Welcome to our Governors' section.

Chairperson: Mr Dan Hughes

The Local Academy Board (LAB) has three core strategic functions:

a. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;

b. Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the performance management of staff; and

c. Overseeing the financial management of the school and making sure that its money is well spent.

To meet these statutory obligations, the governors at MPPS work together closely as a team. We are here to support the school, the pupils, their parents and the local community. We all live in Malvern, and many of us have either children or grandchildren at the school. You will often find us in the playground and at school events, so please come and say 'Hello'.

While we hope it will never be necessary, should you as a parent or carer ever wish to make a complaint about the school, please be assured that it will be taken very seriously and will be investigated promptly. Every effort is made to resolve complaints as soon as possible. The Complaints Procedure can be found on the school website and the LAB wishes to stress the importance of following it. This will ensure the objectivity and independence of the governing body if, at a later date, it is necessary for them to become involved in resolving the complaint.  

Local Academy Board Strategic Vision 

The local academy board will uphold the school’s and DoWMAT’s vision and aims for its pupils, staff, parents and community, and act as a critical friend to both support and challenge when appropriate.

The governing body wishes to see a school with a strong culture of the highest standards and expectations for all, a Christian ethos, and truly inclusive values where all children, no matter their learning needs, can flourish.
We wish to see this supported through active links with the Trust, support agencies and the school’s wider community, and assured by robust policies, procedures and scrutiny to assure the best outcomes for everyone at Malvern Parish.  

Members of the Local Academy Board
 

 

Miss Martha Worthington
Headteacher

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Dan Hughes

LAB Chair
Foundation Governor (Curriculum and Outcomes) 

I was appointed as a Foundation Governor in September 2025 and have responsibilities for monitoring Curriculum and Outcomes, as well as Spirituality and Religious Education. My professional background is rooted in education: I spent around 14 years as a primary school teacher and currently work as a Principal Lecturer in Primary Education at the University of Worcester. In this role, I lead the PGCE Primary course and contribute to areas including primary English, PE, PSHE and R(S)HE. My academic interests include social justice and inclusive practice, and I have co-authored and edited a book on PSHE and R(S)HE, along with contributing chapters to several other publications.

I live in Ledbury with my wife Claire and our cat Monty. Outside of work, I enjoy alternative music, gigs, reading, and watching films. I’m also a keen runner and have recently completed two half-marathons.

 

Professor Barry Carpenter, CBE, OBE, PhD.

Foundation Governor (SEND & Pupil Premium)

Barry Carpenter is Professor of Mental Health in Education at Oxford Brookes University, UK. He is also Honorary Professor at universities in the UK, Ireland, Germany and Australia. He has been a Fellow of the University of Oxford. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine.
In a career spanning more than 40 years, Barry has held the leadership positions of Headteacher, Chief Executive, Principal, and Director of the Centre for Special Education at Westminster College, Oxford. In 2009, he was appointed by the Secretary of State for Education as Director of the Children with Complex Learning Difficulties and Disabilities Research Project.
He has served on the Carers Commission at the Department for Health and Social Care.
He is the author of over 150 articles and many texts on a range of learning disability/special needs topics. Recently, he co-authored a book on Children with Complex Needs.
Barry lectures nationally and internationally. In recent years, this has included China, Japan, Abu Dhabi, Norway, Australia and New Zealand.  He serves on the World Council of the International Society of Early Intervention.
He is the co-founder of the National Forum for Neuroscience in Special Education. For the Mental Health Foundation, he chaired the National Inquiry into the Mental Health of Young People with Learning Disabilities. He is currently chairing (for the National Association of Head Teachers) a working group looking at the needs of girls with autism, which will be the focus of his next book.
In 2001, he was awarded the OBE by the Queen for services to children with Special Needs and, in 2016, a CBE for services to the field of Learning Disabilities, nationally and internationally.

 

Miss Sarah Kilroy
Parent Governor

 

Reverend Roger Latham
Ex-officio Governor - Vicar of Great Malvern Priory
 (Safeguarding, Safer Recruitment & Prevent)

I have been Vicar of Great Malvern Priory since February 2025. Education has always been a large part of my life: I began my career as a secondary English and drama teacher, before feeling the call to ordained ministry. I spent ten years in parishes in Peterborough and in the Southern Lake District, during which time ministry to schools was a major focus, both in the classroom and in governance. I then spent fifteen years as a theological educator and trainer, as well as serving on Bishops’ leadership teams in Carlisle and Worcester diocese. I’m husband to Rachel and father to two grown-up daughters. In my spare time, I enjoy military history, walking, wargaming, science fiction and fantasy, and listening to a wide variety of music from gothic metal to medieval polyphony.

 

Reverend Dr Philippa Lowe
Foundation Governor (Spirituality)

I’ve been the Curate at Great Malvern Priory since June 2024 and was ordained Priest in Summer 2026. I’m married to John and we have a grown-up son. I’ve taught at the Open University and the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, as well as on specialist programmes for secondary age pupils. At the Priory, I’ve loved being involved with Lifepath, developing the 'Join the Christmas Story' Nativity and helping with the Christmas Tree Festival. In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, embroidery, East Anglia, church crawling and classical music.

 

 

Miss Jenny Kenny    
Associate Member

I am very proud to be part of the teaching staff at Malvern Parish C of E Primary School and am equally proud to be part of our school’s governing body. My aim is to share my perspective as a member of staff and to use my experience as a class teacher to support discussions during LAB meetings. I am entering my 10th year of teaching at Malvern Parish, where my role has evolved from being the reception class teacher to the Early Years and Early Reading Lead. I particularly enjoy ensuring that all children and their families feel welcome and happy as they begin their school life with us, where our main aim is for them to flourish in all areas of life and to prepare them for an exciting future. I hope that my positive and enthusiastic attitude is beneficial to my additional role as a LAB member.

 

Reverend Tristan Mitchell
Foundation Governor

I was ordained in June 2026 and serve as Team Curate in the Chase Team, which includes St Andrew’s Poolbrook, All Saints Wyche and Wells, and St Mary’s Pickersleigh. Before my role as curate, I worked in the IT industry for 20 years, doing everything from software development and testing to management and eventually directorship. I have been a volunteer youth worker in various church settings over the years and love working with young people as they discover more about their faith and where they fit into the world.
My three daughters all attended Malvern Parish but have now moved onto high school, so my wife Jan and I have been connected with the Malvern Parish school community for many years.
In my spare time I enjoy watching movies of all genres as well as long-distance running – the muddier the better!

 

Mrs Rebecca Watson   
LAB Vice-chair
Parent Governor (Early Years Foundation Stage)

 I was elected as a parent governor of Malvern Parish in July 2023. I currently have one child at the school. I work as a benefits officer for South Worcestershire Benefits and Revenues Department and have over 20 years’ experience within local government. I am committed to my governing role and enjoy being able to help contribute to the continued success of the school and community.

 

 

Mrs Kathryn Pickering 
Clerk to the LAB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• DOWMAT Articles of Association