Meet the Governors

Jen is a local Authority Governor and is also a parent of a child in the school. Jen uses the name Jennifer Kirman in her professional role as a Principal Lecturer at Oxford Brookes University, where she leads the Health Visiting and School nurse Postgraduate Diploma. Originally from Yorkshire, but residing in Oxfordshire since 2014, Jen has trained as a Nurse, Midwife and Health Visitor. Jen lives locally.

Ivo joined the Board in March 2023 as co-opted governor and has two children in school (Pre-school and Primary). He moved to the village with his family in 2022 after living for 15 years in London. Ivo is currently working for the Learning and Education department in Google, managing the global digitization program of Google Arts and Culture, creating “digital museums”.

His aim as governor is to bring his technical and artistic background into the conversations, as well as supporting the Financial Committee.

Neil joined the dedicated team at Longworth Primary School as Head in January 2016. He previously worked at schools rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. He is passionate about providing high quality education for children, where they are provided with excellent teaching and learning opportunities though a broad, balanced and creative curriculum and are equipped with skills and attributes to help them grow into well-rounded individuals prepared for life in the 21st Century.

Joey is the Year 5 and 6 Teacher, English Lead and Art and DT Lead at Longworth Primary School.  Before becoming a teacher a couple of years ago, Joey was a commercial property solicitor for approximately 16 years.  She has also been Chair of Governors at an Oxford primary school.  She sets high expectations for her class across a broad, balanced and creative curriculum making sure children increase their knowledge.  Joey enjoys helping children learn to read and bringing books into their lives.

Melissa Gleeson is a Parent Governor and member of Longworth Primary School’s Finance Committee.  She has over 16 years of experience working within the financial sector and is presently employed by a large banking conglomerate within the field of Trust administration. 

Melissa has two children, one of whom currently attends Longworth Primary; the other is due to start school in September 2024.  When Melissa isn’t spending time with friends and family, she enjoys outdoor activities, and creative pursuits.

I have lived in Oxfordshire for the last 7 years and  have worked in the secondary Education sector for 15 years. I am currently a secondary school Assistant Head with responsibility for the holistic curriculum in the school, ensuring that students have a range of opportunities to experience learning. This includes the opportunities that are provided through enrichment activities and extra curricular provision.  My passion is that every student succeeds in their own way when at school. I bring this into my role as a governor. I have a particular interest in sport and feel that young people when given the opportunity to be physically active can thrive in other aspects of life. 

Rebecca joined the board as a parent governor in 2025. She has worked in primary education in Oxfordshire since 2008, teaching across Key Stages 1 and 2 and undertaking a range of responsibilities, including curriculum leadership, deputy headteacher, and roles as both SENCO and Safeguarding lead.  Rebecca has previously been a staff governor on two governing bodies.

A resident of the village since 2022, Rebecca has two children currently attending the school and a younger child at home. She aims to use her professional experience to support the strategic direction and continued development of the school in her role as governor.

Originally from Wales, Tom has lived in the area since 2018 and joined the Governing Body of the school in 2026 as a Parent Governor. He has one child at Longworth Primary School.

Tom started working for the University of Oxford in 2019, and currently works in the university’s School of Anthropology. Tom hopes that his experience on the governing board and management committees of charitable organisations will help him to support the school’s aims and ambitions for the future.

Tom enjoys baking and gardening, and in his spare time leads a local bellringing group.

Varun is a primary school teacher, currently working as Deputy Head Pastoral at an independent day school in Abingdon. In this role, Varun oversees pastoral care, safeguarding, attendance, behaviour and mental health and wellbeing.

Prior to this, Varun worked in London in a variety of different primary school leadership roles, including Head of Maths, Year 1 and 2 Phase Leader, Deputy Head Academic, Deputy Head Operations and Assistant Head Welfare.

Varun is also a Team Inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate.