School Governors
Gareth Hopkins - Chair of Governors/Parent Governor
I’ve been a Parent Governor since the 2014/15 term.
I was born, raised and educated in Mid Wales and have lived here pretty much all my life (in the village for the last 11 years), so it is a real privilege to be able to serve at a school where my children Catrin and Evan are receiving such a great education from the immensely talented and incredibly hard working staff.
My day job is as an Assistant Director up at Warrington Council and I have spent most of my career working in councils with much of it in Human Resource departments. I should also say that my wife is a teacher, my sister is a teacher, my mum is a former head-teacher and my parent in laws were both teachers, so I’ve been unable to escape discussions about teaching over the last 30+ years! All of this has given me both a good understanding of how things work in a school, and the many demands placed upon its staff, as well as the ability to provide some advice and expertise around staffing issues and help in scrutinising the large amounts of performance data that we look at as a Governing Body.
As well as preparing for and attending the regular Full Governing meeting which take place every few weeks I also undertake a monitoring visit at the school at least once a term, and serve on various sub-committees which can involve looking at detailed staffing matters, the important policies we have, and other proposals we have to take the school forward . At times, it feels a bit like a second job (particularly during the recent Federation consultation process!), but I have found it hugely rewarding.
This is my final year as a Governor, so if anyone is interested in the role next year and wants to find out more, please feel free to ask me anything!”
I’ve been a Parent Governor since the 2014/15 term.
I was born, raised and educated in Mid Wales and have lived here pretty much all my life (in the village for the last 11 years), so it is a real privilege to be able to serve at a school where my children Catrin and Evan are receiving such a great education from the immensely talented and incredibly hard working staff.
My day job is as an Assistant Director up at Warrington Council and I have spent most of my career working in councils with much of it in Human Resource departments. I should also say that my wife is a teacher, my sister is a teacher, my mum is a former head-teacher and my parent in laws were both teachers, so I’ve been unable to escape discussions about teaching over the last 30+ years! All of this has given me both a good understanding of how things work in a school, and the many demands placed upon its staff, as well as the ability to provide some advice and expertise around staffing issues and help in scrutinising the large amounts of performance data that we look at as a Governing Body.
As well as preparing for and attending the regular Full Governing meeting which take place every few weeks I also undertake a monitoring visit at the school at least once a term, and serve on various sub-committees which can involve looking at detailed staffing matters, the important policies we have, and other proposals we have to take the school forward . At times, it feels a bit like a second job (particularly during the recent Federation consultation process!), but I have found it hugely rewarding.
This is my final year as a Governor, so if anyone is interested in the role next year and wants to find out more, please feel free to ask me anything!”
Gwynfor Thomas - Community Governor
Hello, I’m Gwynfor Thomas and I’ve lived in the village of Llansantffraid my whole life. I was educated at the village primary school at its old site. My wife Gill and I have three grown up children – Kate, Ryan and Chloe – who were all educated at Llansantffraid. All three of our children moved on to University education and are grateful for the brilliant start they had in the village school.
I am currently the serving County Councillor for the ward of Llansantffraid which complements my role as Community Governor. I am currently the longest-serving governor (this makes me feel old, but I’m not!) and I am also a governor at Llanfyllin High School. The role of a governor can be demanding, challenging and time consuming but it is very rewarding to see children grow and flourish in our successful schools.
Education is very complex, but in my eyes it is also very simple. It revolves around a child being happy. If a child is happy they will learn, flourish and prosper in line with our school motto – “great oaks from little acorns grow”. We are fortunate that we have happy children in our school. There has been, and always will be challenges to maintain this balance however I feel that we’re equipped to cope with any challenges that may arise.
I regard the school as a family consisting of learners, teachers, staff, parents and governors working together to ensure that we have great education for our learners. I am pleased that our family at Llansantffraid continues to grow and our school is in good hands.
Hello, I’m Gwynfor Thomas and I’ve lived in the village of Llansantffraid my whole life. I was educated at the village primary school at its old site. My wife Gill and I have three grown up children – Kate, Ryan and Chloe – who were all educated at Llansantffraid. All three of our children moved on to University education and are grateful for the brilliant start they had in the village school.
I am currently the serving County Councillor for the ward of Llansantffraid which complements my role as Community Governor. I am currently the longest-serving governor (this makes me feel old, but I’m not!) and I am also a governor at Llanfyllin High School. The role of a governor can be demanding, challenging and time consuming but it is very rewarding to see children grow and flourish in our successful schools.
Education is very complex, but in my eyes it is also very simple. It revolves around a child being happy. If a child is happy they will learn, flourish and prosper in line with our school motto – “great oaks from little acorns grow”. We are fortunate that we have happy children in our school. There has been, and always will be challenges to maintain this balance however I feel that we’re equipped to cope with any challenges that may arise.
I regard the school as a family consisting of learners, teachers, staff, parents and governors working together to ensure that we have great education for our learners. I am pleased that our family at Llansantffraid continues to grow and our school is in good hands.
Ellis Davies – Foundation Governor
My name is Ellis Salisbury Davies and I am a Foundation Governor. I was educated at Ysgol y Santes Ffraid, Ysgol Uwchradd Llanfyllin and graduated from the University of Stirling with a Bachelor of Science degree with Honours. I have been interested in education and would like to help steer the school into a successful future. I enjoy swimming, cycling and athletics. I have my own flock of pedigree sheep and enjoy entering them into competition at local shows.
My name is Ellis Salisbury Davies and I am a Foundation Governor. I was educated at Ysgol y Santes Ffraid, Ysgol Uwchradd Llanfyllin and graduated from the University of Stirling with a Bachelor of Science degree with Honours. I have been interested in education and would like to help steer the school into a successful future. I enjoy swimming, cycling and athletics. I have my own flock of pedigree sheep and enjoy entering them into competition at local shows.
Flip Hughes - Foundation Governor
I have lived on the Winllan Lane, Llansantffraid, for 30 years and taught in several secondary schools including 25 years at Llanfyllin High School teaching Art and Ceramics, and am still working as an artist. I have had experience of working in education including as Training Organizer for the Dyffryn Tanat Branch of the Agricultural Training Board. I was an Art Moderator for GCSE and A Level and for Trinity Guildhall Arts Award for the under 25s. I also worked for Shropshire Youth Association as an Art Advisor which took me to working in a high security Young Offenders Prison, a hostel for young homeless addicts, a women’s refuge, young carers and Art in the Community. All this helps me realise the rewards and benefits for students when the best creative learning environment exists, but also what can go wrong when it does not prepare them for life in society. I can truthfully say I have loved every minute of teaching which is why I still enjoy teaching Art club for the Urdd.
I have lived on the Winllan Lane, Llansantffraid, for 30 years and taught in several secondary schools including 25 years at Llanfyllin High School teaching Art and Ceramics, and am still working as an artist. I have had experience of working in education including as Training Organizer for the Dyffryn Tanat Branch of the Agricultural Training Board. I was an Art Moderator for GCSE and A Level and for Trinity Guildhall Arts Award for the under 25s. I also worked for Shropshire Youth Association as an Art Advisor which took me to working in a high security Young Offenders Prison, a hostel for young homeless addicts, a women’s refuge, young carers and Art in the Community. All this helps me realise the rewards and benefits for students when the best creative learning environment exists, but also what can go wrong when it does not prepare them for life in society. I can truthfully say I have loved every minute of teaching which is why I still enjoy teaching Art club for the Urdd.
Sarah Burton - Foundation Governor
Sarah Burton – Foundation Governor
I am a vicar with the Tanat Vyrnwy group of Church in Wales churches and I live in Llansantffraid. As well as serving as a Foundation Governor for Llansantffraid School, I lead some collective worship, and help the school and Ladybirds with church services and church visits. I also work with Llanfechain and Llangedwyn CinW schools. In my work as a vicar, I work closely with the villages of Llansantffraid and Llanfechain. I also organise Messy Church activities for our group of churches.
I moved here in 2019 from Whittington (near Oswestry) where I was Rector for 8 years, for the churches of Whittington and West Felton. During that time I was a Foundation Governor at Whittington CE Primary School.
I am married to Richard who is also one of the Tanat Vyrnwy clergy. We have four grown up children and two young granddaughters and we love spending time with them. We also love walking in the beautiful countryside around Llansantffraid. We usually have a pair of binoculars with us as we enjoy birdwatching. We are interested in all kinds of wildlife and have been learning about all the butterflies, dragonflies and wildflowers we see on our walks.
Sarah Burton – Foundation Governor
I am a vicar with the Tanat Vyrnwy group of Church in Wales churches and I live in Llansantffraid. As well as serving as a Foundation Governor for Llansantffraid School, I lead some collective worship, and help the school and Ladybirds with church services and church visits. I also work with Llanfechain and Llangedwyn CinW schools. In my work as a vicar, I work closely with the villages of Llansantffraid and Llanfechain. I also organise Messy Church activities for our group of churches.
I moved here in 2019 from Whittington (near Oswestry) where I was Rector for 8 years, for the churches of Whittington and West Felton. During that time I was a Foundation Governor at Whittington CE Primary School.
I am married to Richard who is also one of the Tanat Vyrnwy clergy. We have four grown up children and two young granddaughters and we love spending time with them. We also love walking in the beautiful countryside around Llansantffraid. We usually have a pair of binoculars with us as we enjoy birdwatching. We are interested in all kinds of wildlife and have been learning about all the butterflies, dragonflies and wildflowers we see on our walks.