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.

  • Rev Nigel Guthrie

    Vicar

    Rev. Nigel Guthrie - Foundation Governor
    I am Vicar of Saint David’s, Exeter and to look after the two churches of St David’s and St Michael and All Angels within our parish. I also act as a mentor to those considering ordination. It is a great privilege to be associated with St David’s School, a Church of England School with a warm sense of community and a spirit of service to local children and families.
    I have previously ministered in Coventry, Derby and, for 15 years in Crediton where I was also, a Governor at Queen Elizabeth’s Academy Trust.
    I am married to a teacher and have two sons in the later stages of education. My interests include music, walking and bird-watching.
    As a Governor I hope to support St David’s School by bringing encouragement and care to the school community and by helping to strengthen and deepen the Christian ethos which lies behind the work of our school.

  • Ms Emma Lockley

    Clerk

    I became a Clerk to Governors in January 2021, and currently clerk for four schools: Sampford Peverell, St Andrew's, St David's and Wilcombe. Before taking on this role I had never clerked before or worked within or with schools, and although I was a little nervous at my first LGB meetings, it has been great to learn and experience everything that the schools and the LGBs do for the school, the children and their families.

  • Miss Paige Bassett

    Teacher/SEND Governor

    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.