Governors

Very detailed and diligent governance.

Parent questionaire comment

The school's Governing Board is made up of parent, staff, local authority and community representatives. They are deeply involved in the school and may be a point of contact if you have any queries. In the first instance please address any correspondence to Governors to the Clerk to the Governing Board, c/o The School office. 

The Governing Board focuses on the following three strategic functions which, overall, are designed to contribute to improving outcomes for the school children:

a. Ensuring clarity in the school's vision, ethos and strategic direction

b. Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the seeking of assurance on the effective performance management of staff

c. Overseeing the financial performance of the school, making sure its limited resources are well spent 

The full Governing Board currently meet six times per academic year. Much of the work of the Governing Board is undertaken within its two main sub committees - the Curriculum and Standards Committee and the Business Management Committee, which deals with finance, premises and health and safety matters. Governors also visit the school on a regular basis to observe and monitor school activities in fulfilment of their strategic functions. During the Covid19 pandemic, Governors continued to undertake their responsibilities remotely through virtual on-line meetings.

All Governors are subject to appropriate vetting procedures through the national Disclosure and Barring Service.

Approved minutes of the Governing Board and Committee meetings are available on request from the school office.

The school's Instrument of Government determines the constitution of the Governing Board and other matters relating to the school. The formal document can be accessed by clicking the link at the bottom of this page. Other information relating to the Governing Board, including the term of office of each Governor, any declaration of interests and meeting attendance, are also published at the bottom of this page.

 

As a school we recognise that a diversity of thought, voices and perspectives is essential to good governance and the effective running of any organisation. We regularly collect diversity information from our governors and, depending on current data, can use this to:

 target recruitment to address gaps in experience and diversity

 develop and adapt board practices to ensure full participation

 prioritise training and awareness-raising in identified areas

 address potential ‘blind spots’ through seeking wider advice and perspectives on current and upcoming opportunities, challenges and risks

However, we are unable to publish this information as it would mean that individual members of our governing body are identifiable.

 

Governors of Eckington School - may be contacted by letter addressed to the Clerk to the Governors via the school, or by email to: office@eckingtonfirst.worcs.sch.uk

 

 

List of Governors

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Ruth Kessell (Co-opted Governor) – Chair of Governors and  Curriculum and Standards Committee

I moved to Eckington in May 2015, and joined the governing board to contribute to the local community.  I have worked as a Governor Trainer for Governor Services at Gloucestershire County Council since 2005, and good governance in schools is not just a job but something I am passionate about.   From time to time I take on the role of additional governor for Gloucestershire schools who need short term support.

At Eckington First C of E School, I am a member of the Curriculum and Standards Committee which monitors educational provision and standards and my particular area of interest is the curriculum.

In addition to my current role as a co-opted governor at Eckington First School, I am also a member of the Gloucestershire Learning Alliance (GLA) multi-academy trust. 

In my previous working life I was a part-time lecturer in English as a Second Language at Gloscat, now Gloucestershire College, and prior to that I taught English language at a school in Hong Kong. I am a qualified teacher with a BA in Linguistics & Education, a PGCE and a post graduate diploma in Human Resource Management.

In my spare time I enjoy singing with three choirs, reading, gardening and cooking. In my school days I wrote a musical cantata about the life of St.Wilfrid (our local church was St. Wilfrid’s) to celebrate the anniversary of his founding the bishopric of Chichester in 681AD!

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Alan Underwood (Co-Opted Governor) - Curriculum and Standards Committee

Our family relocated to Eckington during the summer of 2015 and all three of our children have attended the school. As a parent (and husband to a teacher at another school), I am keen to be involved in the development and running of the school and have a particular interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

I work as a freelance software engineer and believe independence, autonomy and self-motivation are key skills for our children and our school should be nurturing their ability to think critically and learn independently. I have been involved  in a ‘Computer Club’ at a previous school, and I provided staff INSET training on aspects of the computing curriculum, including programming and networking.

I enjoy music (singing and playing) and am also a keen swimmer and swimming coach with Pershore Swimming Club. I think it important for children to have a healthy, creative extra-curricula life and would like to encourage any such participation.

A committed Christian, I hope for the school to retain its strong links with the local church and maintain a strong Christian ethos, providing opportunities for the children to develop their understanding of faith, spirituality and critical thinking in a safe, loving and nurturing environment.

I am chair of the Curriculum and Standards Committee, am Governor subject lead for Science and have a shared responsibility for Christian Distinctiveness. As a governor I want to support the school practically and strategically, in any way I can, to ensure it is the best it can be for all children at the school.

 

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Reverend Allison Davies  (Foundation Governor - Ex officio) 

I moved into Eckington in July 2019 when I was Licensed as Vicar to Eckington, Defford / Besford and as an Associate Priest to the Bredon Hill Group of churches. Since that time I have been supporting ministry to all the church communities and villages around Bredon Hill and in July 2021 I was given specific additional responsibility to be the Priest in Charge to the churches in Bredon and Bredon’s Norton. One particular privilege within my ministry has been the opportunity to be able to serve as a foundation governor on the Full Governing Body for Eckington First School. I came into ministry later in life having had a career in HR management and strategic leadership within the health service, local government and the private sector for over 25 years. Therefore what I hope I can offer to the school, its’ staff and pupils is both strategic business and governance experience, as well as being there to support the school in terms of their Christian ethos and curricula.  

 

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Alan Exell (LA Governor) - Business Management Committee

I have been an LA appointed governor for 15 years. I live in the village and have two children, both of whom attended Eckington School. I currently work in Bristol in the field of business consulting . As well as chairing the Business Management Committee, I have specific responsibility for oversight of the schools Health and Safety arrangements

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Sarah Roberts (Head teacher)

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Louise Bishop (Staff Governor & Head teacher - Thurs) 

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Tony Cocks (Foundation Governor) - Business Management Committee

I was appointed as foundation governor in early 2016 and I am currently a member of the Business Management Committee, covering finance, premises and health and safety matters. I also have a governing oversight for Maths.

I have lived in Eckington since 1988 with my wife Kath. We have 3 children – now grown – who have been through the local 3 tier education system of Eckington, Bredon Middle and Prince Henry’s.

I have been largely ‘retired’ for the last few years having had a career in IT (or ’computing’ as it was called when I started) for some 40 years. I did my primary schooling in Australia and secondary schooling in Hong Kong before studying Physics at Leeds University. 

Whilst largely retired I have been kept busy walking our dogs, doing some property renovation/maintenance for my children and bell ringing.

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Dave Allen (Parent Governor) - Vice-Chair and Curriculum and Standards Committee

Having moved to the village in 2015, I have one child currently attending the school and one child who has recently left the school. I have a ten-year background in secondary education, having taught Science and Chemistry to students aged 11-18. Throughout my time in the sector, I worked as a Science curriculum lead, Head of Sixth Form and Assistant Headteacher with responsibilities for data and line management of English amongst other things. I opted for a career change back in 2014, and I currently work as a driver instructor for Great Western Railway, where my teaching background is being used across a very different subject area.

I believe it is incredibly important to have aspects of life that are very different to what you do on a day-to-day basis – it allows you to switch off, be creative and helps bring balance to what can be a very busy and fraught day-to-day routine.

I was appointed as Parent Governor in September 2019 – I wanted to use my experience and knowledge gained in the sector to help contribute to the Governing Board at Eckington, whilst ensuring a balanced viewpoint from a parental point of view. I am the Safeguarding Link Governor and Governor lead for English, and I am a member of the Curriculum and Standards Committee. I am also an active member of the Friends of Eckington School (FOEs) and aim to be involved in aspects of their fundraising to help support and allow the school to provide extra enrichment opportunities to the students.

It is incredibly important that all members of the local community work together to help support their local school, especially when it is of a smaller size. The children of this village, and its surroundings, have a great school here on its doorstep – hopefully though these roles I can play a small part in allowing it to continue to be so!

 

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Rebecca Hill (Co-Opted Governor) - from 17th January 2024 - Curriculum and Standards Committee

I feel very privileged to have joined the Governing Board at Eckington in January 2024 as a Co-Opted Governor and member of the Curriculum and Standards Committee. I am currently a teacher in the Primary sector, with leadership responsibilities such as Key Stage Coordinator and subject leader for maths and assessment (amongst others).

I am a great believer in giving children rich early education opportunities, and that by providing them with the best start possible, they can all reach their full potential and develop a life-long love of inquisitiveness and learning.

As a governor, and with my eldest daughter now attending Eckington CofE First School, I am passionate about supporting the school with their ongoing drive towards excellence and in continuing the good work they do in providing a positive environment for our children to thrive in. With the amalgamation of my experience as teacher, parent and now Governor, I hope to bring a well-rounded viewpoint on matters of best practice and outcomes.

Heather Thomson (Co-Opted Governor) - Resigned from the Governing Board - 19th November 2023 

 

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Joanne Stringer (Appointed Parent Governor) - Business Management Committee, from 6th March 2023

I moved to Eckington in 2022 and became involved in the school as a Parent Governor in March 2023, motivated by an interest in contributing to the local community and supporting the long-term success of the school.

Professionally, I have over 15 years social housing experience. I'm passionate about sustainable communities and see high quality education as pivotal to this. Asset management, people leadership and health and safety knowledge are key skills that directly transfer from my 'day job' to my governance responsibilities as a member of the Business Management Committee and the Full Governing Board.

I have a young family and you will often find us outside enjoying the beautiful Worcestershire countryside.  

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Helen Drew (Associate Member) - Business Management Committee, from 29th November 2023

I moved to Strensham with my family in December 2018 and my grandaughter attends Eckington First School. I am a retired Chartered Accountant and in my previosu working life I was an audit partner at Crowe LLP, a national firm of Chartered Accountants. In that role I spent over 30 years working with independent schools, academy trusts and other non profit organisations as well as large private companies.

I have joined the school's Governing Board as an associate member of the Business Management committee as I feel that my previosu experience working with schools and my business and accounting background will help add some value. I want to give something back to a sector I have worked with for many years.

I was a trustee for a number of years at Birmingtham City University Students Union and served on the Supervisory Board of Crowe.

I am currently also on the Finance and Management Committee of the Caravan and Motorhome Club and am a keen motor homer.

My husband and I live with our daughter, son in law and two grandaughters.

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Clerk to the Governors - Robin Powell

I’ve been clerk to Governors since May 2017. My role is to provide administrative and organisational support and guidance to the Governing Board to ensure they work in compliance with the appropriate legal and regulatory framework. I also advise on procedural matters to ensure the Board operates as effectively as it can. My professional background is founded in public sector risk and insurance management.

I’ve lived in the village since 1994, my children both attended Eckington School and I’ve been chair of FOES, a governor and Chair of Governors in the early 00s so have a pretty good understanding of the importance of good school and community links. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, listening to music of many genres and playing keyboards in a couple of local bands.

I act as the conduit between the Governors and the community and if anybody wishes to communicate with the Governors, please do drop me a line in the first instance, via the School office.