Governance
Governance structure
Great Missenden School is an academy of the Great Learners Trust (GLT). The Great Learners Trust is a charity and a company limited by guarantee and is comprised of and governed by:
- Members who guarantee the liabilities of the Trust and review the strategic direction.
- A Board of Trustees who are responsible for, and oversee, the management and administration of the Trust and the Academies run by the Trust.
- Local Governing Boards (LGBs) - GLT Trustees have established academy governance committees, known as Local Governing Boards (LGBs) to carry out some of its school level governance functions. The Local Governing Board ensures that the Trust’s mission and values are reflected within our school community. It monitors how well the school is performing, supports the school's unique ethos and curriculum, and provides reports to the Trust Board on local priorities and progress. In fulfilling these duties, the LGB serves as an important link between the Trust Board and the local community, including parents, pupils, and staff.
The LGB operates in accordance with the Trust’s Scheme of Delegation, which outlines the division of responsibilities between the Trust Board and local governance.
Together, the Trust Board and the LGB ensure effective governance that prioritises pupils' learning, safety, and wellbeing in all decision-making.
Further information about the governance structure and committee terms of reference can be found on the GLT website -
Governing Board
The chair of the LGB is Paula Kitching and can be contacted via the school office.
Local Governing Board Members:
Paula Kitching-Rees
Chair of Governors, SEND and Pupil Premium
Paula Kitching (Rees) has two children at Great Missenden School and became a parent governor in 2019. She is an historian and education consultant who has worked and works with charities, community groups, government departments and veterans’ organisations. In recent years she has helped to set up the GM school History Club and enjoys making history accessible to all. When not working in the heritage and charities sectors, she spends her time with her friends and family, especially her children in a variety of activities. She can be found on early morning walks around the Chilterns, often for a bit of foraging and investigating some local history.
Chris Marks
Chris joined the team of Governors in April 2022. He has worked in the education sector for over 20 years, having started as a secondary music teacher in Great Missenden. He has subsequently held several senior leadership roles within schools and is currently Director of Primary Education for a Trust based in Hertfordshire.
Steve Shingfield
Steve has two children attending Great Missenden CofE School. He is a big 4 trained Chartered Accountant with almost 20 years of experience, holding many permanent and advisory roles in the leisure and travel sector. He can be found on Tuesday nights throwing a rugby ball around on Prestwood common and on weekends on the side lines of a junior football pitch. Other than sport, Steve is passionate about the importance of personal finance education and supports it as part of the national curriculum.
Mike O'Farrel (Safeguarding Governor)
Mike is a local resident whose younger son, now 49, previously attended the school. He spent 37 years working for an American multinational company before transitioning into the healthcare sector in his late 50s. In 2011, he chose to return to full-time study, completing both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
He is actively involved with St Peter and St Paul Church nearby, and another of his interests is professional sport. He served as Chairman of Middlesex Cricket, based at Lord’s, for six years until 2023.
His background and previous roles have given him a strong appreciation of the importance of providing a safe and supportive working and learning environment at every level.
Staff Governors
Johnny Magee– (Ex Officio) Head Teacher
Johnny Magee became Head Teacher of Great Missenden School in September 2019. Before joining Great Missenden, he was Deputy Head Teacher at Bedgrove Junior School, where he was also a governor. Johnny is originally from Northern Ireland where he managed two large restaurants and studied music at University of Ulster. He spent a year after university leading a nursery at a children's home in South Africa.
The Revd. Malcolm Chalmers - (Ex Officio) Vicar
Vicar of the Benefice of Great Missenden with Ballinger and Little Hampden.
Meeting Dates 2025/26:
The LGB meets each term and the dates for the meetings this academic year are:
· Autumn Term: 25th November 2025
· Spring Term: 8th January 2026
· Summer Term: 22nd April 2026
Statutory Information
As a school within the Great Learners Trust, we are required to publish key governance information so families can clearly understand how our school is supported and overseen.
Our school follows the Trust’s Scheme of Delegation, Local Governing Board (LGB) Terms of Reference, and the Trust’s Governance Structure. These documents explain how responsibilities are shared between the Trust and the school, the areas of focus for governors, and how governance works across the Trust. All of these documents are available to view on the Great Learners Trust website.
Every governor also completes an annual Register of Interests to ensure transparency regarding any personal or professional connections. We also publish the Governor Attendance Record for the previous academic year so families can see each governor's level of engagement in LGB meetings. These documents are both available to view below.