Governors
Local Governing Body of Glebe Farm School
Welcome to our school. Governors are a vibrant group of committed volunteers that represent and reflect the community of the school (parents, school colleagues and our wider community). Our governors are a key part of the strategic leadership of the school.
The Local Governing Body help set and dedicate themselves to the vision, values and strategic direction of the schools, maintaining their individuality whilst encouraging collaboration and sharing of excellence. They share responsibilities for supporting, monitoring and evaluating the performance of the schools in delivering a fulfilling, broad and balanced education for all their children.
The Local Governing Body:
- meets 6 times per year as a full board, with no additional committees
- is part of a larger governance structure for Inspiring Futures through Learning Multi Academy Trust, which includes IFtL Members and Board of Trustees. The full structure and responsibilities of these roles, including details of who serves within them, is available at iftl.co.uk/governance-in-iftl)
- carries out its delegated functions and responsibilities which are focused upon:
- the wellbeing and safety of all children and adults within the schools’ communities
- the standards of educational performance, for all children, within the schools
- the position of the schools within their wider communities and how the schools contribute positively to this
- to identify, and look to mitigate, risk in relation to the above
- to carry out the duties delegated to the Local Governing Body by the IFtL Board of Trustees, outlines in the IFtL Scheme of Delegation (seen at iftl.co.uk/governance-in-iftl)
The Interim Chair of the Local Governing Body is Matt Miller.
If you are interested in becoming a governor or would like to make contact with the Chair, please contact the Chair or Stephanie Boak, IFtL Head of Governance, on sboak@iftl.co.uk
Alternatively, please send a letter in a sealed envelope marked 'Chair of the Local Governing Body' via the school office
Interim Chair of GovernorsÂ
Governor responsible for SafeguardingÂ
Matt Miller
Matt provides services to drive improvement in schools deemed to have ineffective governance. His areas of expertise include training and developing governing boards, mentoring new chairs, and conducting external reviews of governance. Matt has designed training resources are to aid Independent investigations to be conducted effectively.Â
Matt was designated as a National Leader of Governance (NLG) in March 2012 as part of the first cohort. In January 2014, he was selected as the NLG Advocate for north London and Hampshire. Then, until September 2021, he served as the NLG Advocate for the North West London School Commissioner region. His work involved collaborating with Regional Schools Commissioners and Teaching Schools to increase awareness and recruitment of NLGs.​He was awarded an MBE for services to education in the late Queen's 2016 birthday honors list.
Miss Marlese Levermore
Marlese has lived in Milton Keynes since the age of 3 and has been a resident of Glebe Farm, Wavendon since 2019 and has seen the Parish transition to the up and coming area that it has become.
The school is a wonderful addition to the community and Marlese is extremely proud to be a School Governor specialising in staff and pupil Mental Health and Well-being.
Marlese has volunteered on the local Parish Council since 2021 and is now the Vice-Chairman of Wavendon Parish Council. Working tirelessly for the local residents of Wavendon and supporting local initiatives and charities to enhance the lives of children and families in the Parish.
Marlese is a keen sportswoman and is currently working as the Director of Sport at our local prep School in Swanbourne, Milton Keynes. Ex Semi-Professional footballer at Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC, Watford Ladies FC and then retiring at Wellingborough Diamonds FC. Having a teaching and elite coaching career spanning nearly 20 years has seen Marlese teach at the highest level possible whilst working with companies such as Pearson Edexcel, LTA (Street Games) and The FA in various consultancy roles. Her most cherished roles have been during her time working for MK Dons FC when they moved to MK for 5 years then Arsenal FC for 6 years at both of their Girls Centre of Excellences.
Marlese now takes pride in her experience and qualifications in Mental Health and Well-being with her MSc in Applied Psychology and as a Mental Health first Aider along with other qualifications such as Lv2 in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care, Lv2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, Lv2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems and the Lv2 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in the Work Place.
Marlese is passionate about serving as a School Governor and will continue to keep the children that attend Glebe Farm School at the forefront along with all of the staff that teach or support the schools daily operational responsibilities in the classroom and surrounding school community areas, safe, flourishing and empowered to fulfil their roles, to the best of their abilities.
James Searle
Deputy Director for Chiltern Teaching School Hub part of Chiltern Learning Trust.
Over 10 years of teaching experience with a specialism in computing.
Currently working with the DfE to support teacher training and development through CPD.
Ria Simons
Ria is a seasoned business professional and partner at an award-winning, employee-owned company in the Early Years sector, with 18 years of extensive experience across various key roles. As a former Trust Board Director, she was responsible for holding the executive team accountable and overseeing the management of company shares to benefit all 2,300 employees. Additionally, Ria was an elected representative on the Partnership Council, playing an integral role in shaping the company's strategic decisions, including acquisitions and employee bonus allocations.
Her current responsibilities involve building strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and driving engagement across multiple departments at the company’s Head Office. Ria is known for her proactive approach, consistently addressing challenges and promoting innovative ideas to ensure continuous improvement.
A firm believer in lifelong learning, Ria recently earned a Diploma of Higher Education in Business Management and is a certified Mental Health First Aider. Outside of her corporate role, she is also a dedicated school governor at Glebe Farm School, where she is committed to supporting staff in their mission to help every student achieve their full potential.
Born and raised in Milton Keynes, Ria remains actively involved in her community, where she lives with her family.
Marilyn Hubbard
Recently awarded an MBE for her services to Education (Governance).
Marilyn is a vastly experienced Chair and has served for many years as a National Leader of Governance.
Marilyn’s professional background includes manufacturing strategic leadership and company secretary roles.
Mark Holliday
Mark has lived in Milton Keynes since 1976 and has witnessed the city’s growth and transformation over the decades. With a strong passion for education and community involvement, he sees his role as a school governor as a meaningful way to give back to the local community and help shape the future of young people. Mark has served as a Local Authority Governor since 2013 and brings over 30 years of business experience, equipping him with a broad range of transferable skills valuable to school leadership and development.
During his time as a governor, Mark has gained valuable experience in overseeing and supporting various aspects of school governance, including strategic planning, safeguarding, budgeting, and curriculum development. He has worked closely with the leadership team to ensure that the school meets its objectives. In his role he has engaging with staff, learners and parents with a focus on inclusivity, forward-thinking, and commitment to providing a high-quality education for all.
Through his experience in business, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge in strategic planning, financial management, stakeholder management and learning & development. His experience in teamwork and communication will support in working collaboratively with fellow governors, staff, and other stakeholders to support the school’s objectives.
In addition to his governance experience, Mark has been actively involved in community work. He founded a youth group at a local church, providing mentoring and support to young people, and also volunteered with the Bucks Association for the Blind, helping individuals with visual impairments access support and services. Mark is committed to supporting Glebe Farm School as it grows and thrives, ensuring it provides the best possible opportunities for everyone.
Staff who attend meetings with no voting rights:
Shaaron Forbes – Operations and Project Manager
Erin Stewart – Deputy Head
Hayley Cook - Head of Primary Phase