Chair of Governors
On behalf of Highworth’s Governing Board, I am delighted to provide you with an annual update about the school’s achievements and developments over the past year.
I would like to start by thanking Amer Khalil for his years of dedicated service to the school as a governor, and Chair of governors. I have had the privilege of working with Mr Khalil as a governor last year and learnt a great deal from his knowledge and experience of Highworth. It is therefore a great honour to be able to introduce myself as the new Chair of the Governing Board. I am an Ashfordian and had the privilege of attending Highworth before beginning my professional career first as a middle school teacher (Mathematics and History), SENCo and Inclusion leader, and then as a university lecturer and PhD supervisor. I have been a member of a number of charity and school governing boards, both at local and national level, but now, semi-retired, I feel I have the time and passion to dedicate to Highworth.
The governors’ priority will continue to be to deliver a high quality education, which will enable every student to realise their aspirations, and to have skills and experiences which will allow them to live fulfilled and enriched lives.
Receiving the outstanding Ofsted inspection report in January 2025 was extremely rewarding and confirmed the school was on a positive trajectory, but despite this result the school, led by the Headteacher, his Senior Leadership Team and the Governing Board continue to strive to improve outcomes for students through in-depth scrutiny of test results and close monitoring of progress. Teaching and learning enhancement and curriculum development, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), have also been priority areas for consideration.
International and curriculum trips, sporting clubs and societies, as well as whole school performances and events such as the Sound of Music and Christmas Carol Service led by dedicated staff continue to flourish, providing students with many opportunities to develop their confidence and enjoyment of what might become lifelong pleasures and activities.
Whilst Highworth’s financial position continues to be positive due to our robust financial planning and the work of the excellent finance team, once again, our Auditors have found Highworth’s accounts to be of the highest quality. The expertise of Lynn Wilson, the Finance Manager, and her team have played a significant role in this achievement.
Alongside ongoing maintenance work, new boilers have been installed in the Central and Pym buildings this year and a canopy for the outside of the VH building has been constructed. However, despite the excellent financial planning and ongoing building maintenance, funding challenges have required the school to commence a fundraising campaign to help support larger projects such as the replacement of the Astroturf and toilet block refurbishment.
The Governors and the Senior Leadership Team work in a transparent manner with regular communication, Committee meetings and the Full Governing Board. Our Student Governors continue to add a vital perspective to our Committees and Board, and their input is much valued. Our work is all expertly supported by our Clerk, voted by the National Governance Association ‘Outstanding Clerk to a Governing Body’, Cheryl Kuit.
The Governors have a wide range of professional skills and experience enabling the Board to meet and discharge its significant responsibilities, by both challenging and supporting the Headteacher and his Senior Leadership Team to ensure there is effective governance of the school.
It is therefore without hesitation that on behalf of the Governing Board I would like to thank all the staff for their commitment and dedication to the school, our enthusiastic students, parents and carers, alumni and Friends of Highworth.
Warm regards
Dr Sue Soan
Chair of Governors
To contact the Chair of Governors, please email Mrs C Kuit - Clerk to the Governors: