School Governors
Our school is proud to be part of Crofty Education Trust, the governance of which is the responsibility of a Board of Trustees – chaired by Mr Mike Hosking.
Crofty Governance – Crofty Education Trust
Our school has a Local Governance Committee (LGC) – this is a committee of the Board of Trustees. Our Local Governors are all volunteers and have an important role in supporting and challenging our school leaders to achieve the best possible outcomes for every child in the school.
Governors are responsible for monitoring the schools’ arrangements for Safeguarding and progress towards their School Development Plan. Governors do this by speaking with pupils and staff and by receiving regular reports from both the Headteacher and the Trust about their progress.
Governors also have a responsibility for engaging with stakeholders – parents, pupils and staff – so a range of views can help shape the future of everyone within the wider Crofty Education Trust community.
If you are interested in becoming a governor at one of our schools, please contact our Governance Coordinator: Contact – Crofty Education Trust
You can contact the Chair of Governors, Caroline Sommerville, via the following methods:
Email: caroline.sommerville@croftymat.org
Post: C/O Pencoys Primary School, Loscombe Rd, Four Lanes, TR16 6RB
Local Governance Committee minutes are available from the School Office, upon request.
Pencoys Local Governance Committee (LGC) – Register of Interests, Membership, Attendance Updated: May 2025
Appointments – Staff governors are elected by school staff, Community governors are appointed by the LGC
| GOVERNOR’S NAME | POSITION | GOVERNOR
CATEGORY |
TERM OF OFFICE
From/To |
REGISTER of INTERESTS | ATTENDANCE
2023/2024 |
| Robert Bowden | Parent –
Appointed |
01/03/23
28/02/27 |
Parent Redruth School |
4/6 | |
| Eugene Clemence | Community | 09/09/21
08/09/25 |
Employee of Redruth School Freemason Mount Hawke Skate Park |
4/6 | |
| Jess Thomas |
|
Staff | 09/09/21
08/09/25 |
Trust Employee ParentArchbishop Benson CoE School |
6/6 |
| Frances Thurston |
|
Parent –
Elected |
26/01/24
25/01/28 |
Parent
St Andrews Church, Redruth |
5/6 |
| Rachel Cookson |
|
Parent –
Elected |
01/05/25
30/04/29 |
Parent | 0/0 |
| Previous members (last 12 months) | |||||
| Chloe Smith | Parent –
Elected |
13/02/24
20/10/24 |
Parent Employee of Redruth School |
3/3 | |
| Craig Walker | Vice Chair | Parent –
Elected |
13/10/23
15/05/25 |
Parent Enyas Odyssey Charity |
5/5 |
| Caroline Sommerville | Chair | Parent –
Appointed |
15/06/23
19/05/25 |
Parent | 6/6 |
Meet Our Governors
Please contact the school secretary for contact details of the Chair of Governors.
Frances Thurston
Parent Governor
Hi I’m Fran and I have been a parent at the school since September 2014 and a Governor since 2019. I have 2 children, my daughter, who has just moved up to secondary school from Pencoys and my son who is still here.
I enjoy being a part of the community and helping others. I run a weekly toddler group at St Andrews Church in Redruth, where I am also part of both the church council and the team who produces the Churches Festival of Arts each year.
In my spare time I am usually found curled up with a good book or movie, out with my family and friends exploring somewhere, or singing, dancing and laughing with one of the singing groups I am part of.
I am a positive person who likes to make things better for families living in our local area. I am looking forward to another year of governing at Pencoys.
Jess Thomas
Staff Governor
Hello, my name is Jess Thomas, and joined the governing body in September 2021 as the teacher governor.
I started working at Pencoys as a trainee teacher, in Year 4 with Mrs Johns, in 2010. I was only meant to be at the school on a placement for 10 weeks but over 11 years later, I am still here! I knew from day 1 that Pencoys was a very special school and I am very proud to work here alongside such dedicated staff.
I feel incredibly fortunate to live in Cornwall and, in my spare time, I can often be found exploring the outdoors with my young family. We love heading to the beach, woods or parks.
I am committed to supporting the children, families and staff of Pencoys as we continue to navigate through these uncertain times.
Eugene Clemence
Parent Governor
Robert Bowden
Parent Governor
Hi, I’m Rob, I have two children at Pencoys and have been a Governor since 2023. I was born in Redruth, and live in Redruth today, but have lived in other further away places in between, like Texas and Penzance.
I was a Teacher (Maths/Science) for ten years but left the career to move into IT. I’ve now been working in IT for eleven years and currently an Engineering Manager for a US based company, working in Software security.
I love being able to live and work in Cornwall and have my family grow up here. We can often be found walking and cycling around the area making the most of it rain or shine!
I am extremely fortunate to be able to be a Governor for Pencoys, representing Parents and Children in Governor Meetings, working together for the benefit of everyone.