Governors

The Governing Body and the school’s strategic leadership

The Governing Body works with the Senior Leadership Team to provide strategic leadership and scrutiny of our effectiveness. The Governing Body comprises people from the local community, parents, local authority and staff, including the head teacher. Some governors are voted for by parents and staff but the majority are selected for their skill, knowledge and expertise to meet the needs of the school.

The core responsibilities of a Governing Body are:

Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of the staff; and
Overseeing the financial management of the organisation and making sure money is well spent

The Governing Body plays a crucial role in holding the school to account for securing the best possible outcomes for its pupils. By challenging key decisions and asking probing questions about the school’s performance data, governors can help to guarantee high standards of education provision.

Governors are linked to a specific area of the school’s work or a statutory responsibility e.g. early years, special educational needs. Details of the Governing Body membership and their specific responsibilities can be found below.

The full Governing Body meets at least twice a term to review progress against the school development plan. Governors also visit the school during the working day to see for themselves how the school runs on a day-to-day basis and to monitor progress against the school’s priorities with their linked member of staff.

The chair of governors can be contacted on governors@chasebridge.richmond.sch.uk

GOVERNING BODY STRUCTURE

ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS

INSTRUMENT OF GOVERNMENT

Governor profiles

Mike Dormer - Chair of Governors

I've spent my entire working life in the film and television industry, originally as a documetary maker but mainly as a drama producer. For several years I was a governor at Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance in Siducp. I live in St Margarets and volunteered as a governor to support education in Richmond. Chase Bridge is a vibrant creative community and I'm very much looking forward to becoming part of it.

Governing Body role: Co-opted Governor - Community

Chair of the Governing Body, Safeguarding, Pay and Performance Management, Three-year Strategy Group, Recruitment and Selection.

Appointed 3rd December 2014. Term ends 3rd December 2022.

The chair of governors can be contacted via email at governors@chasebridge.richmond.sch.uk

Fr David Cloake - Vice Chair of Governors

Employment: Priest and Vicar of Ss Philip & James Church, Whitton

I am associated with Chase Bridge School because my children are members of the student body. I have enjoyed a number of roles on various school governing bodies, though largely with faith schools as part of my working life. As this is my first opportunity to be a parent governor, I have taken a particular interest in the culture and delivery of the education at Chase Bridge School. I offer what I can to the school who serve my own children so ably.

Governing Body role: Co-opted Governor - Community

Named Governor for Pay and Performance Management.

Appointed 10th June 2014. Term ends 29th November 2021.

Emily Tafler

I am honoured to be able to contribute to Chase Bridge’s future plans and hope that my experience as a teacher, Teach First Ambassador and managing communications in the media and digital industries will bring a range of skills to the role. I am a parent of two children at Chase Bridge and look forward to working with fellow governors to support the education and well-being of all children at the school.

Governing Body role: Parent Governor and Three-Year Strategy Group.

Appointed 13th May 2019. Term ends 13th May 2023.

Eleanor Wright

I have been a governor since my children were at Chase Bridge in the 1990s. I became a governor because of my interest in the school and in education, and in the hope that I could be helpful. I am a solicitor specialising in education law and a member of Richmond Dyslexia Association, and I also sit on local admission and exclusion appeal panels.

Governing Body role: Co-opted Governor - Community

Safeguarding

Appointed 10th June 1995. Term ends 20th June 2025.

James Lovatt

Employment: Head of Compliance Europe - TD Securities

I have worked for a number of financial services firms and lived in the local area for approximately fifteen years. Over that time I have realised how important it is to have a variety of views contributing to decision making. I want to be able to use my skills and expertise from the financial sector to hopefully contribute to the continued success of Chase Bridge. In addition I am excited to learn how such an important sector functions and will enjoy developing new skills along the way. I look forward to working with all members of the Chase Bridge community in the future. I am married with two young daughters and enjoy playing golf.

Governing Body role: Local Authority Governor

Pay and Performance Management, Admin and Premises, Health & Safety Link Governor

Appointed 8th February 2017. Term ends 9th February 2025.

Jonathon Lisseman

Employment: Associate Headteacher - Hammersmith Academy

I have worked in secondary education for the last 23 years, 14 of which have been at a senior level in good and outstanding schools. I am passionate about improving the life chances of all students through education and recognise the important role that governors play in the success of any school.

I have a deep commitment to community / comprehensive schooling that brings students and families from all walks of life to learn together. I have lived in St Margaret’s for the last 18 years and feel proud to be able to serve the community in this way.

I look forward to working with all the stakeholders over the coming years.

Governing Body role: Co-opted Governor – Community

Lower KS2 link Governor, Pay and Performance Management, Three-year Strategy Group.

Appointed 16th May 2018. Term ends 16th May 2022.

Ash Patel

Governing Body role: Co-opted Governor - Parent

Financial Planning Group, Pay and Performance Management, Three-year Strategy Group.

During the past 15 years of my working career I have been a senior member of project teams where major institutions (commercial and not for profit - NHS/Government Agencies) are going through re-structure/ change / transformation (ICT)/ new capital investment injection(Estates, Facilities Management). As a qualified ACMA accountant I have driven those changes from a financial budgeting/planning, financial modelling and funding approval needs.

As a parent of a son at Chase Bridge I can bring those skills and experience to Chase Bridge to help the school achieve its long term financial and non-financial goals.

Appointed September 2020. Term ends 29th July 2024.

Helen Box

Governing Body role: Co-opted Governor

Appointed 10th May 2021. Term ends 11th May 2025.

Graeme Kirkpatrick

My career and other achievements in life to date are thanks in no small part to the education I received as a primary school student. I believe that education can be a creator of many great experiences for participants and an enabler of many more. I'm also a believer that Sport and games play a similar role, creating & enabling experiences, throughout life and I think Chase Bridge recognises the same.

I plan to use the skills I've gained through a varied professional career, in construction, to help the Governing Body continue the vibrancy and excellence of experiences at Chase Bridge.

As a Parent Governor, I'm excited to have an opportunity to contribute to the school that my children and others attend and look forward to doing so.

Governing Body role: Parent Governor

Appointed 1st June 2021. Term ends 2nd June 2025.

Leighton Aurelius

Governing Body role: Co-opted Governor

Appointed 1st June 2021. Term ends 2nd June 2025.

Kath Briggs

I am an outstanding primary teacher with 18 years of experience and have taught across the entire primary range. I have led many year groups, been an assistant and deputy head and a leading English teacher.

In the past, I was the staff governor at my previous school for five years.

I joined Chase Bridge six years ago and I am currently leading Year 5. I also have a child at the school.

I look forward to contributing to Chase Bridge in a new way as staff governor and building effective partnerships.

Governing Body role: Staff Governor

Appointed 25th May 2021. Term ends 26th May 2025.

Gareth Mantle

Governing Body role: Co-opted Governor

As a teacher of 12 years experience in Key Stage 2, I am excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the life of Chase Bridge Primary School as a governor.

With a background in the arts (studying Art History and working in arts administration in London) I bring to the classroom a creative approach - focussing on arts and design & technology. I have been a Year 6 teacher at Chase Bridge for 3 years and have enjoyed becoming part of the school community. I have two primary age children and enjoy reading, photography and running.

As a governor, I am looking forward to helping to oversee the continual development of the curriculum and look at the wellbeing of pupils, staff and the wider school.

Appointed 25th May 2021. Term ends 26th May 2025.