Our Governors
Welcome to the Governors’ page for Townsend Church of England School. Our governing board is dedicated to supporting the school’s vision, ensuring high standards, and helping every pupil thrive. We work closely with the Headteacher and staff to ensure Townsend CofE School remains a nurturing and ambitious environment for all students.
Who We Are
Our governing body is made up of dedicated volunteers from our local community, parents, staff and the church. Together, we bring a wide range of skills and experience to help guide and support the school’s leadership.
The Governing Body of Townsend Church of England School consists of up to 12 Governors.
| Category of Governor | Name | Appointing Body | Term of Office | Committees | Responsibilities |
| Foundation Governor | Vicky Franco | Diocesan Board of Education | 01/09/2026 31/08/2030 |
Curriculum, Finance, Admissions, Disciplinary and Policy & Urgency |
Chair of Governors Link Governor for Safeguarding, Interventions, Attainment & Exams |
| Relevant Business & Pecuniary Interests: None declared. | |||||
| Foundation Governor | Tony Hale | St Albans Deanery Synod | 08/06/2026 07/06/2030 |
Admissions and Finance | Vice Chair of Governors Link Governor for Health & Safety & Climate Action |
| Relevant Business & Pecuniary Interests: Retired architect. | |||||
| Foundation Governor | Andrew Brown | St Albans Deanery Synod | 01/09/2025 31/08/2029 |
Finance, Admissions, Disciplinary and Pay & Personnel | Link Governor for Post-16 and Careers |
| Relevant Business & Pecuniary Interests: None declared. | |||||
| Foundation Governor | Fiona Fraser | St Albans Deanery Synod | 30/06/2026 29/06/2030 |
Finance, Admissions and Disciplinary | Link Governor for RSHE & Staff Wellbeing |
| Relevant Business & Pecuniary Interests: None declared. | |||||
| Foundation governor | Vacancy (1) | St Albans Deanery Synod | – | – | – |
| Relevant Business & Pecuniary Interests: – | |||||
| Foundation governor | Vacancy (2) | Diocesan Board of Education | – | – | – |
| Relevant Business & Pecuniary Interests: – | |||||
| Foundation ex officio Governor | Jo Kelly-Moore | Archdeacon of St Albans | 01/02/2026 | – | Link Governor for Religious Education & SIAMS |
| Relevant Business & Pecuniary Interests: None declared. | |||||
| Headteacher | Anthony Flack | Governing Board | – | Curriculum, Finance and Disciplinary | Headteacher |
| Relevant Business & Pecuniary Interests: Member of St Albans Diocesan Board of Education, Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust, St Albans Diocese Academy Education Trust, Hertfordshire Schools Music Service Forum and Safeguarding Committee, director of not-for-profit St Albans and Harpenden Schools Umbrella Trust and chair of Scouting Committees. | |||||
| Local Authority Governor | Hero Slinn | Hertfordshire County Council | 01/09/2026 31/08/2030 |
Curriculum, Admissions and Disciplinary | Link Governor for SEND & Inclusion |
| Relevant Business & Pecuniary Interests: None declared. | |||||
| Parent governor | Sally-Ann Aguiar | Parent election | 27/11/2023 26/11/2027 |
Finance, Admissions, Disciplinary, Pay & Personnel and Policy & Urgency | Chair of the Finance Committee Link Governor for Pupil Premium |
| Relevant Business & Pecuniary Interests: Sally-Ann is a School Business Manager at an independent school. She holds a BA in Childhood and Youth Studies and a Diploma in School Business Management (ILM). She is personally invested in the school community as her children attend Townsend CofE School. | |||||
| Parent Governor | Stephanie Lane | Parent election | 30/06/2026 29/06/2026 |
Curriculum, Admissions and Disciplinary | Link Governor for Data Protection & Online Safety |
| Relevant Business & Pecuniary Interests: None declared. | |||||
| Staff governors | Dan Hawkins | Staff election | 01/01/2026 31/12/2029 |
Curriculum | Link Governor for Teaching & Curriculum |
| Relevant Business & Pecuniary Interests: None declared. | |||||
What We Do
Governors work together to provide independent oversight of the management and operation of the school to improve the quality of education provided and raise standards.
The main responsibilities of our governing board are to:
- Set the school’s strategic direction and values
- Hold the headteacher and senior leaders to account for educational performance
- Oversee the financial performance of the school, ensuring money is well spent
- Ensure statutory duties are met, including safeguarding and SEND provision
Governors attend various meetings as part of their responsibilities, including Full Governing Body (FGB) meetings, which meet at least three times a year and additionally, if circumstances require. The Full Governing Body is supported by two main committees, which meet at least once a term and additionally, if required:
- The Finance and General Purposes Committee (FGPC), which deals with budget and finance, premises and health and safety, and relevant aspects of safeguarding, and other matters delegated by the Full Governing Body. This committee may consider some relevant pay, terms and conditions of service and staff-related items.
- The Curriculum and Standards Committee (CSC), which deals with standards, safeguarding and child protection, curriculum matters, examination results/outcomes, well-being and pastoral care, special educational needs, disability, disadvantaged and pupil premium students, and other matters delegated by the Full Governing Body.
Other sub-committees or working groups are formed when necessary. Our Terms of Reference for committees outline the responsibilities and expectations of each committee.
All governors except the ex-officio governor are members of at least one of the sub-committees listed above.
How to contact us
If you require more information on any aspect of school life, we invite you to contact the school directly. If you wish to contact a governor, please email us at admin@townsend.herts.sch.uk or write to us c/o Townsend CoE School, High Oaks, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 6DR.
Becoming a School Governor
We currently have one vacancy for Foundation Governors. If you are interested in becoming a school governor at Townsend CofE School, please contact us for more information. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. However, experience within an educational setting would be beneficial.
