Governors

 

Each school has its own governing body. Governors have considerable responsibilities, but governors don't exercise them as individuals. They work as part of a governing body - a corporate team They do not manage the day to day operations of the school - this is the role of the Headteacher and senior leadership team.

 

The role of the governing body is to undertake 3 core functions;

• Ensure clarity of visions, ethos and strategic direction
• Hold school leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and it's pupils and the performance management of the staff
• Oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent.

 

The governing body is made up of local authority representatives, parents,school staff and members of the community. The way a governing body is made up is set out in the school's Instrument of Government. The governing body at Shephalbury Park meets regularly and the minutes of each meeting are made available in the school office for parents who wish to see them.

Our instrument of governors are:

 

2 Parent governors

 

1 LA governor

 

2 Staff governors (including the Headteacher)

 

5 Co-opted governors

Melissa Brackley: Chair

Classification: Parent Governor

Term of Office: September 2017 - August 2021

Areas of Interest: Finance & Resources Committee, PPG, safer recruitment, pay, exclusions

I have been a parent governor at Shephalbury Park Primary School since 2017. I have two children at the school, my eldest started in September 2013. I have lived in Stevenage most of my life, moving away for just a couple of years when I graduated. I have worked in the public sector for 18 years in emergency planning and business continuity roles for a fire brigade, local authorities and the NHS. As I work full time and am not able to be at the school every day, becoming a governor felt like the best way to use my experience and support the school. I feel very privileged to be a governor.

 

 

Jemma Beedell- Vice Chair

Classification: Co-Opted Governor

Term of Office: February 2019 - February 2023

Areas of Interest: Standards & Pupil Welfare Committee, EYFS

I have two sons, one of whom attends Shephalbury Park and one who is in secondary school. I have worked with young children in a variety of roles including teaching Reception and Key Stage One in primary schools and more recently, childminding. I joined the governing body early in 2019 and am enjoying using my background in education to help support the school.

 

 

Ben Conway

Classification: Headteacher

Term of Office: September 2019 - 

Areas of Interest: Finance & Resources Committee, Standards & Pupil Welfare Committee, Governor Visits

I am very proud to be the Headteacher of Shephalbury Park Primary School. I am keen to use my experience to further develop the learning community at Shephalbury Park, enabling everyone to reach their full potential.

I am an experienced school leader and educator, having held a variety of positions in a range of schools in Enfield and Hertfordshire. This includes a range of subject and year leadership, deputy headship, consultant work and acting and interim headship roles. In addition to this, I have been a governor in another Hertfordshire school for the past 5 years.

 

 

 

Phil Bibby

Classification: Local Authority Governor

Term of Office: September 2016 - August 2020

Areas of Interest: Finance & Resources Committee, exclusions, complaints, safer recruitment

I have been a school governor since 2009, when I joined the Governing Board of The Leys Primary and Nursery School in Stevenage, where I have gained much experience in all aspects of the governors’ role. Working with Herts for Learning as a Strategic Leader of Governance, I also support other Governing Boards, and am the Interim Chair for Shephalbury Park, whilst the new board settles in since Defederation.

Although retired from my banking profession, I am a Borough Councillor for Stevenage, and was a Herts County Councillor between 2009 and 2013.

I am married to Cathy, who has retired from North Herts College, and she is actively involved with St Nicholas Church, the PCC and Deanery Synod. Cathy also treads the boards at the Lytton Players.

We are both keen golfers at Knebworth Golf Club, and regularly attend Odyssey Health club, whilst my earlier sporting activity was tennis, where I used to be a qualified referee, running junior and senior county tournaments.

 

 

Heather Heritage

Classification: Co-Opted Governor

Term of Office: September 2016 - August 2020

Areas of Interest: Finance & Resources Committee, SEND, equality & inclusion

I have lived in Stevenage all my life, even when at University I returned home during holidays and at weekends!  I work locally in Financial Services.  I find volunteering both within schools and at Stevenage Choral Society very rewarding.

I have been a Governor at Shephalbury Park Primary School since 2011.  Initially I was elected as a Parent Governor.  Both my children have now left the school, but I was asked to remain on the Governing Body when the school defederated from Longmeadow in 2016.  I feel very privileged to be a Governor here and am happy to continue in my role to help the school community reach its full potential.

 

 

Barry Rust

Classification: Staff Governor

Term of Office: September 2018 - August 2022

Areas of Interest: Standards & Pupil Welfare Committee, mental health and well-being, more able, GDPR

I am the Staff Governor for Shephalbury Park. I am thrilled to be able to help out and really hope that my experience from my time as a scout leader and the group executive will stand me in good stead to make a positive contribution to the running of this fantastic school.

 

 

Sarah Fenton

Classification: Parent Governor

Term of Office: June 2018 - June 2022

Areas of Interest: Finance & Resources Committee, pay, exclusions, sports premium, English

As a parent governor since 2018, it’s a privilege to support Shephalbury Park on its journey to achieving excellence! I am committed to being an effective member of the governing body to support the organisation and leadership of the school.

My background is in audience development working for and with the biggest media brands, publishers and broadcasters in the UK.

 

Amy-Louise Collard

Classification: Co-Opted Governor

Term of Office: February 2019 - February 2023

Areas of Interest: Standards & Pupil Welfare Committee, safeguarding, online safety

Bio to come

 

Sandra Butler

Classification: Co-Opted Governor

Term of Office: September 2017 - August 2021

Areas of Interest: Standards & Pupil Welfare Committee, creative curriculum

Bio to come

 

Cameron Smith

Bio to come

 

Governor Attendance 2018-2019