Governing Board

Our Governing Board consists of the Headteacher and 8 governors. We currently have 2 vacancies.

Deborah Pargeter

Chair of Governors

I have worked in education for over 30 years, as a Teacher,
Headteacher, Executive Headteacher and Associate Her Majesty ‘s Inspector (HMI)
working for Ofsted. I retired from Headship in 2021 and have a small consultancy
business working as a School Improvement Advisor.

In my free time I volunteer for organisations including working as a Trustee for the Great
Brickhill Charity Trust, Home Cook for Unity MK, Member of The Crofty Multi-
academy Trust (Cornwall) and as a ‘listener’ for The Samaritans.

I have been the Chair of Governors in an interim capacity at a number of
schools as they have transitioned through from weak or no governance to
establishing a functioning board.

My strengths are in leading improvements in the academic, social and emotional
outcomes for children and she has a strong knowledge of educational systems, the
National Curriculum and the Ofsted Framework. I have led and/or advised to
several local schools in the Houghton Regis area and have a good working
knowledge of procedures at the local authority and at a national level.

Stacey Bartlett

Vice-Chair

I have worked for Local Authorities for 13 years, including roles in Learning and Development, School Admissions and Housing. I have lived in Dunstable for over 25 years and am an active volunteer in the community, which includes supporting the local parkruns and regular volunteering for a Good Neighbour scheme. I have a master’s degree in Social Work and an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Counselling.

I joined as a Governor for the school in 2021, and am proud to continue to support the school through its successes and challenges.

Rajneet Parmar

Headteacher

I have worked at Houghton Regis Primary School for 8 years, previously as the Deputy Headteacher and now as Headteacher. I have been teaching for approximately 18 years in various schools across Hertfordshire, Luton and Central Bedfordshire in both teaching and leadership roles. I feel passionate about ensuring all children are provided with the correct skills to achieve their full potential in order to help them become well-rounded citizens for the future. As educators, we have the privilege of shaping each child’s future and I am deeply honoured to be part of this exciting journey. This shared ethos is a key driver of our Governing Board meetings and the governors are also committed to ensuring the well-being of our children and staff is at the forefront.

In addition, I am a Lead Mentor for the Chiltern Training Group, where I provide support to mentors and their trainees as they undertake their teacher training.

Following on my previous years in a role as an Associate Governor, I am looking forward to joining the Governing Board as a Headteacher to shape the direction of the school.

Alice Rogers

I am a Year 6 Teacher at Houghton Regis Primary School. Four years ago I started working here as a Cover Supervisor, gaining classroom experience across KS1 and KS2. I have since worked across Year 5 and 6 as a Teacher. Before starting my degree in Education Studies, I worked with children in nursery and reception. Whilst studying for my degree, I worked as a Teaching Assistant for four years at a school in Luton. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring new countries and spending time with family and friends. This is my first experience as a Staff Governor. I look forward to taking on this new role and sharing my school experience.

Samantha O’Connell

I am one of the schools Parent Governors. I work full time as a driving instructor which I have done since 1996. Doing my job gives me an understanding of teaching methods and how everyone learns differently, and adapting the teaching to suit their needs. I believe that my skill set helps me as a parent governor.

Being a part of the governing board allows me to work with the school to ensure that all of the children can achieve their potential along their school journey.

Amy Knights-Allen

I have worked in Finance for a number of years and when my eldest daughter was born I spent 6 years working in childcare.

I have 3 daughters at the school and this is my first experience as a school governor. I am pleased to be able to work with and for Houghton Regis Primary School.

Luke Davis

My name is Luke and I am proud to have been born and raised in Luton where it has given me an opportunity to learn about many different communities. I grew up in Sundon Park and went to Lealands High School. After realising that I have a strong passion for swimming I decided in 2016 to take the plunge and work for the UAE’s leading swimming academy. Upon returning to the UK, I continued my teaching journey and became a secondary school teacher. working as a teacher also gave me the understanding how a school operates and some of the challenges that they face.

During lockdown in 2020, this allowed me time to reflect, and I rediscovered my passion for swimming. Swift Swimmers was founded, on a mission to empower the next generation of swimming with a life skill in a friendly, fun and safe environment. With a combined love for education and swimming in 2023, Swift Training Academy Ltd was founded on a mission to make vocational training accessible to all. We now have 910 swimmers across our programme weekly and we have over 30 staff members.

I believe that all young people should be given access to a high quality education and if this can be achieved, all young people have the same opportunities to succeed. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to be a governor at such a wonderful school and look forward to continuing my journey as a governor.