Current Governors

The Governing Body exists to provide strategic oversight to the way the school is run and to be accountable for the decisions made by it. We have one over-riding purpose: to help make Fitzmaurice the best place for our children to learn.

Details of attendance and terms of office can be found at the bottom of the page.

Simon Futcher - Executive Headteacher   Simon Futcher - Ex Officio - Executive Headteacher 

I have the enormous privilege of being the Executive Headteacher across Fitzmaurice Primary School, Westwood with Iford Primary School and Churchfields, the Village School. All schools are proud members of Palladian Academy Trust.

I have worked in a number of schools and taught every primary age group from nursery to year six. Before taking up my current role in January 2024, I have had substantial successful experience as both a Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher of small village and large city schools.

I have also served as a governor in many schools for a period exceeding twenty years so am fully aware that the relationship between the governing body and leadership team is pivotal for ensuring the ongoing success of any school. This takes the form of the Local Governing Committee being a ‘critical friend’ to support yet challenge the leadership team to ensure we provide the best possible education for our pupils.

  Fran Stevens - Trust Board Appointed Governor - Chair of Governors

Fran has a background in education, having worked as a secondary school teacher for twelve years, before having children. She joins the Governing Body for Weswood with Iford and Fiztmaurice Primary Schools as a Parent Governor, as her two children now attend Fitzmaurice Primary.  Having moved to Bradford on Avon in 2017, Fran is passionate about cooking and food writing. She is a recipe writer for a Wiltshire-based magazine, as well as running her own food blog. More generally, she works as a copywriter. 

 Abigail Thorpe - Trust Board Appointed Governor - Vice Chair

Abigail is delighted to have joined as a Community Governor for Fitzmaurice and Westwood and Iford Primary schools. She has a daughter who attends Fitzmaurice Primary School and after a career as a Primary school teacher, she now works as a private tutor, teaching children online internationally. Abigail  and her family have lived in the local area for five years, following eight years in New Zealand.

 Liz Parry - Community Governor 

Liz Parry has been a governor of Fitzmaurice Primary school since 2022 and Westwood with Iford since the Local Governing committee combined. 

Liz  has lived in Bradford on Avon for ten years and is a local General Practitioner and parent to three children who all attend Fitzmaurice Primary School.

 Alex Ladnor - Staff Governor

Alex Ladner is new to the governor’s team, starting this year and joins as a staff member from Fitzmaurice school.

He is in his third year of teaching at Fitzmaurice having recently passed his ECT last year.

 Abby Kean - Parent Governor 

I am a Parent Governor with a child in Year 5 at Fitzmaurice. I worked in secondary education as a science teacher for twenty years. I now run a Counselling practice in Bradford on Avon and Bath working with children, young people and adults.

 Jo Holden - Parent Governor 

Jo joined the governing body in 2025 and is a proud parent of a child attending Fitzmaurice. She is committed to supporting the school community to ensure every pupil has the opportunity to thrive and enjoy their primary education. She has lived in the local area for nearly five years and works as a communications consultant.

 Jo Hill - Associate Governor - Head of School FPS

Jo has been working at Fitzmaurice since September 2012 as the Deputy Headteacher. She has been Head of School since September 2022. Jo has over 30 years teaching experience and has taught every primary age group from reception to year 6.