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Birchwood Nursery School

Governance

The Governors of Birchwood Nursery School work with the Headteacher and the Leadership Team to ensure the highest standards of education are delivered to the children, whilst ensuing the welfare of all pupils and staff.

The governing body comprises the Headteacher, one staff governor, two parent governors, four co-opted governors and one local authority governor.  Governors, other than the Headteacher, are appointed or elected to serve a four-year term of office.  Prior to September 2022, some of the governing body's work was delegated to two committees, but all business is now conducted through the full governing body meetings.

Instrument of Government

Please click on each individual governor to find out a little more about them.

      

 

  • Julie Cahill
    Co-opted Chair of Governors (26/05/20 - 25/05/24)
  • Margaret Stocks
    Headteacher (From 01/09/19)
  • Caroline Neville
    Staff Governor (16/05/22 - 15/05/26)
  • Angela Cumming
    Co-opted Governor (01/09/23 - 31/08/27)
  • Geoffrey Strack
    Local Authority Governor (24/11/22 - 23/11/26)
  • Vivianne Candy
    Parent Governor (08/07/21 -07/07/25)
  • Naomi Pascall
    Parent Governor (19/10/22 - 18/10/26)
  • Lauren O'Keefe
    Co-opted Governor (18/05/23 -17/05/27)

 

Role of the Governing Body

The governing body provides strategic leadership and accountability in schools and has three main functions:

  • Oversee the financial health and performance of the scchool
  • Ensure the school is meeting educational expectations of its pupils
  • Ensure the clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school

The governors work together to reach collective decisions which support the best outcomes for the children, whilst maintaining the financial stability of the school.  
 

Contacting the Governing Body

Parents are welcome to contact the Chair of Governors by letter c/o the school office or by email jcahill@birchwoodnursery.herts.sch.uk

Note, however, that governors cannot get involved in individual pupil matters or the day-to-day running of the school. The Class Teacher/ Key Person should be contacted in the first instance. Governors will only become involved, if necessary, as a last resort through the school’s complaints procedure.

Governor Information

Information about governors - their terms of office, any pecuniary interests declared and a record of their attendance at meetings - is published annually at the end of each academic year. The details for the academic year 2022-2023 are given below.  

Governor

Category

Appointed/Elected by

Term of Office

FGB Attendance

Register of Interests

Role

Julie Cahill

Co-opted

Governing Body

26.05.2020-

25.05.2024

6/6

Independent School Improvement Consultant (not Herts)

Daughter a member of Birchwood Nursery staff

Chair of Governors/ Safeguarding/EYPP and Equalities Governor

 

Vivienne Candy

Parent

Governing Body

08.07.2021-07.07.2025

4/6

None

Health & Safety Governor 

Joseph Craig

Co-opted

Governing Body

08.07.2021-07.07.2025

1/6

None

 

Caroline Neville

Staff

Staff

16.05.2022- 15.05.2026

6/6

None

 

Lauren O'Keefe

Co-opted

Governing Body

18.05.2023 - 

17.05.2027

1/1

None

 

Naomi Pascall

Parent

Parents

19.10/2022 - 18.10.2026

4/5

None

 

Margaret Stocks

Headteacher 

Ex officio

01.09.2019-

 

6/6

Governor at Sauncey Wood School (Harpenden) 

Governor at Batford Nursery School (Harpenden)

Headteacher

Geoffrey Stack

Associate Member

Governing Body

14.10.2022-23.10.2026

4/5

Governor at Parkside Community School (Borehamwood);  Governor at St Nicholas Primary (Elstree)

 

 

Leavers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caryn King

Co-opted

Governing Body

26.05.2020 - 10.11.2022

1/1

 

None

Vice Chair of Governors 

Kathryn Kitson

Co-opted

Governing Body

01.06.2019  24.11.2022

0/1

Governor at Brookmead Primary School (Leighton Buzzard)