Beoley First School is a nurturing, family-focused environment dedicated to personal and academic development. Our primary focus is to ensure that every child in our care has the best possible start in life; staff, governors, families and children work collaboratively to create a stimulating and ambitious environment that fosters a love of learning and allows all children to reach their full potential.
The Governing Board is a group of elected volunteers who form part of school’s Leadership and Management.
The remit of the governing board is strategic. Through questioning, critical friendship and support we hold the leadership to account for the school’s direction and outcomes.
We have three distinct roles:
- 1 To hold the headteacher to account for the vision of the school.
- 2 To ensure financial probity and value for money.
- 3 To offer support, scrutiny, and challenge to the school leadership in pursuit of improvement and performance.
Chair of Governors is Darren Turner and can be contacted via the Clerk to Governors at [email protected]
Safeguarding Governor is Lucinda Turnbull. The role of Safeguarding governor is to be in charge of overall effectiveness and management of safeguarding, filtering and monitoring arrangements and the safety and welfare of staff and pupils.
Who is who
Darren Turner
Chair of Governors
I have been involved as a parent at Beoley First School for almost seven years now, as all of my children have, or are attending the school. I responded to a request for new governors in 2019, and joined in November 2019. During my time as a Governor I have served as vice chair, and since September 2021 have been Chair of Governors. I am also Chair of the Finance and Staffing Committee, ideal given my experience as I am a qualified accountant.
Although my term has been heavily interrupted due to Covid and the challenges that have been imposed on us all, I have still very much enjoyed the process of support and challenge firstly to Ben Irving, then his successor Steve Philp. Working as a Governor can be highly enlightening as to the day to day challenges that any school can face, especially given the wide range of stakeholders involved.
Hazel Hatton
Governor
I have been a Governor at Beoley First School since 2016. I live and work within Beoley Village and enjoy being part of the community. In my previous hectic life I worked in retail Banking in a managerial role which has afforded the skills and attributes I can bring as a Governor. I have enjoyed getting to know the excellent staff at the school and admire their dedication and professionalism in the ongoing challenging environment. Better than that though is seeing how well the children thrive in a school surrounded by nature’s resources.
Emma Pinkney
Vice Chair of Governors
I have over 13 years of experience working in the Early Years sector, and am currently Operations Manager for a Group of local Ofsted Outstanding Nurseries, which include Woodland House Nursery next door to the School. I first started working for the Company as Nursery Manager at Woodland House over 8 years ago. I am really excited about being able to contribute and influence the children's educational journey after they have left us at Nursery, and also about working with a team of Governors that have such a diverse set of skills and experiences.
Lucinda Turnbull
Governor
I am a co-opted governor and started my governance journey as a parent governor when my son was is Year 1. He is currently in Year 10! I have a knowledge of education- I am a science teacher and currently work in a local school as a teaching assistant and knowledge of the school. It is a real privilege to be able to work with such a great team of governors to be able to take this small but vibrant school on through the next areas for development.
Emily Wingfield
Governor
I am a parent to 2 pupils at the school. I am a Senior Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Birmingham, where I also hold the positions of School Senior Tutor (overseeing student academic support) and University of Birmingham lead for the Birmingham National Literacy Trust Hub. Alongside my research specialisms in medieval literature, I have a strong teaching interest in early years literacy and experience of sitting on numerous academic and administrative committees at Birmingham and elsewhere.
Nick Irons
Parent Governor.
Parent Governor.
Mandy Lowe
Governor
I became a Governor in late 2022. My connection to the school is through my own child who is a pupil here. I’m excited to be part of a dynamic team of experienced Governors. In my professional life, I am a Director of a Recruitment business, where I focus on leadership, management, and innovative recruitment solutions. This experience has honed my skills in collaboration, reflection, and effective communication, which I bring to my role as a Parent Governor. Witnessing the dedication of our teachers first hand is truly inspiring. It’s a privilege to work with this exceptional group of Governors to support the school in creating an environment where every child can thrive.
Sarah Phillips
Governor
I have trained and graduated as a primary school teacher over 30 years ago and am currently an Education and Childcare lecturer at both Heart of Worcestershire College and Worcester University. I am also a qualified head teacher (NPQH), although I did not take up this role, choosing to move into the Further and Higher education sector. I have close and ongoing ties with the village, with our own two boys having attended the school and also in my role as secretary of Beoley Village Hall management committee. I hope through the role as a Governor, I can help in some way support the school and ensure current and future children continue to thrive.
Steve Philp
Governor
Claire Halliwell
Governor
Alan Bailes
Governor
I am a co-opted governor and currently the Bromsgrove District ward member for Alvechurch South, which includes Beoley First School. In the past I have been the Chair of Governors for Alvechurch First School, although some years ago it gave me valuable insight into school life. In my professional life, although semi-retired, I am a Chartered Transport Planner running my own Transport Planning and Traffic Engineering company. I am excited to be part of the Board of Governors for Beoley First School and look forward to adding value to the Board.
Claire Brown
Clerk to the Governors
I am the Clerk to the Governors and I started this role in the summer of 2024. I began working at Beoley First School in 2022 as the school’s administrator, a role which I thoroughly enjoy. Through my degree in management and previous work within the NHS I have gained a wide range of essential skills for the role of Clerk. Teaming those skills with my love of the school, its values and ethos, becoming Clerk was a natural addition to my work.
Structure
The Governing Body has 3 committees that focus on different aspects of school business:
- Teaching and Learning (chair: Emma Pinkney)
- Finance and Staffing (chair: Darren Turner)
- Premises, Health and Safety (chair: Nick Irons)
Meetings
The Full Governing Body meets 5 times per year and each committee meets once per term.