Our Governing Board is filled with many experienced people with a wide range in skills and expertise and a key interest in ensuring that we give the children attending our school the very best. So, who are they? Have a read below.

Richy Irwin (Chair)

My name is Richy Irwin and I would like to introduce myself as the Chair of the School Governing Board. I am a serving RAF engineer and I have been part of the RAF Benson community since 2002 along with my wife Annette, who has also served at RAF Benson and more recently been a Civil Servant on Base.

Our 2 children have both attended the School and were both in mixed year groups 5 years apart, so I am acutely conscious of the situation we currently find ourselves in as well as the challenges and opportunities that are posed.

Having been a member of the Board for the last two years, my role as Chair will be to ensure that the Governing Board support the School Team to the best of our ability, while applying the scrutiny that you as parents would expect in accordance with the relevant legislation and regulation, so that the School continues to build on the excellence recognised by OFSTED and enables our young people to be the best that they can be.

We have a fabulous school and an amazing group of young people, many of whom I have already met through my visits and trips I have supported and I look forward to playing a small part in their ongoing development.

Laura Whitby (Vice-Chair)

Laura Whitby is an experienced People Development and Organisational Effectiveness leader with a strong track record in managing budgets and delivering strategic, high‑impact programmes. With a legal background and extensive experience in learning, talent, and capability development, she brings a practical, analytical approach to governance.

Laura has led complex projects across national and international teams, ensuring robust financial oversight and effective use of resources. She is passionate about creating supportive, ambitious learning environments that help our children thrive. As a Governor at RAF Benson Primary School, Laura is committed to helping the school achieve its goals and provide the best possible outcomes for its pupils.
 

Kim James MBE

Kim has worked in Education for over 35 years . Initially as teacher, moving into leadership in four secondary schools and subsequently 16 years in Senior Leadership posts  in three Local Authorities. Kim’s leadership work has spanned across Primary, Secondary, Special schools.

Currently Kim is working part-time as an Education Consultant alongside being a Governor in three schools and a Trustee in a large Multi-Academy Trust.

In the 2023 New Year's Honours Kim was awarded an MBE for ‘Services to Education’.

Will Mason

I have been proud to serve as a Parent Governor at RAF Benson Community Primary School since May 2024. With two children at the school and over 17 years’ service in the RAF, I value the opportunity to represent the perspective of service families who are at the centre of our school community. 

Although this is my first school governor role, I have embraced training opportunities to better understand school governance and strategic leadership. I feel privileged to contribute to decision-making that supports the school’s continued success and ensures the community needs are met.

Mark Winch

I have been a school governor for over 13 years and have held the Chair role in the Primary, Secondary and Special school sectors. I am currently the Chair of Governors at Oxfordshire Hospital School and at a secondary school in Reading as well as being a governor at RAF Benson Primary. I am also a Trustee at Cambrian Learning Trust, an Oxfordshire Multi-Academy Trust.

I have supported Oxfordshire County Council governor training and mentored a number of Chairs of Governors during my time as a governor. My background is in the NHS where I have held several board level roles with responsibility for governance, performance, organisational change and strategic implementation.