Mrs Elaine Arthur

Foundation Governor

Elaine joined the Governing Body in September 2020. "I am proud to live in a village with a brilliant school - it is in fact the reason we chose to move here! As part of the governing body, I would love to use my experience from both the UK and Australia in teaching, advertising and education publishing, to help the school continue to be remarkable for its pupils, staff and local community."

Rev Rachel Blanchflower

Ex-officio Foundation Governor

Revd Rachel joined the Governing Body in January 2019 when appointed priest for the Benefice of Great Gransden, Abbotsley, Little Gransden and Waresley.

Due to her C17th predecessor, the Revd Barnabas Oley, founding the school, Revd Rachel's role is ex-officio – meaning, ‘I’m afraid you don’t have any choice about having me on board!’ But Revd Rachel is thrilled to be part of supporting staff, teachers and children to flourish and be the very best they can be.

Highlights of her job include taking Collective Worship, visiting classes as the Lead Governor for RE, and welcoming the school to lead services in our churches. Revd Rachel’s particular role on the Governing Body is to look to how we hold our passion and integrity for living distinctively, imaginatively and inclusively out of our Christian foundation, serving our local communities and wider world with values and a vision that make a difference. In her former life, Revd Rachel worked for the NHS, sitting on several governing and leadership bodies, and managing a variety of strategic and operational projects.

Dr Sally Boss

Parent Governor

Rev Juliette Brown

Associate Governor

I moved to Great Gransden to serve as a Curate in the Bluebell Benefice, working alongside Revd Rachel. The two of us frequently visit the school, mostly to lead Collective Worship on a Monday or Tuesday; it always brings me joy whenever the children pass me in the village and say, “Hello Reverend Juliette!” I previously trained as a Licensed Lay Minister with the Diocese of Ely and Ridley Hall in Cambridge, with a focus on working with children & families, and I also have experience as a Churchwarden and Parish Safeguarding Officer. Before moving into ministry in the Church of England, I worked in management in the hotel sector.

Mrs Cathy Davis

Co-Opted Governor

Cathy joined the Governing Body in June 2022. Cathy says "I have had a long and varied teaching and administrative career, teaching in several different primary schools in Leicestershire, before moving to a large international school in Sweden. Here I worked with the International Baccalaureate curriculum as a Reception Class teacher and Learning Support teacher before becoming Deputy Principal. I have a passion and enthusiasm for education and learning and welcome this opportunity to be part of education moving forward."

Mrs Michelle Downes

Headteacher

The Headteacher chooses to be a full voting member of the Governing Body. 

I became Headteacher at Barnabas Oley in September 2018.  However have worked at the school in different capacities since 2006.  As well as Head teacher I am responsible for many areas across school including being the school Special Educational Needs Coordinator, leading PSHE and the schools designated safeguarding lead.  I have had the privilege to work in many school during my career in different counties; London, Surrey, Leicestershire and Cambridgeshire -teaching across many year groups.

Lily

Co-opted Governor

Mrs Alison Heywood

Co-opted Governor 

Mr John Jefferies

Parent Governor

John was born in the Lt Gransden and first set foot inside the school in April 1968, when he joined Mrs Laycock’s reception class.  The school has been at the heart of our community for over 350 years and John will work to preserve this link. His two girls who are currently at the school are the 11th and 12th members of his family to attend the school.  John has significant prior experience as a governor of another local primary school, serving as a govenror there for nine years, fiven of which he was chair of governors .  He currently runs the family farm and other businesses in Lt Gransden. The farm produces wheat for the milling  as well as for the breakfast cereal industry. Other crops include malting barley and oilseeds.

Brigid Collett

Deputy Headteacher 

Thomas Sheerer

Parent Governor

Mr Sebastian Kokelaar

Co-opted Governor

Sebastian joined the Governing Body in September 2020.  He is a barrister specialising in commercial law.  He lives in Great Gransden with his family in the house that the school's founder, Barnabas Oley, built for himself after the Civil War.  Inspired by Oley's example of service to his local community, Sebastian is pleased to be able to contribute to the vital work of the Governing Body in supporting and engaging critically with the school's leadership.

Mr Thomas Owen

Parent Governor

Thomas joined the Governing Body in June 2022. He says, "my parents were both teachers and so I have seen first-hand the hard work that goes into ensuring a positive educational experience for our children. As a partner in a consulting firm, I want to bring my experience in the corporate world and channel it into serving the school to the best of my abilities. It is essentially the heartbeat of this community that my family has joined and I want to help to continue the trend of the already impressive achievements." Thomas has a daughter that he hopes can attend the school in a few years' time.

Dr Stephen Pleasance

Co-opted Governor

Steve joined the Governing Body in September 2025. He has lived locally since 1995, in the village itself since 2010 and his daughter attended Barnabas Oley. He now has two granddaughters who have both started primary school and is keen to understand and share in their school experience.

Steve is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and his primary interest and expertise is in science. Retired following a career in the pharmaceutical industry, he has a broad knowledge of science and technology and its application in the life sciences. As a founder and Managing Director of a science-based company he also offers business and finance skills.

He brings prior experience of secondary school governance to Gransden, having been a Science Link Governor at Cambourne Village College (2014-2021) and a member of both its Finance and Teaching and Learning Committees.

Steve is keen to make a positive contribution to the Governing Board in helping the school achieve its goal of high-quality education for all pupils.

Mrs Stephanie Reardon

Chair of Governing Body

Authority Governor

Stephanie joined the Governing Body in February 2018 as a parent governor. She became the Chair of Governors in September 2019, when she also became the Local Authority Governor. “As a governing body, we must ensure there is crucial oversight of our school and support it to overcome challenges and foster excellence for current and future children, ensuring that each child has the best possible opportunity to achieve their potential”. Professionally, Stephanie is the CEO of a national safeguarding organisation, providing training and consultancy services across a range of sectors. She has worked extensively to support statutory agencies (such as the police, education, and NHS), voluntary and community sector services and private sector organisations to make improvements to the way they respond to children and adults at risk of harm, violence and abuse.

Miss Amelie Beattie

Clerk (non-Governor)

I joined as Clerk to the Governors in March 2026. I have a strong interest in education and am proud to support the governing body in helping the school provide a positive and successful learning environment for all children.