All schools have Boards of Governors, made up of members of the school staff, parents and participants from the local community. Their main job is to support and challenge the school management team in their delivery of the highest possible standards of teaching and care for all pupils.
School governors are all (aside from the Headteacher) volunteers.
Chris Jinks
Chair of Governors Community Governor C/O: New Marston Primary School, Copse Lane, Oxford, OX3 0AY.
Contact: chair@nmps.org.uk
Chris and his wife Antonia have two boys at the school. He also has two older children. He is the CEO of a salad and produce company called Vitacress.
He is keen to ensure that the children at our school are helped to develop in a healthy, happy, supportive and safe environment.
Link Governor Role: Safeguarding/First Aid
Term of office ends: 6th October 2029
Nigel Chapman
Local Authority Governor
Nigel Chapman is one of the Local Authority Governors. He is one of the City Councillors for Headington Hill and Northway and as the school is the only one in his ward, he wants to see it thrive and offer excellent educational opportunities for all the children. Education is a passion from his time as a BBC editor and World Service Director and as the Chief Executive Officer of Plan International where children’s education was the key programme in the fifty counties where the charity works. He now has a portfolio of roles including being a Non-Executive Director in the Health Service, and chair and Trustee of a number of national and international charities.
Link Governor Role: Finance
Term of office ends: February 2029
Phephi Nkwanyuo
Community Governor/Health & Safety
I started at New Marston as a teaching assistant in 2008 and began teaching in 2018. Both my children attended primary school here and it’s a place I still consider home. I feel both honoured and privileged that I can serve as the community governor on the board. As of 2024 I have pursued a career change and now work for Thames Valley Police where I can continue my service to the community, something I care about deeply.
I believe that New Marston stands out as a shining example of what it means to look after and educate the future and remain invested, alongside my committee members, to ensure that we uphold only the upmost standards in our school. This is something that is not very difficult to do when blessed with the incredible team we have; from our cleaning staff to the governing board, the care and love we have for what we do is palpable in the New Marston air and it’s a gift to be a part of it all.
Link Governor Role: SEND/PP/Attendance
Term of office ends: November 2028
Bruce Wilson
Ex-Officio by virtue of office as Headteacher/Principal
Bruce began working at New Marston as a teaching assistant in 2009 and has held several roles at the school since, progressing to trainee teacher, teacher, middle leader, assistant headteacher and, now, headteacher. He likes to play guitar, read stories, and play and watch football (and Reading FC in particular) and has run the football club for Year 5 and 6 children since starting at New Marston. He is married to Julia (also a primary school teacher) and has 3 young daughters.
Term of office ends: N/A
Magalie Bertholle
Community Governor
I am from Paris and I have been living in Oxford since 2009. It is a fantastic city and I feel privileged to live here. I have a son who has made many friends at New Marston Primary School and who enjoys going to school every day.
Professionally, I am a language teacher in a local secondary school and I want to support my community further by being a governor in a primary school as I am fascinated by the way children learn at every stage of their life. Being a governor is a great opportunity to make a real difference in the learning of so many children.
Link Governor Role: SEND/PP/SIP
Term of office ends: December 2026
Amy Waterston
Staff Governor
I started at New Marston in September 2017 after teaching in inner city London for 12 years. I am passionate about Early Years and love that each day is different. I have been fortunate enough to teach in such a diverse range of schools which have helped me be the practitioner I am today. I have two amazing daughters and a very patient husband who puts up with my hoarding of teacher resources.
I love to bake cakes in my spare time as well as go on holiday where I can read uninterrupted (sometimes!).
It is so rewarding to be a part of New Marston Primary School doing a job I love.
Link Governor Role: SIP
Term of office ends: October 2028
Lucy Hickman
Staff Governor
I started my journey at New Marston in September 2018 whilst completing my SCITT teacher training. I had previously worked at a school in Witney for 12 years.
I am passionate about early reading, writing, and maths. My role means that I can spread that love and help children develop these skills.
I have two beautiful daughters, one who is a nurse and the other a TA at our school. I have a very supportive husband who helps to find resources for our school and OPAL.
In my spare time, I enjoy playing hockey, spending time with my family, and exploring the world.
I love being part of the New Marston family, and teaching children is my dream job.
Link Governor Role: SIP
Term of office ends: October 2029
Bjoern Schimmoeller
Parent Governor/ Health & Safety
I was born and raised in Germany, which I left in 2005, and trained as a Chemical Engineer and Materials Scientist. I arrived in Oxford with my family in 2019 from Boston, USA. We have two boys thriving in the NMPS ecosystem thanks to the amazing support of the staff.
As founder and CEO of a local biotech company, I pay particular attention to team culture and leadership style, emphasising the importance of team-play while holding each other accountable. I see my role as governor to act as a sounding board to the headteacher and staff by asking questions, sharing different perspectives, and setting new impulses.
NMPS is an amazing environment for any child to grow up in, and I aspire to contribute to the constant positive evolution of the school, its pupils, and the staff.
Link Governor Role: Health and Safety
Term of office ends: October 2029
Sarbjit Saini
My wife Dana and I have two boys at New Martson Primary School and a newborn. We’ll be invested in the school for the next decade, so contributing in any way will be incredibly rewarding.
Having worked in the public sector for five years, I’ve been leading a global family office for the last ten years. This role involves managing multiple organisations across business consultancy, real estate, and a local premium dance academy called Mini Dance Professionals.
Link Governor Role: Data
Term of office ends: October 2029
Rachel Babajee-Huntly
I have lived in Oxford with my husband, Alex, since 2010. We have a daughter currently in year 1.
I have been a GP for 10 years. I help to look after lots of young families in Oxford and have got to know the diverse local community well.
I have been regularly volunteering at New Marston in the Early Years since January 2024, as well as helping to organise the school library and going on school trips. I really enjoy spending time with the children and sharing my passion for reading. I look forward to being able to support the school further as a governor.
In my spare time I enjoy cooking, spending time with my family and sharing my love of 90s and 00s music with my daughter.
Link Governor Role: EYFS
Term of office ends: September 2029
Further Information
NMPS – Governors Membership, Terms and Pecuniary Interest & Roles 2025-2026
Linda Cowmeadow (Clerk) clerk@nmps.org.uk
Trust Board of the River Learning Trust
Details about the River Learning Trust Board can be found here: https://www.riverlearningtrust….
If you have any questions about the Trust Board, please contact office@riverlearningtrust.org
