Welcome to Great and Little Shelford Primary School, we are really proud of our school.
As a Governing Board we are a strong team with a range of business and educational experience. We work alongside the school’s senior leadership team to create and deliver clear, ambitious vision and strategy for school improvement. We ensure that the legal obligations of the school are fulfilled and we provide accountability and oversight; making sure that money is well spent and that each member of the learning community achieves their potential.
There is a total of 14 seats on the Governing board: 8 foundation governors, 2 parent governors, 1 staff governor, 1 LA governor, 1 Co-opted governor and the Headteacher. Foundation Governors have a specific legal duty to preserve and develop the Christian character of the school within the vision and values of the Diocese of Ely. The information below gives a brief description of the background and skills of our current Governing board.
Designed to support children of the school, the Shelford School Support Fund (SSSF) is a charitable fund held and administered by the Governing Board. It is separate from school finances and from the PTA. Over the years, many pupils have been supported through this, both individuals and groups. Sometimes we have been able to pay for refurbishments to parts of the school that improve the learning environment, other times we have been able to finance individual pupils' access to key educational experiences like trips or visits which they otherwise wouldn't have been able to attend. We have also purchased gifts to thank volunteers who have made significant contributions to the life and learning of the pupils at Shelford School.
For more information about the fund, including on how to donate, please see our donations page.
Our Current Structure and Chairs:
Full Governing Board - Chair: Douglas Leckie, Vice Chair: Clare Mellor
Finance, Premises and Personnel Committee - Chair: Peter Ede
Treasurer of the Shelford School Support Fund (SSSF) - Polly Stanton
All communications with the Governing Board should be sent via the school office office@shelford.cambs.sch.uk and marked 'for the attention of the Chair of Governors'.
The clerk to Governors may be copied in : jennifer.hefti@cambridgeshire.gov.uk (working hours Mon-Wed mornings)
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Chris Grey Headteacher Ex-Officio First appointed: 1.9.18 Entitled to sit and vote on all committees |
I am the Headteacher at Shelford and have served on the Board of Governors since 2018. I hold other roles related to education: SIAMS Inspector and Ely Diocesan Regional Advisor Lead Support. In September 2025, I became Interim Executive Headteacher serving both Great and Little Shelford CE (A) Primary School and Hauxton Primary School. |
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Douglas Leckie Chair of Governors (1.9.24-) Foundation Governor appointed by Diocese of Ely through All Saints' Church, Little Shelford First appointed: 23.03.23 Current Tenure: 23rd March 2023 - 22nd March 2027 Committees: Finance and Premises Committee; Headteacher's Appraisal Panel Subject Links: History and Geography |
I am a civil servant at the Department for Education. I have worked on the academies programme since 2016, and currently have responsibility for the department for Children's Social Care and SEND services across the East of England. Before joining the civil service I was a secondary school teacher of History and Theology for eight years in various schools around England. My wife, five children and I moved to Little Shelford from Trumpington in July 2021. We are actively involved at All Saints church. I currently have three children at Shelford School, and have been a foundation governor since September 2022.
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Clare Mellor Vice Chair of Governors Parent Governor First appointed: 2022 Current Tenure: 23/11/22 - 22/11/26 Committees: FPP Subject Links: PE, English Specific responsibilities: School Council and PTA Link |
I studied English at the University of Cambridge after which I completed my PGCE. I worked as a secondary school English teacher for a number of years before becoming Head of English at an 11-18 comprehensive and later, Associate Assistant Headteacher. Since having my children, I have taken some time away from the classroom to support my family. I have worked as a part-time English teacher in a local secondary school and more recently, taken on some freelance writing and proof-reading work for various educational publications. As a parent of three children who currently attend Shelford school, I was elected as a parent governor in November 2022. I regularly volunteer at school and am also an active member of the PTA. I am keen to bring my knowledge of the education system to the Governing Board and hope to support the school in living out its vision. |
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Peter Ede Co-opted Governor First appointed: 2010 Current tenure: 2.8.23-1.8.27 Committees: Finance and Premises; Headteacher's Appraisal Subject Link: Computing and Digital Leaders |
I am a Chartered Engineer working for Mott MacDonald, a specialist hydrologist primarily working on water resources projects. I am based in Cambridge but have worked in nearly 30 countries. I also have a Diploma in Financial Management and am a trustee of the company’s pension scheme. My three children attended Shelford School between 1999 and 2015. I have been a governor since 2010, initially as a parent governor, and Chair of Governors from 2013 to 2020. |
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Polly Stanton Foundation Governor appointed by Ely Diocesan Board of Education First appointed: 1986 Current Tenure: 2.12.22-1.12.26 Committees: Admissions, Data Panel, Finance and Premises, Pay Review Subject link: Maths, Assessment Specific responsibilities: Treasurer of the Shelford School Support Fund |
My background is secondary school maths teaching and I still do some private tuition. I also have financial and administrative experience. I was a member of the Diocesan Board of Education for a number of years and represented the diocese on the Local Authority Admissions Forum and Education Committee. I have recently stepped down as Chair of the Local Governing Body of Sawston Village College but remain a governor, having served as such since 1993. Our 4 children all attended Shelford School. I began helping in classes in 1983 and continue to do so. I joined the governing body in 1986, initially as a parent governor. I am involved in numerous areas of church life at All Saints, Little Shelford including the Wednesday morning Tots group which takes place in Little Shelford Village Hall. I also support the Shelford and Stapleford Youth Initiative in a number of ways. |
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The Rev. Simon Scott Foundation Governor (Ex officio) First appointed: 2005 Current Tenure: ongoing Subject links: Internationalism, MFL |
As Rector or minister of All Saints Little Shelford, I have been ex officio on the school Governing Body for 14 years. I have the pleasure of seeing a number of the school's parents and children outside school hours each week on a Sunday. I have a degree in languages and an interest in that side of the curriculum and I have experience of a number of different boards over the years. My own children attended the school in the past. |
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Amy Beck Staff Governor First Appointed: Sept 2022 Current tenure: 1.9.22-31.8.26 |
I have taught Year 1 at Shelford School since 2012 and am subject leader for Early Reading/Phonics and PE. I completed a B.Ed. in Primary Education at the University of Bedfordshire, specialising in PE and Early Years. Prior to joining Shelford School I taught a Reception class in another Cambridgeshire school. |
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Rev. Dr. Julie Norris Ex-Officio Governor - Incumbent at St. Mary's Church, Great Shelford First appointed 2022 Current Tenure: ongoing Subject link: RE
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I am the Vicar of St Mary the Virgin Church, Great Shelford. In this capacity, I lead Collective Worship in School. Within the Diocese of Ely, I am the Diocesan Director of Lay Ministry. In this capacity, I am engaged in training adults to undertake a variety of different roles in Churches in Ely Diocese. I am particularly interested in making courses accessible to people from a range of educational experiences. I am a new Governor with some previous experience after a lengthy gap. However, I have been engaged in leading activities in various local primary schools as a Parish Priest for many years. I enjoy gardening, swimming, painting, writing poetry. My links with the school are through my role as Vicar, and this is a responsibility which I will undertake as a privilege. |
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Alice Walker Foundation Governor appointed by St. Mary's P.C.C (Great Shelford) Frist appointed: 2022 Current tenure: 17/11/22 - 16/11/26 Committees: Admissions Subject Links: PSHCE; EYFS |
I work for a large educational publisher as an Educational Content Writer where the content I write is focused on promoting wellbeing and positive mental health for primary aged children. This is a particular passion of mine. I have a professional interest in supporting children to understand their feelings and emotions and to learn strategies to help us process and respond to these. I am also interested in how promoting active, responsible citizenship through education supports positive mental wellbeing and helps children to feel engaged and enthused.
As a trained primary school teacher, I have almost 10 years experience teaching in a large primary school in London where I was Music and Performance Lead as well as phase leader for different key stages across the school.
My two children attend the school and we live in Great Shelford. With my family, I regularly attend St Mary's church in Great Shelford. I regularly volunteer to help with reading and other activities in the school.
I have been a Foundation Governor since September 2022. |
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Hannah Mohamad Parent Governor First appointed: 1 Sept 2024 Current Tenure: 1/9/24 - 31/8/28 Committees: FPP Subject Links: Art |
I have always had an interest in education. I studied French at the University of Birmingham, during which time I worked as an English Language tutor and volunteered in a local primary school.
My background is in public relations and communications in the public sector. Having previously worked in various local authorities I now work at Addenbrooke's Hospital. Part of my current role involves engaging and building relationships with stakeholders, including staff and patients.
I have two children. One of whom attended Shelford School and is now at secondary school and one of whom is at Shelford School. I have been a regular volunteer since my eldest child joined Reception, helping with reading, enrichment activities and school trips. I have also been involved as a Class Rep. and as an active member of the PTA , including two years during which I was Chair.
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Eleanor Witter
Foundation Governor First appointed: July 2023 Current Tenure: July 2023- July 2027 Committees: FPP Subject Links: DT Specific responsibilities: School Council and PTA Link
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I am retired and have lived in Great Shelford for 4 years, becoming a regular attender at St Mary’s Church. I studied Electrical Engineering at Nottingham University. After a few years in industry and then teaching in a secondary modern school I spent 14 years teaching mainly physics to A level in a girls’ grammar school. On moving to Cambridge I was lucky to be introduced to UCLES, later Cambridge Assessment where I worked part time on GCSE science syllabi and examination papers in an administrative capacity until my retirement. I have been volunteering in an RVS coffee shop at Addenbrooke’s Hospital for 35 years. I put my education background to good use teaching new beekeepers both through lecturing and practically. I have a great interest in music, playing trumpet with two Concert Bands one of which entails trips all over the country in my camper van. Other interests are needle crafts, walking and gardening. Currently I am President of The Shelfords WI. |
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Jonathan Nye Foundation Governor First appointed: 4th December 2024 Current tenure: 4th December 2024 - 4th December 2028
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I live locally with my family. I work at the intersection of financial services and technology and bring experience in governance and oversight. I am committed to supporting the school in providing the best possible education for all pupils.
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Rev. Christopher Shore Foundation Governor First appointed: 4th December 2024 Current Tenure: 4th December 2024 - 4th December 2028
Specific responsibilities: Named Safeguarding Governor |
I have been a Curate at St Mary the Virgin Church, Great Shelford since July 2024. I joined the Governing Body as a Foundation Governor later that year.
I greatly value the links between the school and the church. I have been involved in leading Collective Worship and in hosting many school services in the church. It is always a joy to see the church full of children and their parents and carers.
Originally hailing from Oxford, I first came to Cambridge as a student in 1983, completing a degree in Physics and Computer Science. Prior to being ordained in 2024, I worked for over 30 years in the high-tech industry in Cambridge, most recently completing 23 years at Arm before retiring in 2022.
As a governor, I am specifically linked with Safeguarding and also serve on the Finance & Premises Committee. |
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Tim Mann Local Authority Governor First appointed: 1st September 2025
Current Tenure: 1st September 2025 - 31st August 2029 |
I have been a civil servant since graduating in 2009, I am currently at the Home Office where I am responsible for Governance, Assurance, Risk and Compliance, including Counter Fraud and the relationship with the National Audit Office (NAO). Prior to this I undertook various roles at the Ministry of Defence. I attended Harper Adams University College in Shropshire where I studied Countryside and Environmental Management.
My wife and I moved to Great Shelford in 2018. We have two children, one of whom attends Shelford School. I have been a Parish Councillor for Great Shelford since October 2022, where I Chair the Highways Committee.
I started as the Local Authority Governor in September 2025. |
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Former Governors of the Past 12 Months: |
Summaries correct at time of Governance |
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Liz Jenkin Local Authority Governor First appointed: 2012 Current tenure: 1.9.21-31.8.25 Specific responsibilities: Named Safeguarding Governor, SEND, Safeguarding. Subject link: English, Music
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I taught in local village primary schools for twenty five years, the last ten as a headteacher. In addition to literacy, I also have considerable expertise in RE, PSHE and Music. I now work part time as a tutor on the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education’s Primary Postgraduate Certificate of Education course. I am an Elder at Great Shelford Free Church with oversight for safeguarding and worship, and regularly volunteer in Cara Coffee. I am chair of trustees for GenR8, presenting Christianity in primary schools. Two of my grandchildren attend or have attended Shelford school, and I have served ten of my twenty six years as a governor here. |
If you would like to support the school, please contact the Headteacher or Chair of Governors (c/o the school) to discuss how you can work alongside us.