Employment: G2 Architects

Employment: Art Development Manager

I want to support the school to be the best it can be for the children and school community. I am a clear, strategic and creative thinker. I am skilled at listening and working with key stakeholders.

Employment: NHS, Coordinator for Emergency Theatre

Employment: Project Manager at BT

Employment: History Teacher

I became a Governor to help protect the integrity of the school and to help get the best for its students and staff.

I have been in Education for 25 years, firstly teaching English as a foreign language in Cambridge, The Czech Republic and Japan. I then trained to be a History Teacher and have worked in secondary schools in the south west ever since.

I also spent a year teaching History in Georgia, USA. As result of this experience, I bring knowledge of a wide range of approaches to learning and an interest and understanding of different cultures and societies.

My Historical knowledge and years in teaching give me a solid background in understanding education and allow perspective on current practice and belief. I am a good listener and am able to act confidently and effectively as part of a team.

My role as Clerk to the Governors is to ensure that Governors are kept informed of updates from within the Academy; to document meetings and correspondence between Governors; and to ensure the compliance of our Governing Body to the relevant legislation.

All of our Governors are very approachable, and you may know some of them from the school gate. However, if you have an informal enquiry or complaint regarding the school, you may prefer to send me an email at clerkgovernor@compasspoint.bristol.sch.uk , this ensures there is a record of the enquiry, and that I can answer fully, or direct your enquiry to the most suitable Governor or Staff Member.

Governors are updated on daily life in the school under Covid planning measures. Governors agree the school has done a fantastic job.

The issue of the bunker under the school is raised and this is on the New Estates Manager's radar for urgent attention. There are no updates as yet from Bristol City Council in relation to dogs using the school playing field.

The financial update shows that that the school will be moving forward from a place of strength. There is expected to be an increase in funding from government for interventions, and from PP funding as more students are eligible. This means that the school can direct interventions at all children to ensure that they meet their expected levels despite missing out on in school education this term.

Governors discussed in detail staffing plans for the next academic year and are satisfied that these are well prepared. 

Suggestions are made to strengthen the use of existing tools such as White Rose Maths, and providing deadlines for set work as students are seeing work set as optional; the message is confusing.

Governors ask for confirmation that Free School Meal vouchers are being sufficiently arranged. The School Business Manager confirms that the summer vouchers are already on order.

Governors discussed the Next Steps in planning for the return of students. There was a general discussion regarding Risk Assessments, Government Guidance, and 'Pod' groups for September.

Governors were keen to ensure that the school were consistently and enthusiastically communicating with students that were not attending school and made suggestions for improvement. These suggestions will be put to staff by the headteacher.

Feedback from parents shows a lack of confidence in maths skills; Governors would like to see the school address this directly with parents by making available short 'How-To' videos to compliment home learning packs.

The School Improvement Plan for the next academic year is almost complete and has been scrutunised by Governors. Suggestions have been made to ensure that Pupil Premium spending is clearly identified so that Governors can hold the school fully accountable in future.

Governors were informed that the curriculum will have a strong emphasis on Art in order to gently reintroduce children into school - Governors suggest that whilst art is important for overcoming trauma, it also has links to other curriculum areas and these should be fully explored, such as history, geography, and architecture. Architecture also incorporates numeracy, and so should be given  consideration as a focus subject within Art. The school is planning more outdoor learning, and so geography is an obvious choice as a focus, with strong links to science. 

New equipment to support handwriting has been purchased to address concerns raised by the School Improvement Officer. Books in school are being updated and reorganised to reflect the diverse school community and to improve the fluidity of progression through the levels.

Concerns were raised by Governors regarding communication between the Local Governing Body and the GGLT Trustees. Governors agreed a course of action to resolve. 

Shortly before breaking up for half-term parents were sent a letter outlining the Trust's position on the reopening of our Primary Schools.

The letter can be accessed here.

Information for parents regarding the potential reopening of schools can be found here.

On the 4th May our Governing Body met virtually to discuss the needs and wellbeing of the school community. The meeting did not follow the usual structure due to this being the first full board meeting since schools have been closed.

Our governors received detailed information regarding the actions that the school is taking to ensure the safeguarding and wellbeing of the staff, students, and their families.

Governors raised concerns regarding a restructure affecting our sister schools, as well as concerns that due to technical issues some families may be missing out on their Free School Meal entitlement.

Governors are reassured  that upon the school fully reopening, our Headteacher has an appropriate plan in place to offer a curriculum heavily weighted towards PSHE and Art in order to secure our children's wellbeing in school.

Governors continue to meet virtually throughout the Covid-19 social distancing measures.

School Year 2019/20 Meeting Dates:

LGB: Local Governing Body  FGP: Finance and General Purposes 

SOW: Student Outcomes and Wellbeing 

SIP:School Improvement Plan