Welcome to the Governors' Section.

Welcome from the Governing Board

The Governing Board 

The Governing Board of Tithe Farm Primary School is responsible for setting the direction of the school, holding the Headteacher to account and ensuring financial probity. Members of the Governing Board have been appointed on the basis of their skills, knowledge and experience.

What do we do?

We work closely with the Senior Leadership to drive improvement in standards, ensure the safety and well-being of pupils and staff and deliver the best possible opportunities for every child to achieve their potential.

The School Improvement Plan is the backbone to the work we all do together.

Our role is to provide a strategic overview, ensure accountability and constructively challenge and support how the School and its resources are managed. We carefully monitor progress and attainment. We agree targets, policies, priorities and budgets. 

Governors do not gain financially from any involvement with the governing board, it is a wholly voluntary role.  

Getting involved

Please do get in touch with us if you have any ideas, suggestions or questions. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Governing Board we would love to hear from you. We would encourage anyone with an interest to get in touch for an informal chat about how you can contribute your skills and experience to the Governing Board. Our meeting dates are published on the school calendar. The Chair of the Governors and any of the members of the Governing Board can be contacted via the School office email at office@tithefarmprimary.co.uk

Governor Diversity

As a Governing Board we feel that the diversity of our Governing Board reflects the cohort of our school.

Brian Mew - Chair - Co-opted Governor 

I joined the Tithe Farm Primary School Governing Board as a Co-opted Governor in June
2017, and have been Vice Chair of the Governing Board since 2020. It is now an honour to
take over as Chair from Jenny Gallucci with effect from September 2024. 

My professional background is that I am a qualified accountant with over 40 years’ experience in public finance, working for a range of local authorities at senior level, including Central Bedfordshire Council, both as an employee and as a consultant. I retired from the post of Chief Finance Officer for East Suffolk Council in March 2023, and am now working part-time as Clerk to Studham Parish Council.

Although originally from Hertfordshire, I have lived in the Houghton Regis and Dunstable area for over 30 years, and both of my daughters attended primary school in Houghton Regis.

As well as being Chair, I am currently also Chair of the Resources Committee; a member of the Curriculum and Standards Committee; a member of the Headteacher Performance Management Panel; and Link Governor for Health and Safety, Data Protection, and Pupil Premium.

As Chair, I will try as far as possible to build on Jenny’s excellent and invaluable work over the past few years, and provide as much support as I can to the Governing Board, the School Leadership Team, and the whole school community, as we look forward to continuing on our journey to being an outstanding school, providing great opportunities for all of our children.

Jenny Gallucci - Vice-Chair - Co-opted Governor

I was pleased to be invited to be an Associate Governor in November 2015 and to be appointed as a Co-opted Governor in 2017. I have been delighted to support Tithe Farm Primary School as a member of the Governing Board, acting as Link Governor for Training, for Health & Safety, and a member of the Headteacher Performance Management Panel.  In September 2024 I was elected as Vice-Chair and I look forward to the challenge as the school works hard to ensure the safety of all the children and staff post Covid-19.  I support our local community through volunteering roles, including Secretary of Houghton Regis Helpers and as a Public Governor for Central Bedfordshire at the Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. I have an MA in Education and as a retired senior lecturer in Health, Education and Social Care I have experience in life long learning and believe our children's learning and well-being are at the heart of everything we do.

Rachel Worsfold - Headteacher

I have been part of Tithe Farm Primary School since September 2018; whilst at the school I have held a number of roles, first as Deputy Headteacher, then Acting Head of School and now, from January 2021, Headteacher.  Being the Headteacher at Tithe Farm is a real privilege. Since qualifying as a teacher, I have worked across the primary age range, in Central London, Sheffield, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and now Central Bedfordshire. I am passionate about delivering the highest quality teaching and learning in an inspiring and challenging way so that outcomes for all children are improved.

As well as my role in school, I am a Local Authority Writing Moderator, working with schools across Central Bedfordshire supporting the assessment of writing in Key Stage 2.

I am committed to continuing our journey along the Tithe Farm Way, ensuring we deliver a high quality education which develops the children both academically, socially and emotionally.   

Susan Goodchild - LA Governor

I joined the Governing Board of Tithe Farm Primary School in 2005 and became the Chair in 2008, a position I held until 2020.  I am a local authority governor and it is a privilege to be able to volunteer my time, and work with my fellow colleagues on the Governing Board, to ensure that the children succeed beyond their expectations.

I am currently a Link Governor for Safeguarding, Quality of Education and a member of the Resources Committee.

I am an elected representative on both Central Bedfordshire Council and Houghton Regis Town Council, representing the Houghton Hall ward in Houghton Regis.  I enjoy working with, and on behalf of, my constituents and believe I have a deep understanding of the needs of the community I serve.

On Central Bedfordshire I am a member of the Adult Social Care, Health & Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee and the Corporate Parenting Panel.  On the Houghton Regis Town Council, I am a member of the Community Services Committee and the Environment and Leisure Committee.

I am currently a member of Luton Rights, which is a professional Advice Centre, with over 30 years of service to the community.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

Chloe Best - Parent Governor

I joined the Tithe Farm Primary School Governing Board as a Parent Governor in December. I became interested in the role following my child’s experience of joining the school as an in-year admission, which gave me valuable insight into the importance of strong pastoral support, clear communication, and inclusive school systems.

My professional background is in education. I am an English Teacher and Head of Year at a local secondary school, with responsibility for academic performance, behaviour and attendance, safeguarding, and SEND inclusion. In my role, I work closely with pupils, families, staff, and external agencies to support both academic progress and pupils’ wider wellbeing.

Although I work in secondary education, I have a strong interest in the transition between primary and secondary phases and the strong foundations built during primary school that support long-term success. I am particularly passionate about ensuring that all children, including those who join a school outside the usual entry points, feel welcomed, supported, and able to thrive.

As a Parent Governor, I aim to represent the views of parents, provide constructive challenge and support to school leaders, and contribute positively to the strategic direction of the school. I look forward to working collaboratively with the Governing Board and the wider school community to support Tithe Farm’s continued development in line with The Tithe Farm Way.

Sandra Gibbs - Co-opted Governor

I moved to Houghton Regis in 2012 and joined Morrisons after working for Sainsbury's for over 30 years as a licensed trainer. I  am proud to be part of the community not just in my private life, but also because of the part I play with in my job role as Community Champion.

I have an understanding of the children and schools in the area from the work that I do. 

Schools nurture the future of our world. It is important that they feel that they can come to a school and enjoy learning, no matter on their ability. I have a certificate of being a qualified trainer so understand that there are many different ways that children learn, and to find a good balance that will encompass all that is challenging in our society today,

Hopefully as a team the governors will be able to help with the changes that are happening along the way, to make Tithe Farm school the best we possibly can for the benefit of the pupils.

Abbey Ward - Staff Governor

I have been a part of Tithe Farm Primary School since 2019 but have been working in education since 2012. I have had numerous roles since starting at Tithe Farm including: Learning Support Assistant, SENDCO Assistant and since 2021 Early Years Classroom Teacher. Additionally, I am the Art Subject Lead which allows me the opportunity to work across the school to deliver an impactful and diverse Art and Design curriculum.

It is a privilege working with the children and staff at Tithe Farm while we are developing ourselves as a school, meeting the challenges after Covid and building partnerships in the community, in order to provide children with the best possible education. I am passionate about children’s early learning, developing positive relationships with parents and developing children into resilient learners that have strong aspirations. 

Saikat Chatterjee - Parent Governor

Since my child entered the Tithe Farm Primary School, I have been incredibly impressed with the care he has received, and the progress he has been able to make. My child, who is in year 1, entered the school in October 2023 after we shifted from Teesside, and within a very short space of time he has been enjoying his school life again. I am extremely keen to give something back to the school who have given so much to my child.  In terms of my skills and background - I started my career as a teacher and later was promoted to the post of Principal in an English medium school run by ICSE board (previously known as Cambridge board) in India and thus having 20 years of experience in field of education, work in business development, consulting and general management. As
Principal, I worked with Ministries of Education, innovative schools and educationalists.

I will advocate for a rich and creative curriculum, better communication, parental engagement and annual Parent Survey. I have a deep understanding of the needs of busy working parents in ensuring the welfare of their children in their academic setting and understand the challenges other parents and children with additional needs can face on a day-to-day basis.

Michelle Soper - Parent Governor

My name is Michelle, and I’m a mother of 2 who both attend Tithe Farm Primary. I also work full time as a store manager for Tesco. I would say I’m approachable and always looking to help anyone in any way that I
can whether that’s to help them grow, advise them or be an ear for.  I manage a team of colleagues in a fast-paced environment to deliver results on a daily basis; with this, I bring a lot of energy and ideas. I strive for perfection and ensure we are always making the right decisions. I also have a huge interest in the school system. School played a positive impact on me growing up, and it’s amazing to see how much it has progressed over the years. All for the better for our children and their futures, teaching values and giving them inspiration to achieve and believe; it would be amazing to contribute and be a part of that.

Ken Wattingham - Co-Opted Governor

I have lived in Houghton Regis all my life. I was brought up on Tithe Farm Road and I also attended what was, at the time, Tithe Farm Lower School, so I do hold the school close to my heart.  All my children attended this school when they were younger.

I love Houghton Regis; I enjoy being involved in the community.  I have been a School Governor before at what was Kings Houghton Middle School.  I was a Town Councillor up until May 2023 as well as becoming Town Mayor in 2018 – 2019, raising just under £10,000 for my three chosen charities. I am the current Chairperson of Houghton Regis Memorial Hall, which I enjoy doing.  Being able to provide a local hall for our residents to use on a regular basis, as well as communicating with various companies, applying for various Grants to enable work to get done within the hall to keep it in a good condition for people to use.  I’m also on the Executive Committee of the 1st/3rd Houghton Regis Scout Group, which I’m really enjoying being part of.  It enables me to help provide things for children to do and enjoy their childhood.

I've also been an advance First Aider for the SOS Bus in Luton until April 2023. I’m still a qualified First Responder Emergency Care (FREC3) First Aider which I’m looking to carry on with a private Ambulance Service at some point.

Whilst doing all this, I still find time to work full time at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital in the Accident & Emergency Department, which I thoroughly enjoy!

I am pleased to have joined Tithe Farm Primary Governors to be able to help continue the great work the school provides and, with some of my experience within the Community, I would like to put some of that to use within the school.

Laura Ellaway - Co-Opted Governor 

I was pleased to be Co-Opted onto the Governing Board of Tithe Farm Primary School by the Full Governing Body on 26th March 2025.

I have many useful transferable skills which I have gained from my previous employment history, including finance, legal, housing legislation and local council processes.

I am currently employed full time as an Independent Living Officer for Central Bedfordshire Council.

Previously, I have served as a school governor at both Kings Houghton Middle School and Harlington Upper School.

Although I was born and grew up in Luton, I moved to Houghton Regis 30 years ago where my daughter attended various schools in the Houghton Regis catchment area.

My involvement in education and governance has been driven by a passion for fostering learning environments that are nurturing and inclusive.

I look forward to working with the Governing Body and ensuring that Tithe Farm Primary School strives to be the best it can be, which in turn will ensure a great educational experience for its pupils which will set them on the road to success.

Former Governors

Zunaira Sabih - Associate Member. Term of office Feb 2022 - Feb 2026

Maryam Bilal – Parent Governor. Term of office Dec 2021 - Nov 2025

Edward Costello- Co-Opted Governor. Term of Office Sept 2023 - 7th April 2025