Governing Body
The Governing Body operates, collectively, in the best interests of pupils, rather than acting as a group of individuals lobbying on behalf of their constituencies. It is constituted in accordance with statutory legislation for maintained schools. The task of the governing body is to govern the school, focusing on the core functions of :-
• Providing strategic leadership
• Holding the headteacher to account
• Making sure that the school’s money is well spent
Our strategy is to create a positive learning environment to develop independent, resilient and ambitious learners who respect the needs of others and the environment.
The Governing body supports equal opportunities for all members of the school community based on the core values and ethos of this school.
This is a demanding task for which all governors need to have, or develop, relevant and appropriate skills.
MEETINGS, COMMITTEES & LINK GOVERNANCE
• The full Governing Body(GB) meets three times a term 6 – 8 p.m.
• Papers are issued one week before the meeting and can be accessed online
• Governors are expected to attend or offer apologies for reasons of absence
All members of the GB also carry out the duties of the Finance committee, and the meetings are combined. There is also an Admissions panel, and committees for Pay & Personnel and Headteacher’s appraisal. All meetings are chaired by one of the chairpersons as nominated at each meeting. The terms of reference for the Governing Body and its panels/committees are governed by Statute, Local Authority policies and guidance, and any additional duties agreed to, and delegated by, the full Governing Body.
Governors also take a responsibility for different areas of governance to ensure oversight and enhanced knowledge of that area for the GB, as well as monitoring of the school development plan. All link areas are presented by a member of the school leadership team and discussed at a GB meeting once per term, and focus on:
Leadership || Finance & Personnel || Curriculum & Progression Teaching & Learning || Student Support || Building Operations
Additionally, there is a Governor day at school each term which gives an opportunity for a longer meeting when governors can focus on matters such as analysis of results, plans for the future, and meet staff and learners. These meetings last between a half and a full day.
Governors are encouraged to attend school events and visit the school during the day so they may be more fully aware of how the school is addressing issues identified for development.
Governors may also be involved in appointments and be asked to serve on pupil disciplinary,
hearings and appeals committees as per statutory and/or school policies.
THINKING OF BECOMING A GOVERNOR?
New governors bring their own range of skills and expertise which is very valuable to the GB and they may not necessarily have wide knowledge of educational issues.
New governors are supported so they acquire wider knowledge through an induction programme, which includes meetings with the Headteacher and Chair(s) of the Governing Body; in person or online training courses, and a mentor. All governors are encouraged to use continuation training to improve their knowledge and skills, and must do mandatory training e.g. safeguarding.
To become a governor you must:
• successfully complete DBS checks within 21 days of invitation
• sign up to the code of practice
• complete a Local Authority induction training course within 3 months of appointment
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO CONTACT THE GOVERNING BODY
If you would like more information on the constitution and remit of the Governing Body and its committees or any of the information contained on this webpage; or to contact the Governing Body of The Bewdley School, you can use any of the following methods.
Email:
GoverningBody@bewdley.worcs.sch.uk
Post:
The Governing Body
The Bewdley Road
Stourport Road
Bewdley
DY12 1BL
OUR BOARD OF GOVERNORS
| Name | Governor Type | Governor Position | Committees | Initial start date | Start date for current term | End date for current term | Date of Resignation | Appointing body | Declared Interests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rich Vaux | Co-opted | Chair Leadership Link | Pay & Personnel, Headteacher’s Appraisal, Admissions, Finance | 02/12/2020 | 17/07/2023 | 16/07/2027 | FGB | Links with Staffordshire University | |
| Catherine McDougal | Headteacher | Pay & Personnel, Admissions, Finance | 01/09/2024 | 01/09/2024 | 01/09/2025 | Ex-Officio | Co-Headteacher The Bewdley School Director Discovery Society Worcestershire Youth Sailing Association | ||
| Dhiren Chauhan | Co-opted | Pay & Personnel, Admissions, FInance | 12/06/2024 | 12/06/2024 | 11/06/2026 | FGB | Co-Headteacher The Bewdley School Director of: Vicson Management Ltd. The Bewdley School Foundation, Bewdley Development Trust CIC | ||
| Della Ransom | Staff | Finance | 23/07/2018 | 18/07/2022 | 17/07/2026 | FGB | Staff | ||
| Helen Squire | Local Authority | Curriculum & Progression Link | Finance | 26/11/2015 | 29/09/2021 | 28/09/2025 | LA | Links with a private SEN residential school | |
| Lee Shaw | Foundation | Vice Chair Building Operations Link | Headteacher’s Appraisal, Admissions | 09/11/2022 | 09/11/2022 | 08/11/2026 | Foundation | None | |
| Katy Bayliss | Parent | Finance & Personnel Link | Pay & Personnel, Finance | 09/11/2022 | 09/11/2022 | 08/11/2026 | Parent body | Employee at Crowe UK LLP Parent of student(s) at The Bewdley School | |
| Carl Stevenson | Foundation | Curriculum & Progression Link | Finance | 14/06/2022 | 14/06/2022 | 13/06/2026 | Foundation | Lecturer at the University of Birmingham Director of The Bewdley School Foundation Parent of student(s) at The Bewdley School | |
| Kate Hazelwood | Parent | Student Support Link | Finance | 15/11/2023 | 15/11/2023 | 14/11/2027 | Parent body | Executive Head and Governor at Albright Education Centre Mercian Trust- Executive Strategy Lead for Alternative Provision Parent of student(s) at The Bewdley School | |
| Richard Cannon | Parent | Teaching & Learning Link | Finance | 15/11/2023 | 15/11/2023 | 14/11/2027 | Parent body | Links with Corndel Ltd | |
| Sarah Forbes | Co-opted | Vice Chair Teaching & Learning Link | Finance | 17/01/2024 | 17/01/2024 | 16/01/2028 | FGB | None | |
| George Court | Co-opted | Finance & Personnel Link | Finance | 21/02/2024 | 21/02/2024 | 20/02/2028 | FGB | None | |
| Marcia Bennett | Clerk to the Governors | ||||||||
| Dave Hadley-Pryce | Headteacher | Pay & Personnel, Admissions, Finance | 03/01/2017 | 03/01/2027 | 19/07/2024 | 19/07/2024 | Ex-officio | Daughter employed at the school. Member of the Stourvale Academy Trust | |
| Jillian Sharples | Co-opted | Co-Chair Leadership Link | Pay & Personnel, Headteacher’s Appraisal, Admissions, Finance | 17/05/2016 | 29/09/2021 | 06/06/2024 | 06/06/2024 | FGB | None |
| Helen Boswell | Parent | Student Support Link | Finance | 07/12/2022 | 07/12/2022 | 22/01/2024 | 22/01/2024 | Parent body | None |
*Governors may be asked to serve on pupil disciplinary, hearings, and appeals committees as per statutory and/or school policies.
As a collective our governors have skills and expertise in leadership and management; teaching in schools, higher education and universities; accountancy and audit; business strategy & management; public service; Special Educational Needs & safeguarding.
Attendance Summaries