Liz Griffiss-White – Chair of Governors
Governor Type: Co-opted Governor. Appointed by The Athelstan Trust.
Term of Office: 5 June 2023 to 4 June 2027
Liz was re-elected Chair of the Governing Body in October 2025. She has a background of working in the NHS, in early career as a Medical Secretary at a General Hospital and later as a Practice Manager in Primary Care. In between these roles, she worked out of the Research Director’s Office of a Government Research Council Scientific Institute, with executive responsibility for administration, including governance, and served on the Senior Executive Board of the Institute. She also has experience working in the University Sector in Research & Development administration, and competence in compliance, risk assessment, Human Resources, and Health & Safety. Liz is Link-Governor for children with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities and the Whistleblowing Governor.
Ann Mackie – Vice Chair of Governors
Governor Type: Co-opted Governor. Appointed by The Athelstan Trust.
Current Term of Office: 5 December 2021 to 4 December 2027
Ann was re-elected Vice Chair of the Governing Body in October 2025. She worked in the civil service, in the Ministry of Defence for over 30 years (originally in London, and then in Bristol) for Defence Equipment and Support. Most of her career was as a commercial officer, sourcing and contracting for equipment and services to support the Armed Forces, and on the recruitment of individuals and supporting and developing their careers as commercial officers before her retirement in 2025. Ann is Chair of the Complaints and Exclusions Panels.
Stephen Douglas
Governor Type: Co-opted Governor. Elected by Full Governing Body.
Term of Office: 12 September 2022 – 11 September 2026
Stephen is in his fourth year as a Governor and has two children who attend King’s Lodge. He is a qualified secondary mathematics teacher. He spent the first 5 years of his career teaching at Abbeyfield School in Chippenham and is now teaching at St Mary’s School in Calne. He is passionate about the teaching of Mathematics, seeing children be successful in all aspects of their learning, and that all children enjoy coming to school every day. Stephen is Curriculum Governor for Mathematics and also Governor with special responsibility for Early Years and advising the Board on Cyber-Security.
Allison Howell
Governor Type: Staff. Elected by staff.
Term of Office: November 2023 to November 2027
Allie works as a Teaching Assistant at King’s Lodge and supports the learning and development of children in Years 5 & 6.
Mike Newbigin
Governor Type: Co-opted Governor (formerly Local Authority Governor). Elected by Full Governing Body.
Term of Office: 12 September 2016 to 11 September 2026.
Over the last 26 years, Mike has worked as a volunteer in the non-profit sector, primarily with Charities in London, mainly in finance reporting, Gift Aid and Investment Management. Previously he worked in the commercial sector, having qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1980 with both audit and accountancy experience in a large range of different sized businesses and charities. He served as Co-Chair of the Full Governing Body for a one year term and was Chair of the Functional Committee until that Committee was discontinued on academisation under the Athelstan Trust.
Jazmyn Parsons
Governor Type: Parent Governor. Elected by Full Governing Body.
Term of Office: 20 November 2023 to 19 November 2027
Jazmyn has two children who attend King’s Lodge School. Jazmyn is deeply connected to the community having been a Bank Manager at NatWest in Chippenham and brings over 15 years of banking experience to her role. Her skills include people management, critical thinking and change ready. She has an interest in the school’s values and in supporting wellbeing to create a positive and thriving educational experience. Jazz is Link-Governor with special responsibility for Pupil Premium (Disadvantaged Learners).
Matt Slee
Governor Type: Co-opted Governor. Elected by Full Governing Body.
Current Term of Office: 30 November 2022 to 29 November 2026
Matt works for the Standards and Testing Agency at the Department for Education, the agency responsible for creating National Curriculum Assessments for primary schools. His responsibilities include overseeing the moderation of Key Stage 2 writing, and investigating opportunities for digital transformation, including monitoring the use of Artificial Intelligence. Prior to this, he was a primary school teacher, with experience in teaching at both KS1 and KS2. Matt is Curriculum Governor for English and has special responsibility for advising the Board on interpreting school data.
Ian Stone
Governor Type: Co-opted Governor. Appointed by The Athelstan Trust.
Term of Office: 23 October 2017 to 22 October 2026
Ian served as Chair of Governors for 8 years before stepping down from that role in September 2023. He also served as Vice Chair of the Functional Committee until that Committee was discontinued on academisation under The Athelstan Trust. Ian’s two children attended King’s Lodge; they have now moved on to Abbeyfield Secondary School. He currently works in IT Project Management for Nationwide Building Society after 10 years of working in Whitehall for HM Civil Service in a number of different departments delivering multi-million pound national highway improvements, urban regeneration schemes across England and improving partnership working across Whitehall. Ian is the Safeguarding Governor.
Vic Tweedie
Governor Type: Parent Governor. Elected by parents.
Term of Office: 25 November 2024 – 24 November 2028
Vic has two children who attend King’s Lodge School. She is currently working as Charity Manager at the Bird of Prey Project (Bath). Before moving to Chippenham in 2022, Vic lived in London and worked in arts management, specialising in arts charities working with adults with learning disabilities. She was also a Trustee at a dance company.
Her experience includes project management, strategic planning, finance, and fundraising. Vic is the Wellbeing Governor with special interest in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Kim Spencer
Governor Type: Staff (Headteacher). Ex officio appointment.
Term of Office: 1 January 2016 –
Note: The role of Health & Safety Governor is currently vacant. Duties under the role are shared amongst Governors.