Governors

GOVERNOR NEWS

chairs chat 28 3 24.pdf

 

 OUR ROLE AS GOVERNORS

We have a focus on three core strategic functions:
a.
 ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
b. Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational
    performance of the school and the children, their safety
    and the performance management of staff;
c. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and
    making sure it's money is well spent.

 

 

Setting vision, ethos & strategic direction
We have to ensure the the school has a medium to long term vision for it's future - which is spelt out in the vision statement. We also have to ensure that there is a robust strategy in place for achieving this vision. This strategy address the fundamental questions of: where are we now, where do we want to e and how are we going to get there. This includes giving consideration to the type of school which would offer the best opportunities for achieving future aims.


Our foundation governors, who are appointed by the Church, have a special role in preserving and developing the ethos of the school, including its Church of England character. They must also ensure the school is conducted in accordance with the foundation governing documents.

Holding the Headteacher to account

One of the most significant decisions a governing body makes is the selection and appointment of the Headteacher. For most governors, such a decision may be a rare event, perhaps taken only once during their term in office. It is therefore essential that governing bodies are well prepared for this.

 

As governors, we support and strengthen the Headteacher's leadership and hold her to account for the day to day running of the school, including the performance management of staff. Governing bodies play a strategic role and avoid routine involvement in operational matters. We focus strongly on holding the Headteacher to account for exercising their professional judgement in these matters and all of their other duties.

Overseeing financial management

Governing bodies are responsible for making sure their school's money is well spent. We do this by making sure that we have governors with specific skills and experience of financial matters and by asking questions such as:

a. Are we allocating our resources in line with our strategic priorities?

b. Are we making full use of all our assets and efficient use of all our financial resources?

c. Are other schools buying things cheaper or getting better results with less spending per child?

d. How can we get better value for money from our budget?

COMMITTEES

Finance & Personnel

Geoff Strack

Kate Johnston-Grant

Revd David Aplin

Beth Hugill

Paul Igbokwe

 

Premises and Health & Safety

Kate Johnston-Grant

Revd David Aplin
(H&S Governor)

Beth Hugill

Teaching & Learning

Geoff Strack
(Sports Premium)

Beth Hugill

Kate Johnston-Grant
Ann Goddard

 

Admissions
Geoff Strack
Kate Johnston-Grant

Headteacher
Performance Management

Geoff Strack

Complaints & Discipline

Governing Body

Data Protection Officers
Revd D. Aplin            admin@stnicholas610.herts.sch.uk

MEET OUR GOVERNORS

Geoff Strack

Contact Geoff Strack at gstrack@stnicholas610.herts.sch.uk

My family and I have lived in Borehamwood for more than 35 years. I was first a Governor at Holmes Hill Middle School more than 30 years ago and I have been Chair of Governors at Borehamwood schools for around 15 years. Throughout my career, I have worked in Education. As a secondary school teacher, as an education officer and then self-employed working for Ofsted, UNESCO, The British Council, SAM Learning and Teacher Training in the UK.
Since joining St Nicholas in 2001 I have seen many changes at the School but am proud to be the Chair of Governors at this present time where the school is led by an outstanding Headteacher and management team. Everyone at the school does an excellent job and children are in the best hands with my Governor colleagues making a significant contribution to this.

Revd.
David Aplin

I am an accountant by profession and during my career I have worked in many industries and roles. These include being a charity finance director and also operations director of a factory for people with physical or learning difficulties. Throughout my career I always tried to help people, particularly youngsters starting their careers, achieve their full potential. My skills include being an appeals manager and this allowed me the opportunity to ensure that staff were treated fairly during disciplinary proceedings. I have been a non-stipendiary Minister of the United Reformed Church since 1990 and I trained at Oakhill Theological College in Southgate. This is an evangelical Anglican college and I found my time training here a great learning experience with warm fellowship. Although I live in Harrow, I have been the minister of St. Andrews United Reformed Church in Borehamwood  for 23 years. This has led to my involvement in many community projects with the most important being CIO Secretary of Borehamwood Foodbank. My wife Maren and I have been married for 46 years and we have been blessed with a daughter, a son and six lovely grandchildren. My wife was a primary school teacher and my daughter is the Assistant Head of a special needs school. Oh and my son in an accountant of course. I have a strong Christian calling and bring a number of skills to the school in finance, HR, strategy, management, property etc. Above all this, I care deeply for people especially children and feel that I want to give to others the care and opportunities I have received.

Dr. Ann Goddard

 

 

I am an ex-parent. My four children all went to St Nicholas School and my late husband Dennis was Chairman of the Governors in the 1970's & 80's.

Now retired I was an anaesthetist working part time. Today I am active on community affairs and charitable fundraising for the NSPCC.

Pastor Paul Igbokwe

 My family (wife & two children) have lived in Borehamwood for over 10 years. I am a former civil servant, who worked with the successive Mayor of London as part of the senior management team in City Hall, before leaving in 2016 to lead Hertfordshire's Christian Centre. 

I appreciate the importance of quality education in children's development and I am keen to support and contribute in creating and developing the appropriate environment and initiatives to help the students in St Nicholas fulfil their potential.

 Kate
Johnston-Grant

I qualified with a BEd Hons from Bath University. Initially I started teaching in a secondary school and then I moved to a primary school in Hemel Hempstead. After a few years I gained promotion and worked in two primary schools in Hatfield where I gained experience on the senior leadership team and as a deputy Headteacher. Then I was successfully appointed as a Headteacher of a small Church of England primary school outside Hemel Hempstead where I stayed for seven years before being appointed at St Nicholas.

I have experience teaching all age groups and have over the years worked with the local authority on ICT projects and as a lead literacy teacher. I am proud to be the Headteacher at St Nicholas and be supported by such a motivated and committed staff.

Karren Fielding

In my journey so far I have had a variety of skills through the years in Art, Design, Advertising and Copywriting. I attended St. Martin’s School of Art in the ’70’s, and went on on to be Art Designer at Selfridges, London. Later on I had a self-employed graphic design and printing business, including mural painting. Clients included top London venues, West End department stores including Harrods and Harvey Nichols, restaurants and nightclubs, etc. In 1991 - 2001 for ten years I lived in Tel Aviv, married with three children, experiencing the vibrant life and becoming fluent in the Hebrew language. I taught English in primary school there, and carried out various self-employed creative projects. In 2001 I returned to the UK, raising my children. From 2008 onwards (and currently) I am an artist and portrait painter, with several previously internationally commissioned portraits. I currently also take care of two children attending Haberdasher’s School and Radlett Prep., (including assisting with their homework and meals). I am a mentor with like-minded students with The University of Westminster, and an active member of Rotary. I have recently initiated an innovative  international project involving self-expression for autistic children, visiting abroad to advance progress in this. In 2015 through to 2020 I completed a BA Hons in Philosophy and Psychology (2:1), leading me to become associated with well-being and mindfulness, also currently exploring art therapy. I am delighted to give my support as a Governor to the school’s provision of excellent education for the children, with a role in well-being and Senco, where children can have the greatest sense of purpose and happiness.

Beth Hugill

 

I qualified in 2008 at Hertfordshire University with a BEd in Primary Education. Since then I have progressed from an NQT to the role of Deputy Head at St Nicholas School in Elstree. 

I value the importance of extra curricular activities and enjoy running the Choir Club and participating in key musical festivals.

Chris Anderson

I have lived in Borehamwood with my wife and family since 1970, our two sons grew up in the town and were educated locally. I first started work in 1951, entering the Film Industry in 1953 as a cinema projectionist. I did National Service 1955-57 in Jordan and Cyprus then resumed working as a projectionist. In 1959 I began working locally at Danziger Studios in Elstree, and following that at Elstree Studios from 1960 where I became a Sound Mixer. After 29 years at Elstree Studios, I was made redundant, so after that I started doing part time jobs including traffic enumerating for several Councils as well as private companies and the GLC. During this time I was also working part time as Community Service Supervisor for the Probation Service in Hertfordshire.

I have always believed in being involved in the local community. During 1989-90 I was Chairman of Allum Lane Community Centre (now Allum Manor), from 1998 till the present I have been Chairman of Maxwell Park Community Centre. During the past 12 years I have been Vice Chair and Chair of Borehamwood and Elstree U3A. I feel that it is important to help and contribute to community affairs in whatever form one is able to.

Malcolm Calaby

I have lived in Elstree for the past eighteen years, having previously lived in the town. Our three grown-up daughters all attended Saffron Green Primary School, where I served as a Parent Governor for eight and a half years, serving as Vice-Chair for four years and Chair of finance, property and maintenance and as a member of the personnel committee. I took a very active interest in all activities within the school and for two years coached a successful school football team, as well as coaching the Harrow Youth Football League Representative Squad at Under 11, Under 12 and Under 13 age groups over a three-year period. The Under 12’s achieving the runner’s-up cup in an international tournament held in Douai, France.

I served in HM Armed Forces (Royal Engineers and then Royal Military Police) for twelve years and then as a Police Officer in London for eighteen years. I am married and as previously stated have three grown up daughters and nine grandchildren. On retiring from the police, I took up a career in logistics and thus was able to provide Saffron Green with articulated lorries for their entry into the Borehamwood Carnival, for which they were awarded Best in Class and Best Overall Float on three occasions.

Three of our grandchildren attend St Nicholas, one of which, my wife and I have taken on the role of Special Guardians to. Now that I have finally retired, I feel that this is my opportunity to give a little something back to the community that we live in.

No Governors have any business interests relevant to the school.
No Governors or members of their families have any relationship with members of the school staff
Geoff Strack is also a Governor at other local Primary Schools

GOVERNOR DETAILS
Name Term Attendance

GEOFFREY STRACK

Chair of Governors

15.01.2018 - 16.01.2026 7/8
DAVID APLIN 12.05.2015 - 23.06.2023 5/7
KATE JOHNSTON-GRANT 20.07.2009 - 19.07.2025 8/9
BETH HUGILL 13.09.2021 - 12.09.2025 8/9
ANN GODDARD 16.01.2021 - 15.01.2025 5/7
PAUL IGBOKWE 15.01.2017 - 21.11.2025 3/6
KARREN FIELDING 01.09.2019 - 31.08.2023 2/7
CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON 20.01.2020 - 19.01.2024 4/4
MALCOLM CALABY 03.03.2023 - 28.02.2027

 ALL GOVERNORS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNING BODY

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