Local Governance Committee

Mrs Gascoigne began her teaching career in 1989 and has served as Headteacher at Combe Down CEVC Primary School since January 2018. Prior to this, she spent nearly a decade leading St Julian’s Wellow, alongside Camerton (from 2010) and Shoscombe (from 2012) Church Schools, as part of the Church Valley Schools Federation. Before moving to Bath in 2004, where she became Deputy Head at St Stephen’s CEVA Primary School, Jane taught in three different schools across Cheshire.
Jane is dedicated to fostering a warm, inclusive, and stimulating environment where children are supported to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, and where staff are nurtured and empowered through ongoing professional development to grow in their roles and practice.

With a background in science, Mrs Gascoigne brings a thoughtful and analytical approach to her leadership. Outside of education, she enjoys music, singing, and gardening, and is an active member of her local church community. Jane is married and has two children.
Since September 2022, she has been part of the Palladian Academy Trust Education Excellence Team, where she leads on Church schools and safeguarding across the trust.

Jerram is the Chair of Governors - he lives locally and knows a number of children and parents of the school. He joined the governing team in September 2018 and brings a number of skill sets, not least his strategic thinking and architectural expertise.

Jerram is a father to three children, a husband of a teacher and works full time in construction and architecture. He is a member and regular attendee of Sladebrook Church. In the past, he has served as trustee and employee of two large charities. 

Whenever time allows Jerram enjoys the outdoors by gardening, sailing or climbing. He can also often be found undertaking some sort of practical DIY task at home or church.

Anna joined the governing team in Spring 2025 and brings experience in inclusion, well-being practices and trauma recovery.  She is passionate about supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities and helping to create an environment where every child feels safe, valued, and able to thrive. Her passion for this is driven by her own experience of navigating the SEND system for her child.

Anna lives in Combe Down with her husband, 3 children and golden retriever Jozi. Anna runs Active Stillness supporting individuals and charities with trauma recovery and somatic practices. Anna's personal and professional experiences have given her a strong understanding of the importance of empathy, accessibility, and whole-family support within education.

In her spare time, Anna enjoys aerial arts, the countryside and anything crafty. Anna and her family are members of Oasis Church Bath.

Jake joined the governing body as a Staff Governor in 2025. He has been teaching at Combe Down since 2019 and currently works in Year 1, leading on Phonics and Reading across Key Stage 1. He has previously spent six years teaching in Japan, and also worked at Three Ways School in 2017. A Bath native, he enjoys local walks, climbing and reading.

John joined the governing body as a Co-opted Governor in February 2018. He moved to Combe Down with his family in 2012 and his daughter is a pupil at the School. John is the Head of IT at the National Composites Centre having previously held senior technology roles at Bath Spa University, the University of Bath and, before moving to the South West, at the BBC in London.

Katie joined the governing body as a Foundation Governor in 2023, having previously worked at the school as a teaching assistant.
She moved to Combe Down with her family in 2021 after working for Christian mission organsiations in east and central Africa over a period of 20 years; and is a member of Holy Trinity Church. She currently works in communications for two charities, and in her spare time enjoys spending seeing friends, and doing the occasional ParkRun.

Rachel has two children at the school, is a wife of a teacher, and works full time at the University of Bath (as Dr Rachel Arnold). At the University, Rachel is the Associate Pro VC (Research) so brings leadership and governance experience to the CDPS parent governor role.

Steve has been thoroughly enjoying his time as governor, and was very pleased when he was able to continue this year as a community governor. He feels the role keeps the governors checking up on the policy and behind the scenes work that goes on to achieve multiple objectives within the school. Being a discrete functionary behind the scenes suits his day job working within transport safety and compliance. Here a strong ethos on implementing policy and managing improvement combines with continuous training and data handling skills. He is looking forward to the next few years on the board. 

Andy Percey 2022

Susan Fletcher 2022

Claire Morrish 2022

Stewart Holness 2021

Karen Eyre 2021

Ruth Balch 2021

Caroline O'Neill 2021

Laura Warner 2021

Helen D'Souza 2021

Dave Locke - Term Completed July 2018

Karen Coates - Stood Down 31.08.2017

Rev. Paul Kenchington - Stood Down 18.09.2017

Victoria Willis - Resigned 12.02.2017

Richard Bullard - Stood Down December 2017 (Former Headteacher)  

Vanessa Tilbury - Stood Down 31.12.2017

Kirsten Barnes - Stood Down December 2017

Sarah Knedel 2024

Wendy Gander 2024

Catherine Winchcombe 2025

Mrs Bird is Co-Headteacher at Combe Down Primary, having initially held the position of Deputy Head when she joined the school. Jo is married (to another teacher) and has a son. She enjoys keeping fit and due her particular passion for dance has run the Dance Umbrella club at school for many years. 

Nicola joined the governing body in June 2023 having been elected as a Parent Governor. She has two children at the school and has been an active member of the PTA since her eldest child started the school in 2020.

Nicola is a teacher with 17 years experience. She is the Director of Learning of the Expressive Arts faculty, and teaches music, in a local secondary school. Nicola is a keen musician and enjoys many sports. She has a love of travel and exploring new places with her family.

Tessa joined the governing body in 2023.  Having begun her career as a solicitor, Tessa founded her own business providing career and confidence coaching services and has extensive experience helping adults and young people in the private, public, education and charity sectors. In 2020, she founded Voices for Life, a children's music and wellbeing charity which works with schools across Bath and the surrounding area. Tessa has two school aged children and lives in Wiltshire with her family.

Information coming soon.