The Members

Members have key roles and responsibilities under company law, their role is similar to shareholders of a limited company – although they have no financial interest in the school.  They help to ensure effective governance by holding the Board of Trustees accountable.

Members have an oversight role, limited and distinct from that of the Trustees (see below).  Responsibility to conduct the Trust’s business sits with the Trustees and Members are ‘eyes on and hands off’.

The Trustees

The Trustees make up the Trust Board and are the directors of the company and trustees of the charity.  The Trust Board is the decision-making body and is accountable and responsible for the Academy.

The Trust Board has three core functions:

1. Ensuring clarity of the vision, ethos and strategic direction.
2. Holding the Executive Leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the effective and efficient performance management of staff.
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure that its money is well spent.

Trustees are sometimes referred to as Governors and the Trust Board as the Full Governing Body.

Catherine Gater is Chair of Trustees and Chair of the Steering Committee. Catherine trained as a scientist and has a background in project management and equality and diversity. Catherine has been a governor for 8 years and has 2 sons who have both attended Birchwood. Catherine particularly enjoys working with the school to achieve an inclusive and supportive educational environment.

Ruth Bamlett is Safeguarding Link and English Link and sits on Curriculum Committee. She has a background in primary education as a Headteacher.

Ruth Crowland is Chair of Curriculum and link for SEND / Disadvantaged students. She is a specialist in Education and Special Educational Needs.

Chris Emery is appointed by parents and is an IT consultant in the finance sector. He is a member of the Finance & Estates Committee.

Matthew Free is appointed by parents and is an HR consultant. He is a member of the Personnel Committee.

Chris Ingate is Principal of Birchwood and is an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees.

Jane Mansfield has been a governor for almost 2 years and was previously a governor at a local primary school. She chairs the Personnel Committee and has a son in year 8. She has a background in corporate banking and corporate risk management.

Ross Noblett is appointed by staff and is a member of the Curriculum Committee.

John Oglesby joined Birchwood’s Governing Body in September 2021 as a Parent Governor (member of the Finance and Estates Committee) having previously been the Chair of Governors at Manuden Primary School for 8 years. He lives in Berden with his wife and 2 teenage sons. By day, John is a qualified accountant working for Abcam plc but, in the evenings and at weekends, you can often find him on stage as an active member of Clavering’s and Newport’s Amateur Dramatics groups.

Claire Pressland is appointed by staff and is a member of the Curriculum Committee.

Charlotte Sear is Diversity and Inclusion Link and part of the Curriculum Committee. She has a background in education, including the primary sector.

Cllr. Richard Townsend. Resident in Hockerill since 1992, with 3 now adult “children”, his career has predominantly centred on S/W and computing Training, Development and operations management.  His earlier days saw Police service in Enfield and Cartographic drafting across North London along with MOD and TFL Project implementation. Since retiring (several Times) Richard has trained Guide dog puppies and now serves as a Governor, as Ward Councilor for All Saints on Town & District Councils, a trustee for street Pastors along with several BSTC & EHDC Committees. He delights in working with local schools, churches and charities in a continued effort to contribute and make difference to our community and Town.

Gill Turner is Vice Chair of Trustees and Chair of the Finance Committee.  Gill’s son attends Birchwood and she was elected as a parent trustee in 2018.  Gill’s professional background is as a Chartered Accountant and Tax Adviser, with more than twenty years’ experience of working in advisory roles.  Gill aims to support the school in ensuring access and opportunity for all students.

Jane Wach is Parent Governor and Chair of the Birchwood PSFA. Jane has a passion for Fashion and originally trained in Fashion and Design. Jane now works for an online clothing retailer managing their sourcing , compliance and sustainably programs.  Jane has been a governor for a year and has a daughter attending Birchwood. Jane loves being part of the school’s journey as a governor and fund raising for the school through the PSFA event.

Leigh Lloyd Warren is Chair of the Estates Committee and has a background in accountancy and the construction industry.

Lisa Watkins is appointed by parents. She works in retail and commerce and is a member of the Finance & Estates Committee.

Alison Wilson is a member of the Curriculum Committee and has expertise in education and careers.

Jim Winter is a member of the Personnel Committee and has expertise in personnel in a business setting. Jim is married with two grown up daughters and lives in Bishops Stortford and is currently UK Regional Director for the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investment (CISI), a professional body for the financial services sector. Jim has spent some 30 years in financial services, including roles at Lloyds Bank, AIG and Canada Life. He has run, managed, coached and developed several teams of people in his career, ranging in size from 10 – 150 individuals, as well as delivering regular training sessions on personal development.

Estates and Finance

• Deryk Bull (SLT Serving (Finance))
• Chris Emery
• Catherine Gater
• Chris Ingate (SLT Serving)
• Leigh Lloyd Warren (Chair of Estates)
• John Oglesby
• Richard Townsend
• Gill Turner (Chair of Finance and Vice Chair of Trustees)
• Lisa Watkins

Personnel

• Matthew Free
• Jane Mansfield (Chair)
• Jane Wach
• James Winter

Curriculum

• Ruth Bamlett
• Ruth Crowland (Chair)
• Ross Noblett
• Claire Pressland
• Charlotte Sear
• Alison Wilson

Audit and Risk

• Deryk Bull (CFO)
• Ruth Crowland
• Catherine Gater (Chair of Trustees)
• Chris Ingate (SLT Link)
• Leigh Lloyd Warren
• Jane Mansfield
• Gill Turner (Vice Chair of Trustees)

Chair of Committee to be confirmed

Steering

• Ruth Crowland (Chair of Curriculum Committee)
• Catherine Gater (Chair of Trustees)
• Chris Ingate (SLT Serving)
• Leigh Lloyd Warren (Chair of Estates)
• Jane Mansfield (Chair of Personnel)
• Gill Turner (Chair of Finance; Vice Chair of Trustees)

• Finance and Estates Committee
• Personnel Committee
• Curriculum Committee
• Audit Committee
• Steering Committee
• Detached Playing Field Sub-Committee

Please note that the Terms of Reference for the current academic year have to be approved by the relevant committee before they can be posted here.

There are regular elections for members of the Governing Body of Birchwood High School. Information will be posted here when there are elections due to take place.

Under Regulation 13 of the School Governance (Procedures) ( England ) Regulations 2003 , governing bodies must make their main meeting minutes available for inspection by any interested person.  It has been decided that in the spirit of this requirement and of open communication, we will publish these minutes on our website.  This will be done after their formal approval at a subsequent full meeting. They are a facsimile of the paper versions held on file by the school.

Governor Register of Business Interests

Board of Trustee Attendance During the Academic Year 2019-20

Board of Trustee Attendance During the Academic Year 2020-21

Legacy Membership

The section below is a record of the membership of the Governing Body before the change to Members and Trustees in 2021/22