School Governors

Meet the Governors

Name	Committee	Information
Alyson Frost Headteacher	ALL	Alyson joined the governors in 2015 when she took up the role as Head Teacher.
Natasha Groves Co-opted Governor	Pupils SEND	Natasha (Tash) Groves has been a governor since 2020. She grew up in Kent and has lived in Great Haseley for around 20 years. She is married with two grown-up children, both of whom attended the school; her youngest left Year 6 in 2019. A biochemist, she has over 30 years’ experience in medical and clinical research. She is also a mental health champion and qualified first aider. In her spare time, she enjoys puzzles, travelling and walking the dogs.
Chetan Lad Chair chair@greatmiltonschool.co.uk	Resources	Chetan Lad joined the governing board at Great Milton C of E Primary School in 2021 and has served as Chair since 2022. He lives locally, and both of his children attend the school. Professionally, he is Head of Strategy for one of the UK’s major energy suppliers, having spent over 25 years in commercial roles across the sector. This includes a period in the public sector at the Greater London Authority, which gave him exposure to the pressures faced in the public sector. State education gave him a strong start in life; he sees being a governor as a way of putting something back into the school and village community to which his family now belongs.
Andrew Webster Associate Governor	Resources	Andrew Webster moved to Great Milton a few years ago, having retired as a teacher. His background is mainly in teaching sciences and computing, and he has experience in school management at secondary level in Oxfordshire and Berkshire. He hopes this experience will enable him to contribute positively to the work of the governing board in helping the school navigate the ever-changing demands made of it.
Christopher Matthews Parent Governor and Vice Chairman	Resources	Christopher Matthews is an architect and Director of PMA Studio. He joined the Governing Board in 2021 and became Vice Chair in 2022. He lives in the village, where his daughter attends the school, and his architectural practice is also based locally. Alongside his professional work, he has taught design studios at the Architectural Association and at the Universities of Westminster, Liverpool and Brighton. As a governor, Christopher has come to understand that a strong state school plays a vital role in building and sustaining a thriving community.
Dr Nicky Noake Parent Governor	EYFS Safeguarding Attendance	Nicky Noake was elected as a Parent Governor in 2020 and is proud to be part of the Great Milton C of E Primary School community. One of her children currently attends the school, while the other has recently moved on to a local secondary school. She holds a degree in Education, a PGCE in Early Years, and a Master’s degree and PhD in childhood studies. Professionally, she is an experienced teacher who has taught Early Years and Key Stage 1 at a local Oxfordshire school for the past 17 years. This experience gives the school valuable insight into children’s development, classroom practice, and the everyday realities and challenges of school life.
Nikki Howlett Staff Governor	Health & Safety	Nikki is a very experienced Early Years TA in school. She is also the Forest Schools teacher and is trained in Restorative Practice. Nikki has worked at Great Milton since 2016.
Amanda Garrett Co-opted Governor	Filtering and Monitoring	Amanda became a governor because Great Milton Primary gave her two children a strong foundation; both are now confident, well-rounded and thriving in their careers. She believes quality primary education prepares young people for life, work and active citizenship. Her role is to support and challenge the headteacher and leadership team — maintaining high standards and addressing underperformance. With a background in advertising, she brings communications expertise and creative problem-solving. Outside governance, she enjoys gardening, dance, music and travel, and in retirement leads occasional group trips to more unusual destinations, including Iran and Cuba.
Jane Jeffries Foundation Governor	Resources	Jane Jefferis is a retired physiotherapist who has lived in Great Milton for 16 years. She has grandchildren in primary and secondary education, and two in working life, one of whom is a teacher. Having served on the Parochial Church Council of St Mary’s Church for over 12 years, she considers it a great privilege to serve as a Foundation Governor at Great Milton C of E Primary School. This role gives her responsibility for ensuring that the school’s Christian character and ethos are preserved and that it maintains good links with the local parish.
Owen Henderson Co-Opted Governor	Data Protection Governor Cyber Security Governor	Owen Henderson is a resident of Great Milton and a parent at Great Milton C of E Primary School. Professionally, he is a corporate lawyer and regularly advises boards and stakeholders on corporate and commercial matters.
Sarah Lowden Parent Governor		Sarah Lowden has a daughter at the school and a younger son who she hopes will join her there in 2029. Elected to the governing body in 2026, she is also an active volunteer with FOGMS (PTA). She is news editor at a UK medical publication that produces daily content for doctors. Sarah began her career in broadcasting and spent 15 years at the BBC as a radio and television journalist. Great Milton C of E Primary School reminds her of her own very happy primary school days. She volunteers as a governor because she wants to help the school be the very best it can be.
Katherine Richardson	Clerk	Katherine is an experienced clerk employed by Governor Services.