The Governing Body
We have a very knowledgeable and committed governing board which comprises Parents, Staff, Foundation, Co-opted and Local Authority Representatives. Our governing Board is constituted under the School Governance (Constitution) Regulations 2012.
Governors play an important strategic role in school development and have a range of duties and powers and a general responsibility for the conduct of the school. In accordance with the DfE Governance Handbook the core roles and functions of the Governing Body are:-
Strategic leadership that sets and champions vision, ethos and strategy.
Accountability that drives up educational standards and financial performance.
People with the right skills, experience, qualities and capacity.
Structures that reinforce clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
Compliance with statutory and contractual requirements.
Evaluation to monitor and improve the quality and impact of governance.
All of which play a vital role in ensuring the best possible education that takes every child as far as their talents allow. The Governors’ main priority at all times is the well-being of the children.
Governors take an active interest in the daily life of the school in a supportive but challenging capacity. Governors, staff and pupils all enjoy working together, developing and improving our school in line with our joint vision.
Structure and Remit
In addition to the full governing body which meets at least once per term we have Committees that are responsible for various areas who also meet at least termly and report their decisions to the Full Governing Body.
Our Committees are:
STRATEGIC
This committee looks at the strategic direction of the school, its vision and ethos, school improvement planning and the governor development plan.
RESOURCES
This committee is responsible for the financial accountability of the school, staffing, premises including health & safety and safeguarding.
PAY & PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT – this committee meets twice a year to look at outcomes for
pay and performance management.
NURSERY – this committee looks at the nursery budget plan and staffing and reports its findings to
the Resources Committee
STANDARDS
This Committee is responsible for the school’s curriculum and assessment provision, pupil premium and sports premium to ensure that we comply with all statutory obligations and that our outcomes for pupils are the best they can be.
Learn more about our Governors
Mrs Chris Bratt - Chair of Governors
I am both privileged and proud to be Chair of Governors so that I can play a small part in helping to develop the future of the young children who attend our school.
As chair I do spend quite a lot of time on school business and enjoy all the challenges that seem to be happening in education today. I love watching the performances, attending church services, sporting activities, and visiting the classrooms to see how our children are being taught and to see the progress and achievement of all of our pupils. I love being part of the “Forsbrook Team” and hope to be so for many years to come.
I am married to Michael and have two grown up children, who both attended Forsbrook, and seven grandchildren. I have lived in Forsbrook for over 40 years. My spare time is spent looking after and playing with grandchildren and travelling in our touring caravan.
Revd Jonathan Roberts - Foundation Governor
My name is Jonathan Roberts, I am married to Sophie and we have 3 children. It was a delight to accept the invitation to be a Foundation Governor at Forsbrook Primary School following my appointment as the Rector of St Peter’s Church, Forsbrook and St Margaret’s Church, Draycott in September 2015. We are really enjoying living in this area and value greatly being part of this community. School-Church links are really important to us and we are looking forward to building on our existing good relationships with the school in the years to come.
Before becoming a minister in the Church of England, I was a Primary School teacher for 12 years and enjoyed working in Church schools teaching across KS2. Although I love my new vocation, I do miss the school environment and so am very grateful for the opportunity to be part of this one.
In my leisure time, I enjoy being outdoors, playing the piano and supporting Liverpool Football Club.
Mr Levison Wood - Foundation Governor
My journey as a Christian began as a child, attending a Church of England primary school in Burslem. I believe that the Message of Jesus Christ that came from those humble beginnings established in me a personal ministry, but also an enduring legacy to help others that I have tried to maintain throughout my life.
After sixteen years in the teaching profession as Head of department in a local high school, I took on the mantel of area manager for both youth work and Principal of the Adult Education centre in Uttoxeter.
Further work with young people encompassed the role of Youth Development officer for Staffordshire County Council, prior to becoming the second Deputy Head of the Youth Offending service within the same authority. My interest in vulnerable young people and the impact upon local communities took me to Cheshire where I was County Manager for the Community Safety Department. This broad experience provided a good basis for my final role prior to retiring, where I was senior national adviser for Community Safety, working within an organisation operating on behalf of the Home Office.
Upon moving to Forsbrook in 1985, our family became regular attendees at All Saints Church in Dilhorne. By association, I was confirmed there as an adult, and sat upon the PCC for the church. More recently, I have represented the Caverswall, Weston Coyney and Dilhorne Benefice as a member of the Shaping for Mission team that have devised a route map for the future planning of the fourteen churches across the Cheadle Deanery district.
My wife Janice and I have two sons. Having served in the Territorial Army and later Cadet forces as an Officer, life has taught me and our children to always follow ‘the dream’ whatever that might be.
Mrs Dawn Plant - LA Governor
My name is Dawn Plant and I am the local authority governor. My day job is Clerk to Forsbrook Parish Council which brings me into contact with the local community every day.
I am married with three children and have until very recently lived in the village for 45 years, some of you may remember my late Mum “Mrs Shuff” who was part of the fabric of Forsbrook Primary School for over 30 years. Having spent my primary education at the school and educated at Blythe High School I have a string affinity with the school and its ethos.
In my spare time I do lots of running and have recently completed the Potters Arf for a local charity, you may catch a glimpse of me trudging through the village on my regular training runs. I am really looking forward to being involved and getting know the school and its community.
Mrs Margaret Lilley - Foundation Governor
My name is Margaret Lilley and I am a foundation governor, representing St Peter's Church. I am an active member of the church and especially enjoy being involved with children's worship and activities. I am a retired teacher and loved spending the majority of my career in Early Years.
I am married to Clive and we have 3 grown up children and 5 grandchildren, who keep us very busy. In any spare time, we enjoy exploring North Wales from our caravan there or visiting friends and family in different parts of the country. We enjoy the cinema and theatre, cooking, reading and walking.
I look forward to working together with the staff and governors to continue to develop the high standards of achievement and to support the Christian ethos at Forsbrook Primary School.
Mrs Jackie Kent - Foundation Governor
My name is Jackie Kent and I am a Co-opted Governor and new to this position.
I am married to John and have lived in Forsbrook for thirty two years. My daughter Amy attended Forsbrook Infants, The Beeches, Blythe Bridge High school and the Six Form and I feel honoured to be elected as a Governor for Forsbrook Primary School.
I served for 30 years for Her Majesty’s Courts Service. My current role is an Exam Invigilator, which I enjoy, as I have the privilege of being involved within the education system for children from years 7 to 11, I have been an Invigilator for 10 years at the Discovery Academy, Bentilee.
I am a practicing Christian and I love my Lord, my faith means so much to me. My journey with the Lord started when I was ten years of age, where I served with the 1st Caverswall Guides and eventually become a Queen’s Guide. I worshiped then at St. Peter’s Caverswall. For the past 27 years I have worshiped at All Saints Church Dilhorne where I am the Tower Captain and Treasurer to the Parochial Church Council. My hobbies are Bell Ringing (Campanology) gardening and socialising.
Mr Kevin Reid - Co-opted Governor
I have been a governor at Forsbrook for approximately 8 years, initially as a parent governor and now as a co-opted governor. I have two children who came to this school who are now in senior school. I have recently retired from the Police where my focus was on child safeguarding concerns. I enjoy working collaboratively with others, and have particularly enjoyed assisting our school fireworks evening to become the established success it is. I am kept busy with family life but I also enjoy circuit training and cooking. This spring I will be climbing Ben Nevis with friends.
Mrs Tracey Leese - Parent Governor
My name is Tracey Leese and I am proud to serve as parent governor at Forsbrook Primary School. I am an Associate Assistant Headteacher at St Thomas More Catholic Academy in Longton where I am the Professional Mentor for ITT and NQTs and line manage English and Literacy. I am passionate about education and the vital role that schools play in shaping the lives of children and feel honoured to contribute to the ongoing success of Forsbrook Primary School.
Recently, I completed a Masters Degree in Education, publishing a thesis on the impact of educational reform on more able students. I love the arts, theatre and reading, and most of all spending time with my two young sons.
Mrs Sara Herbert - Parent Governor
My name is Sara Herbert, I have 2 children at Forsbrook Primary and am appointed as a parent governor.
I have worked with children in the past and currently work within the justice system which is a taxing job in itself but very interesting. I have lived in the area for many years and feel lucky to do so, the people are friendly and it's great to get to know other school parents.
In my spare time I have recently taking up running and have completed my 1st half marathon. But I mostly enjoy spending time with my 2 boys having fun as a family, focusing on the important things in life.
Mrs Nikki Lockett - Staff Governor
My name is Nikki Lockett and I have been part of the Forsbrook family for six years now. I have recently taken on the role of Acting Deputy Headteacher and I am proud to work in such a fantastic, forward-thinking school, with a team of hardworking and committed staff, and most importantly, wonderful children. Being a teacher is something that I always wanted to do from a very young age and now, in my 23rd year in the profession, I still love my job.
I am passionate about learning and have a thirst for developing my own practice. My undergraduate degree was in Primary Education specialising in Primary Mathematics, a subject that I love! I am also a Primary Maths Mastery Specialist, and work for the local maths hub This role has enable me to develop not only the teaching and learning of maths at Forsbrook but to develop teachers’ practice across a number of schools in Staffordshire and Stoke.
I love spending time with my husband and three children. I enjoy keeping fit by going to the gym, walking, cycling and playing netball.
I am very much looking forward to taking on the role of staff governor.
