Meet the Governors

Mark Larby, Chair of Governors

I joined the governing body in 2012 and took on the role of Chair in September 2015.  Even though my children have left I still feel part of the Ashford Hill School Family and enjoy visiting the school and seeing both staff and pupils living the values and being the best they can be.  My focus as chair is supporting the school in maintaining it's high standards, and ensuring the vision for the school is implemented and strives towards it's aspiration of being formally recognised as the outstanding school we all know it is.

Richard Saunders, Parent Governor

I joined the Governing Body at Ashford Hill Primary School as a Parent Governor at the beginning of 2018 and in October 2018 I took on the roles of Vice Chair of Governors and Training and Development Governor. I also attend the Resources Committee.

My wife and I have lived in Headley since 2009 and we are parents to two young girls; our eldest is in Year 2 at Ashford Hill and we hope our youngest will join the school in September 2019.

As a parent I share the high expectations of other parents and want the best possible education and opportunities for the children at Ashford Hill. My aim for the Governing Body is to ensure the school continues to improve and that these expectations are met for all children.

Outside of my role at Ashford Hill Primary School I run an engineering consultancy company. This work relies on attention to detail and a thorough evidence based approach - these are skills I try to bring to the Governing Body. In my spare time I enjoy the outdoors and am a keen runner.

Belinda Mines, Co-Opted Governor

I am a parent of a child who attends Ashford Hill Primary school.  I moved to Ashford Hill just over 3 years ago.  I love living in the village and all of the new friends that I have made.  I really do feel part of the community rather than existing within it.  Being a parent governor only cements this further.

Professionally I work full-time in an events role this encompasses both corporate and private events.  I have been with my current company for nearly 8 years.  Previous to that I worked for a premium automotive brand.  I ran their flagship brand marketing experience in central London.  Previous to this I worked for Hampshire Constabulary holding two positions one operational role at the headquarters in Winchester and the second in a facilities and admin role at Basingstoke Police Station.

I hope to bring some of my experience learnt within marketing to the role of Governor and help to enhance Ashford Hill Primary School’s profile within the community.

What spare time I have is taken up with home life and getting together with friends and family.

Ken Rhatigan, Co-Opted Governor

I have been a Governor now in excess of 8 years having been appointed while a Borough Councillor for Basingstoke & Deane. My main focus is to improve the progress of the children while providing support to the school in all areas through challenge, understanding and respect.
I always look forward to speaking to pupils and parents, both old and new and those looking to join us in the future.
I feel my interaction with the adults within AHPS provides me with a rounded and reasoned understanding of where we can improve and my goal is to ensure that this happens.

Peter Grayson, Co-Opted Governor

I have been a governor since 1995 and have held a wide variety of posts including Chair of Governors. During my period as a governor the school has experienced four Ofsted Inspections the last three of which have all resulted in a good rating.

I have been retired for some years after training as a Chemical Engineer and had a wide range of experience in the Nuclear and Pharmaceutical Industries.

I am strongly committed to support of the local community through membership of Loddon Valley Lions club and school governorship. My other interests include golf, gardening, ornithology, walking, music, reading and crosswords.

I am currently Chair of the Resources Committee which is responsible for Finance, Personnel, Buildings and Health and Safety and am strongly committed to help the school management provide a first class education to our children in a happy and safe environment.

Philip Crisford, Co-Opted Governor

A Governor for AHPS from July 2010, I’m currently vice chair of the school’s Resource Committee. As the school’s health & safety governor roles include health and safety walk rounds, observing fire evacuation drills, and an annual audit of the school’s accident book. Other roles have included helping with staff recruitment interviews, as well as the normal governor teaching and learning visits.

I am now retired, but from 2003 to 2018 I was a self-employed consultant providing external quality assurance services to awarding bodies delivering vocational qualifications. Prior to that I served for 27 years with Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service.

I live close to the school and have four grown up children and eight grandchildren. I enjoy my garden and my little dog. I’m a keen motor racing fan and sponsor and support an old army chum who races a classic 1967 Ford Escort Mexico Cosworth. I’m also the pound owner of a Plus 4 Morgan, a member of the Morgan Sports Car Club, and a member of the National Trust.

Other community involvement includes distributing the parish Magazine in Ashford Hill and being a trustee of Kingsclere Charities.