Governance
Meet the Governors
The Governing Body of Grandpont Nursery and Daycare is made up of volunteers who come together to work in partnership with staff and parents in the best interests of the children.
The Governors, together with the Headteacher, are responsible for the strategic direction of the school whilst the Headteacher is responsible for the day-to-day running of the school and is accountable to the Governors.
Governors are committed to making sure that Safeguarding is effective, that all children feel safe at school. The Governing Body meets six times a year and has three core functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding school leaders to account for the educational progression and development of the children, as well as the supervision and performance management of staff
- Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.
Govorners can be contacted via the school office office@grandpontnurseryschool.co.uk
Chair - John Palmer - appointed 16 May 2023
Brad Baines (Co-opted Governor) - appointed 24 November 2020
Brad is the local County Councillor for South Oxford and has been a governor at Grandpont Nursery School. His passion for education derives from his mum’s background as a primary school teacher and his experiences volunteering at an after-school club and nursery as well as a young people’s charity. He currently works in public campaigns.
Yan Wong (Co-opted Governor, Curriculum Governor) - appointed 1 March 2013
I’m a local dad often seen out and about in Marlborough Road. Grandpont is very much in my heart, as my two daughters, one now in secondary and one still in primary school, benefitted when younger from the fantastic provision in the Family Room, Daycare, and the Nursery School. I have been a governor at Grandpont since 2013, with a focus on Grandpont’s role in the community, and the Family Room in particular. I’m currently chair of the Grandpont Nursery School Association (GNSA), our associated charity. Work-wise, I am a scientist, and have had multiple jobs including university lecturer, popular science writer, and presenter of science on TV and radio. My specialism is biology, focusing on natural history and genetics, and I currently work in this area in one of the Oxford University research institutes.
Taryn Grant (Parent Governor, Safeguarding) - appointed 25 January 2022
Amber Grant (Parent Governor) - appointed 31 January 2023
Carol Lister (Co-opted Governor) - appointed 20 March 2023
Natalie Wilson (Governor) - appointed 18 March 2024
Louise Russell (Staff Governor) - appointed 23 November 2023
Meet our Governors
Below are the members of the governing body, and where relevant, their roles at Grandpont. They can be contacted via the office.
Chair - John Palmer - appointed 16 May 2023
Brad Baines (Co-opted Governor) - appointed 24 November 2020
Brad is the local County Councillor for South Oxford and has been a governor at Grandpont Nursery School. His passion for education derives from his mum’s background as a primary school teacher and his experiences volunteering at an after-school club and nursery as well as a young people’s charity. He currently works in public campaigns.
Yan Wong (Co-opted Governor, Curriculum Governor) - appointed 1 March 2013
I’m a local dad often seen out and about in Marlborough Road. Grandpont is very much in my heart, as my two daughters, one now in secondary and one still in primary school, benefitted when younger from the fantastic provision in the Family Room, Daycare, and the Nursery School. I have been a governor at Grandpont since 2013, with a focus on Grandpont’s role in the community, and the Family Room in particular. I’m currently chair of the Grandpont Nursery School Association (GNSA), our associated charity. Work-wise, I am a scientist, and have had multiple jobs including university lecturer, popular science writer, and presenter of science on TV and radio. My specialism is biology, focusing on natural history and genetics, and I currently work in this area in one of the Oxford University research institutes.
Taryn Grant (Parent Governor, Safeguarding) - appointed 25 January 2022
Amber Grant (Parent Governor) - appointed 31 January 2023
Carol Lister (Co-opted Governor) - appointed 20 March 2023
Natalie Wilson (Governor) - appointed 18 March 2024
Louise Russell (Staff Governor) - appointed 23 November 2023
Finances
The governing body has a finance and resources committee which is responsible for overseeing the budget of the centre as a whole. Our financial benchmarking webpage on the government financial benchmarking service is here.