Wye Forest Federation Governors


There are many people in different roles working hard and working together to make our two schools of the Wye Forest Federation the best they can be. The governors may not be the first people you meet, and you may not see us very often – but we are a team of dedicated people who work voluntarily, behind the scenes, to ensure that your children flourish in our schools.

 

We are proud to be governors of these two village primary schools located in beautiful countryside in the Wye Valley. The heritage of the villages and the natural environment surrounding our schools are important to our schools’ identities and values.

 

The Federation has enabled us to preserve the best of both schools yet at the same time benefit both by sharing professional skills, leadership, governance, staffing and resources.

 

Both schools are Church of England Schools, closely affiliated with the Diocese of Gloucester. Drawing on their Christian foundations the schools are dedicated to serving the families of their Parish communities. Redbrook is small enough to create a family atmosphere. St Briavels is a larger school community closely tied to its village. An education that is true to its Christian foundation ensures we give priority to the spiritual, moral, emotional, social and cultural development of children, alongside their academic achievement.

 

What we do

 

As governors we have three important roles:

 

1 Setting Strategic Direction – we are involved in setting the aims and objectives for the both schools, planning ahead and making sure the right policies and procedures are in place.

 

2 Ensuring Accountability – we keep a close watch on the progress the schools are making. We also monitor the budget.

 

3 Acting as Critical Friend – we provide both support and challenge to the Headteacher and the teaching staff.

 

We hold meetings 6 times a year which all governors attend and we have two committees attended by a group of selected governors:

 

Ethos Committee

 

Staffing, Premises & Finance Committee

 

Governor meetings cover a number of different items of business:

 

Regular updates from the headteacher including information about all children’s progress, curriculum and staffing developments

 

Reports from each of the committees, including a budget update

 

Reports from governors with responsibility for safeguarding

 

Reviews of policies and procedures that need to be agreed

 

Reports of governor monitoring visits

 

Discussions about particular problems and issues with plans for actions and solutions

 

Hearing about the achievements and successes of children and staff, with acknowledgements and thanks to all staff for their work

 

We also regularly invite key members of staff to present to governors about their area of curriculum responsibility. This enables governors to keep well informed about teaching and learning across the whole curriculum.

 

Minutes of meetings can be made available to parents in hard copy only if requested.

 

Governor Visits

 

Each governor has at least one area of responsibility. Governors make visits into school in order to learn more about their link area and to help the whole governing body in making decisions that are well informed. These visits give governors an opportunity to have more contact with staff and children – creating a strong sense of connection and community. The wellbeing of everyone are at the top of our priorities for both schools.

 

Most of all we enjoy the occasions during visits when we can observe or talk with children. At the end of the day, the reason we give our time and work voluntarily is to see the children in our schools grow and develop to become young people who learn well - and who care for one another and the living world.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoMsVNRg3rc

 
Our clerk to the governors is Frances Day.
Mrs Natalie Frey
Executive Headteacher
 
Which body appoints you  Governing Body
Appointed  01/10/2019 (term of office lasts while in post)
Names of committees you serve on  
Details of position of responsibility  None
Business or Pecuniary interest  None
Governor at another school  None
Any relationships between governor and staff  None
Attendance 20-21 8/8
Attendance 21-22 7/7
Attendance 22-23 6/6
Mike Haines
Chair Of Governors
Category of Governor: Co-opted
Which body appoints you  Governing Body
Term of office  21/03/2024 – 21/04/2028
Names of committees you serve on  Curriculum, English, History
Details of position of responsibility  None
Business or Pecuniary interest  None
Governor at another school  Trustee of The Mead Academy Trust, Trowbridge, Wilts
Any relationships between governor and staff  None
Attendance 20-21 FGB 8/9
Attendance 21-22 7/7
Attendance 22-23 6/6
Dr Susan Young
Vice Chair Of Governors
Category of Governor: Co-opted
Which body appoints you:  Governing Body
Term of office  06/07/2023- 05/07/2027
Names of committees you serve on  Staffing, Music
Details of position of responsibility  Vice-Chair of Governors
Business or Pecuniary interest  None
Governor at another school  No
Any relationships between governor and staff  None
Attendance 20-21 FGB 9/9
Attendance 21-22 5/7
Attendance 22-23 4/6
Mr David Rees
Category of governor: Substitute Ex Officio Foundation
Which body appoints you Diocese of Gloucester 
Term of office  01/06/2020 - 31/05/2024
Names of committees you serve on  Staffing, Finance and Resources Committee
Details of position of responsibility Chair of Staffing, Finance and Resources Committee
Business or Pecuniary interest  None
Governor at another school  No
Any relationships between governor and staff  None
Attendance 20-21 FGB 8/9
Attendance 21-22 5/7
Attendance 22-23 3/3
Mrs Helen Blanch
Category of governor: Foundation Governor
Which body appoints you Diocese of Gloucester 
Term of office  01/05/2020 – 30/04/2024
Names of committees you serve on  Safeguarding
Details of position of responsibility  None
Business or Pecuniary interest  None
Governor at another school  No
Any relationships between governor and staff  None
Attendance 20-21
FGB 8/9
Attendance 21-22
5/7
Attendance 22-23
4/6
Vacancy
Category of governor: Local Authority
Which body appoints you  LA nominated & Governing Body
Term of office  
Names of committees you serve on  Pupil Premium, Sports Premium, Geography
Details of position of responsibility  
Business or Pecuniary interest  None
Governor at another school  No
Any relationships between governor and staff  None
Attendance 23-24  
Attendance 24-25  
Attendance 25-26  
Mrs Alexia Naylor
Category of Governor: Foundation Governor
Which body appoints you  Diocese of Gloucester
Term of office  01/11/2023 – 31/10/2027
Names of committees you serve on

Science

Details of position of responsibility  Chair of Ethos committee
Business or Pecuniary interest  None
Governor at another school  No
Any relationships between governor and staff  None
Attendance 20-21
FGB 6/6
Attendance 21-22
7/7
Attendance 22-23
5/6

Mari Hutchings
Category of Governor: Foundation Governor

Which body appoints you

Diocesan Board of Education

Term of office

 01/04/2021 – 31/3/2025

Names of committees you serve on

 Religious Education, Art

Details of position of responsibility

 none

Business or Pecuniary interest

 none

Governor at another school

 no

Any relationships between governor and staff

 none

Attendance 20-21

 FGB 4/5

Attendance 21-22

5/7

Attendance 22-23

5/6

Alice Jomain
Category of Governor: Parent

Which body appoints you

 Nominated by parents, appointed by Governing Body 

Term of office

 07/05/2021 – 7/5/2025

Names of committees you serve on

 SEND, French

Details of position of responsibility

 None

Business or Pecuniary interest

 None

Governor at another school

 No

Any relationships between governor and staff

 None

Attendance 20-21

 FGB 2/2

Attendance 21-22

6/7

Attendance 22-23

6/6

Vacancy
Category of Governor: Parent

Which body appoints you

 Nominated by parents, appointed by Governing Body 

Term of office

 

Names of committees you serve on

 Early Years Foundation Stage, PSHE

Details of position of responsibility

 None

Business or Pecuniary interest

 None

Governor at another school

 No

Any relationships between governor and staff

 None

Attendance 23-24

 

Attendance 24-25

 

Attendance 25-26

 

Claire Deacon
Category of Governor: Co-opted
Which body appoints you:  Governing Body
Term of office  20/5/21 - 20/5/25
Names of committees you serve on

Mathematics, Health & Safety

Details of position of responsibility  None
Business or Pecuniary interest  None
Governor at another school  No
Any relationships between governor and staff  None
Attendance 20-21  FGB 2/2
Attendance 21-22 5/7
Attendance 22-23 1/6
Mr Will Ford
Category of governor: Staff Governor
Which body appoints you Governing Body
Term of office  29/09/2022 – 28/09/2026
Names of committees you serve on  
Details of position of responsibility  
Business or Pecuniary interest  None
Governor at another school  No
Any relationships between governor and staff  None
Attendance 22-23  5/6