Ranelagh Primary School
Our Governors
The Role of the Governing Body
The Governing Body at Ranelagh Primary School plays a key strategic role in supporting the school to provide the best possible education, opportunities and outcomes for all pupils.
Governors work closely with the Headteacher and school leadership team to provide appropriate support, challenge and oversight. Throughout the academic year, governors monitor the school’s priorities and development through meetings, school visits, discussions with staff and leaders, reviewing information and data, and engaging with the wider school community.
The Governing Body’s work is closely aligned with Ranelagh Primary School’s strategic priorities. These include rapidly improving the quality of teaching and learning, accelerating progress and raising attainment for all pupils, strengthening leadership at all levels including governance, embedding robust curriculum planning, delivery and assessment, and ensuring that resources are used effectively to support the school’s strategic goals.
Governor visits and monitoring activities provide an opportunity for governors to gain a first-hand understanding of the school, celebrate its strengths and achievements, and identify areas where further support, challenge or development may be required.
The three core functions of the Governing Body are to:
1. Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
Governors work with school leaders to ensure that Ranelagh’s vision, values and strategic priorities remain clear and focused on securing the best possible outcomes for pupils.
2. Hold school leaders to account for educational performance
Governors provide appropriate challenge and support to school leaders, monitoring the quality of education, pupil progress and attainment, leadership and management, safeguarding and the effectiveness of the school’s improvement priorities.
3. Oversee the financial performance of the school
Governors ensure that the school’s finances and resources are managed effectively, responsibly and sustainably, with spending aligned to the school’s strategic priorities and providing value for money.
The Governing Body also maintains oversight of key areas including safeguarding, health and safety, SEND, curriculum and assessment, staff wellbeing, financial management and engagement with pupils, parents, staff and the wider school community.
Through this strategic oversight, governors support Ranelagh Primary School in its commitment to continuous improvement and to ensuring that every pupil is supported to reach their potential and move confidently into the next stage of their education and lives.
Governors Profile
Gary Morgan
Chair of Governors
I was raised in Lancashire and relocated to Suffolk in 2016 following a successful career in senior management, which has taken me across the UK in a variety of leadership roles. I am a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), Institute of Directors (IoD), and Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). I also serve as a mentor on the Institute of Leadership and Management programme, supporting the development of emerging leaders and strengthening professional practice.
Having previously served as a school governor, I found the experience both professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling. This reinforced my commitment to supporting high-quality education within local communities.
I was therefore pleased to apply for the role of governor at Ranelagh, as I strongly believe in the fundamental importance of local schools in shaping young people's aspirations, outcomes and future opportunities.
As a governor, I seek to contribute my strategic leadership, governance and people-management expertise to support the Senior Leadership Team in achieving the school's vision and objectives. I have a particular interest in strengthening the provision of resources to support ongoing modernisation, ensuring that the learning environment remains inclusive, forward-looking and well equipped to meet the evolving needs of pupils and staff.
Outside of my professional and governance responsibilities, I value spending quality time with my family, walking through the Suffolk countryside with the dogs and pursuing my passion for aviation, including flying light aircraft and occasionally taking part in some aerobatic flying.
I graduated with a degree in Classics before beginning my career in the technology industry. I initially worked as a developer before moving into project management within the financial services sector.
In the 1990s, I joined a small start-up company and was part of its growth into a FTSE 250 organisation. During my time there, I held a number of senior positions, including membership of the executive committee, where I had responsibility for Human Resources, as well as a senior client relationship role.
I have previous experience as a school governor, having served on the governing body of a local-authority school in Croydon. During my time there, I chaired the Finance Committee and subsequently became Vice-Chair of the full governing board.
When I moved to Ipswich, I wanted to continue contributing to the education of children within my local community. I was therefore very pleased to have the opportunity to join the Governing Board at Ranelagh Primary School.
I am particularly keen to use the experience and skills I have developed throughout my professional career, together with my previous governance experience, to make a positive contribution to the school and support its continued development.
I am married to a retired headteacher and have three adult sons.
Lucy Matthews
Vice Chair of Governors
David Plowman
Finance Lead Governor
I am now retired after a working life that included a management career involving customer service, HR and Finance.
I was born in Chantry and have lived in the area for most of my life. Having a strong connection to the local community, I am pleased to be able to contribute to Ranelagh Primary School as a governor.
As a Governor, and particularly in my role as Vice Chair, I wish to support the school in achieving its vision and values. It is important to me that every pupil at Ranelagh enjoys their education and is enabled to become the best person they can be.
I believe this can only be achieved by ensuring that the school has the necessary resources in place and by providing appropriate support to pupils and staff at all times.
I am honoured to have been appointed as the Headteacher of Ranelagh Primary School in October 2025. My journey with Ranelagh began more than 20 years ago when I joined the school as a volunteer. Since then, my journey has been one of continuous learning, professional growth and an ever-deepening passion for our school and its community.
Originally from Russia, I qualified as a teacher of German and English as a Foreign Language before moving to the UK in 2002. I subsequently completed my SCITT Primary training in Ipswich and went on to gain a Master’s degree from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge.
Throughout my time at Ranelagh, I have been privileged to work in a wide range of roles. My journey has taken me from volunteering in the school to becoming an Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and Senior Leader of Education in Suffolk, before taking on the role of Headteacher.
Beyond school, I have always been actively involved in the wider community. I have worked as a translator and interpreter, served as a trustee for the Race Equality Council and helped to establish the Russian Supplementary School in Ipswich. For the past five years, I have also led “Achievers” Supplementary School, supporting children for whom English is an additional language.
I speak four languages and, in my spare time, enjoy travelling, reading, painting and swimming.
I am deeply proud to lead Ranelagh — a school and community that have played such an important part in shaping my life and that continue to inspire me every day.
Olga Hopper
Headteacher / Associate Governor
Heidi Austin
Parent Governor
I have had two children attend Ranelagh School and have been a parent governor since 2015.
As a parent, I value the inclusivity and strong sense of community at Ranelagh. I love that our children are encouraged to learn and achieve across all areas of their development, and I particularly value the wide range of opportunities they are offered in music, art and sport.
These opportunities help children to build their skills, confidence and ability to work alongside one another. I believe this has a positive impact not only on their personal development, but also on their learning in the core curriculum subjects.
I am proud that our children feel happy and safe at Ranelagh and that they want to come to school. As a Governor, alongside our wider strategic responsibilities, my primary area of interest is the development of learning and opportunities for disadvantaged children.
Outside of school, I enjoy reading, going to the cinema and spending time with friends and family.
I have worked in primary education for many years and retired from headship in 2016.
Following my retirement, I continued to support schools and the wider education community. I worked with West Ipswich Teaching School as a Project Manager, providing school-based support and continuing professional development for education professionals.
My particular areas of experience and interest include the Early Years and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). I have supported schools and practitioners in developing their practice and improving outcomes for children.
I have also worked with Ipswich Research School as a Research Director, supporting practitioners from a range of educational settings to engage with evidence-informed research. This work has included supporting schools to use research and evidence effectively to strengthen teaching and learning, with links to the Ipswich Opportunity Area.
I am pleased to bring my experience of primary education, school leadership, professional development and evidence-informed practice to my role as a governor at Ranelagh. I hope to use this experience to support the school in continuing to provide high-quality education and opportunities for every child.
Eileen Allpress
Co-opted Governor
Liz Woods
Co-opted Governor
I spent 20 years working in retail management, mainly in London, before moving to Ipswich and becoming involved in supporting refugees and asylum seekers through a local charity.
After volunteering with the charity for two years, I joined the organisation as an employee and went on to become Advice Service Manager. I remained in this role until my retirement at the end of 2023. During this time, I worked closely with statutory and voluntary-sector organisations to support newly arrived families, including families arriving through government resettlement schemes.
I also chaired Suffolk Healthwatch’s Diversity and Inclusion Group for four years. Through my professional and voluntary work, I developed a strong understanding of the importance of inclusion, community engagement and working in partnership with other organisations.
My experience has also given me an appreciation of the demands placed on teachers and the important role that schools play within their local communities. I am pleased to be able to bring this experience to my role as a governor at Ranelagh.
As a governor, I hope to support the school in providing an environment where both children and staff can thrive and fulfil their potential. I am particularly interested in supporting the school’s links with its wider community and helping to ensure that Ranelagh continues to be an inclusive and welcoming school for everyone.
Outside of my governor responsibilities, I enjoy yoga, walking in the Suffolk countryside and reading.
I have worked at Ranelagh Primary School for over 30 years and, during that time, have developed a broad and diverse range of knowledge, skills and experience through working in many different roles across the school.
My experience includes working as a Nursery Nurse, a Teaching Assistant across Key Stages 1 and 2, and providing one-to-one support for children with additional needs. These roles have given me a strong understanding of the different needs of our children and the importance of providing the right support to help every child thrive.
I also have over 15 years' experience as a governor, having served in both a specialist school and an area support class attached to a mainstream primary school. This experience has given me a good understanding of the role of governance and the importance of working strategically to support school improvement.
Being a governor is important to me because I want to give back to the school, make a difference to the young people within our community and support the school's strategic direction for the future.
As Staff Governor, I believe it is particularly important that staff have a voice and are represented on the governing body. I value the opportunity to bring the experiences and perspectives of staff into our discussions and decision-making.
I am also a Mental Health First Aider, which has given me a wide understanding of the issues and challenges that staff can face on a day-to-day basis. I hope to use this experience to support the wellbeing of our staff and contribute positively to the wider school community.
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Jackie Sunderland
Staff Governor
Role
Governor
Role
Governor
Chair of Governors
Gary Morgan
ECT Lead Governor
Eileen Allpress
Vice Chair of Governors
Lucy Matthews
SEND Lead Governor
Eileen Allpress
Finance Lead Governor
David Plowman
Group A Quality of Education
Eileen Allpress, Liz Wood
H&S Lead Governor
Gary Morgan
Group B Behaviour & Attitude and Personal Development
Heidi Austin, Lucy Matthews
Safeguarding and Looked after Children Lead Governor
Heidi Austin
Group C Leadership and Management
Gary Morgan, David Plowman
EAL Lead Governor
Liz Wood
Data Protection Lead Governor
Lucy Matthews
Community and Engagement Lead Governor
Liz Wood & Jack Sunderland
LA Governor
Vacant
Head Teacher Performance Committee
Resources & Pay Committee
Teaching and Learning Committee
Chair – Lucy Matthews
Membership
David Plowman
Heidi Austin
Chair David Plowman
Membership
Lucy Matthews
Liz Wood
Olga Hopper
Gary Morgan
Chair Eileen Allpress
Membership
Liz Wood
Jackie Sunderland
Olga Hopper
Heidi Austin
Area of School/ SDP/ Monitoring
Governor or Group
When
Finance and Budget Monitoring
David Plowman
Termly
Health and Safety & Premises
Gary Morgan
Termly
Safeguarding
Heidi Austin
Termly
Community and Engagement with Stakeholders
Liz Wood
Termly
SEND and EAL
Eileen Allpress
Termly
Quality of Education
Group A
Termly
Behaviour & Attitude and Personal Development
Group B
Termly
Leadership and Management
Group C
Termly
Data Protection
Lucy Matthews
Termly
School Improvement Review & AEP Monitoring
FGB
Termly
Attendance
Jackie Sutherland and Liz Wood
Termly