The core functions of the Governing Body at Decoy Primary School are:

• Ensuring clarity of the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school and nursery;
• Holding the executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and nursery and its pupils and the effective and efficient performance management of staff;
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and nursery and making sure that its money is well spent.
   

At Decoy Community Primary School and First Steps Nursery, we are very fortunate to have a good-sized, dedicated team of governors with varied backgrounds and experience who are skilled in their roles and extremely passionate about our school.

Meet the Governing Body

Benjamin Twittey - Co-opted Governor (Chair of Governors)

I joined the governing body of Decoy Primary School in February 2023 and was elected Chair of Governors in October 2023.

As Chair, I work with and meet with the headteacher regularly to promote and maintain high standards of educational achievement whilst ensuring the governing body sets a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction for the school.
Additionally, my role is to create and maintain a positive culture within the governing body.

I'm extremely proud to be Chair of our wonderful school and nursery.

The Chair of Governors can be contacted at btwittey@decoyschool.co.uk

Committee Membership: Business Management Committee and Learning and Wellbeing Committee.
 

Helen Murdoch - Parent Governor (Vice Chair of Governors)

I am a former Decoy pupil and am delighted to be involved again in a school which played a big part in my life. I have two children, Evie and Oscar and Evie will be starting reception in September 2022. I am a Town and Country Planner working for a local authority. My husband and I also run a business providing services to a number of the main UK theme parks.  In my spare time I enjoy reading, playing tennis, walking, baking and photography although with two children under 5 spare time is a rarity. 

I'm really looking forward to being a parent governor, many moons ago my father was chairman of the governors and he has provided me with inspiration to follow in his footsteps and get actively involved in ensuring that Decoy continues to go from strength to strength.

Committee Membership: Learning and Wellbeing Committee
 

Niki Glew - Parent Governor (Vice Chair of Governors)

I am the parent of a child in Decoy. I grew up in Newton Abbot and my family and I moved back here in 2021, after 30 years away. I have two adult children, one is a professional musician and the other a scientist. Having already taken children through every stage of the education process, I am enthused to be on the governing board for Decoy and to help improve outcomes for all children.

 My career has been varied and I have been fortunate enough to have always had fulfilling and challenging opportunities. I was appointed as a Communities Ambassador to work within the Communities Secretariat within the Cabinet Office, which I was lucky enough to do for 4 years, but in addition to this Central Government role, I have also worked for large non-government organisations and the private sector. I currently work for Teignbridge District Council. My extensive voluntary roles have included appointments as a Parish Councillor, Director of a disability charity and a school governor in a secondary school setting.

I am a passionate advocate of community cohesion and am a big subscriber to the idea that it takes a village to raise a child. A good school community nourishes each pupil, but an excellent school has the greatest potential to strengthen an entire community. Having served as a governor previously, I look forward to serving as a critical friend to Decoy and playing my part in creating a support for the head and the leadership team at this beautiful school. 

Committee Membership: Business Management Committee

Simon Barnes - Co-opted Governor

I serve on the Business Management Committee and my special interest is in how we help disadvantaged children and the library.

I was originally appointed as a parent governor. When my term of office expired I was co-opted by the governing board.

My background is in law and local government.

Committee Membership: Business Management Committee
 

Andrew McKenzie - Parent Governor (Chair of BM Committee)

I joined as a Parent Governor at Decoy Primary School in October 2021.   My daughter, niece and nephew all attend the school, as did my wife and her brother some 30 years ago!

With a career background in local government and most recently as a Town Clerk I am all too aware of the pressures faced by public sector organisations which can have such a big impact on all those who work in them, and not least those who stand to benefit the most from them – our kids!

I have developed a newfound respect for all school staff with the volume of benchmarking, analysing, planning, and delivering they have to do, not to mention the sheer knowledge they have to possess – it certainly has reassured me as a parent that our children are benefitting from great teaching at Decoy and I certainly hope I can do my bit to help ensure that continues in the years to come.

Committee Membership: Business Management Committee

Thomas Pearce - Co-opted Governor (Chair of L&W Committee)

I joined as a co-opted governor in early 2025. I have previously taught maths at GCSE and Level 3 for 8 years, including a period as subject leader for mathematics within a local college, and am now working in local government. I am currently the Chair of the L&W Committee.

I have always lived in or around Newton Abbot, leaving briefly to complete my degree in Aberystwyth. I am passionate about the importance and power of education, and I hope to be able to make some small contribution to the future success of this special community school.

Committee Membership: Learning and Wellbeing Committee
 

James Osben - Parent Governor

My wife and I have two daughters. Our eldest just started reception. I hope to support the School, parents and children as a parent governor. 

I am a Consultant Nurse in NHS Mental Health services. I have experience of leading NHS teams and delivering high standards of care. 

I have training in a range of psychological therapies and mindfulness. I love theatre. I directed Macbeth and I have performed in several of Shakespeare’s plays. I studied classical and modern acting in Bristol. 

I hope my skills, knowledge and experience means I have something useful to offer as a parent governor.

Committee Membership: Learning and Wellbeing Committee

 

Kate Ochiltree - Parent Governor

My daughter attended First Steps Nursery and has just started in Reception and is really enjoying her time at school. Our 2yo daughter is already on the list for First Steps! 

I have a wealth of experience from obtaining my Masters Degree (plus CIPD level 7) and working at a senior level in HR, but have chosen to step down to work at a lower level working term time only whilst our daughters are small. I currently work in a local secondary school; so familiar with KCSIE/safeguarding as well as surviving an Ofsted inspection. I hope to offer whatever useful skills I have to the school to support DCPS in continuing to reach high standards.

Committee Membership: Business Management Committee
 

Sally Herbert - Headteacher

Having grown up in Newton Abbot, I am delighted and extremely proud to have returned to the area as Decoy Community Primary School and First Steps Nursery's headteacher. The school is a truly special place to work - the pupils, families and staff provide a warm welcome to all. 

As a music graduate, I firmly believe in the importance of The Arts in education. I play the oboe in a local orchestra and love to sing in choirs. 

I have over 25 years of teaching experience and have been a headteacher since 2015. I have been the headteacher at Decoy Primary School since September 2022. 

Committee Membership: Learning and Wellbeing Committee and Business Management Committee

Scott Parnell - Staff Governor

I first attended Decoy school as a pupil, before returning (some years later) as a Teaching Assistant for 7 years and finally making the transition to teaching, with a degree in education. I have worked in both a supply and class teacher capacity at Decoy for over 3 years now and have enjoyed time in both KS1 and KS2.

This is my first time serving as a school governor and I am looking forward to enhancing my practice and knowledge through this experience, as well as serving the school community in a new role.

Committee Membership: Learning and Wellbeing Committee

 

Hayley Back - Associate Member

I am the School Business Manager at Decoy Community Primary School and sit on the governing body as an Associate Member of the Business Management Committee; responsible for presenting the budget and finances to governors and supporting the Chair and Clerk with back-office matters.

I am an experienced School Business Manager, having worked in multiple local authority maintained schools in this role.

Committee Membership: Business Management Committee

 

Pete Osborne - Clerk to Governors

I am the Clerk to the Governing Body.  I ensure that the governing body operates properly within legal frameworks, prepare and present vital data and provide professional support to the Chair, Headteacher and the wider governing body.

I am typically the first point of contact when you wish to contact a governor.

The Clerk to the Governors can be contacted at posborne@decoyschool.co.uk