Welcome to the Governance page of The Valley School website.
The Governing Board is responsible for:
- Ensuring there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
- Holding executive leaders to account for the wellbeing and educational performance of pupils and staff.
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and ensuring its money is well spent.
- Ensuring the voices of stakeholders are heard.
The Board is made up of two committees:
Resources: dealing specifically with finance, health and safety, and building maintenance.
School Improvement Committee (SIC) dealing specifically with the curriculum, teaching, learning and data, and staff wellbeing.
Governance Meeting attendance for 2025-2026
Chair of Governors – Martin Denmark
Martin Denmark feels privileged to serve as Chair of Governors and to work alongside such a dedicated team, united by a shared commitment to achieving the very best for The Valley School’s students and staff. He was first elected as a parent governor at The Valley School in April 2018 and now serves as a co-opted governor. He is also the board’s representative for health and safety and the Pupil Premium link governor. Martin has worked in the aircraft industry for the past 27 years, and his experience in being self-employed has given him valuable insight into running a business. Having worked in both large and small companies, he appreciates the importance of teamwork, rigorous processes, clear communication and attention to detail. He also brings a strong understanding of human factors to the role. Martin is proud to support The Valley School and is passionate about ensuring that every student has the resources and nurturing learning environment they need to achieve the best possible educational outcomes, develop their abilities and leave school feeling confident and well prepared for a positive future.
Co-opted Governors/Chair of Resources Committee
Dr Rona Tutt
Dr Rona Tutt is a former head teacher of Woolgrove School, Past President of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), and she has been awarded an OBE for her services to special needs education. She has written and co-authored several books on education. Rona is also a governor at an all-age school for profoundly deaf pupils. She has a PhD in the education of children with autism and has studied British Sign language (BSL) up to level 4.
Elizabeth Ellis
Elizabeth Ellis became a governor at The Valley School in January 2020. Following a career in education, including French and English language teaching and several years as a class teacher at Woolgrove School, she is now a writer and a director of Baldock Arts and Heritage Centre. She holds a diploma in French from the Chartered Institute of Linguists.
Elected Parent Governors
Dervla Downing
Dervla Downing became a parent governor in December 2023. She is the link governor for Year 10 and on the School Improvement Committee. She has been a secondary school teacher since 2005, teaching French, Spanish and German. Before going into teaching, Dervla worked in Paris making use of being a native English speaker to improve her IT skills working in admin. Dervla is an Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for SEND provision. Using both her personal and professional experiences, it is a privilege to be a governor at The Valley School and to support the staff and students as it continues to go from strength to strength.
Roger Swan
Roger joined The Valley School in 2025 as a co-opted governor and now chairs the resources committee. As a parent of two daughters, one of whom attends The Valley School, Roger is committed to bringing his experience and enthusiasm to the board to help the school and students thrive.
Over a 30-year career, he has developed a strong background in risk management, strategic decision making, audit, compliance and reporting across several roles and sectors.
Currently the Group Treasurer of a NASDAQ listed gas infrastructure company, responsible for managing the liquidity and financing needs of a complex organisation.
Roger is a member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers and is a Chartered Management Accountant
Staff Governor:
Catherine Wharton
Governance Professional Clerk
Judith Aggett
Chair of School improvement Committee
Thomas Plater
Chair of Resources Committee:
Roger Swan
Associate Members
Deputy Headteacher – Jack Hugo
SLT – Shaunaid Crosby & Chaleen Heller
