Governor List

I serve on the governing body as the Chair of Governors, but also as the lead  foundation governor appointed by the Diocese, supporting the school’s ethos and vision and its Christian distinctiveness, as well as its wider responsibilities and commitment to making a difference in every child’s life.  I  have many years experience in leadership in business and education. As part of my role I lead regular assemblies in school and work with the local faith community to enhance the school’s Christian distinctiveness. I am married with three daughters and two grandchildren. My youngest daughters attended Cossington and I have many special memories of their time in the school and the contribution that Cossington made to their personal development and character.

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Chair of Governors

Training Governor

Standards Committee

Finance, Personnel & General Purposes Committee

Curriculum  and Strategy Committee 

Performance Management Committee

Christian Distinctiveness Committee

Health, Safety & Safeguarding Committee

I am Vice Chair of Governors here at Cossington CE Primary School. I am a Co-opted Governor with 2 daughters both currently pupils at the school. I have worked in education since graduating with a Business and Marketing degree in 2000, first at Stephenson College in Coalville, then the University of Leicester and for the last 19 years at De Montfort University. It was this background that led me to enquire about joining the Board almost 5 years ago. Our former, and sadly missed Chair, invited me round to her house for a chat, a few hours later I found myself fully signed up. We are actively looking for new members so if you would like to get in touch for a similar chat then do, please let me know!

I strongly believe in the importance of the school community to develop and shape our young people. Through the giving of my time, I hope to support the Head and the wider staff to make Cossington the best it can possibly be academically, financially and as a safe positive environment in which to learn and thrive.

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Vice Chair of Governors

Finance, Personnel & General Purposes Committee

Standards Committee

Pay Committee

Headteacher

I have been a teacher at Cossington since September 2014 and I have served as a Staff Governor since September 2017. I sit on the Curriculum and Christian Distinctiveness Committees. I enjoy being an active part of the wider school community and I feel it is important to support the governors to appreciate the day-to-day experience of school life from a staff point of view. I have worked in primary schools in Leicestershire and abroad for over 18 years and bring this experience to the board. 

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Christian Distinctiveness Committee

Standards Committee

I have worked as a Teaching Assistant at Cossington since 2001. Both my children attended the school, my youngest leaving in 2005. I wanted to be able to support the school that gave my children such a good start to their education. Outside school I am a member of a local netball team, a book club and am interested in environmental issues.

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Finance, Personnel & General Purposes Committee

Health, Safety & Safeguarding Committee

Pay Committee 

I became a community Governor of the school back in 2011. Living in Cossington I liked the idea of being a link between the school and local community.

I taught for the first twenty years of my career in local secondary schools, in 2001 I left teaching and joined the family business which I ran until I retired in 2021.

This is now my fourth term as a governor at Cossington, during my tenure I have served on many committees and held several different roles, hopefully, with my experience I can help mentor some of the newer members in their roles.

Currently I am vice chair of the Standards Committee and serve on the finance and pay committees.

I hope in some small way, by giving my time to these roles, I can help the school become the best version of itself as is possible.

Standards Committee

Finance, Personnel & General Purposes Committee

Pay Committee

I am a professional Mechanical Engineer working in the Energy Systems sector in decarbonisation, knowledge management and leadership development. I undertook my PhD in biomechanics and learning, have an Executive MBA, and am a qualified Executive coach. Throughout my career, I have been involved in school STEM activities and has coached gymnastics for 24 years.  I also hold a certificate in higher education after lecturing at Loughborough University for 4 years in the Mechanical and Manufacturing department, and have over 10 years’ experience in direct line managements and complex project management.

I have a passion for education, and my wish is to not only give back to the education system, but help ensure all school children at Cossington C of E Primary School leave with the continued thirst and desire for education which I still hold.

Standards Committee

Curriculum and Strategy Committee

Performance Management Committee

I work as an IT manager for a couple of local Secondary Schools. I'm a foundation governor and also have children at the school.

Christian Distinctiveness Committee

Health, Safety & Safeguarding Committee

I joined the Governing Board in June 2022 as Parent Governor and sit on the Standards and Curriculum committees. I applied for the role as was keen to represent a parent's view, offering my time and experience to support to the pupils, parents, staff and to make a difference to our local community. I have worked in the retail industry for 20 years, in a variety of commercial and project management roles.  

Pupil Premium Governor

Standards Committee

Curriculum and Strategy Committee 

Performance Management Committee

Rosie Smith 

I'm a co-opted governor, invited to join because of my background in finance. I've been living in Cossington since 2000, and I want to contribute to our local community. Both of my sons went to the school, and back then, I was a parent governor.

I’m a professional economist and have an MBA. My career has been in finance and economics, working in the public sector on a national level, and I’ve also sat on boards and committees at universities and small private companies. I believe that education has the power to change lives, open doors, and help us understand each other better. The school’s values align with my own, and I’m proud to be one of its governors.

Finance, Personnel & General Purposes Committee

Catherine Minouge

I have worked in education for over 20 years in various roles, including Teacher, SENCo, Early Years Specialist, and Assistant Headteacher. I currently support schools across Leicester City as a Social, Emotional and Mental Health Teacher, and I am studying for an MSc in Psychotherapy with a person-centred approach. I am passionate about creating inclusive and supportive learning environments where all children can thrive and enjoy coming to school. 

I have two children at Cossington and feel incredibly lucky to be part of such a warm and nurturing school community. Becoming a Parent Governor is a way for me to give something back, using my time and experience to support both children and staff in any way I can.

Standards Committee

Curriculum and Strategy Committee 

Elaine Constable 

I was co-opted as a school governor in early 2024 after expressing an interest on Leicestershire County Council’s website. I have over 40 years experience working within local government in both education & social care settings. Having recently retired I wanted to look at ways in which I could give something back by sharing my skills and knowledge to benefit children & young people in my local community.

 I have worked for local authorities in a number of different settings including Inner London Boroughs and far more rural Shire Counties. This has mostly been within Safeguarding & Improvement and Quality & Inspection. I want to be able to make use of these skills to ensure that Cossington C of E Primary School provides a safe and supportive environment for the children who attend the school so they can achieve their potential during their formative primary years. 

Health, Safety & Safeguarding Committee

Clerk to Governors

I have spent the past 10 years working from home supporting a wide range of organisations and I am currently working with clients for whom I am responsible for a diverse range of projects, including HR, event management and servicing strategic level meetings.  I have worked as a clerk to governor bodies at various primary and secondary schools for over 7 years and have been at Cossington since 2018.

I am self motivated with well developed project management and IT skills combined with a flexible attitude to work.  I am a strong team-player and have developed these skills working with colleagues and external agencies including DfE, Ofsted and the London 2012 Olympic Bid.