The Governing Body

Welcome

Welcome to the Governor’s page of our website. 

 The Local Governing Board comprises of:

  • 2 Parent Governors,
  • 1 staff Governor,
  • 6 Trust appointed  Governors, 
  • The Headteacher.

The School Business Manager is an Associate Governor .

When vacancies arise, we use a skills audit to identify required skills and match those to available volunteers.  Governors also use their personal skills to enrich our discussion and analysis.

Our Governors

 
   
 
 
   
 
 

Julia Costello

Chair of Governors

Trust Appointed Governor 

Appointed Chair of Governors December 2023

I moved to Carlton in 2020. After growing up in a small village it was important to me to be part of one when raising a family. My daughter was born in 2021 and since returning to work after maternity leave I am still learning to juggle the world of retail, financial services and being a mum.

I have worked for a large furniture retailer for over 15 years and now head up the regulatory compliance team for the Group. I am responsible for ensuring we adhere to our regulatory responsibilities and am used to working with and communicating with people at all levels of the business from the Board to salespeople and drivers.

I wanted to become a governor to allow me to become part of the community in which I live and of the school I hope my daughter will attend. I also feel that my corporate background gives me a skill set which will be able to benefit the school governing board. I also feel that being a school governor will also help me have a more rounded view on things, as working in a corporate business you can get tunnel vision.

 

Mr Andy Knight

Vice Chair of Governors

Trust Appointed Governor – Term ends 01/01/2025  Committee Links: Finance. No Business Interest Declared

I’ve worked in financial services for over 35 years and bring my experience in people, risk, operational and regulatory compliance management to the role. I currently lead a team responsible for the delivery of operational resilience and security for a leading online stockbroking service. My role involves strategy & leadership along with stakeholder management.

I live locally in Snaith along with my wife and grown up daughter and find being a governor at the school incredibly rewarding. My interests include rugby league, military & transport history and walking in the Lakes & Dales.

Mr Jon Watson

Headteacher

 

My name is Jon Watson and I am the Head teacher at Carlton Primary School. I am proud to lead our school – we have a fantastic group of pupils, dedicated staff team and supportive school community.

My philosophy for education is one which is based around the edict of the ‘best by every child’. I hold a strong child-centred approach to teaching, where consistency, praise, encouragement yet challenge are key. I believe that all children are amazing and have unique potential waiting to be unlocked – it is a privilege, as a teacher and a leader, to be able to inspire, enthuse, motivate and nurture children to fully achieve this.

I joined Carlton Primary School in September 2015, from Welton Primary School, East Riding, after four successful years. I am originally from Sunderland and now live in Doncaster, following seven fantastic years in Dubai, U.A.E I am married and have two wonderful twin girls. I love playing and listening to music and I’m a passionate Ipswich Town fan.

As head teacher I work closely with the Local Governing Board (and Trust) to help strategically lead the school forward.

   
 

 

Mrs Sarah Reading

Staff Governor

Staff governor appointed September 2023- Sept 2027.

I work part time as Year 4 Class Teacher alongside my wonderful job share. I am passionate about providing the best possible education and school experience for the children whom I teach, and I am proud to work at Carlton Primary School and as part of Selby Educational Trust.

I live in York and have four children, the youngest being not yet of school age. He keeps me very busy on my day ‘off’! Having recently purchased our first renovation property, my husband and I enjoy basic home improvement and DIY. We are currently landscaping our garden! I also have an interest in interior design and sewing projects.

I joined Carlton Primary School in September 2018, as a Newly Qualified Teacher. The support and encouragement I have received from all of my colleagues from my very first day has enabled me to develop my teaching practice in a safe and collaborative environment.

I am also Mathematics Lead for the school. In this role I have learned a huge amount and I am thoroughly enjoying receiving training from the NCETM Mastery Hub to further develop the teaching of mathematics across school. I am new to the role of Staff Governor and I am excited to begin working with such an integral part of the school community.

Mr Michael Thomas

Trust Appointed Governor

 

Trust Appointed  Governor – Term ends 01/01/2025 .

Links: Safeguarding and IT. No Business Interest Declared

I work at the University of Leeds, leading a team responsible for the delivery, support and development of the institutions virtual learning environment. My role involves strategy, finance & leadership.

It is these areas, along with my background in IT within education, that I hope to bring to the governing body.

I live in Carlton and my interests include coaching swimming, cycling and spending time with my family.

   
   
   
   

Ms Su Gupta

Trust Appointed Governor

Trust Appointed Governor – Term ends 16/05/2026

No business interests declared

 

 I have worked in Human Resources and Learning & Development for 15 years within the private sector. More recently I have been working in the Charity sector supporting people over the age of 55 to use digital technology  along with project managing. I have also had the opportunity to volunteer as a trustee at the RSPCA which has given me some exposure to my first school governor role here at Carlton Primary school.

 Having lived in Carlton for 8 years I want to support my local community and be apart of those important decisions which will influence and help to shape our young children of tomorrow. Having spent a number of years living in different countries from India, Switzerland and a short spell in the USA along with my years of experience of working in various sectors I hope to bring a well – rounded and practical approach to the governor role.

 In my spare time I enjoy gardening, traveling, volunteering for charities, spending time with family and friends and where possible I support in our local community.

   

Mr Andrew Palmer 

Trust Appointed Governor

Trust Appointed Governor – Term ends 01/04/2027

I am both a resident of Carlton and parent with a passion for learning, who wants to strengthen the relationship between our school and the community.Professionally, I am a management and technology consultant who works with public sector agencies, including the education sector, to help them realise their strategic vision.
As a member of the governing board, I will help enable the school to be the best it can be for our children, the staff and the community. The next few years will provide an opportunity for considerable growth, and I want to ensure everyone is able to receive the benefits of that.
 
Outside of school, I am a long-suffering Newcastle United supporter who is looking forwards to more exciting times ahead.
   
   
   
   

Siobhan Oram

Parent Governor

Parent Governor – Term ends 25/11/2025

No Business Interest Declared

I have lived in and around Carlton for most of my life, only leaving to attend University, it was in Newcastle that I met my husband before we moved back to the village lifestyle. I attended the primary school when I was younger, and I have only fond memories. I now have a daughter at the school and a younger son who will join in a few years’ time. I have been a PE and SEND teacher at the village high school for the last 4 years, before that I was a TA there. In my job and personal life, I always put the children first, I like to ensure our children have opportunities throughout their childhood that they will remember. 

Carlton Primary school is a wonderful school and I have been extremely inspired and amazed by how fantastic they are. I wanted to be a part of that team in some way and so became a parent governor. I look forward to the next 4 years working with the school. 

Outside of work I love to spend time with my family and travelling whenever possible.

   

Sarah  Smith

Trust Appointed  Governor

Trust Appointed  Governor

Term ends 13/12/2027

No Business Interest Declared

I live in Selby and have done my whole life! I qualified as a teacher in 2012 and have taught in several primary schools around the local area as well as working as part of the Additional Learning Support Team at Selby College, specialising in supporting students with SEND. I now deliver training to staff in schools nationwide.

I wanted to be a governor so that I can utilise my knowledge and experience, enabling me to offer support to local children and their teachers.

Carlton Primary School is familiar to me, as I am a “brass-bander” and used to rehearse in the school hall twice a week with Mrs Smith and Mrs Bramley!

   
Parent Governor

Post Vacancy

 

Further information can be found on the DfE GIAS (Get Information About Schools) website:

Carlton Primary School – GOV.UK (get-information-schools.service.gov.uk)

A paper copy of the Governing Body Minutes are available on request from the school office