2023-24 Class names

Please click on the class names below to find out more about the class groups.

Volcano

Reception

Ocean

Year 1

Strata

Year 2

Magma

Year 3

Delta

Year 4

Erosion

Year 5

Tectonic

Year 6

 

Governors

We are currently recruiting Governors!

If you would like to be part of our Governing Board and would like to find out more, please contact the Clerk at gov.clerk@bayceschool.org

or click HERE for an application form

Please return your form to the school office marked FAO: Clerk to the Governing Board or email it to gov.clerk@bayceschool.org

Thank you


Our Governing Board

The Governing Board is an overarching body for the Cornerstone Federation which consists of The Bay All-Through School and Niton Primary School.  It consists of 15 governors currently made up of: 3 Foundation Governors, 2 Parent Governors, 1 Staff Governor, 1 Local Authority Governor, the Executive Headteacher and 7 co-opted Governors. This committed team of Governors brings with them a wide range of skills and expertise and make a valuable contribution to our group of schools.

What is the role of the Governing Board?

The Governing Board at The Cornerstone Federation provides strategic leadership and accountability. It has three key functions:

  • Overseeing the financial performance of the schools and making sure money is well spent
  • Holding the Executive Headteacher and Heads of School to account for the educational performance of the schools and their pupils
  • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

The Governors set the aims and objectives for the schools and the policies and targets for achieving those aims and objectives. They monitor and evaluate the progress the schools are making and act as a source of challenge and support to the Executive Headteacher. In action, this means:

  • Appointing and performance reviewing the Executive Headteacher and senior leaders, including making decisions about pay
  • Managing budgets and deciding how money is spent
  • Engaging with pupils, staff, parents and the school community
  • Sitting on panels and making decisions about areas such as pupil exclusions and attending hearings
  • Addressing a range of education issues within the school including disadvantaged pupils, pupils with special needs, staff workload and teacher recruitment
  • Looking at data and evidence to ask questions and have challenging conversations about the school

Our Governors adopt the Nolan principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. They also understand that they need to be prepared to have courageous conversations; an enquiring mind; the ability to challenge the status quo; be collaborative to build strong relationships with all stakeholders; committed to developing their skills as a Governor and be creative and innovative.

All Governors serve a term of office of up to four years.

Being a school Governor can be a very rewarding role. If you would like to find out more please do not hesitate to contact us at – gov.clerk@bayceschool.org

Meet the Governors

Duncan Mills – Executive Headteacher 

My name is Duncan Mills and I am the Executive Headteacher of the Cornerstone Federation. The Governors of The Bay CE and Niton Primary Schools appointed me as the Executive Headteacher of both schools in July 2016.

I have been a Headteacher since 1999, in five different schools, working in the London Borough of Barnet for most of my teaching career before relocating to the Island with my family. I feel extremely privileged to be working with both schools that have such talented staff, wonderful children and supportive parents and governors. I am committed to working to ensure that pupils across the Federation have access to a nurturing environment where they feel safe, a stimulating curriculum, high quality teaching and exciting extra-curricular opportunities available to them to enable them to be the best they can be to prepare them for the future.

‘WHAT IS AN EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER?’

An Executive Headteacher is a strategic role. I provide strategic leadership across both schools, which secures success and continuous improvement, ensuring high quality education for all pupils and the highest standards of learning and achievement.

I work closely with the Senior Team and Governors to make decisions, monitor the effectiveness of the provision and implement improvements. I spend part of each week at each school, although these days change week by week. I am always keen and happy to speak with parents. If you would like to make an appointment, please contact the school office at Niton or The Bay.

Emily Brothers – Local Authority Governor

Anna Payne – Staff Governor 

My name is Anna Payne. I have been married for 35 years and have 2 children, and 3 grandchildren, soon to be 4. Over my time working at school, I have grown and developed in ways that I never thought possible and I am now the Office Manager for The Bay CE all through school.

I am the Staff Governor for the Cornerstone Federation and am in my second term of office. I sit on the Quality of Education (primary) committee. My link subject is EYFS where I monitor and visit Reception class. The ethos in school is a happy one; it is paramount that this is reflected within our children, and it is a vital part of our role as governors to find a way in which all children can Believe, Inspire and Excel.

I feel privileged to be able to contribute towards shaping and securing the future of education for children, parents and carers within the community of the Sandown Bay area. I look forward to continuing to support the Cornerstone Federation.

Vacancy – Parent Governor

Peter Higgin – Co-opted Governor and Chair of Governors

I have been a governor since 2019 and took on the role of Chair in 2021. 

I have 20 years experience of working in education,  theatre and creative approaches to education. I split my time between London and the Island working for an immersive theatre company called Punchdrunk Enrichment, where I am Artistic Director and  joint CEO. I believe strongly in the transformative power of the arts to unlock our innate creativity and curiosity. I place particular importance on ensuring an equitable approach and am passionate about access, inclusion and diversity. I understand first hand the importance of a strong education as a foundation for your future and have my experiences at Sandown High School to thank for that. 

Originally from Knighton, I now live in Ventnor with my family. Our two  sons attend Niton Primary School. In my spare time I enjoy surfing, gardening, running, cycling and spending time with family and friends.  

As well as chairing the Governing Board I am also on the Quality of Education (primary) and Leadership Management and Safeguarding committee.

Anne Khanna – Parent Governor

Rev. Mark Williams – Foundation Governor 

Hello, I am the Reverend Mark Williams and am the vicar at Christ Church, Sandown and at St Paul’s in Shanklin. I moved to the Island with my family to take up post here at the beginning of August 2018. We have three children; our daughter will soon be attending the all through school. My involvement with the school means that I am often taking collective worship at the school on a Monday or am at Christ Church when the year groups come for collective worship there. I was a governor at previously on the mainland and gained valuable experience there. I look forward to continue serving the Cornerstone Federation.

Vacancy – Foundation Governor 

Carolyn Corbett – Foundation Governor 

As a foundation governor I am a member of Christ Church Sandown. I have been married for forty four years and have two children and our grandchildren attend island schools. Before retiring I worked in a school library and also public libraries. When possible I enjoy gardening, walking our dog Molly and being with the family.

It has been my privilege to be a governor and see Niton and The Bay CE School develop over the years, and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that continually enable the schools to thrive and be the best they can be for all. 

I am on the Quality of Education Secondary and Primary sub committees. The latter of which I chair. I am also on the Christian Distinctiveness and Pay Committees.

 

Sally Jones – Co-opted Governor

I started working at The Bay in 2012 as School Business Manager after taking time off with my 2 children. Prior to that, I worked for a Building Society for 20 years in a variety of roles up and down the country, before returning to the Island with my family. I am responsible for the non-teaching element at The Bay which includes financial management, HR, personnel, catering, premises, communications, website and the office support of the school. I am also responsible for the financial management of Niton Primary.  I think I am extremely lucky to be able to combine my professional experience with my interest in making a difference to children’s education at 2 fabulous schools. When I am not in school, I am with my family who is made up of my husband, my 2 children, the dog and me.    

                  

       

Vacancy –  Co-opted Governor 

 

Richard Wade – Co-opted Governor 

I hold degrees from Cranfield (MBA) and Cambridge (MA). My career covered financial markets in the USA, France, the Middle East and Africa. A fascinating decade at the National Audit Office involved working closely with Parliament. 

In London, my children attended a French Lycee – another form of all- through school. My volunteer activities included service as a young officer in the Queen’s Own Yeomanry and, as a member of the Consistoire, teaching Sunday School in London’s last Huguenot church. The oldest of six grandchildren recently graduated from Warwick University.

Twenty two years ago, my American wife, who completed her PhD at Brighton, introduced us to the Isle of Wight and ten years ago we made our home here. I am a strong believer in the necessity of achieving the best educational outcomes for the children of Niton and Sandown, in order to maximise their potential and benefit their community.

I chair the committee that has responsibility for  Staffing, Premises and Finance  and I am on the Quality of Education (Secondary) committee.

Ian Lovell – Co-opted Governor

Hello, my name is Rev. Ian Lovell and I was appointed as a Co-opted Governor in November 2021. I am currently the Baptist Minister of Salendine Nook Baptist Church, Huddersfield.
I left the Isle of Wight in 2019 in order to take on the role that I now have in Huddersfield.
Some of you will know that I have had a long association with the Cornerstone Federation involving both Niton Primary and The Bay C.E. School. I was a Governor at both schools and was formally Chair of Governors for about 9 years.
I have been married for over 30 years and have 5 sons, 2 daughter in laws, 1 grandson, and a 5 year old Labrador.
I have extensive governance experience and am looking forward to once again working alongside both schools in the Cornerstone Federation. My passion is to see both schools thrive and continue to become the outstanding schools that they can be.
I am also Vice-Chair of Governors at Newsome Academy in Huddersfield, where I am currently a Parent Governor.

Matt Purvis – Co-opted Governor

I moved to the island with my family in December 2021 and wanted to get involved in the community straight away. I thought there was no better way than supporting the Cornerstone Federation to deliver great educational outcomes to all the children at the Bay and at Niton. My children are both at Niton. 

I have a longstanding personal interest in education outcomes and social mobility. Professionally, I have worked at Parliament for the last fifteen years. I am currently head of research services at the House of Lords. When I am not enjoying the island with my wife and two children, I am usually out running, listening to music or disappointed by Tottenham Hotspur’s latest football result.

Sandra Bramley – Co-opted Governor

I was appointed as a Co-opted Governor of the Cornerstone Federation in May 2023 and am fully committed to supporting the positive development of both the Bay C of E school and Niton Primary school for the benefit of pupils, staff and parents.
I am married and have 5 children whose ages range from 7 to 30 as well as two grandchildren. My youngest child is a pupil at Bay C of E.
I moved to the Isle of Wight in 2019 and feel very privileged to livein such a beautiful place.
I have been the Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Advice Portsmouth since 2016. I am also Vice Chair and founder member of an organisation called HIVE Portsmouth.
I am a fully qualified lawyer and veterinary nurse due to a change of career in my 30’s.
In my spare time I love to take long walks with my two miniature dachshunds, attend air shows and learn about local history.

 

Our Current Governing Board

Forename Surname Category Expiry
Duncan Mills Executive Headteacher Ex-officio
Anna Payne Staff 10/06/25
Emily Brothers Local Authority 08/11/26
Anne Khanna Parent 15/05/27
Vacancy Parent
Mark Williams Foundation Ex-officio
Vacancy Foundation Ex-officio
Carolyn Corbett Foundation 28/04/24
Vacancy Co-opted
Richard  Wade Co-opted 10/09/23
Sally Jones Co-opted 20/07/24
Sandra Bramley Co-opted 15/05/27
Ian Lovell Co-opted 04/11/25
Matt Purvis Co-opted 14/02/26
Peter  Higgin Co-opted – Chair 27/02/27

Governing Board Meetings.

For copies of the minutes of any of the Governing Board meetings please contact the Clerk to the Governors, gov.clerk@bayceschool.org or call us on 01983 403284 and we will arrange for a copy to be issued.


Governance Documentation

Please click here to view Governor Pecuniary & Business Interests

Please click here to view Governor Attendance for the academic year September 2021 – July 2022

Please click here to view the Structure of the Governing Board (inc. leavers)

Please click here to view the structure of the committees of the Governing Board 23-24

Please click here to visit our Policy Page and view the Governor Allowances Policy .

Please click here to view an up to date record of Governor Training.

Please click here to view our Instrument of Governance.

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