Governor Profiles

  • Mrs Deborah Leighton-Plom

    Chair of Governors

    Deborah has served as a Foundation Governor since 2020. She is currently in training for ordination to the priesthood in the Church of England, and has previously worked as a Community Prison Chaplain, supporting people leaving custody to resettle. Deborah is a qualified IHCA (Independent Health Complaints Advocate) specialising in mental health. She has been an active member of St. David’s and St. Michael’s Mount Dinham Churches, where her husband Ash is the curate, and is also a trustee of Exeter YMCA.

  • Mr Stephen Bright

    Governor

    Stephen Bright - Parent Governor
    I became a school governor in 2018 and am also Treasurer of the school's PTA, a role I have held since my son started school (he is now at secondary school). I am a self-employed Chartered Accountant by profession performing accounting, taxation compliance and advisory services for a portfolio of owner managed business ranging from sole traders to companies with turnovers up to £25 million. Before this I spent several years working for various accounting practices and also two years working as a financial director of a publishing company which was a subsidiary of a major international concern. I became a governor as I wanted to help the school with the financial and management skills and experience I have gained. I am a firm believer that the most valuable thing a child can gain is a good education and sense of values and I would like to contribute to this in some small way. I would also hope that the knowledge and experience I have might support the governing body and contribute to enabling the school to meet its mission and objectives. In particular I aim to apply this overseeing the financial performance of the school and ensuring that the limited financial resources that the school has at its disposal is well spent and achieves maximum value for money.

  • Mrs Rachel Craddy

    Parent Governor

    I became a governor in 2020 when my son started at St David's school, and I now have two children attending. As a parent I believe it is important to work with the school, to understand the policies and delivery of the curriculum to ensure the children receive the best education that can be offered, and that the ethos and direction of the school continues to be perceived positively from a parental viewpoint. I am the Health & Safety Governor and help to monitor the numerous legislative and regulatory frameworks are correctly in place by meeting once a term with the school Co-ordinator to oversee the procedural logs are up to date and understand any specific issues that arise and how they can be resolved.

  • Mr Tim Lunn

    Clerk to the LGB

    The clerk is appointed by the LGB. The role involves a wide range of responsibilities including providing procedural advice as well as submitting agendas and minutes of meeting.

    Tim moved to the West Country after a career in public service and settled in Devon. He joined Ventrus in early 2022 and is Clerk to Governors for five schools.

  • Miss Paige Bassett

    Teacher/SEND Governor

    Maternity Leave
    This is my third year as part of the St. David’s Governing Body. I am currently the SEND governor. Each term, I meet with the SENDCo to discuss findings of the current term. I ask challenging questions to the correct people, to ensure I have a secure understanding, allowing me to feedback to the Governing Body as appropriate. I enjoy my time as a governor, as I feel that it deepens by understanding of what we do and why we do it.

  • Mrs Min Li

    Safeguarding Governor

    I became a school governor in 2022 and was appointed as safeguarding governor. I appreciate my role as a governor because I would like to contribute to children's education in collaboration with the school. My husband and I serve on the pastoral team at the Chinese church in Exeter. We have three children.