Governors Details

Name

Role

Bio

Jim King

(Chair of Governors)

Co-Opted

After graduating from Kings’ College, London, Jim began his career as a teacher in grammar, secondary modern and comprehensive schools becoming a member of the senior management team. He then joined the UK civil and diplomatic services, representing the UK in the USA, Canada and Europe. Jim specialised in conflict resolution and was involved in the Irish Peace Process. Subsequently Jim worked as a managing director leading global security risk management in a US investment bank with additional senior management posts in retail banking and commerce. A resident in the village for 44 years, Jim’s children attended CSPI and he has a granddaughter in the school now. He is passionate about all round excellence in education.

Nick Smith

(Vice Chair of Governors)

Nick joined the governing body in 2020 as a co-opted governor, and over his tenure has become a vice-chair of the governing body and chair of the Finance Committee.

Nick has built his career in the banking sector, and is currently the Chief Banking Officer for Alpha Bank London. His roles in finance and fintech mean that he specialises in overseeing the financial performance and technology provision for the school.

Outside of work, Nick is married with two children, who have both attended Chalfont St Peter Infant School. He’s a keen tennis player and avid football fan.

On life as a governor, Nick said “I’ve been fortunate enough to see both of my boys flourish in this school, and really enjoy trying to give a little back. The culture and spirit here is amazing, and I see my role as being to support the senior leadership in their goal to sustain and even further improve the brilliance of the school, and the fantastic academic start it gives to the children of our village.”

Sue Wallis

Local Authority

Sue Wallis joined CSPIS as the Governor for Special Educational Needs in 2017, having been a SENDCo in Bucks primary schools for many years. She enjoyed a varied teaching career; gaining experience in several education authorities and a range of schools. She was a secondary school English teacher (KS3), who moved into primaries (KS2), then taught infants (KS1) and English as a second language. Her many interests include the Arts, Humanities and the Personal Development of children; always teaching through a keen focus on the acquisition of Literacy and Numeracy skills, and a lifelong love of books.

Sue was pleased to take on the additional role of Pupil Premium Governor, to link into the excellent support offered to Disadvantaged Pupils and families. Having an awareness of barriers to learning, she added a Safeguarding Governor role, after Covid. She has had a long and happy connection with the infant school, first as a professional, then parent and grandparent; her daughter and grandson attended as pupils. She is proud that CSPIS always treats children as individuals, encouraging everyone to be ambitious and reach their potential.

Jenny Jobson

Co-opted

Jen joined the governing body in 2024. She has been a secondary school Geography teacher for over 20 years, taking on a variety of academic and pastoral leadership roles during her career, and currently serves as Head of Sixth Form. Jen is passionate about education beyond the classroom and has a particular interest in outdoor learning, which she champions through running her school's Duke of Edinburgh Award programme and through her belief in the value of resilience and independence in young people. She is also passionate about safeguarding, and is committed to ensuring children feel safe, supported and able to thrive throughout their time at school. Jen has three children who have all moved through CSP Infant school and are now settled into secondary education. Being a governor at CSPi means a great deal to her; it is a privilege to give something back to a place that has shaped her own children so positively, and to play a part in helping shape its future for the children who come after them.

Chris Thorne

Co-Opted

Chris is an educator with 18 years of teaching experience having taught Early Years and KS1 children in mainstream and independent schools. He is now Head of Years 3 & 4 and Head of English at Wetherby Prep School in Central London.

Katie Barr

Parent Governor

Katie Barr joined the governing body in 2019 as Chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee. Katie is a secondary school English teacher and is particularly interested in the creation and implementation of the EYFS and KS1 curriculum. Katie’s three children all attended the infant school and she loves the school’s ambitious yet nurturing ethos, which has seen her own children thrive. Katie is a very keen sportsperson, and particularly enjoys running and playing netball. She is very proud to be part of the governing body at CSPI because the SLT and Governors are always striving to provide the best educational experience for the children who are lucky enough to be part of it.

Co-opted