the world, problem solve with friends and be active, collaborative learners in explore and learn time. 

Hannah Griffiths - Staff Governor
Date of appointment:  20 May 2025   Term of office: 4 years

I have been working at UWinAT since it's founding in 2020, first as Assistant Headteacher at Stoneham Park and now leading Early Years at Barton Farm. I believe whole heartedly in the vision of The Trust and how we are supporting our children to become creative, successful learners. Although I have a range of experience across the primary age range both in the UK and abroad, I have specialist interest in the Early Years. It is a privilege to be supporting our pre-school and Reception classes in creating awe inspiring environments and magical experiences as they start their school journeys. 

Mathew Jane - Co - opted Governor/ Health & Safety Governor
Date of appointment:  13 October 2020  Term of office: 8 years (current term 13 October 2024)

I am Head of Environment and Building services at the University of Winchester and I currently manage the University Energy, Environment and the Maintenance departments within Estates and Facilities Services. I am responsible for the University Carbon Management programme, energy procurement, energy efficiency, travel and transport, waste management and planned and reactive maintenance programmes.  I have been working in the Higher Education Sector for over 20 years and I have a BA in Archaeology and an MSc in Sustainable Business. I have been involved in the Barton Farm Academy from its inception and during the specification and construction phase of the project working on the client-side project team representing the Academy Trust sponsor. I am really looking forward to helping the school achieve its sustainability ambitions as it grows over the next few years.

Dominik Stokes - Co- opted Governor
Date of appointment:  13 October 2020.  Term of office: 8 years (current term 13 October 2024)

I am a chartered accountant with 20 years of experience, currently working as the Finance & IT Director for Jordans Cereals. Prior to that I had a number of roles at Twinings Tea, including Finance Director for the South East Asia region, based in Bangkok. I’m a proud father to two young boys, both of whom attend Barton Farm Primary Academy – we couldn’t be happier with the school and the focus on learning through curiosity! I’ve been a governor since the school opened in 2020, and I’m passionate about helping the school achieve its strategic goals.