School Governors

Our school is proud to be part of Crofty Education Trust, the governance of which is the responsibility of a Board of Trustees – chaired by Mr Mike Hosking.

Crofty Governance – Crofty Education Trust

Our school has a Local Governance Committee (LGC) – this is a committee of the Board of Trustees. Our Local Governors are all volunteers and have an important role in supporting and challenging our school leaders to achieve the best possible outcomes for every child in the school.

Governors are responsible for monitoring the schools’ arrangements for Safeguarding and progress towards their School Development Plan. Governors do this by speaking with pupils and staff and by receiving regular reports from both the Headteacher and the Trust about their progress.

Governors also have a responsibility for engaging with stakeholders – parents, pupils and staff – so a range of views can help shape the future of everyone within the wider Crofty Education Trust community.

If you are interested in becoming a governor at one of our schools, please contact our Governance Coordinator: Contact – Crofty Education Trust

You can contact the Chair of Governors by emailing: karen.brokenshire@croftymat.org

Copies of Local Governance Committee minutes are available from the School Office, upon request.

Pennoweth Local Governance Committee – Membership, Register of Interests, Attendance Updated: August 2025

Appointments – Staff governors are elected by school staff, Community governors are appointed by the LGC

 

GOVERNOR’S NAME POSITION GOVERNOR

CATEGORY

 TERM OF OFFICE

From/To

 REGISTER of INTERESTS ATTENDANCE

2024/2025

Karen Brokenshire

 Chair Trust Appointed 24/7/25

23/7/27

 Daughter in Law Trust Employee

Daughter Governor at Lanner School

 0/0
Ann O’Hagan Parent –

Appointed

 31/01/24

30/01/28

 Parent

Redruth School Employee

 6/6
Peter Howells Parent –

Elected

 21/07/23

20/07/27

 Parent

Wife is Pennoweth School employee

Director Cornwall Cricket Board (2017)

 6/6
Sarah Johns Parent –

Elected

 28/09/23

27/09/27

 Parent

Director Cornwall Electrical Contractors Ltd

 6/6
Sarah Shami  

Vice Chair

 

 Parent –

Appointed

 01/09/23

31/08/27

 Parent 4/6
Olivia Mather-Crane Staff 10/12/24

09/12/29

 Crofty MAT employee 3/4
Eleanor MacQuarrie Community 14/5/25

13/5/25

 Headteacher Stithians School

Pennoweth Executive Head is Stithians

School Improvement Partner

 2/2
Previous members (last 12 months)
Daryl Riches Staff 8.5.24

31.10.24

 Crofty MAT employee 1/1
Deborah Reeve Chair Community 28/09/22

23/07/25

 Redruth Town Council Councillor

Redruth 2000 (Charity)

Redruth & District Chamber of Commerce

Gwealan Tops Adventure Playground

 6/6

Karen Brokenshire – Chair of Governors

Karen has an extensive background is in Education.

In her early career she taught across a range of schools working in different management and leadership roles to finally become headteacher. On leaving headship she became an Associate Adviser for Edison Learning working on the NAHT Aspire TLIF programme.

As an experienced headteacher she contributed to the NPQH programme and was also an Associate Adviser for Cornwall Association of Primary Headteachers, (CAPH) delivering leadership training and supporting schools with their improvement. Karen was an active member of an Independent Advisory Board for a school in special measures and worked as a Challenge Partner for a local Multi Academy Trust.

In recent years she has developed her role as governor making a positive contribution to schools within the MAT. She is currently the Trustee Lead for Governance within the Trust.

I can be contacted c/o Pennoweth School, Drump Road, Redruth, Cornwall, TR15 1NA

Sarah Jones – Parent Governor

I’m proud to support Pennoweth as a Parent Governor, a role I hold with great enthusiasm and dedication. Growing up in Redruth and now running a local business, I’ve always felt strongly about supporting our community. As a parent of two children at the school, I am committed to ensuring that Pennoweth remains a positive, inclusive and supportive environment for all students. I bring to the role my experience working in various businesses where I’ve learned the importance of collaboration, planning and open communication, which are essential in supporting the school’s success. I am committed to working collaboratively with Parents and Staff to help shape decisions that benefit and support the growth and development of our students, ensuring they thrive academically, emotionally and socially.
On a personal note, I am a crazy cat lady! I love coffee, eating out- especially Thai food, sparkly things and am often found with my head in a book! I spend the majority of my free time with my husband and young boys, exploring the beaches and our local area and parks!

 

Sarah Shami – Community Governors

Sarah is a qualified primary teacher with 14 years’ experience working within Education. Sarah has experience of working with a wide variety of families and children within the Redruth area. Sarah has a passion to hear each child’s voice and ensure they feel loved and safe. Sarah believes if these fundamental needs are not met, then children cannot access learning or be ready for the world so this must come first. Sarah is a firm believer in teamwork and when the whole team including the child, parents/carers and other agencies have the same passion and goal, barriers can be broken down and magic can happen! Sarah has worked within the Education Welfare Service for over a year and has thoroughly enjoyed working with schools, families, young people and other professionals to ensure barriers to attendance and education are broken down. When Sarah is not working, you can find her baking, enjoying a book snuggled on the sofa (with chocolate in hand, of course!), on the beach spending quality time with her husband and two sons or getting wet on the side of a football pitch for her eldest son and building train tracks with her youngest son.Sarah loves chocolate, music, reading, beach walks, Harry Potter, Black Books, Gavin and Stacey and a big roast dinner! Her speciality is huge Yorkshire puddings!Sarah hates baked beans, being disorganised, being late, rudeness and slow drivers!

Ann O'Hagan

Ann O’Hagan – Parent Governor

I am a Qualified Teacher with 24 years’ experience at working in educational settings, 14 years’ experience in leadership roles.  I have extensive knowledge and understanding of Autism and teaching; with a vast amount of experience in Outreach, mentoring and delivering continued professional development sessions.

My husband grew up in Redruth so we had a strong connection here and as a family we decided to moved from London to Cornwall in August 2023.  My children joined Pennoweth School in September 2023.  I was enthusiastic about sharing my knowledge and skills and supporting Pennoweth in its educational journey, so I decided to volunteer as a parent Governor.  I really enjoy supporting the school in this role.

On a personal level I enjoy spending time with friends and family.  We especially love going to the glorious beaches in Cornwall and visiting our friends and family in London.