Introduction

Orton C of E School's Governing body is made up of 14 Governors, all of them volunteers (apart from the staff members, although this part of their role is voluntary for them too!) and all of them bringing different perspectives, expertise and experience to the Governing Body for the benefit of the school. 

The School has to have a document known as an Instrument of Government to define the Governing Body and this requires Orton C of E School to have the following:

- Two Parents Governors (elected by parents)

- Two Staff Governors, one of whom is the Head Teacher (automatically

   a Governor ) and one whom is elected by the staff

- One LA Governor (appointed by the Local Authority)

- One Co-Opted Governor (appointed by the Governing Body)

- Eight Foundation Governors (appointed by the PCC/Diocese of Carlisle)

Richard Petty - Chair of Governors (Foundation Governor)

Rachel Woof-Foundation Governor 

Rachel became a Foundation Governor in September 2021 and is a member of the Finance and Staffing Committee and the subject in school she is attached to is one of her favourites – History.

Brought up on a farm near Appleby, she has worked in various administrative roles and for the last 21 years in local secondary schools in Penrith and now in Kirkby Stephen as an Exam Officer and Cover Manager; an enjoyable but sometimes stressful role which involves a lot of collaboration with pupils, staff and parents.

Rachel married and set up home with Rowland in Orton village 31 years ago and their children attended Orton School. She is a practising Christian, being part of the village Methodist Chapel where over many years she has worked with young people from 4 to 19 and is currently part of Families Together in Orton and Tebay team, organising events for all ages in the two villages.

Rachel loves walking, gardening, flower arranging and baking.

“My husband Rowland was a Governor when our children attended Orton School and now it seems it is my turn. I feel a sense of pride in our village school where both my children and their friends thrived and hope to be able to be part of the school community where the ethos of love, forgiveness and hope is the aim.”

Rev Brendan Giblin-Ex-officio Foundation Governor

Since April 2023 Brendan has been Priest-in-Charge of a new grouping of eight Anglican churches stretching from Brough to Tebay – including All Saints’, Orton. Before moving to Cumbria Brendan served as priest in various parishes in Yorkshire including the market town of Wetherby and small villages in Wensleydale. Over the years Brendan has been a governor of primary schools of differing shapes and sizes, and has loved the opportunity to support schools in helping their children flourish.

Brendan enjoys hill-walking and horse riding.

John Murray Local Authority Governor

John lives in Kirkby Stephen and is one of our local councillors on Westmorland and Furness Council.  

He joined the governors early in 2024 and is on the education sub-committee.  Before this he was a chemistry teacher, Head of Sixth Form, curriculum director and then a secondary school head.

John is also a member of the Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team, and runs for fun.  He has completed the Orton Fell Race twice now, and still hasn’t come last.

He is also a director of the Mater Christi Multi Academy Trust which is the trust for Catholic schools in Cumbria and North Lancashire.

Daniel Morley-Parent Governor - details coming soon

Rebecca Shelton-Parent Governor, Vice Chair

Rebecca joined as a Parent Governor in 2022 and chairs the Educational Standards Committee.

She moved to Orton in 2009 with her partner Barnabe, to undertake a self-build barn conversion and they now have two daughters. Both girls joined Orton School at nursery age with the eldest now at secondary school and the youngest in Key Stage 2.

Rebecca is an ecologist by profession having studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge. She set up an independent ecological consultancy in 2010. Her work involves undertaking protected species and habitat surveys alongside the management roles that go with running a business.

As well as being a keen naturalist, Rebecca also enjoys art and learning new crafts in her spare time. She is currently the governor subject link for art and DT.

Mary Jenkin - Foundation Governor 

Mary moved to Orton over 22 years ago when her husband retired from being a Vicar elsewhere in Cumbria. From her early teens she has worked with primary aged children in Sunday Schools, Brownies, Cubs etc and as a Paediatric Staff Nurse. After the youngest of their four children started school full time she worked for over ten years in a large primary school with children experiencing special needs - work she found extremely rewarding.

She is a practising Christian and a member of All Saints Parochial Church Council as well as being team leader for Open the Book (ask your children about this) and helping to organise Charlie's Church (ask your Class 1 child!).

Mary loves their large garden and walking, when other commitments allow.

"I feel very privileged to be a Governor in Orton C of E School and although I do not have the experience that some of my colleagues have as Governors, I do feel that working with children in the past will help me to develop skills that may benefit our village school."

John Newton - Foundation Governor

John moved to Ravenstonedale with his wife Catherine, in July 2023. John has a degree in French and Russian from Oxford University and a PhD in organisational culture.

John taught languages in Kent from 1989, before becoming a Head of Modern Languages and Director of Studies in Berkshire and East Sussex. 

He was headmaster of Taunton School from 2005 to 2014. After 10 years in Somerset, John moved to Adelaide in South Australia to be the principal of Scotch College for 8 years until his return to the UK in December 2022.

John’s experience of running 2 pre-school to Y13 schools, his admiration for the teaching profession and his commitment to ensuring children get the best start in life have driven his wish to serve Orton C of E Primary School as a governor.

John and Catherine attend St Oswald’s Church in Ravenstonedale. He now divides his time between his 4 grown up children, his parents’ care, the garden, walking his golden retrievers, church activities, his work at Orton C of E Primary School and his research and consultancy work with UK for-profit and not-for-profit organisations, where he specialises in advice on culture management and development.

Siobhan Beck - Clerk to the Governors

Siobhan joined the Governing Board as the Clerk in January 2024.  She lives in Shap and is additionally a Clerk to Governors at two other local schools.

She moved to Shap in 2003, prior to this she lived and worked all over the country as an Outdoor Pursuits Instructor working mainly with young people followed by a period as an Operations Manager for a Walking Holiday company.  She continues to enjoy canoeing, walking and wild swimming with her family.

She is an Explorer Scout Leader in the Eden Valley managing a team of fellow leaders and around forty young people offering a wide and varied programme to equip teenagers with valuable skills for life.

A Clerk's role is one of administration, supporting and advising the board.

Recent Governors

Matt Wray- September 2023-end of term

Julian Thorpe-July 2024