Governors support school leaders effectively and ensure that the work of the school leads to sustained improvements in students’ achievement.
Ofsted
Our School Standards Board (SSB) meets once a term and provides the local governance function for Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre which fits within the overall governance structure of GLF Schools. Further information about governance at GLF Schools can be found here.
Our School Standards Board has the following core responsibilities:
- Strategic oversight of the education provision of the School
- Strategic oversight of compliance of the School with Trust Policies
- Supporting the Trust Board to ensure good governance across the Trust
The SSB is made up of individuals with a diverse set of skills and expertise which we effectively deploy in order to support the Headteacher in the formulation of strategic plans and policies for the short, medium and long term future of the school.
The Board
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Arttu Rajantie |
Chair of Schools Standards Board, Link for Science I was elected as parent governor in 2013. I chaired the Learning and Teaching Committee from 2016 to January 2020, when I became the Chair of Governors. I have two children currently at Highdown, and one already at university. Originally from Finland, I have lived in Caversham since 2005. I work as a professor of theoretical physics at Imperial College London. |
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Vice-Chair of School Standards Board, Chair of Audit Committee, Link for Maths My son studied at Highdown from 2012 to 2019. I joined the Governing Body as elected Parent Governor in 2017. In September 2019 I became Appointed Governor. I chaired the Finance Committee from January 2020 to September 2020, when I became Vice-Chair of Governors. Originally from Venezuela, between 2008 to 2010 I was Member of the Board of the International School of Caracas (Venezuela). In 2010, I moved to England and since then I have lived in Caversham. |
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Jocelyn Crowland |
Clerk to the School Standards Board Moving from Thame to Caversham in 2005, I joined Highdown in Sept 2014 working mainly with the data team – one of my jobs being collating and sending out the information parents receive in reports. I have to admit that my favourite days at school are when I help handing out the exam results envelopes to the student – love to see their faces when they realise their hard work was worth it. My twins are at university so I have time to take on this additional role. |
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Link Governor for Safeguarding and Curriculum I joined the governors as an elected parent governor in November 2020 and have just started a second term of office as an appointed community governor. I work at the University of Reading in Initial Teacher Education having previously been a secondary science teacher, and before that a research chemist. I enjoy working as a governor to help support and develop the strategic aims of the academy. I ask lots of questions to understand the reasoning behind decisions and the potential impact on staff and students! I am passionate about the provision of an enjoyable exciting curriculum that is accessible to everyone. |
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Finance, Staffing and Premises Chair, Link Governor for English, Careers and Sixth Form I was elected as a parent governor in April 2021, following 7 years on the governing board of a primary school where I was Chair of the Finance Committee. I have two children at Highdown. My role as governor is varied and I have been involved in interviewing staff, sitting on various panels, approving building projects and ensuring policies and guidance are adhered to. I work as a Tax Director at a large accountancy firm. Outside of this, I am a keen (if slow) runner and am Treasurer (and violinist) at Reading Symphony Orchestra. |
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Elizabeth McCrum |
Link Governor for SEND and Inclusion I have been an elected parent governor since November 2023. I have two sons at Highdown. I am an experienced school governor of primary and secondary schools, most recently having spent 9 years as a governor at Thameside Primary School, the last 4 years as Chair. I have an understanding of educational issues and experience of strategic leadership through my work. I am a Professor of Education and am on the leadership team of the University of Reading where I am responsible for teaching, learning and student experience. I represent parents on the Governing Body. I am really committed to and enthusiastic about the role and enjoy supporting all aspects of Highdown’s work. |
Marco Cuttin
Caroline Foulkes 
Meredith Miller 
Contact us
The Chair of our School Standards Board, Prof. Arttu Rajantie, or members of our School Standards Board can be contacted through the Clerk to the SSB, Mrs. Jocelyn Crowland, via email: clerk@highdown.reading.sch.uk.
Contact address: Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre, Surley Row, Emmer Green, Reading. RG4 8LR
Copies of approved minutes plus agendas and appendices may be requested from the Clerk, please email clerk@highdown.reading.sch.uk with your request specifying which meetings you are interested in. Please note that confidential (part 2) minutes will not be disclosed for privacy reasons. The Academy is entitled to exclude from any minutes any material relating to a named staff member or student of the Academy.
Responsibility for the operational / day-to-day running of the school rests with the Headteacher, Ms L Mathews. For issues related to this, there are established procedures and policies for making contact with the school.
Remuneration of employees whose benefits exceed £100,000
Remuneration of employees whose benefits exceed £100,000.
The Academies Financial Handbook 2021 requires that trusts must publish on their website the number of employees whose benefits exceed £100k, in £10k bandings. This is included in the schools’ financial statements for 2023/24 as below in the Highdown School Financial Accounts 2024.