Governors
Welcome to our Governors' section.
Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.
We have also provided a Register of Governor Interests and an Annual Statement of Issues for your information.
The Governing Body
Overview
BHJS has a committed team of 14 governors who play an important role in the leadership, performance, development and everyday life of the school. As governors, we are unpaid volunteers and are either elected or appointed to serve a four-year term of office. To comply with new DfE regulations, our governing body was re-constituted during 2014/15. Our membership consists of:
- 5 parent governors (elected by the parent body)
- 1 Local Authority (LA) governor (appointed by the LA, but candidates can be suggested by the governing body)
- 1 staff governor (elected by the school staff)
- 1 Headteacher
- 6 co-opted governors (appointed by agreement of the whole governing body)
All of our governors have equal rights to participate in the work of the governing body and to state individual views and are very much encouraged to do so, but we work as a team and are bound by the collective decisions of the team. Governors may serve for more than one term of office if they wish to nominate themselves again (for parents or members of staff), or are invited to do so by the full governing body (for the co-opted and LA roles).
Governors are required to comply with statutory safeguarding regulations and are only eligible to serve on our governing body with clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service* and a Section 128 check.
(* The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) have merged to become the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). CRB checks are now called DBS checks.)
More information on the role of school governor can be found in the Maintained Schools Governance Guide (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/governance-in-maintained-schools).
What is required to become a school governor at Bernards Heath Junior School?
As individuals we each have different reasons for becoming a governor, we come from a variety of backgrounds, and between us bring a wide range of useful skills, experience and expertise to the governing body. It is not necessary to be an expert on educational matters to become a school governor, although it is vital to seek to understand fully the role and responsibilities involved to be able to support the school effectively and enable it to continue to develop and flourish. Enthusiasm, commitment and being a good team player are the key underlying personal qualities needed. It is expected that both new and experienced governors take full advantage of the wide range of training opportunities and information available. A record is kept of all training undertaken.
Underpinning all of this, governors at Bernards Heath Junior School fully respect the requirement to act in the best interests of the school at all times, being open and transparent, operating with integrity and honesty. At the start of each academic year, all governors sign Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)*, the Code of Conduct*, and complete the Register of Interests* in which any business or pecuniary interests are declared, details of any other educational establishments they govern, together with any close links or relationships between governors and members of the school staff including spouses, partners and relatives. In addition, it is routine practice for any conflicts of interests to be declared if and when they arise during any governor discussions or meetings. Governors are also very aware of all e-safety issues; in addition to ensuring that all appropriate guidelines, policies and procedures are in place, each governor also signs the school’s ICT Acceptable Use Agreement*.
(* The signed KCSIE, BHJS Governors’ Code of Conduct, Register of Interests and ICT Acceptable Use Agreement are available to view upon request to the school office)
What is our role?
We work in partnership with the Headteacher, who is our principal professional advisor, to ensure that the best possible all-round education is being provided for all the children in a high quality learning environment, making the most effective use of the resources available to the school and in compliance with all statutory regulations and procedures. Whereas the day-to-day management and teaching and learning are the responsibility of the Headteacher supported by his senior leadership team, the governors have a strategic role holding the school to account for overall standards and acting as “critical friends” by offering encouragement and support, but also by providing honest and candid feedback - in short, by challenging constructively.
How do we work?
The role of school governor does involve a significant commitment, but our work is planned in a structured way to recognise and accommodate other work and personal commitments. The full governing body has five formal evening meetings during the school yearA. ll governors also work on one of the following two committees, which meet at least once a term:
- Resources, with responsibility for all finance, premises and staffing aspects
- Standards and Curriculum Development (S&CD), with responsibility for monitoring school performance and the provision and delivery of a broad, balanced and effective curriculum.
Governors participate in termly meetings with the teaching staff through the Curriculum Leadership Meetings and take part in structured and focused visits during the school day to see how the theory translates into activities in the classroom and around the school and hear from the children themselves.
Governors communicate with parents via a termly newsletter on a variety of issues, including notification of vacancies on the governing body, and through the annual Spring Term parental questionnaire. We also meet informally with parents at a variety of school events throughout the school year.
There is a very high level of attendance by governors at both Full Governing Body and Committee meetings. Apologies are required when attendance at a meeting is not possible and any non-attendance is always considered by governors and recorded in the minutes. There have been no occasions where meetings have not been quorate and no unacceptably low levels of attendance or commitment by any governor.
All full governing body and committee meeting minutes are available to read upon request to the school office, together with full information on attendance at meetings over the past year.
Contacting the governing body
If you wish to contact the governors on a specific issue or would just like to find out more about the work of the governing body, please do so via the school office by telephone, email or letter.
GOVERNING BODY PROFILE 2024-2025
JEREMY HAZLEHURST Co-opted Governor, Chair of Governors First appointed 8.10.2020 as a parent governor; converted to a co-opted governor. Current term of office expires 11.03.2028 Responsibilities: Chair of Governors, Pay Committee, Headteacher’s Performance Appraisal Committee, Standards & Curriculum Development Committee member, Resources Committee member Jeremy has two children, one of whom is currently at Bernards Heath and one who recently left for secondary school. He has worked as a journalist for 20 years, mostly writing about business, finance and leadership. Before that, he taught English as a foreign language in several countries. He has a keen interest in sport and its role in helping children’s development. He previously ran a table tennis club at the school and currently coaches a local children's football team.
Meeting Attendance 2023-2024: FGB 5/5, S&CD 3/3, RC 4/4 Register of Interests: Governor at another primary school in Hertfordshire (2024-2025)
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CHRISTINE HOOD Co-opted Governor, Vice-Chair of Governors First appointed 1.06.2014; Current term of office expires 18.05.2026 Responsibilities:, Vice-Chair of Governors, Resources Committee Chair, Headteacher’s Performance Appraisal Committee, Pay Committee, Christine has been a secondary school teacher (Head of Department and Head of Year) for thirty five years and Teacher Governor for over thirty of those years; has experience through her Trade Union roles of dealing with personnel issues, policy drafting and negotiations with Headteachers and Local Authority Officers at the highest levels.
Meeting Attendance 2023-2024: FGB 5/5, RC 4/4 Register of Interests: Nothing to declare (2024-2025)
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SHELLEY DENCH Staff Governor (Class Teacher) First appointed 6.10.2010; Current term of office expires 5.10.2026
Responsibilities: Standards & Curriculum Development Committee member
Shelley has over twenty-five years teaching experience; brings a vast knowledge of the school to the governors and enjoys working with others to ensure Bernards Heath provides high quality education for all of its pupils. She is able to justify decisions the school makes and respond to questions that are raised during meetings; is also able to explain and interpret the school's data. She ensures the links between the staff and governors remains a strength of the school.
Meeting Attendance 2023-2024: FGB 5/5, S&CD 2/3 Register of Interests: In relationship with another staff member. Child attends the school. (2024-2025)
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SIAN MURRAY Co-opted Governor First appointed in 20.09.04 as a parent governor; converted to co-opted governor. Current term of office expires 7.05.2027 Responsibilities: Designated SEND Governor, Headteacher’s Performance Appraisal Committee, Standards & Curriculum Development Committee member As the parent of two daughters who attended BHJS, and having been a governor here since 2004, Sian has seen the school go through many changes, including those in leadership, teaching staff, support staff and governors, as well as watching its expansion regarding pupil numbers. She has been a primary school teacher in Herts since 1988 and brings to the governing body a wide-ranging knowledge and experience of changes in national and local education from several perspectives.
Meeting Attendance 2023-2024: FGB 4/5, S&CD 3/3 Register of Interests: Nothing to declare (2024-2025)
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KELLIE JONES Parent Governor First appointed 28.11.2022; Current term of office expires 27.11.2026 Responsibilities: Designated Safeguarding Governor, Resources Committee member Kellie has two children in BHJS; one in year 6 and one in year 4. She has personal experience of the school from a parent perspective and will bring that insight to the role. Kellie is a disputes lawyer with twenty years experience, dealing with commercial and property disputes and identifying and managing risks. Skills she hopes to bring to the role.
Meeting Attendance 2023-2024: FGB 3/5, RC 3 /4 Register of Interests: Nothing to declare (2024-2025)
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GRAHAM SHIRCORE Parent Governor First appointed 14.09.2023; Current term of office expires 13.09.2027 Responsibilities: Designated Health & Safety Governor, Resources Committee member Graham has two children at the school, both of whom also attended the Infant school. Graham’s occupational experience has included a variety of roles which have given him the opportunity to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds. Along with being naturally analytical, Graham hopes that this is something which will be particularly beneficial as a Governor. Outside of work, Graham’s interests are similarly varied and include collecting letters from World War 1 as well as helping to coach both boys’ and girls’ football teams.
Meeting Attendance 2023-2024: FGB 4/4, RC 3/3 Register of Interests: Nothing to declare (2024-2025)
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ELEANOR MACK Parent Governor First appointed 14.09.2023; Current term of office expires 13.09.2027 Responsibilities: Standards & Curriculum Development Committee Chair, Designated Pupil Premium Governor, Designated CLA/PLA Governor, Designated Sports Premium Governor (temp), Eleanor has a son in year 4 at BHJS, and was previously a parent governor at a federation of three primary schools in London. She is an economist, provides strategic regulatory advice to boards and CEOs, and has worked in HM Treasury. This means she brings an understanding of good governance and the challenges of leading in an area that is affected by changes in government policy. She has a love of learning and is committed to everyone being able to achieve their full potential.
Meeting Attendance 2023-2024: FGB 4/4, SCD 3/3 Register of Interests: Nothing to declare (2024-2025)
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FATHER RICHARD WATSON Co-opted Governor First appointed 05.12.2024; Current term of office expires 04.12.2028 Responsibilities: Designated Wellbeing Governor, Standards & Curriculum Development Committee member Biography to follow. Meeting Attendance 2023-2024: N/A Register of Interests: Nothing to declare (2024-2025)
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PAUL PRITCHARD Associate Member First appointed 17.09.2007 as a parent governor, converted to Local Authority governor after first term and resigned in 2018. Appointed as an associate member 01.12.2020; Current term of office expires 14.09.2026 Responsibilities: Resources Committee member Paul has a wide and varied range of professional experience including: 7 years of Armed Forces training as part of the Royal Navy as a leader in various lines, such as firefighting and emergency scenarios; 6 years’ experience in the building trade supplying equipment to both industrial and domestic sites; and for the past 22 years has been running his own financial services company advising clients from both the personal and corporate sectors on financial planning. With such a wide-ranging background, pragmatic approach, positive work ethic and good communication skills at all levels, he is able to bring a wealth of knowledge, common sense and empathy to the governing body, as well as a drive to get things done. He has also demonstrated his strong sense of wanting to help the younger generation through personal involvement in differing charity challenges to raise both awareness and funds.
Meeting Attendance 2023-2024: FGB 1/5, RC 1 /4 Register of Interests: Nothing to declare (2024-2025)
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PREVIOUS GOVERNORS
CORNIEL QUAK Resigned 23.07.24 First appointed 15.09.2022; Current term of office expires 14.09.2026 Responsibilities: Designated Wellbeing Governor, Standards & Curriculum Development Committee Member Corniel is a Church of England Priest, currently based at St Saviour’s Church, St Albans and is husband to Kim and father to two daughters (14 and 10). Before Corniel became an Anglican Priest, he founded and ran a Fairtrade coffee company for 10 years. Corniel also worked for 3 years with vulnerable children and young people as a Residential Social Worker in the Peak District, as well as shorter stints of part-time work in hospitality and online marketing in between and whilst studying Psychology. Having run his own business for 10 years, he is able to think creatively and imaginatively to solve problems or improve on performance. His time as a director also gave him experience of financial management. In his role as a Priest, he meets with a wide variety of people, and this often involves a lot of listening and making informed judgements. As a parent he feels he can offer some insights into what children and young people find important about education.
Meeting Attendance 2023-2024: FGB 1/5, SCD 2/3 Register of Interests: Nothing to declare (2023-2024)
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CHUAN HONG Resigned 23.07.24 First appointed 13.07.2021; Current term of office expires 12.07.2025 Responsibilities: Standards & Curriculum Development Committee Chair, Headteacher’s Performance Appraisal Committee Chuan currently works at PepsiCo, leading Commercial Strategy & Revenue Management for Walkers, PepsiCo's UK; a snacks division worth over £1.4bn in retail sales. Chuan feels strongly that the best institutions, whether it be educational or corporate, have a diversity of views and believes in the importance of setting people up for “success” when they are young and that being a school governor is a great opportunity to do this.
Meeting Attendance 2023-2024: FGB 2/5, S&CD 2/3 Register of Interests: Nothing to declare (2023-2024)
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HELEN BELLWOOD Resigned 13.02.2024 First appointed 4.10.2018; Current term of office expires 14.09.2026 Responsibilities: Co-Chair of Governors, Pay Committee, Resources Committee member, Standards & Curriculum Development Committee member Helen is a chartered accountant, having trained with KPMG and subsequently worked in senior finance roles at various FMCG and retail organisations. She brings considerable financial expertise to the Board and, is passionate about supporting the school. She has two children, one in the Junior school and one in the Infant School, and so also brings personal experience of the school from a parent perspective.
Meeting Attendance 2023-2024: FGB 0/2, S&CD 0/1, RC 0/1 Register of Interests: Nothing to declare (2022-2023)
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PAUL SCOURFIELD Resigned 13.02.2024 First appointed 10.12.2021; Current term of office expires 9.12.2025 Responsibilities: Safeguarding Governor, Resources Committee member Paul is a father of six children, two of which are still currently pupils at BHJS. Professionally, Paul has a background in senior IT management, working in financial services and more recently in the private healthcare sector, with extensive experience of leadership roles for many years in a variety of organisations. Having interacted with the school and its teaching staff for over ten years, including the SEND team, Paul feels that his experiences in both his professional and personal life are well placed to add valuable contribution to the school’s governing body.
Meeting Attendance 2023-2024: FGB 1/2, RC 0/1 Register of Interests: Nothing to declare (2022-2023)
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BHJS governing body also benefits from the expertise of three Associate Members: PAUL PRITCHARD, FAE HONEYBELL (SENDCo/Assistant Headteacher) and HELEN REGAN (School Business Manager) and who attend Governing Body meetings as and when appropriate. Both as a governing body and school as a whole, we work in close liaison with our linked school, Bernards Heath Infant & Nursery School.
Contacting the governing body
If you wish to contact the governors on a specific issue or would just like to find out more about the work of the governing body, please do so via the school office by telephone, email,