Our Governors (ID 1174)

• Richard Allan
  Chair of Governors
  Richard Allan

  Richard has been a governor at Clifton since 2007, starting as a parent governor when his 2 children attended. He took on the chair role in June 2016. Richard says “I feel very privileged to hold this role and the opportunities it gives me to work with a great team of staff, fellow governors and of course amazing pupils. The School is a key ingredient to the village community and a place where its pupils should not only reach their academic peaks but should also reach their full potential in personal development to become good and well respected members of the community”

• David Bage
  Vice Chair, Local Authority, Chair of Finance
  David Bage

  David has been a governor at Clifton since April 2021, having previously served as a parent governor at Harris High School in Rugby. He is a past parent of Clifton with his youngest daughter having attended in 2003, and a future grand-parent with his grand-daughter due to attend within the next few years. His formal training is in finance where he has a Batchelor of Commerce degree which was completed after a spell in the military. David believes that Governors play an import role in supporting and challenging in a balanced way, the school and the school leadership, to maintain the high & consistent standards expected in our school that is at the heart of the village.

• Lisa Bernard
  Headteacher
  Lisa Bernard

  I have worked at the school since September 2007, initially as a class teacher and then as Maths Subject Leader, Assistant Head, Head of School and took up the post of Headteacher in September 2016. I had previous experience as a governor for eight years (1999 - 2007) at the local Infant School my two children attended. I was Chair of Governors there for 4 years and it was whilst in this role that i decided to re-train as a teacher, achieving a First Class BA Honours Degree with Qualified Teacher Status at Northampton University in July 2007. "For me teaching is both a passion and a priviledge that gives me the opportunity to help so many children to realise their potential and prepare for their future lives in an ever changing world."

• Joe Shepherd
  Deputy Head, Staff Governor
  Joe Shepherd

  Joe started working at Clifton-Upon-Dunsmore in September 2021. He started teaching in September 2005 and worked at several primary schools in Coventry before coming to Clifton. When his two young children allow him the time, he enjoys running, playing the drums, reading and writing a blog. Joe says: "I'm delighted that my first senior-leadership post is at a Christian school with such well-embedded Christian values, and I want to do all that I can to help the pupils and staff at Clifton excel in every possible way."

• Rev'd Peter Bone
  Ex Officio Foundation Governor
  Rev'd Peter Bone

  My name is Reverend Captain Peter Bone but I’m known in school as Rev Pete. The Captain part hails from me being commissioned as a Church Army officer; Church Army is the mission side of the Church of England. I’m Priest-in-Charge of Clifton, Newton and Christ Church in Brownsover. I have been in ministry, including school chaplaincy since 2006 and am also the Padre to 12f Rugby Air Cadets. I am married to Lynne and have three children, two of whom have flown. Lynne is also a Church Army commissioned officer. It is a joy to explore faith with the children and the staff both in St Mary’s church and Clifton School; the fun part is you never quite know just what answer might come at the end of a question.

• Danielle Barnes
  Co-opted Governor, Attendance Governor
  Danielle Barnes

  Danielle joined us as a co-opted governor in January 2023. Her daughter started the school in September 2022. She has 15 years' experience as a secondary MFL teacher, and she currently teaches pupils from Year 1 up to Year 8 at a local independent school, where she is Head of English as an Additional Language. She is also studying for a Masters in Applied Linguistics. Danielle is keen to bring her experience to Clifton-upon-Dunsmore and firmly believes that children learn best when they are happy.

• Claire Cornwall
  Parent Governor
  Claire Cornwall

  Claire has been a Governor at the school since November 2021, joining as a parent governor, with her daughter having started at the school in September 2020. Claire brings a wealth of experience from the Voluntary sector, having worked in charitable grant funding since 2008. Claire is an advocate for inclusion and equal opportunities, believing that we should support all our children with the opportunity to grow into the best versions of themselves, by providing them with a safe, supportive, and encouraging school environment and will champion this in her role as parent governor.

• Ruth David
  Foundation Governor, Maths and Science Governor
  Ruth David

  Ruth has been a governor since 2006, starting as a parent governor when her son was a pupil at the school. She switched to become a foundation governor as she regularly worships at St. Mary's. Although her son left the school in 2010, Ruth was very happy to continue as a governor at such a good school. She says, "It is always very enjoyable and educational to be in school, to observe what is going on and help, and to accompany children on school visits." Ruth is involved in developing the links with St. Mary's and ensuring that the school maintains Christian distinctiveness. She is also interested in science and maths and is currently the governors for Year 6. "It is a privilege to be a governor, as well as a challenge with the many changes there are within education."

• Alex Harris
  Parent Governor
  Alex Harris

  Alex has been a governor of the school since November 2022. Joining as a parent governor with his eldest daughter joining the school in reception in 2019 and his son in 2022. Alex brings a wealth of experience from the world of finance and software technology where he currently helps run a small software firm. He is keen to bring forth parent feedback and ideas to feed into decision making while helping to support the school in its ability to give the pupils the best possible start in life.

• Sue McKenzie
  Foundation Govenor, Safeguarding Governor
  Sue McKenzie

  Sue has lived in the village since 1985 and has been involved with Clifton Playgroup and Clifton School ever since. Sue's children have attended various Rugby schools and as a family they all attended St.Mary's Church. Sue's youngest went to the Clifton Playgroup and then to First School. She was Chair of the PTA and the 'Save Our School' project when there was a threat of closure. (In the late 1990's) "But we won and became an all through Primary School as a result." Sue has been a Foundation Governor since 1992 years and had the priviledge to serve as a Chair of Governors. Her role on Governors is as the SEND (Special Education Needs and Disabilities) Governor, a shared responsibility for Safeguarding and along with Ruth David and Rev.Pete Bone, she is a Foundation Governor. Sue's interests are reading, theatre, music, church and art, "But these come after my grandchildren and the rest of the family!"

• Richard Sanders
  Co-opted Governor, Wellbeing Governor
  Richard Sanders

  Richard has been a governor since 2021. His two children both received a fantastic education at the school and Richard is now keen to do what he can to support the staff develop and maintain the high standards that have been established. Richard spent most of his working life in HR, firstly at large multinational companies and then in a medium sized manufacturing company, serving on the Board as HR Director for 17 years. Richard is keen to bring some of his experience to the school helping to promote staff development and engagement and a positive workplace culture. Richard has an interest in wellbeing, and currently chairs the well being committee. He is a qualified Mental Health First Aider and is a Director of a Community Interest Company in Rugby aiming to help alleviate loneliness and social isolation in the community. Richard is also Governor for Year 5 and wants to involve himself with the class and support the pupils and teachers as much as possible.

• Kirsty Tite
  Co-opted Governor
  Kirsty Tite

  Kirsty has been a co-opted governor for Clifton Upon Dunsmore Primary school since 2018. With children currently at the school she has a regular visible presence. Kirsty uses her experience gained working in a local primary school to keep up to date with current educational needs and policies in school. Her key focus is working in partnership with the parents, headteacher and cooperatively with other governors to maintain standards and improve outcomes for all children, by balancing the thoughts of parents whilst continuing to maintain a strategic approach to school governance.

• Dr Ania Sadkowska
  Parent Governor
  Dr Ania Sadkowska

  Ania joined us as a Parent Governor in September 2024, with her son having started at the school in September 2022. Ania has 10+ years of experience in Higher Education, having delivered a first-class student experience, as well as conducting internationally recognised research in the field of Fashion Design, subject in which she holds a PhD. Ania’s experience in Higher Education has equipped her with a sound knowledge of the education system, the demands of curriculum design and its delivery. Ania is passionate about improving and enhancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for all children to fulfil their potential. Ania believes that our school must be a safe and happy environment for all children to aspire and strive for success.