Meet the Governors

Mrs Emma Thoulass - Chair of Governors, PCC Governor

I joined the governing body as a PCC foundation governor in 2017, was elected Vice Chair in 2018 and then Chair in 2019. I have lived in Clophill since 2004 and both my children have attended St Mary’s. I enjoy being involved in the school and I am committed to its continued success.

I have worked in finance since leaving school, qualifying as a chartered accountant and then a chartered tax adviser. I now run my own accountancy business from home which gives me the flexibility to spend time supporting the school.

Mrs Amanda Arnold - Staff Governor

Hi I am Amanda Arnold. I have been teaching for around 18 years and love my role in the classroom. I started as an NQT at St Mary’s’ in 2002 working for 5 years before moving to a middle for a few years to lead upper Key Stage 2 and explore elements of Key Stage 3. I returned St Mary’s following my work there and have remained part of the fantastic team ever since.

As well as my role as class teacher I am subject lead for RE and History. RE has always been one of my favourite subjects to teach as it gives you a real opportunity to explore deep thinking and hear so many different opinions. I enjoy getting creative with the subject and exploring how to teach the curriculum through different media and approaches.

History coordinator is a new role for me and I am enjoying exploring the subject further, considering ways we might improve our teaching and delivery of this.

I took on the role as staff governor when I returned to St Mary’s in 2009 and regularly give updates on the work we do in RE and Values Education. I help provide a link between staff and governors but in reality we all work nicely together as a team.

I am currently part time in school as I have two young children to keep me busy the rest of the time but any spare time I do have is normally spent planning some sort of project, be it home/garden improvement or a crazy celebration for my family.

Mrs Rozlyn Combe - Parent Governor

I joined the Governing body as a Parent Governor in September 2022. I have lived in Clophill for 2 years, and in previous years moved within the surrounding villages, as a local resident I really value the sense of community. I have 2 children who are current pupils at St Marys, both of whom joined at the early years stage with Acorn. I have always been impressed by the school’s ability to engage. I am passionate about supporting the ongoing developments across the school, driving values and maintaining their positive ethos. During my time in post, it’s been great to see the effects and outcomes achieved across the wellbeing programme and support offered to those attributed to the school. It has created a positive environment for both teachers and pupils. I work full time in the Major Sporting Events sector, but my role as a mum will always be a priority. I enjoy watching and playing sport, and in my spare time play Netball for a local team, I also perform the role of Chair to the club. I love keeping busy and seeking opportunities to inspire my children.

Mrs Clare Deverill - DBE Governor

I have been very fortunate to have 2 children join Clophill St Mary's from the age of 2.5 and continue their journey to become Oak's. They are now 10 and 13 and talk about St Mary's many times. I joined as a Governor when my children were both here, approx 7 years ago and I no longer live in the village, nor have children here but I am still here. It is a very special school with wonderful teachers and staff and if I can add any value to it's growth and their growth, supporting the school ethos and values, and seeing a difference to the children who attend, then it is worth the time and energy I invest. I bring years of finance and Health and Safety experience to the school, alongside being a parent of 2 myself. I support the ethos of school, treat people how I wish to be treated and care enough about the school and what it and everyone in it represents, to continue to support in any way I can. Outside of school I run a property business, a busy household and live life to the max.

Reverend Canon Lynda Klimas - PCC Governor

I joined the Governing body in October 2021 when Clophill became a new Benefice with Maulden and I was appointed Rector

As St Mary’s is a Church Aided school, the Rector is an Ex-office PCC Governor.

I have lived in Maulden since November 2013 and I have served as Rural Dean for 10 years. I grew up in Bedfordshire and attended a Church school as a child. I have a degree in Theology from Jesus College Cambridge and trained for ordination at Durham. I was ordained in 1990 and I have served in different parishes in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. I am an Honorary Canon of St Albans Cathedral and an Honorary Chaplain to His Majesty King Charles. I have been very involved in Rural ministry and I have been a school Governor in other schools before joining Clophill’s Governing body.

I value the link between St Mary’s school and St Mary’s church as they are both at the heart of the village community. I organise the team that leads “Open the book” assemblies and I enjoy welcoming the school to the services held in the church.

Mrs Sarah Matlock - PCC Governor

I joined the Governing body in October 2022. I grew up in Haynes and after the pandemic I moved back to the village to be closer to family. My son is currently at St Mary’s and I wanted to get involved and support the school.

I have a science teaching background, after completing a Masters in Chemistry I did a PGCE in Secondary Science at Oxford University. I then taught in schools in Oxfordshire, Bristol and Bath. I moved quickly into leadership roles as Head of Science and then Associate Leader with responsibilities for Teaching and Learning. I left teaching after my son was born but love being able to make use of my background in education in my role as governor.

In 2019 I retrained as a coach and now have my own business which gives me the flexibility to spend time supporting the school. I have been especially impressed with the steps that St Mary’s take to focus on the wellbeing of both staff and students and teaching children the vital skills that support their whole development.

Mrs Anna Neuff - Local Authority Governor

I joined the governing body in March 2021. I have two children at the school, both of whom thoroughly enjoy all aspects of school life. I have loved being able to offer support to the school and to help with its ongoing development.

I worked in Change Management for over 20 years for large financial institutions guiding people through new processes, systems and structures. More recently I have changed careers and now work for a charity whose aim is to reduce book poverty in children and hence work with many different schools. I use this wide variety of experience to aid the school in a time where education is constantly changing. I am constantly impressed by how much is involved in running a school and know St Mary's is committed to providing the best care and education for our children.

Mrs Joanne Webb - PCC Governor

Hello, my name is Joanne and I am a PCC Governor here at St Mary’s C of E School. I live in the village and have done so for the last 21 years. I have two grown up sons, the youngest of whom attended St Marys many years ago.

I have enjoyed a long career in education working as a teacher, deputy headteacher and headteacher in primary schools in Hertfordshire: a career which I loved and enjoyed very much. I now work from home and am involved in running our family business in a field outside that of education.

I feel passionate about giving young children the greatest start in life, and as a governor, I hope to share my skills with the school and work with them to bring about the best care and education for the children within our community.

Mr Tom Bullock - DBE Governor

I joined the Governing body in September 2023. I’m Dad to two girls, and when my youngest daughter joined St. Mary's, I wanted to be more involved in supporting the school and understanding how it was run.

I am passionate about the importance of education and believe that school plays an important role in setting children up for their future lives and careers. This is my first role as a Governor, I'm looking forward to getting stuck in and making a positive difference.

Professionally, I'm a Director at a large professional services firm and work with organisations to improve their sustainability reporting and ESG practices. I have experience in a number of areas including governance, change management and control. I'm excited about bringing these skills to play through my role of a Governor.

Mrs. Elaine Tivers - PCC Governor

We moved to Clophill in 2019, just before lockdown, and my husband and I are delighted we made the move. I joined the Governing Body as a PCC Representative at the beginning of 2024.

I am now retired from Primary School teaching after a varied career. Although my speciality was English, I have had responsibility for Special Educational Needs, Drama, School Productions, Art and Craft and Display. I retired as the Head of the Junior Department of a Boys Prep School in Northwood.

Although I have been retired for some time, I feel the basic education needs and development of Primary School children remain the same and I greatly admire the caring ethos and constructive approach of St. Mary's School. Becoming a Governor of this is school, I hope, will enable me to help maintain it's high standards and contribute to the community of Clophill.