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.
Dan Smith – 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
Selina Powder – Co-opted Governor 
I was Co-opted as a Governor in December 2023 with a want to assist the Cornerstone Federation, its pupils, staff, parents in any way I can with a view to securing the future benefit of this federation within our Island community.
My first school was Niton Primary when my family lived and ran St Lawrence Post Office and Stores. I attended several Island schools in between and took my GCSE’s at Sandown High School where many of my lifelong friendships were formed.
Since leaving school I have worked at a local firm of Accountants and qualified as a Licenced Association of Accounting Technician, currently running my own practice.
My association with the Bay CE School started as a parent when my daughter joined in Sept 2015 and my son followed suit Sept 2022. I am fully committed to assisting the Governing Board in any way I can and welcome the opportunity to do so.
Any spare family time is spent dog walking, playing football, basketball, squash, cooking, and enjoying our beautiful Island with family and friends.
Ian Lovell – Co-opted Governor
Vacancy – Co-opted Governor
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 |
| Dan | Smith | Parent | 10/06/28 |
| Mark | Williams | Foundation | Ex-officio |
| Vacancy | Foundation | ||
| Carolyn | Corbett | Foundation | 28/04/24 |
| Vacancy | Co-opted | ||
| Selina | Powder | Co-opted | 05/12/27 |
| Sally | Jones | Co-opted | 20/07/24 |
| Sandra | Bramley | Co-opted | 15/05/27 |
| Ian | Lovell | Co-opted | 04/11/25 |
| Vacancy | Co-opted | ||
| 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 2023 – July 2024
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 24-25
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.
