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 | Governor at Richard Lee Primary’ | None | Trustees | Buildings & Finance |
| 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 Pastoral | 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 Sep 2021 | 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 | 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 | 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 |
| Mrs Louise Brown | Parent election | 16 Nov 2020 - 16 Nov 2023 | None | None | Parent election | Building and Finance | |
| Mrs Caroline Henning | Parent election | 16 Nov 2020 - 16 Nov 2023 | None | None | Parent election | Staffing and Curriculum | |
| Dr Claire Walker | Parent election | 1 Nov 2017 - 22 Oct 2020 Resigned | SEN | None | None | Parent election | Building and Finance |
| Mr. Paul Morris | Trustee | 1 Jan 2021 - 1 Jan 2024 | None | None | Trustees | Building and Finance | |
| Rev. Jane Braund | LA Governor | 2 Feb 2021 - 1 Feb 2025 | 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, managing capital programmes and pupil place provision at various local authorities including Coventry, Warwickshire and Staffordshire. I am self-employed. Improving learning opportunities, particularly for children, gives me great satisfaction. I am also a governor at Richard Lee Primary School in Coventry. 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.”
Diana Jackson
“I am the elected Chair of Governors, appointed as a Foundation governor, and am also on the Standards, Staffing and Curriculum Committee which focuses on teaching and learning. It also supports the school leadership team in monitoring the progress and attainment of pupils. I am the Link Governor for mathematics and support the school in all its activities. My career background is in education, as teacher, Mathematics Adviser and School Improvement Adviser for Warwickshire Education Authority. I have also led the Y6/Y7 Transfer initiative between County Primary and Secondary Schools. I know many children at the school through their links with Junior Church at St. John Baptist, where I am Churchwarden. My grandsons have all enjoyed their time as pupils at Berkswell C of E School.”
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.”
Nicola Jarvis
“I am a Foundation Governor, elected by the Parochial Church Council. I am a member of the Standards, Staffing and Curriculum Committee and am the Link Governor for English. I was Chair of Berkswell School PTA when my sons were younger; they are approaching the latter stages of their time at Berkswell now, but I am still very active within the school and support it in whatever way I can – watching the children grow and learn is not only enjoyable but hugely satisfying and rewarding. My husband and I run a business together which deals with legal costs.”
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.”