Welcome to our Governors’ section.

A letter of welcome from the Governors of Foxes Piece

Dear Parents, Carers and Friends,

I’d like to welcome you on behalf of the Governing Body of Foxes Piece School, and thank you for taking the time to look at our website.

Foxes Piece provides a safe and friendly environment for children to learn and develop their skills for life and, as governors, it is our duty to support and question in order to ensure that the high standard of education provided by the teachers and staff is maintained and that the quest for improvement never stands still. 

Our school ethos is based on treating every child as an individual and giving them the tools they need to develop their minds and never losing sight of our safeguarding duty to them. We believe that if a child feels safe and cared for, they will embrace learning and if you care to look around Foxes Piece and see how happy and well-behaved our children are, you’ll see that our ethos works very well. Good governance means that we as governors embrace this ethos too and help the staff in any way we can to uphold it.

Our school motto is: ‘Everyone is Someone’ and we never forget that.

At Foxes Piece we operate two core committees:

• Premises, Finance and Personnel
• Teaching Learning & Pastoral

Each committee is attended by a mix of staff and governors and through these forums the governors are able to monitor, challenge and keep abreast of all school business. There have been a lot of changes taking place at Foxes Piece over the last year or so, including much renovation and improvement of the school site as well as the purchase of a great deal of new equipment and resources for the children. This is all as a result of governors and staff working together and the involvement and input from parents and the community. We are extremely proud of all that has been achieved, but we won’t sit back on our laurels, we will strive to increase our ties with parents and carers. We believe that this relationship is crucial in ensuring our children get the very best in education and a solid foundation for their journey through life.

Please find below details of how our Governing Body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.

We keep a 'Register of Governor's Interests' and an 'Annual Statement of Issues' in school.  A copy of the Code of Conduct that all Governors sign annually is attached, together with Governors' details and the Register of Interests.

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Membership of Committees/Working Groups

Pay Review Committee 

• Mr K Gale and Mrs R Lee 

Chair of Governors

• Mr K Gale, Chair 
• Mrs R Lee, Vice Chair

Premises, Finance and Personnel Committee

• Mrs J Byron 
• Mr P Reynolds
• Mrs G Snowdon 
• Mr K Gale 
• Mr P Hayward

Teaching, Learning and Pastoral Committee 

• Mrs J Byron
• Mrs K Byer 
• Mr J Rumble 
• Mrs O Skinner 
• Mrs R Lee 
• Ms L Saul

The current Board of Governors are:

Mr Kevin Gale - Chair of Governors

I started life as an Engineer before becoming a Chartered Accountant. Since then, I have started and run several engineering businesses, primarily based around the design and manufacture of new engineering products for the construction industry. My wife Emma and I have lived in Marlow for the last 15 years and have three grown-up children, all of whom were educated in Marlow. Before becoming a Governor of Foxes Piece, I was the Governor of Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School for six years.

Ruby Lee – Vice Chair of Governors

I joined Foxes Piece School governing board in 2022.

I am a specialist lawyer with the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) and have worked in city law firms for over 20 years. I then followed my passion for early childhood education and have set up a franchised English learning centre in Hong Kong, teaching young children phonics, reading and writing as a second language. I am delighted to be able to bring my experience to support the development of Foxes Piece School.

I was originally a parent governor when my youngest son was attending school. My current focus area is the Early Years Foundation Stage. It is an honour to be a vice chair of Governors and a member of the Teaching, Learning and Pastoral Care committee. I am committed to supporting the school, its staff and pupils to be the best they can.

Mr Peter Reynolds

My association with Foxes Piece goes back over 10 years, when I set up teams from the Rotary Club of Marlow Thames to listen to the children read and we still do, to this day.  My role as Governor has developed from this association.  I was employed as a Management Accountant and I took early retirement from ICI in 1995.  With my wife, we set up a Computing Training and Accountancy Business and I finally retired in 2007.  As a member of the Premises, Finance and Personnel Committee, my specific interests will be finance and maintenance of the premises.

Mr John Rumble - SEN Governor 

I am a retired teacher and school leader, having worked in the field of special educational needs in secure, integrated and inclusive provisions.  I spend my time supporting training at Marlow FM where I am the training director. I am also involved with music with children and adults at Newfield Community Church. I have two grown children in the arts and my wife, Coral, is an author. On days that I'm not busy in these roles, I'm out walking my Border Terrier, Gus. 

Mrs Gill Snowdon - H&S and Eco Governor 

I was born in Marlow and have lived here all my life, raising a daughter who once attended Foxes Piece School. I had a successful career in horticulture and as a PA for a charity, which was very rewarding. Since early retirement, I have been involved in many volunteering roles, including running a Debt Advice service, helping at the Age Concern Day Centre, reading with pupils at school and delivering welcome packs to new residents of Marlow. I love Marlow and can often be found walking my dog in the area and in local parks. 

I am an active member and Trustee of Newfield Community Church and I help run Jumping Beans, a weekly activity group. I felt really honoured to be invited to be a Governor at Foxes Piece School, and it has been a great experience to be involved with the workings of the school.

Mrs Olwyn Skinner - Safeguarding Governor

I have lived in Marlow all of my life raising my children and grandchildren, who have all successfully attended Foxes Piece school and have had a very positive experience over the years. I have now retired as a Social Work Fostering Manager. My role was to prioritise the safeguarding of our young people, recruit and train foster carers and ensure that they all had the tools necessary to promote the emotional wellbeing of the children placed in their care, alongside safeguarding and promoting their development, both physically and emotionally.  I understand the pressures each school has in making sure that their children are safe and able to reach their potential. I have great respect for the current Headteacher and her staff and wanted to play my part in supporting them and the children, whilst  continuing to build on the successes they have achieved.

Perry Hayward

I retired in 2018 after 45+ years working in the IT industry covering various technical and managerial roles; all of which were customer-facing. My wife and I have lived in Loudwater for the last 45 years. We have one daughter, who teaches at Foxes Piece. As such, we have had the pleasure of volunteering at the school in various activities over recent years.

Since retiring, I have taken up several voluntary roles. The main one of which includes working with a local conservation charity – Chiltern Rangers. This allows me to take part in various conservation projects, many of which involve working with schools in South Bucks, with special focus on SEN children. I find it hugely rewarding to see the positive effect these activities have on children and young adults.

The rest of my time seems to be taken up mainly with dog walking and grandparents' duties. Both of which contribute to keeping me very active!

I believe, strongly, that primary education provides the key foundation for children’s future development and success in life. This is why I am so pleased to be able to join the team of governors here at Foxes Piece.

Lauren Saul - Parent Governor

I am a parent of 2 children, Bobby and Isabella. Although we no longer live in Marlow, we do still have ties to the Marlow Community through work, education and socialising.  I work in HR and Operations at Marlow Medical Group and can often be seen attending functions and events organised within Marlow and regularly volunteer my time at various clinics run by MMG. I would like to use my skills and knowledge to help the school continue to improve and develop.

• There are currently no associate members.
• There are no Pecuniary Interests recorded against Governors