Governing Body
There are three committees, Building and Finance, Standards, Staffing and Curriculum, and Strategic, these groups meet termly. The Full Governing Body meets termly for main meetings, there is also an additional Budget Full Board meeting to agree the School Development Plan. The Chairs and Vice Chairs attend the Strategic meetings.
| Name | Governor Type | Term | Roles | Relevant Business Interest | Any other Educational Establishment Governed | Appointed By | Committee Membership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs. Judith Applegarth | Trustee | 1 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2025 | Trustee Health and Safety Vice Chair of Building and finance | None | Richard Lee Primary | Trustees | Buildings & Finance Strategic |
| Mrs. Louise Baker | Staff Governor | 8 Oct 2019 - 7 Oct 2023 | Staff Representative | None | None | Staff election | Staffing & Curriculum |
| Rev. Dr. Mark Bratton | Foundation Governor ( Diocese ) | 11 May 2009 - Ex-officio | RE Collective Worship Well-being | None | King Henry VIII, Coventry | Diocese | Staffing & Curriculum |
| Mrs. Dianne Brooks | Clerk | 20 April 2019 - On-going | Clerk | None | None | School Leadership | Staffing & Curriculum Buildings & Finance |
| Ms. Louise Daintith | Trustee | 16 Jan 2019 - 31 Dec 2020 (Resigned) | Trustee Vice chair Building and Finance | None | None | Trustees | Building and Finance |
| Mrs. Tracy Drew | Headteacher | 1 September 2010 - Ex-officio | Head | None | None | Staffing & Curriculum Buildings & Finance Strategic |
|
| Mrs. Claire Farnell | Co-opted Governor | 1 Oct 2017 - 30 Sept 2025 | Vice Chair Staffing and Standards EYFS LAC | None | None | Governing Board | Staffing & Curriculum Strategic |
| Ms. Selina Forsythe | Foundation Governor ( Diocese ) | 2 Feb 2020 - 1 Feb 2024 | Chair Staffing and Standards Headteacher's Performance Management Pupil Premium Sports Premium | None | None | Diocese | Staffing & Curriculum Strategic |
| Mr. Richard Hollingdale | Foundation Governor (Diocese) | 16 Jan 2019 - 15 Jan 2023 | Safeguarding | None | None | Diocese | Staffing & Curriculum |
| Mrs. Diana Jackson | Foundation Governor ( Diocese ) | 28 Feb 2021 to 27 Feb 2025 (Deceased Aug 2021) | Chair Headteacher's Performance Management Maths | None | None | Diocese | Staffing & Curriculum Buildings & Finance Strategic |
| Mrs. Nicola Jarvis | Foundation Governor (Diocese) | 1 Oct 2017 - 30 Sep 2021 (End of Office) | English | None | None | PCC | Staffing & Curriculum |
| Mr. Kevin Millward | Foundation Governor (Diocese) | 8 Feb 2018 - 7 Feb 2022 | Vice Chair Chair of Building and Finance | None | None | Diocese | Building & Finance Staffing & Curriculum Strategic |
| Mrs Lucy Brown | Parent election | 16 Nov 2020 - 16 Nov 2023 | Maths | None | None | Parent election | Building and Finance |
| Mrs Caroline Henning | Parent election | 16 Nov 2020 - 16 Nov 2023 | SEND | None | None | Parent election | Staffing and Curriculum |
| Mr. Paul Morris | Trustee | 1 Jan 2021 - 1 Jan 2024 | Finance | None | None | Trustees | Building and Finance |
| Rev. Jane Braund | LA Governor | 2 Feb 2021 - 1 Feb 2025 | Well-being | None | None | Local Authority | Building and Finance |
If you wish to contact the governors you may do so by sending a letter or email via the school office.
Governing Body
There are three committees, Building and Finance, Standards, Staffing and Curriculum, and Strategic, these groups meet termly. The Full Governing Body meets termly for main meetings, there is also an additional Budget Full Board meeting to agree the School Development Plan. The Chairs and Vice Chairs attend the Strategic meetings.
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
Judith Applegarth
“I am a Trustee Governor elected by Berkswell Charities. I have over 25 years experience in education provision in several local authorities including Coventry and Warwickshire. I work full time in the civil service. Improving learning opportunities, particularly for children, gives me great satisfaction. In my spare time I am an assistant Cub Leader at Berkswell Scouts.
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.”
Selina Forsythe
“I am a Foundation Governor, elected by the Parochial Church Council. Whilst my children were at Berkswell School I was Co-Chair of the BSA (now Berkswell School PTA) and responsible for Sunday School. I have been active on the Governing body for the last 8 years and I am currently Chair of the Standards Staffing and Curriculum Committee. The Committee consists of 9 Governors plus the Head Teacher and our role is to monitor standards in both achievement and progress, certify the curriculum is rewarding and challenging and ensure all children achieve their full potential and thrive during their time at Berkswell School. My job is in procurement based in Warwick.”
Kevin Milward
“I am a Foundation Governor and Vice-Chairman of the Buildings and Finance Committee. I am a retired Chartered Accountant and Finance Director working in the distribution industry.
My connection with the School dates back to the early 1990’s when I became Chairman of the PTA. My three children were educated at Berkswell and my grand-daughter is now a pupil.
Monitoring the financial performance of the School, in times of very tight budgets, as part of the Finance Committee, is a task I undertake with enthusiasm and diligence, using the skills I have acquired over many years in business.”
Richard Hollingdale
“I have been a Reader at St John Baptist Church since 2013 and became a Foundation Governor at Berkswell School in 2019, serving on the Standards, Staffing and Curriculum Committee. My background is in education. I taught Music in independent secondary schools for over 30 years and have also worked as an examiner and in adult education. My connection with education continues in retirement as I am a part-time PhD student at Royal Holloway, University of London, where I am researching into 16th century German song.”
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 childrens 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.