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Governors

The Governing Body is responsible for the long-term strategic direction of the school. It has statutory responsibilities that include agreeing the school budget and expenditure and ensuring key policies are in place. Governors do not get involved in the day-to-day running of the school. The governor’s role is to ask challenging questions and provide support in those areas in which they have particular expertise. In order to be effective in their role, governors are expected to attend training sessions and read all relevant documentation.

Governors at Brooklands fulfil this role through two separate focusses: The Resources Committee and The School Improvement Committee. These committees meet termly to:

  • Review the termly expenditure, agree major financial outlays, monitor the budget profile and monthly spending.
  • Review all areas of site maintenance and development, including security, health and safety.
  • Sit on interview panels, agree new staff appointments, agree staff changes and amendments, review job descriptions, salaries and performance appraisal.
  • Review and agree school policies and school improvement priorities, assessment data, learning and progress of pupils and parental involvement.

Governors also meet once a term for full governing body meetings to support the strategic work of the school.    

The Governing Body of Brookland Junior School is made up of parents, staff, local authority and community representatives. As a rule, governors serve for terms of four years on the Governing Body. Parent governors are elected every four years by other parents. They bring the perspective of a parent to the governing body, but they speak and act as individuals.

If you wish to contact a governor, please speak to the office.

 

Meet the Governors

Mrs Mandeep Barton (Headteacher)

I have worked in primary education for 13 years after successfully completing my Law degree and then PGCE. I started working at Brookland Junior School in September 2019. Prior to this, I worked in another local primary school. I started there as an NQT and left 9 years later after leading lower key stage two and achieving the SENDCo Award during my time as Inclusion Leader and a Senior Leader. Since being at Brookland, I have taught Year 6 and 3 and been Assistant Headteacher, leading curriculum and assessment. I am now into my third year as Headteacher at Brookland and am thoroughly enjoying being a part of the Brookland community and seeing the positive direction in which the school is moving.

 

LEA Governor - Chair of Governors

Mrs Amy Claydon - Term of office 01.09.2021 - 31.08.2025

Role - Chair of Resources and School Improvement Committees

I was able to join the Brookland Junior School governing body in September 2021 while my children Nina and Sonny attended the school.  I really wanted to get a better understanding of how the school runs and try to make a difference to the staff and children! 

I work full time as an accountant, which enables me to have a good understanding of the finances within the school. My children have now both left Brooklands, but my aim is to stay and continue to support the school and aid the brightest future I believe it has!

Co-opted Governors

Mr James Stephens - Term of office 27.09.2023 - 26.09.2027

I am a Chartered Accountant, training and qualifying with KPMG. Before that I worked in the Banking sector and now in the finance department within a large retailer. I believe my background and experience will help the school make effective financial decisions. I am a proud daddy to little Arthur and in my spare time I enjoy playing football and board games!

 

Mrs Joy Liiv - Term of office 19.05.2022- 18.05.2026

I am a semi-retired chemistry teacher who now has some spare time. I volunteered for a governor post at Brookland Junior School because all three of my children attended the school during the 1990’s and enjoyed their time there. I saw some local publicity about the recent Ofsted report and a request for new governors and here we are. I think, also, that I have the life and professional experience of having something positive to offer the governing body and look forward to helping the school move forward positively.

 

Parent Governors

Maria Vaciago - Term of office 19.05.2022 - 18.05.2026

I am an award-winning children's author and mum of three, the youngest of whom still attends Brookland. When I'm not writing, I work extensively in schools delivering creative writing, anti-bullying and empowerment presentations and workshops. I also volunteer for a national anti-bullying charity and I feel that this experience will help me be an effective governor.

 

Staff Governor

Mrs Caroline Abraham (Assistant Headteacher) - Term of office 01.10.20 - 29.09.2024

 

Associate Members

Mr Adam Pugh (Deputy Headteacher) - Term office 30.09.21 - 29.09.2025

Miss Shelley Murphy (School Business Manager) - Term office 27.09.17 - 26.09.25