Governors

ABOUT OUR GOVERNORS

Our Governors work collaboratively as part of the school Leadership Team to promote and develop the school vision. Their role is strategic and responsibilities include: employing staff, managing resources, ensuring a broad and balanced curriculum, maintaining high standards, working effectively with parents and ensuring that the staff and children have a high quality working environment. Our Governors work very hard for the development of successful learning at Bernards Heath and there are a variety of times during the school year when you can meet them.

Click here to see a list of our Governors

A Governor’s time commitment is significant and they have a number of meetings throughout the year. They have six full Governing Body meetings and six committee meetings each year. All Governors belong to one Committee, either:

• Resources (Personnel, Premises and Finance)
• Leaders for Learning (Pupils and Curriculum)

Governors are also linked to the School Development Plan and are encouraged to make three visits a year during the teaching day to talk to the children and staff, to informally observe teaching and learning and to learn more about the day to day work of the school.

The Governing Body provide strategic management and act as a ‘critical friend’ supporting the work of the Head Teacher and other staff.
Schools have a budget and the Governing Body is responsible for managing this budget. They  support the Head Teacher in deciding how many and what types of staff to employ, which type of equipment to replace or upgrade and what the priorities are for implementing new strategies and initiatives. The Governors also have a role in monitoring the school’s progress.

The Governors do not get paid for their work at school – it is a voluntary role. People often apply to join the Governing Body because they are keen to make a commitment to their local community.

Anyone can become a Governor, some of our Governors work full-time, some part-time, and others are not in paid employment, but they all share one thing – a commitment to the children at Bernards Heath Infant School today and in the future. We welcome people with skills and expertise in particular fields, but the most important thing is having the time and willingness to work with the school to make it as good as it possibly can be.

Elections are held for new Governors as and when the need arises. Any parent or guardian of a child at our school is eligible to stand for election. You may want to talk to a current Governor if you would like to find out more about joining the Governing Body.

The Governors are pleased to meet with parents. You can contact them by emailing governors@bernardsheath.herts.sch.uk. The Governors also attend our parent teacher consultations, plays, fetes etc. to meet as many parents as they can.

Click here to read our Blog

OUR GOVERNORS

Vicky Pearlman – Chair of Governors

• Parent Governor (September 2013- August 2017), Local Authority Governor (September 2017 – August 2021)
• Appointed by the Governing Body
• Responsibilities: Leaders for Learning Committee, safeguarding
• Attendance (2018-2019): 5 out of 5 (FGB); 6 out of 6 (LfL)

Penny Dent – Deputy Chair

• Parent Governor (October 2013 – September 2017) Co-opted Governor (September 2017 – August 2021) Co-opted Member
• Appointed by the Governing Body
• Responsibilities: Resources Committee, PPG, CLA
• Attendance (2018/19): 4 out of 5 (FGB); 3 out of 5 (RC)

Abi Newbigging

• Co-Opted Governor (August 2019 – August 2023)
• Appointed by Governing Body
• Responsibilities: Resources Committee (Chair)
• Attendance (2018/19): 5 out of 5 (FGB); 4 out of 5 (RC)

Paul Durant

• Co-opted Governor (September 2015 – August 2019) (September 2019 – August 2023)
• Appointed by: Governing Body
• Responsibilities: Resources Committee (Vice-Chair), Financial Procedures, Asset Management, Maths, PTA link
• Attendance (2018/2019): 3 out of 5 (FGB); 4 out of 5 (RC)

Esther Hill

• Parent Governor (February 2018 – February 2022)
• Appointed by Parent Election
• Responsibilities: Resources Committee, Premises, Sports Premium
• Attendance (2018/2019): 5 out of 5 (FGB); 5 out of 5 (RC)

Diane Secker

• Co-opted Governor (September 2016 – August 2020)
• Appointed by Governing Body
• Responsibilities: Resources Committee, English, SEND, HR Support
• Attendance (2018/2019): 5 out of 5 (FGB); 4 out of 5 (RC)

Sarah Pike

• Parent Governor (July 2017 – July 2021)
• Appointed by Parent Election
• Responsibilities: Leaders for Learning Committee (Co-Chair), English, Pupil Premium and Children Looked After
• Attendance (2018/19): 5 out of 5 (FGB); 6 out of 6 (LfL)

Kate Goldman-Toomey

• Co-opted Governor (January 2019 – December 2022)
• Appointed by Governing Body
• Responsibilities: Leaders for Learning Committee
• Attendance (2018/2019): 3 out of 3 (FGB); 4 out of 6 (LfL)

Nasima Rahman

• Co-opted Governor (September 2016 – August 2020)
• Appointed by Governing Body
• Responsibilities: Leaders for Learning Committee, Maths and SEN
• Attendance (2018/2019): 3 out of 5 (FGB); 4 out of 6 (LfL)

Sara Sherafat Scott

• Parent Governor (February 2018 – February 2022)
• Appointed by Parent Election
• Responsibilities: Leaders for Learning Committee, Data Protection and GDPR, and Science
• Attendance (2018/2019): 5 out of 5 (FGB); 3 out of 6 (LfL)

David Zolynski

• Co-opted Governor (August 2015 – August 2019, August 2019 – 2023)
• Appointed by Governing Body
• Responsibilities: Leaders for Learning (Co-Chair), Internet Safety and KS1
• Attendance (2018/2019): 5 out of 5 (FGB); 5 out of 6 (LfL)

Sarah Comfort

• Stepped Down from Office (February 2020)
• Co-opted Governor (January 2019 – December 2022).
• Appointed by Governing Body
• Responsibilities: Resources Committee
• Attendance (2018/2019): 2 out of 3 (FGB); 3 out of 3 (RC)