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, Shannon Hall, she can be contacted via clerk@busbridge-junior.surrey.sch.uk  
 
Constitution, Register of Interests & Meeting Attendance (Sept 2025):

Governor                                         

Start of Term of Office 

End of Term of Office 

Appointed by 

Category 

Relevant Business & Pecuniary Interests 

Meeting Attendance 2024-2025 (Present/

Expected) 

Martin Hanak-Hammerl (Chair of Governing Body) 

17/3/25 

16/03/29 

Governing Body 

Co-op Governor 

Royal Grammar School (Employee). Declared on 24/6/24. 

 6/7 (Full Governing Body and Children & Learning Committee) 

Richard Catchpole 

1/9/17 

- 

Ex-Officio 

Headteacher 

Busbridge Junior School (Employee) Declared 24/6/24. 

10/10 (Full Governing Body, Resources Committee, and Children & Learning Committee) 

Philippa Baker 

25/10/21 

24/10/25 

PCC/Diocese 

Foundation Governor 

Surrey County Council (Employee). Declared on 26/6/23. 

5/7 (Full Governing Body and Children & Learning Committee) 

Matthew Rooke 

27/10/22 

26/10/26 

PCC/Diocese 

Foundation Governor 

None. Declared on 24/6/24. 

7/7 (Full Governing Body and Resources Committee) 

Sarah Speirs 

5/10/24 

4/10/28 

Local Authority 

LA Governor 

Old Chase Consultants Ltd (Director); Rodborough School PTA (Co-Chair). Declared on 24/6/24. 

7/7 (Full Governing Body and Resources Committee) 

Max Stuart 

01/02/24 

31/1/28 

Staff 

Staff Governor 

Busbridge Junior School (Employee). Declared on 16/9/24. 

6/7 (Full Governing Body and Children & Learning Committee) 

Tom Allner 

 14/12/22 

 13/12/26 

Parents 

Parent Governor 

Vistex UK (Employee). Declared 24/6/24. 

5/7 (Full Governing Body and Resources Committee) 

Ben Barnes 

 07/09/23 

 6/9/27 

PCC/Diocese 

Foundation Governor 

Youth Minister and Director of Children and Youth Ministries at Busbridge and Hambledon Church. Declared 24/6/24. 

6/7 (Full Governing Body and Children & Learning Committee) 

Tony Nunn 

7/11/23 

6/11/27 

PCC/Diocese 

Foundation Governor 

None. Declared on 24/6/24. 

6/7 Full Governing Body and Resources Committee) 

Gemma Taylor 

(Vice Chair of Governing Body) 

7/11/23 

6/11/27 

PCC/Diocese 

Foundation 

None. Declared on 16/9/24. 

7/7 (Full Governing Body and Children & Learning Committee) 

Emily Dove 

 11/12/23 

 10/12/27 

PCC/Diocese 

Foundation Governor 

Education Officer & Assistant Curator, Chertsey Museum. Declared 16/9/24. 

 6/7 (Full Governing Body and Children & Learning Committee) 

Amy Watson 

 10/3/25 

09/03/29 

PCC/Diocese 

 

Foundation Governor 

 

 None. Declared on 17/3/25. 

 6/7 (Full Governing Body and Children & Learning Committee) 

Simon Willetts 

 11/2/25 

 10/2/29 

Ex-Officio/ PCC/Diocese 

Foundation Governor 

 None. Declared on 25/2/25. 

2/3 (Full Governing Body and Resources Committee) 

Debbie Baker 

6/5/25 

5/5/25 

Parents 

Parent Governor 

 

Works for a Teacher Training provider. Declared on 8/5/25 

2/3 (Full Governing Body and Children & Learning Committee) 

Historic (In the past 12 months) 

Amy Watson 

 2/9/24 

1/9/28  

Governing Body 

Co-opted Governor 

 None. Declared on 31/7/24. 

 1/2 (Full Governing Body and Children & Learning Committee) 

Martin Hanak-Hammerl (Chair of Governing Body) 

29/03/21 

28/03/25 

Parents 

Parent Governor 

Royal Grammar School (Employee). Declared on 24/6/24. 

 3/4 (Full Governing Body and Children & Learning Committee) 

Rebekah Whiteman (Vice-Chair of Governing Body) 

10/02/24 

9/02/25 

PCC/Diocese 

Foundation Governor 

Speech & Language Therapist (Self-employed) 

11/11 (Full Governing Body and Children & Learning Committee) 

Patrick Samuels 

05/09/22 

21/7/24 

Ex-Officio/ PCC/Diocese 

Foundation Governor 

Busbridge & Hambledon Church (Curate). Declared on 26/6/23. 

5/11 (Full Governing Body and Resources Committee) 

Governing Body Meeting Dates (2025-26)
Full Governing Body: 
  • Mon 15 Sept - 3:45pm 
  • Mon 1 Dec - 3:45pm 
  • Mon 23 Mar - 3:45pm 
  • Mon 13 July - 3:45pm 

Resources Committee: 

  • TBD: Mon or Tues 10th / 11th Nov - 9:15am
  • Wed 4 Mar - 9:15am 
  • Wed 22 Apr - 9:15am 

Children & Learning Committee: 

  • Mon 3 Nov - 4pm 
  • Mon 23 Feb - 4pm 
  • Mon 11 May - 4pm 
 
Historic Governing Body Meeting Dates (2024-25)
Full Governing Body:
  • Monday 16th September 2024 at 3.45pm   
  • Monday 2nd December 2024 at 3.45pm   
  • Monday 17th March 2025 at 3.45pm   
  • Monday 14th July 2025 at 3.45pm
Resources Committee: 
  • Wednesday 20th November 2024 at 9.15am  
  • Wednesday 5th March 2025 at 9.15am  
  • Wednesday 23rd April 2025 at 9.15am  
Children & Learning Committee: 
  • Wednesday 6th November 2024 at 4pm  
  • Wednesday 26th February 2025 at 4.30pm  
  • Wednesday 7th May 2025 at 4pm  
Admissions Panel FGB: 
  • Wednesday 26th February 2025 at 3.45pm 
The Diocesan Director of Education is:
Mr Alex Tear 
Diocesan Education Centre
The Cathedral, Stag Hill
Guildford, Surrey GU2 5UP
Telephone: 01483 450423