Who are the Governors?

Class link: Years 3 and 4

I have three children, and have experience of ten very differing schools, both in the UK and abroad. I bring a strong church commitment and I ran a Sunday school for five years. I trained as an editor and worked in the travel guidebook business for many years. My family has been closely connected to this area for a very long time.

I am delighted to be joining the team at Brighstone School as a Foundation Governor. I moved into the village 4 years ago and feel very fortunate to have joined this community. Having now retired I have time to contribute to our School. In undertaking this role I will draw upon some of the skills I gained whilst working as a Children’s Nurse and as a University Lecturer in Nursing, providing education for undergraduate and postgraduate students. My roles have required developing, delivering and reviewing the quality of educational programmes. My passion lies in making learning stimulating and promoting the potential of each student. I know from mentoring University students that early educational experiences have been very important in shaping their futures and I want the children at Brighstone School to have the very best start.

A headteacher governor has the same functions as any other member of the governing body; to attend all full governing body meetings and committee meetings.

The headteacher can bring a whole-school perspective and day-to-day context to these meetings and governing body discussions that would otherwise be absent, ensuring that all decisions are informed and relevant.

I have a Maths degree from Imperial College and have worked in finance for several years. We always planned to move to the West Wight when we had children as we feel it is such a wonderful place to bring them up. Our children love being at Brighstone School, so I feel honoured to be able to bring some of my skills and experience to the governors board.

We have lived in Brighstone for nearly 9 years. When we first moved to the island and started searching for where to settle there was no comparison to Brighstone and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Two of my three daughters attend Brighstone Primary and my third will when she’s old enough. I am constantly amazed at the progress they are making! I have no experience in teaching but have worked for a number of years at HMP Isle of Wight as a facilitator delivering cognitive behavioural based treatment programmes. This has given me a good understanding of how children’s beliefs develop about themselves, people and the world, the impact their experiences have on them and what is important in developing good emotional management, problem solving skills and positive interpersonal relationships. I hope to be able to use some of this knowledge in this role. When not at work I can generally be found attempting to instil these skills into my brood!

Responsibility: Health & Safety,

Brighstone Primary School was one of the principle reasons that our family chose to to settle in beautiful West Wight. With our three children now thriving at the school and preschool, I was happy to be asked to join the board of governors to help support such a great school. Having worked as a lawyer and journalist in places as varied as Dublin, Brussels, Cork, Melbourne and London, I now continue do so on the Isle of Wight. I believe that Brighstone Primary is a very special place for children.

We moved to Brighstone in July 2017 from rural Derbyshire. I have been a teacher for the past 25 years , the last 15 of them , as a Headmaster. I am now retired but keep myself busy, I am Governor at St John’s College, Southsea, a Trustee of  Wight Community Access Ltd (FYTbus). I work at Ryde School as the 1st X1 Hockey Coach , and I tutor students for A level and GCSE Science and Maths. My wife teaches at St George’s School and we have one daughter who is studying at Cambridge University. I am passionate about education and I am looking forward to working with Brighstone Primary School.

Class link: Years R, 1 and 2

As a parent of one children currently at Brighstone, I have a real vested interest in the school and the local community. In 2013/14, I worked in the school office so I hope to be able to bring differing perspectives from both within the school and as a parent.

Responsibility: Development and Training Governor.

Class link: Years 5 and 6

I have chosen to become a governor as having retired four years ago from a long, varied and successful teaching career in London, I now feel ready to offer my significant experience and skills back to schools.
I especially want to do this for our local community which I love, having now lived in Brighstone for three and a half years.

As Rector of the Benefice, I am ex-officio on the Governing Body and will seek to support every aspect of the life of the School. I am delighted to be invited to participate in Collective Worship and will seek to uphold the Christian Ethos and values of the school at all times. I have had considerable experience as a Governor having had responsibility for Church of England Primary Schools throughout my church career.  I am particularly impressed by the strong relationship the school has with the church and look forward to promoting that throughout my time on the Governing Body.