Governors

Latest Governance Structure & Attendance

The governing body meets as a full governing body at least one a term (six terms per annum) – see this year’s meeting dates below.
There are two committees – Standards and Resource each of which also meet five times a year.
Membership of the Committees (along with roles and responsibilities and declared interests) is detailed in the following Governance Structure and Attendance document:

The role of the governing body is a strategic one, its key functions are to:

Set the aims and objectives for the school.
Set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives.
Set the target for achieving those aims and objectives.
Monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives.
Be a source of challenge and support to the executive head teacher and leadership team (a critical friend).

Latest Governance Structure & Attendance

Governor Meetings

2025/26

Thursday 3rd October - Full Governing Body meeting
Wednesday 13th November - Standards Committee meeting
Wednesday 20th November - Resource Committee meeting
Thursday 5th December - Full Governing Body meeting
Wednesday 15th January - Standards Committee meeting
Wednesday 22nd January - Resource Committee meeting
Thursday 6th February - Full Governing Body meeting
Wednesday 12th March - Standards Committee meeting
Wednesday 19th March - Resource Committee meeting
Thursday 3rd April - Full Governing Body meeting
Wednesday 7th May - Standards Committee meeting
Wednesday 14th May - Resource Committee meeting
Thursday 22nd May - Full Governing Body meeting
Wednesday 18th June - Standards Committee meeting
Wednesday 25th June - Resource Committee meeting
Thursday 3rd July - Full Governing Body meeting

Governor Profiles

Chair: Aileen Bates - Co-opted Governor

I have been Chair of Silverwood School since its formation in September 2020 and am a
Trustee of the School Fund.
I have worked as a practitioner, manager and trainer in social work, industry and personal
finance and until my retirement was a director of a community based project to integrate
people with learning disabilities, behavioural and mental health problems into normal living
by providing supported living and day occupation.
I enjoy my family, golf and bridge as well as supporting Swindon Town football club.

Co-opted Governor: Charles Burgess

I am a Chartered Building Surveyor who has worked in both the Public and Private sector for over 35 years.
I set up a successful surveying practice in Bath 15 years ago and am involved in the Building Regulations Industry.
Outside work, I enjoy Golf, Rugby and dog walking and I live in Rowde.

Joint Vice Chair and Chair of Resource Committee
Co-opted Governor: Jeff Parker

I spent 24 years in the RAF as a Communications Engineer serving in various parts of the world. On leaving the RAF in 1993 I spent 2 years as a Business Consultant and then 18 years with Nortel Networks and then Airbus, a large Aerospace and Defence company, in Business Development.
I retired from Airbus in 2012 and am now an independent consultant specializing in Cyber Security and Business Innovation.
My interests include keeping fit, walking, and reading.

Executive Headteacher
Ex Officio Governor: Sean McKeown

Since 2001, I have worked within the education sector. As Headteacher and Chief Executive of a Multi-Academy Trust, I have gained a wide range of leadership experience across secondary, primary, and special schools. Throughout my teaching career, I have been fortunate to work with some amazing colleagues who have influenced my practice, inspired me, and kept me professionally challenged. I have a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Innovation and have a passion for developing leaders and raising outcomes for all pupils.
My aim is to lead Silverwood School in an exciting period of development, ensuring we work in an inclusive System of Excellence where all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities can thrive in an outstanding provision. Moreover, I am keen to work and influence education with colleagues across the county and beyond the boundary of the Local Authority.
I have three daughters and in my spare time, I enjoy running, photography and watching sport - from a safe distance!

Joint Vice Chair and Chair of Standards Committee Co-opted Governor: Jane Boulton

I have worked with children all my career since 1985, throughout this time I have worked with children with SEN and in the early years sector for the majority of time. I have previously worked for Wiltshire local authority supporting primary children at risk of exclusion and then with the early years team supporting the inclusion of children within mainstream settings and school. I believe in the positive inclusion of all children within their local communities is achieved through collaborative partnerships and effective transition processes. I was a governor previously for St Nicholas Special School in the early 2000s.
I am currently the manager of Springboard Chippenham, a charity for pre school children with SEN/D and their families. I have a Masters in Childhood and Youth and am currently studying for a Masters In Business Administration.
Springboard is one of four District Specialist Centres commissioned by Wiltshire Council to deliver some services on their behalf. We work in partnership with the council to offer early support to families, our youngest was a month old! I have been at Springboard since 2011 and have enjoyed the benefits of working with inspiring families. I am proud of the work we have done to support parents and the increase in provision we have been able to make through fundraising.
We are a cricketing family and between studying, work and dog walking I enjoy nothing better thane being at a cricket ground on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Note I do note always watch – I spend time catching up with friends and family on the boundary line.

Staff Governor: Lucy Hannaford

I have studied English and Psychology from A-Levels through to university, which has provided a strong foundation for my teaching career. Since 2006, I have been teaching with a particular passion for English and a commitment to meeting the needs of SEN pupils.
I bring over ten years of experience teaching across Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1, and Key Stage 2 in a large primary school. During this time, I also served as SENCO and Safeguarding Lead for five years. I further developed my expertise by completing the SENCO qualification and earning a Master’s degree in Vulnerable Learners and Inclusion.
In 2020, I transitioned into Specialist SEND teaching, where I continue to focus on inclusion, understanding behaviour as communication, and supporting mental health.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my son and family, as well as pursuing my interests in music, festivals, and travel.

Parent Governor: Mandom Davies

I'm a dad of two Lovely boys with complex needs. I am passionate about my family and doing my best to ensure that adequate support is provided for children, parents, carers, and workers across the borough.
I'm a Chartered Accountant and I also have a post graduate degree in Accounting and an MBA.
I love spending quality time with my family and going on holidays with them.

LA Governor: Helean Hughes

I joined the Silverwood Governing Body in October 2024, bringing over 35 years of experience in education. My career began in Bradford, West Yorkshire, before moving to Bristol in 1990, where I taught in a variety of schools and became a headteacher in 2003. I later moved into local authority roles, serving as a School Improvement Adviser and subsequently Head of Education and Skills in South Gloucestershire. In 2018, I joined Wiltshire Council as Director of Education and Skills, a role I held until my retirement in 2024. I continue to support the sector through consultancy work, most recently as a SEND Improvement Consultant. Outside of work, I enjoy walking my two dogs, gardening, swimming, and singing.

Clerk to the Governors: Michelle Hocking

I have been clerking since 2013 (including for St Nicholas School from 2016) and clerk a number of schools in addition to Silverwood.
Copy of minutes can be obtained by contacting me.
I can be contacted on: clerk@silverwood.wilts.sch.uk

Staff Governor: Debbie Banfield

I have been a teacher at Silverwood school for 5 years, currently teaching in the semi-formal pathway. I have previously taught our pre-formal pathway at Trowbridge. I am an associate middle leader and member of the communication team.
I am inspired daily by our pupils and aim to foster academic progress and independence in students, practicing total communication and supporting the pupils to reach their potential through inspiring learning.
Outside of school I enjoy reading, visiting National trust properties, days by the sea and have five children and 1 new grandchild which keeps me quite busy.

Co-opted Governor: Stuart Hall

I am a parent carer of a young person with complex needs and I am passionate about giving parent carers meaningful opportunities to have their voices heard to help shape, develop and improve SEND services across Wiltshire.
I manage the Wiltshire Parent Carer Council, which is an independent organisation that represents and supports parent carers of children and young people with SEND in Wiltshire. Prior to becoming a governor at Silverwood, I have been a Vice Chair of Governors at a village school and was on the governing body of a large primary school in Swindon.
In my spare time, I enjoy holidays and trips out with my family, and running.

Parent Governor: Hayley Holland

Parent Governor: Samantha Trowbridge

Associate Governor: Charlotte Lewis