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 (26/05/24 - 25/05/28)
  Julie Cahill

  I am a co-opted governor at Birchwood Nursery School, joining the governing board in the early stages of the pandemic in 2020. I became a governor for a number of reasons. My granddaughter loved her time at the nursery and my daughter was a key worker and was proud to work at Birchwood. I firmly believe in supporting schools at the heart of the community and I hoped that I would have something to offer the school through my experience in education.

  I was a primary headteacher in a school with both full and part time nursery provision before becoming a senior adviser in a London borough. I then worked part time as a school improvement specialist until 2022. I have substantial experience in all aspects of leadership and management, teaching and learning and school improvement. I have particularly valued working with governing bodies, providing training and support, as well as having been a governor myself.

  I enjoy my role as Chair of Governors at Birchwood and aim to do all I can to support the school as we look to the future and implement our vision.

• Margaret Stocks
  Headteacher (From 01/09/19)
  Margaret Stocks

  I am Headteacher at Birchwood Nursery School and, as such, I am an ex officio governor and it was a privilege to take on this role in September 2019. I am committed to working hard and ensuring all children who attend Birchwood have an enriching environment to learn in and to be the best that they can be. I have always worked within Early Years since starting my teaching career in London 30 years ago. I moved to Hertfordshire with my family in 1997 and gained experience across a variety of settings, settling down in my previous school, where I taught for 20 years and my roles included Early Years Lead, Inclusion Co-ordinator and Assistant Headteacher.

  I am passionate about Early Years and firmly believe if we get the foundations right in Nursery, then we send the children equipped for the next step of their educational journey. As our Mission Statement says, Â 'A secure and happy child today promotes a fulfilled, independent adult of tomorrow'.

  Beyond school, I have three grown up children, although my youngest is at University and therefore still in fulltime education. I enjoy pottering around in my garden, cooking and walking my dog Oscar.

• Caroline Neville
  Staff Governor (16/05/22 - 15/05/26)
  Caroline Neville

  I am the Lead Nursery Teacher at Birchwood Nursery School and have been so since April 2022. I have worked in schools as a trained teacher for nearly 15 years and have taught children from Nursery to Year 6.

  Having two young children myself, I know how important the Early Years of a child's life are. I am passionate in my role as an educator and excited about being an active Staff Governor. Â

• Geoffrey Strack
  Local Authority Governor (24/11/22 - 23/11/26)
  Geoffrey Strack

  I am an Associate governor of Birchwood Nursery School. My children and most of my grandchildren have been fortunate in being able to attend Hertfordshire Schools.

  My own career has been across all sectors of education - Primary, Secondary, University and working with Ofsted. I worked as a local authority adviser and was fortunate in being involved in the introduction of ICT in schools at a National and International level. This included working in the USA, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Germany and Viet Nam.

  My current interests are team building, well-being for children and staff, improving my own knowledge of Early Years and the format of governing body meetings. In 2018, I was presented with the Herts Outstanding Governor of the Year Award. In addition to having the privilege of being a governor at Birchwood Nursery, as required I help with other Herts Primary Schools.

• Vivianne Candy
  Parent Governor (08/07/21 -07/07/25)
  Vivianne Candy

  I am a parent governor at Birchwood Nursery School. My daughter is attending the Nursery School and was in the pre-school previously. I am a trained Microbiologist who is moving out of academia. We have recently moved to Hatfield and I am looking forward to getting involved in the school and being part of the local community.

• Naomi Pascall
  Parent Governor (19/10/22 - 18/10/26)
  Naomi Pascall

  I am a parent governor at Birchwood Nursery School. My daughter previously attended the preschool and Nursery School.

  I am currently studying Dental Hygiene at Eastman Dental Hospital and have over 11 years’ experience in the dental field.

  I am enjoying taking a more active role within the Birchwood Nursery School community.

• Lauren O'Keefe
  Co-opted Governor (18/05/23 -17/05/27)
  Lauren O'Keefe

  I am a co-opted governor at Birchwood Nursery School, having joined the Governing board in May 2023.

  I have a wide range of knowledge within early years, having attained my Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education whilst working and volunteering for both Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City schools. I am eager to broaden my knowledge and understanding whilst governing to continue having a positive impact on all the children who attend both the Preschool and Nursery at Birchwood.

  Aside from being a governor, I adore spending time with my little boy, baking cakes and pursuing a personalisation business.

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 2023-2024 are given below.