Governors

The Governing Body of Busbridge CofE Junior School has three core strategic functions:
  • Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
  • Hold the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its individual pupils.
  • Oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure that its money is well spent.

To do this effectively, the full Governing Body meet at least once a term and, in addition, each Governor sits on at least one committee, which also meets at least once a term. The committees are:

  • Children & Learning (Chaired by Philippa Baker)
  • Resources (Chaired by Matt Rooke)
  • Headteacher Performance Review

Each governor also has a specific area of responsibility (for example safeguarding, SEND, Equality & Diversity) to ensure that someone has specific oversight of a particular area and to deepen the governing body's knowledge of a particular area. The role involves visiting the school and meeting with staff leads to understand how the strategic objectives are being embedded, how money is being spent and any particular issues affecting delivery. However, these roles do not remove the governing body's collective responsibility for these areas.

The Governing Body is not responsible for the day to day management and operation of the school which is the responsibility of the Headteacher, Richard Catchpole and his Leadership team. As a Governing Body we work closely with the Headteacher and his Leadership team to fulfil our statutory obligations.

Governors are elected or appointed as follows:

  • Foundation Governors: Appointed by the Church.
  • Parent Governors: Elected by parents; must have at least one child in the school at time of election. Are representative parents not representatives of parents.
  • Staff Governors: Elected by the staff, and must work at the school.
  • Co-opted Governors: Appointed by the Governing Body; bringing special expertise to the Governing Body.
  • Local Authority Governor: Nominated by the local authority

Training

Our Governors regularly attend training provided by organisations such as the National College, the Diocese of Guildford and Local Authority.

Contact Us
If you would like to speak to our Chair of Governors, Martin Hanak-Hammerl, please contact him via his Chair email address chairofgovs@busbridge-junior.surrey.sch.uk, or contact him via the school office on 01483 417302
 
The governing body is supported by a governance professional, Becky Saunders, she can be contacted via clerk@busbridge-junior.surrey.sch.uk  
 
Constitution, Register of Interests & Meeting Attendance:

Governor                                        

Start of Term of Office

End of Term of Office

Appointed by

Category

Relevant Business & Pecuniary Interests

Meeting Attendance 2021-2022 (Present/Expected)

Martin Hanak-Hammerl (Chair of Governing Body)

29/03/21

28/03/25

Parents

Parent Governor

Royal Grammar School (Employee)

8/8

Rebekah Whiteman (Vice-Chair of Governing Body)

11/02/20

10/02/24

PCC/Diocese

Foundation Governor

Speech & Language Therapist (Self-employed)

6/8

Richard Catchpole

01/09/17

-

Ex-Officio

Headteacher

Busbridge Junior School (Employee)

11/11

Ronald Downhill

06/09/20

05/09/24

PCC/Diocese

Foundation Governor

BCLP LLP (Consultant); Alasol Charitable Foundation & Downhill Family Charitable Trust (Trustee)

11/11

Philippa Baker

25/10/21

24/10/26

PCC/Diocese

Foundation Governor

Hambledon Nursery School (Employee)

6/7

Matthew Rooke

27/10/22

26/10/26

PCC/Diocese

Foundation Governor

None

7/7

Sarah Speirs

05/10/20

04/10/24

Local Authority

LA Governor

Old Chase Consultants Ltd (Director); Busbridge Junior School PTA (Chair)

7/7

Shelly Greenfield

10/01/20

09/01/24 (Maternity Leave 01/10/21-31/07/22)

Staff

Staff Governor

Busbridge Junior School (Employee)

1/1

Patrick Samuels

05/09/22

04/09/26

Ex-Officio/ PCC/Diocese

Foundation Governor

Busbridge & Hambledon Church (Curate)

0/0

Ruth Roseblade

17/03/22

16/03/26

PCC/Diocese

Foundation Governor

None

1/1

Sebastian Cheek

11/07/22

10/07/26

PCC/Diocese

Foundation Governor

 None

1/1

Tom Allner

 14/12/22

 13/12/26

Parents

Parent Governor

 

 0/0

Vacancy

 

 

PCC/Diocese

Foundation Governor

 

 

Vacancy

 

 

Governing Body

Co-opted Governor

 

 

Historic (In the past 12 months)

Kirsty Glaysher

01/10/18

 27/06/22

PCC/Diocese

Foundation Governor

None

3/8

Simon Taylor

30/09/16

30/09/21

Ex-Officio

Foundation Governor

Busbridge & Hambledon Church

1/1

Eva Loudon

01/10/21

31/07/22

Staff

Staff Governor (Interim)

Busbridge Junior School (Employee)

5/7

Susanna Newman

20/07/18

19/07/22

Parents

Parent Governor

CMN Consulting Ltd

6/7

Governing Body Meeting Dates (2022-2023)

Full Governing Body 

  • Monday 12 September 2022 at 3.45pm  

  • Monday 5 December 2022 at 3.45pm  

  • Monday 20 March 2023 at 3.45pm  

  • Monday 26 June 2023 at 3.45pm  

Children & Learning Committee 

  • Wednesday 2 November 2022 at 4.30pm  

  • Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 4.15pm

  • Wednesday 10 May 2023 at 4.30pm  

  • Wednesday 12 July 2023 at 4.30pm  

Resources Committee 

  • Tuesday 22 November 2022 at 9.15am  

  • Thursday 2 March 2023 at 9.15am  

  • Tuesday 25 April 2023 at 9.15am

The Diocesan Director of Education is:
Mr Alex Tear 
Diocesan Education Centre
The Cathedral, Stag Hill
Guildford, Surrey GU2 5UP
Telephone: 01483 450423