Role of Governors
The role of the Governing Body is an intrinsic part of the leadership of the School and is made up of 14 Governors from varying backgrounds to reflect the need for a wide skill set to reflect the many needs and requirements for School governance. All Governors are volunteers who work hard for the sole purpose of improving the education of all children within our School.
Governors work with the Headteacher and senior leadership team to produce and monitor the School Development Plan (SDP), setting out aims for the ensuing year. Specific responsibilities are allocated to individual Governors within the SDP and Governor visits to School are actively encouraged.
Each Governor is allocated to either the Staffing and Standards Committee, or the Buildings and Finance Committee. Each Committee meets termly as does the full Governing Body. Regular training is given to all Governors to ensure they are kept up to date with new regulations and are compliant with legal requirements.
The period of office for Governors is normally 4 years.
‘Inspiring Children to Shine’ is very much evident in the positive relationships within a School that encourages a lifelong love of learning and promotes respect and care for others. The Governors are proud of the progress made by pupils especially following the disruption caused by the Covid Pandemic.
Governing Body
The Full Governing Board meets three times a year, which involve all members, there are two sub-committees, Building & Finance (BF) and Standards, Staffing & Curriculum (SSC) which meet termly.
| Name | Governor Type | Term | Appointed by | Sub-Committee | Roles | Any other Educational Establishment Governed | Relevant Business Interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs. Louise Stuart-Smith | Staff Governor | 08/11/19 - 07/10/26 | Staff election | SSC | Assistant Head | None | None |
| Rev Dr Mark Bratton | Foundation Governor | 11/05/2009 Ex-officio | Diocese | BF | RE Link Pastoral Care | King Henry VIII Coventry | None |
| Mrs. Dianne Brooks | Clerk | School Leadership | Clerk | None | None | ||
| Mrs. Gaynor Parker | Trustee | 20/09/22 -20/09/26 | Trustees | SSC | English | None | None |
| Mrs. Rebecca Crow | Foundation Governor | 20/09/22 -20/09/26 | Diocese | SSC | Ofsted Priority 1 | None | None |
| Mrs. Tracy Drew | Headteacher | 10/09/2010 Ex-officio | Head | Head Teacher | None | None | |
| Mrs. Claire Farnell | Co-opted Governor | 01/10/17 - 30/09/25 | Governing Board | BF | Looked After Children Pupil Premium | None | None |
| Mr. Kevin Millward | Foundation Governor | 01/02/18 -01/02/26 | Diocese | BF | Chair of Governors Headteachers Performance Management Health and Safety | None | None |
| Mrs. Lucy Brown | LA | 10/0/24 - 10/10/28 | LA | BF | Buildings and Finance Vice-Chair Sustainability | None | None |
| Mrs. Caroline Henning | Parent | 16/11/20 - 16/11/24 | Parent Election | SSC | SEND | None | None |
| Mrs. Wendy Burns | Trustee | 25/11/22 - 24/11/26 | Trustee | BF | Safeguarding | None | None |
| Mrs. Christine Gough | Foundation Governor | 25/11/22 - 24/11/26 | Diocese | SSC | Maths | None | None |
| Mr. Michael Parker | Foundation Governor | 25/11/22 - 24/11/26 | Diocese | SSC | Christian Distinctiveness | None | None |
If you wish to contact the governors you may do so by sending a letter or email via the school office.
Further Information About Our Governors
Reverend Dr. Mark Bratton
“I am the Rector of Berkswell, St John Baptist and therefore the local parish priest. I lead worship once a week during term time and am Link Governor with teacher responsibility for overseeing the teaching of religious education. I am also a member of the Standards, Staffing and Curriculum Committee.”
Claire Farnell
“I was elected as Parent Governor in 2013 and am now a Co-opted Governor. I am a member of the Standards, Staffing and Curriculum Committee as the EYFS Link Governor. As a full time Mum to our two boys I am continually impressed by the outstanding social and academic education that our children receive at Berkswell. This has inspired me to take a more active role within the school. My professional career is in Human Resources specialising in recruitment and training alongside employee relations. Furthermore, my educational background studying theatre has lent me the opportunity to gain hands on experience in creative arts within an EYFS and KS1 setting. I strive for continuous improvement in our school’s educational and pastoral successes, and it is a privilege to represent our parents and be involved in the driving future successes for our children.”
Kevin Milward
“I am a Foundation Governor, Chairman of the Governors and Chairman of the Buildings and Finance Committee. I am a retired Chartered Accountant and Finance Director in the distribution sector. My connection with the School dates back to the early 1990’s when I was Chairman of the P.T.A. My three children were educated at Berkswell and I currently have two grand-children attending. Monitoring the financial performance of the School, in times of exceedingly tight budgets, as part of the Finance Committee, is a task I undertake with enthusiasm and diligence, using the skills and knowledge I have acquired over many years in business.”
Wendy Burns
“I have been appointed as a Foundation Governor and, having recently retired from Export Trading Business in my role as Company Secretary. I look forward to fulfilling this role and serving School to the best of my ability. Being an active member of the local community, through Church, School, Scouts, social and fundraising events. I have been associated with Berkswell School, since arriving in the area in 1981 and my own children were both educated here and have so many fond memories of their time at Berkswell. I was a member of the School PA during this time as well as helping out with Reading and other activities throughout the school to date.”
Caroline Henning
“I became a Parent Governor in September 2020. I am new to the role but so far really enjoying being able to contribute to our school community. I am a full time Mum to three boys, my eldest is currently in FS2. Before becoming a parent I was a children’s nurse and health visitor. I am now the link governor for children with special educational needs and I believe passionately that all children should be given the chance to reach their full potential.”
Lucy Brown
“Before having my two children, I worked as a solicitor for over 10 years, specialising in high value catastrophic injury claims, arising largely out of employer’s and/or occupier’s liability and highways incidents. I grew up in and around Berkswell and both of my children now attend Berkswell school, as have (or do) 6 of my nieces and nephews. My time now is very much invested in my family and rediscovering the local countryside, which I enjoyed myself as a child.”
Becky Crow
“I have been a foundation governor since October 2022. I was interested in the role as I am passionate about education and believe every child deserves the best education to meet their needs and fulfil their potential.
I was previously a Secondary School Teacher for 13years. During that time I had many different roles, I was a Geography teacher, Lead teacher for Gifted and Talented, Head of Geography and Head of Travel and Tourism, as well as being a form teacher and teaching other subjects such as History, RE and PSHE. I hope my experience and skill set will bring something valuable to the Berkswell Governing Board. I have two children and my daughter is currently a student at Berkswell. I am committed to the children of Berkswell to ensure they have the best possible experience.”
Christine Gough
“I qualified as a teacher in 1979 and have experience in both primary and state schools, Teaching music and general subjects in Primary and music in Secondary. Latterly, I ran a small private tuition business from home, teaching piano to all ages and maths and English to ages 6-11. have also worked for one of the examining boards for nearly 20 years, moderating GCSE Music coursework. I am now retired, apart from the examining work, but I wanted to retain contact with the education world. I decided that I would like to do this by supporting and encouraging the work at Berkswell school and I am finding this very enjoyable. Outside of education, I am heavily involved with Knowle Drama Group, both as actor and director and I am Assistant Director of Music at Berkswell Church. I have a family, with currently three grandchildren aged between 3 and 14.“
Gaynor Dye
In September 2022, I was appointed as a Trustee Governor of Berkswell School. My background, prior to this role, has been in education and leadership. I have worked in primary, secondary and FE settings throughout my career and have had extensive experience training new teachers as well as leading English and whole school literacy. I have a real passion for reading and feel that it underpins every subject in school as well as enhancing wider knowledge and learning. I write an article for the church newsletter called ‘Library News’ each month and I am part of a book group set up by teachers. I have four dogs and enjoy walking them with my husband Michael. I am very keen to be involved in school life and can offer a wealth of knowledge on reading and literacy.
Michael Parker
Michael is a Foundation Governor appointed by the PCC of Berkswell Church, where he is also one of the Churchwardens.
Most of Michael’s career was in education, mainly at a Church of England Comprehensive School in central London. This was followed by a period with the National Union of Teachers, later the National Education Union, supporting, representing and campaigning for teachers at Westminster.
Michael grew up locally in West Coventry, attending schools in the city.
In addition to his roles as a governor and churchwarden, Michael enjoys reading literary fiction, history and theology, and, under a pseudonym, has a presence in the world of cryptic crosswords. He is married to Gaynor. They live in Bannerbrook Park with their four dogs.