At Lawn Primary school we have a total of 13 Governors - 6 Community/Co-Opted governors, 4 Parent governors, 1 staff governor, 1 Local Authority governor and the Headteacher.

We also have a Clerk to support the administration of the Governing Body. 

All governors at Lawn Primary School are appointed initially for a four year term and thereafter can be appointed for an extra year at a time.

Parent governors are selected via a voting process where there are more candidates than places available. Community/Co-Opted governors are selected by the governing body. Our Staff governor is elected by the staff at the school. The LA governor is nominated by the Ward Councillor and appointed by the governing body.

Meet the Governors

Aaron Smith - Co-Opted Governor

Chair of Governors, SEND Governor, Equality Governor, Shadow Early years, Link Arts/DT/Music

I grew up in Lawn and attended the school. I now live in Lakeside with my wife and two children, both of whom attend Lawn Primary and Nursery School.

I am a Chartered Town Planner providing planning advice to landowners and developers on new residential projects throughout southern England. This role also allows me to promote improving the environmental quality of homes that that serve the health and well-being of their occupants.

My dyslexia was identified post-primary school and I’m eager to ensure that all pupils are provided with the support and resources they require at the earliest opportunity.

In my spare time I’ve taken on various voluntary roles including as a trustee of the Swindon Town Community Mutual (TrustSTFC).  

Sally Robins 

Headteacher of Lawn Primary and Nursery School.

I am a former pupil of Lawn Primary and Nursery School and became Head Teacher here in February 2022, after a previous Headship in Oxfordshire and other leadership roles in Swindon before that. I have been working in Primary education since 1999 and am privileged to get to be part of the Lawn community once again.

Working on, and with the Board of Governors is an important aspect of the work of a Head Teacher. It helps to ensure that the Board are well enough informed to make successful and impactful strategic decisions and to support and challenge as required. I attend all meetings of the board, both committees and full board meetings.

Simon Beverley – Parent Governor

Vice-Chair of Governors / Chair of FSC / Lead Governor Finance / Link Governor English - Reading & Phonics

I live in Lawn and am married with two children, both of whom attend Lawn Primary.

I work as a risk manager within Treasury at Nationwide Building Society. I lead a small team responsible for managing the financial risks from Nationwide’s retail products, which involves a large amount of analysis and interpretation of data. My role is varied and requires me to work alongside colleagues from a number of other business areas as well as preparing and presenting proposals to management committees.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family as well as cycling, football and walking.

Rachel Piper- Clerk to the Governors

I live in Lawn with my husband and have 2 children with my eldest that started the school in September 22 after attending the Nursery and my youngest is currently at the Nursery.

I am from a event management background, having organised events for nearly 20 years ranging from small weddings to huge corporate events for over 5000 people.

I now have my own business, running a camper van company and also do consultancy work for hotels from time to time.

I love to spend time with my family, travel and to run when I get the chance.

Gareth Butler – Associate Governor

Lead Governor Premises, Health and Safety

I am the Health, Safety and Environmental Manager for a large Facilities Management company, and have been in health and safety roles for over 20 years, 6 of which were spent in Swindon Borough Council where my duties included: carrying out property related compliance audits at all of Swindon’s schools; writing and delivering school specific Health and Safety courses; carrying out fire risk assessments; managing the legionella contract for all of SBC properties.

I am qualified to level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, have health and safety qualifications in construction, fire management, asbestos management and Legionella management, and also hold an environmental qualification.

I live in Lawn, and have 3 daughters, 1 of which moved from Lawn Primary to secondary school, and 2 who are still in Lawn.

I have been the Lead Premises, Health and Safety Governor at Lawn Primary for over 10 years, and really enjoy assisting and supporting the school in keeping the pupils and employees safe, keeping the property compliant with the law, monitoring progress and helping to raise standards.

Janice Bennell - Co-opted Governor

Lead Governor Safeguarding, Staffing & Early Years / Link Governor English - Writing & EGPS

I was appointed as a Governor at Lawn Primary and Nursery in 2010.  I have lived on Lawn for many years and both my children attended Lawn Infant and Junior school.   I am now retired but worked in Management, Finance, Employee Services and Customer Services roles during a varied but interesting and challenging working life.     

I spend some of my time in various voluntary roles and for relaxation I enjoy keeping fit, reading and travelling and very importantly for me being regularly involved in the lives of my grandchildren.

David Heaton - Co-Opted Governor

Lead Governor Behaviour & Attendance / Shadow Governor  Safeguarding 

I am a married with two children and live locally in Lawn.  My oldest child is presently in YR3 at Lawn Primary and my second child will join in 2021.   I have worked for Zurich Insurance for over 15 years and am presently in a senior leadership delivery role.  This involves managing a large team, and focusing on ensuring all regulatory obligations are met for our UK Business and are delivered within project budgets.  I have a BSc in Computing and hold a post graduate diploma in IT Management.  My wife has a senior role in education for Swindon Borough Council and my mother was a primary teacher for over 30 years, so education has always been something I have been around and been interested in. 

Outside of work I have a keen interest in football both fantasy and playing when old injuries allow!  I also enjoy PC gaming, and general keep fit and spending time with my family.

David Hitchcock - Co-Opted Governor

Chair of EC / Lead Governor Progress & Attainment  / Shadow Governor  Progress & Attainment / Link Governor Geography, History & Modern Foreign Languages

I moved to Swindon from London in late 2016 following my retirement.

My career had been in Higher Education in which I held various roles finishing as dean of one of the largest university Business Schools in the country. Although many would regard a university and a primary school as very different environments I believe they share many of the same values and ethos and the ways in which success can be achieved are transferable.

Besides education I continue to have an interest in my local surroundings both physical and cultural.

Russell Hall - Parent Governor

I've lived in Swindon my whole life and am married with two children; one of whom attends Lawn Primary and one is a young baby. 

I am a qualified accountant working for a Fintech company in Swindon as a senior finance manager. I lead a team responsible for managing the monthly reporting, quarterly forecasting and annual planning cycles of the business. I also lead on the 3-year strategic plan. All of which requires a large amount of analysis, interpretation of data, challenging performance and working with senior stakeholders across the business.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, watching Swindon Town FC and keeping fit.

Emma Rollings - Parent Governor

I live local to Lawn school with my partner Phil and our son who attends Lawn school. 

I moved to Swindon just over 20 years ago from Cornwall for work and since then have been lucky enough to have an enjoyable career at Nationwide Head Office.  I am a qualified Accountant and my current role is Senior Finance Business Partner where I'm responsible for managing a team that oversees  a £400m cost base.  I'm also heavily involved in the wider People Agenda, specifically focusing on performance and talent management within Finance.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and like to box and run to stay fit.

Leanne Lewis - Parent Governor

I have two daughters attending Lawn, currently in Reception and the Nursery. I work at Nationwide Building Society on change projects delivering benefits for our customers and the society. I also volunteer with my local Rainbows group running weekly sessions for the girls.

My family and I enjoy spending time in nature and can usually be found at the weekend exploring different National Trust houses and gardens or going for walks in the local area. This provides us with many happy memories and my daughters plenty of opportunities to learn whilst having fun.