Governance at Leigham Primary School

Mrs Stacey Ferris - Acting Chair of Governors

Appointed 1.9.2023

Hello, I’m Stacey, I currently work as the Operations Manager at YMCA Plymouth. YMCA is a community organisation which specialises in Education, Health & Wellbeing, and Youth & Families. My professional journey at YMCA fuels my passion for quality education and the transformative power of community engagement. With over 13 years of diverse experience spanning Education, SEN, Safeguarding, Site Management, Health and Safety, and Finance, I've acquired a range of insights into effective leadership, strategic planning, and the vitality of collaboration. My educational background includes a degree in Sports Development and Teaching, complemented by ongoing studies toward a Level 5 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice.

I am also a proud mum to my beautiful daughter who attends Leigham Primary School. She is thriving due to the dedicated staff team at Leigham.

Mr Derek Walker- Vice Chair of Governors

Appointed 01/09/16-01/09/24

My children came through the school in the 1980s, I was really pleased with the school at the time and subsequently became a governor at Leigham Primary in 1991. I currently serve as vice chair of the governing body. I came from an industrial background working in industry for 34 years. This experience has been useful in the voluntary work that I do around the school. You will often see me around the school with tools in hand, ensuring the children have the safest and most motivational environment that we can provide. The school recognised my contributions by naming a room after me and in 2017 I was presented an award from the Lord Mayor for “Making a Difference” in Plymouth. My philosophy is that a bright and inspirational building will encourage the children’s learning. My main responsibilities are around Numeracy, Music and Physical Education. I am very proud of being associated with Leigham Primary School and proud of the work everyone puts in to deliver our core values of creating curious confident learners.

Mr Chris Band- Parent Governor

Appointed: September 2024

Hi, I’m Chris, a graphic designer working for an architect’s practice in Plymouth. Born in Leicestershire, we moved as a family to Plymouth when I was 5 years old and have always loved living close to the sea and countryside. I’m a keen mountain biker and can often be found getting muddy in the woods with fellow riders, and it gives me the time to reset from a busy home/work life balance.

After graduating from the University of Gloucestershire in 2004, with a BA in Graphic Design, I was lucky enough to secure a position with the company I now work for and have never looked back. During my career I’ve worked with a wide range of organisations, from the NHS (creating a 5-year Strategic document for the Derriford Hospital Site Services team) and local/regional education providers such as the University of Plymouth and University of Exeter, to SMEs in a wide range of sectors.

I’m a proud dad to two girls, both of whom attend Leigham Primary School and thoroughly enjoy being there; this is one of the reasons I wanted to become a Governor at Leigham. My wife is the Chair of FOLS (Friends of Leigham School), and so as a family we’re fully engaged with being involved with the school and helping wherever we can.