Our Governors | Eastcombe Primary School

Our school Governors play an important and active role in school life not only attending termly meetings, but also in a more practical supportive role.

The governors work closely with Mrs Folker and her team by fulfilling the following functions:

Engage with the Head and staff to develop and manage the school’s ongoing and evolving strategies towards our collective goal of outstanding.
Ensure the school operates within the legal framework set out by the government, principally through the ongoing assessment of the school’s policies and ways of working.
Take collective ownership for the school’s budget and financial sustainability, making joint decisions about the best uses of resources available to us.
Take responsibility for the recruitment and performance management of the Head Teacher, through ongoing challenge and support.

We achieve this through meeting as a board on a broadly monthly basis and have a clear focus on what the priorities are through a close partnership with the Headteacher.

We have a strong team of governors who all bring with them skills from outside the world of education which help us make balanced decisions and support the school team, to make Eastcombe Primary School the very best it can be.

Please read our Governors Code of Conduct for more information.

The Governors:

Mrs Folker

Headteacher

I am the Headteacher here at Eastcombe Primary School. I started in September 2026 having been a Headteacher across three previous schools over 23 years. I feel privileged and proud to be the Headteacher of such a wonderful school and relish the opportunity to support everyone to achieve their potential in this latest chapter of the school's journey.

My husband and I also run a cattery the other side of Stroud and my son is currently studying at Berkeley UTC.

I have no business or pecuniary Interests.

Dr Gill Clifton

Co-Chair of Governors

I joined the Team of Governors at Eastcombe Primary in February this year having moved to Eastcombe from Norfolk in April 2022 to be closer to our family. Following a long career in education and in industry in which I had the opportunity to work cross sector in Early Years Primary, Secondary and Higher Education, I retired last year and now actively enjoy being involved in grand parenting duties! I am passionate about inclusive education and believe if children are encouraged at an early age to develop a sense of curiosity and a love and excitement for learning, it will stay with them for the rest of their lives. I was therefore keen to continue to be involved in education post retirement and was delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to our local village school and community.

As a co-opted Governor my aim is to support the Leadership Team in maintaining the high educational standards they desire for all children whilst ensuring pupils work and play in a safe and happy environment that will set them on a secure path for whatever maybe their future endeavours. As a member of the Standards Committee, I hope my experience in teaching and inclusive educational practice across a range of settings, as well as my experience of working in industry, will enable me to make a valuable contribution to the Committee and the School.

I have no business or pecuniary Interests.

Mrs Emma Hammond

Co-Chair of Governors

I joined as a governor in May 2023. I live in Eastcombe and have two young children. My eldest is in Squirrel Class. I have worked in secondary schools for over a decade teaching Geography, holding various pastoral and academic middle leaders roles such as Head of Year 11 and Assistant Director of Sixth Form. I am currently the Head of Geography at a secondary school in Gloucester, a school that has undergone a massive transformation under the Greenshaw Learning Trust and was the 10th most improved school in the country in 2022. I am a Parish Councillor and am working with a team to create the new play area at the Eastcombe Recreation Ground. In my spare time, I enjoy netball, cycling, skiing and swimming. I love to travel and am a qualified scuba diving instructor.

As a governor, I aim to support the school to continue raising academic standards and to share relevant expertise in education.