The Governing Body welcomes you to the Ashleworth Church of England Primary School website.
The Governing Body works hard to support the Headteacher, teaching staff and pupils with the aim of ensuring that Ashleworth Church of England Primary School is able to provide the best possible education for our children and to prepare them for life in modern Britain. School governors are people who wish to make a positive contribution to children’s education. Together with the head teacher they set the future direction of the school and decide how the school’s budget should be spent. Governing bodies make decisions collectively on matters such as school policies and the school’s development plan and act as a "critical friend" to the school. It is important that governor have all the information they need to properly carry out their role and so we attend Local Authority training courses and purchas an annual subscription for governors to access online training on a range of topics.
The members that make up the Governing Body are chosen by the local authority, the community, staff and parents. All our Governors have their own careers and responsibilities but they dedicate time to the school when they are able. Some are able to be in school on a regular basis, whilst others bring financial and legal expertise, strategic planning and more practical skills. All are hugely valued!
As well as sharing a common desire to be involved in supporting the school, the Governing Body have statutory duties by which they are legally bound. The Governing Body is ultimately responsible for all matters relating to the school including teaching and learning, safeguarding, health and safety, staffing, premises and ensuring financial accountability and sustainability. The full governing body meets once every half term. Two committees (Teaching & Learning and Resources) meet to consider more specific areas of curriculum, finance, staffing and wellbeing.
If you have any concerns or issues that you would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact the Chair of Governors, Victoria Barnes, or indeed any of the governors listed below:
For full details of Governing Body membership, roles & responsibilities, attendance and register of interests, please see:
My family have lived in Ashleworth village for over 22 years. My husband, Rupert Barnes, was born in the village nearly 60 years ago, and our children went to Ashleworth Primary School.
I was a teacher for nearly 30 years and a deputy Special Needs Coordinator. I have taught at both Primary and Secondary schools around the country.
I was thrilled to be asked to be a Governor over 2 years ago, and thoroughly enjoy being the Foundation Governor, with a focus on developing the religious character and Christian Vision of the school; it is a huge privilege. I am very much involved with the local church as well as other activities in the village.
Roles: Chair of the Governing Body
If you are interested or would like to find out more about becoming a Governor, please contact the school for more information.
Gloucestershire County Council Consultation on the closure of Ashleworth C of E Primary with effect from 1 April 2027
What are we proposing for Ashleworth C of E Primary and why
Ashleworth C of E Primary is a 4-11 Church of England voluntary controlled primary school.
The school currently offers 8 Reception places each year with a total capacity for 56 pupils. In May 2026 there were 15 pupils in attendance, however, as of 1 September 2026, there were no pupils on roll.
Families are choosing alternative schools in the local area, and the ongoing low numbers of pupils have limited what the school can offer in terms of a broad, balanced and effective education and an appropriate peer group. The social development of pupils is a key issue.
An Ofsted inspection in March 2026 (report June 2026) placed the school in special measures. If a school is placed in special measures, it means that Ofsted has judged that the school is not providing an acceptable standard of education. This does not mean a school is unsafe, nor that children should move schools, but it does mean that aspects of the school’s provision require urgent action.
As a result, Gloucestershire County Council considers that the school is no longer viable and is now seeking feedback on a proposal to close the school as of 1 April 2027.
What happens next?
Responses received will be put together into a report for the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills. She will then consider everything that people have said to help decide on the future of Ashleworth C of E Primary School.
If the Cabinet Member decides that the best option is to close the school, Gloucestershire County Council will publish a statutory notice with proposals for the school to close on 1 April 2027. There will then be a further 4-week period for people to respond to the proposal before a final decision is made in February/March 2027.
You can also give us your comments by emailing: [email protected] or by posting a copy of the questionnaire to:
Ashleworth C of E Consultation
Education, Planning and Development
Shire Hall
Gloucester GL1 2BR
You can also complete the questionnaire on our website at: https://haveyoursaygloucestershire.uk.engagementhq.com
Completed questionnaires must reach us by 5pm on Tuesday 10 November.
Gloucestershire County Council has a commitment to protecting personal information. All answers will be treated in accordance with the Data Protection act.