Governors

What is the governing body?

The Governing Body is a group of unpaid volunteers from various parts of the community. They are required by law to help the school provide the best possible education for its pupils.

They play a critical role in setting the strategic priorities for the school, and to ensure that the school is effectively run by the Headteacher.

Who currently belongs to the governing body?

The Governing Body currently consists of:

  • 1 parent elected by other parents in the school
  • 1 person selected from persons nominated by the Local Authority
  • 1 member of staff elected by staff
  • The Headteacher
  • 7 persons known as Co-opted Governors who are persons in the opinion of the Governing Body have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school. They could be parent/carers, members of staff or people from the community.
  • 3 Associate Members (non voting)

Current Members

Please click on the name to find out more information.

Rachel Lampard - Chair of Governors

Rachel Lampard – Chair of Governors (SIP)

Rachel is the Chair of Governors, a member of the School Improvement Committee and the link governor for Geography.

Rachel leads a team helping churches in Britain campaign on issues of justice and peace. She brings experience of governance in charities and regulators, and in management, communication, policy and strategic planning.

One thing I enjoy most about being a governor at Bremer:

“I love visiting the school and meeting with students to hear their ideas and experiences of being at Frederick Bremer.”

 

Cerys Normanton

Cerys Normanton – Associate Member

Cerys is an associate Governor with responsibility for Special Educational Needs and Inclusion. She is also a member of the School Improvement Committee.

Cerys is the Headteacher of an outstanding special school, supporting pupils with many different learning needs from reception to year 14. She brings particular expertise around enabling children with SEND to access the National Curriculum, as well as experience of governance.

What I enjoy most about being a governor at Bremer:

“It’s very interesting seeing how different schools work. I enjoy visiting the school; the pupils are so engaged and you can see the inclusive, positive and supportive culture in action.”

 

 

Daniel Pablo Garay

Daniel Pablo Garay – Co-opted Governor

Daniel is the Finance Director of a world-leading industrial design firm, and holds degrees in Philosophy and Computer Science from the University of London. He is the parent of a child at Bremer and has been on the board of several charitable organisations.

Heather Scott

Heather Scott – Co-opted Governor (SIP)

Heather is a co-opted Govenor, member of the School Improvement Committee and has link responsibilities for English and Governor Training.

Heather is civil servant working for the Department for Education. She has been part of the team looking at early reading programmes and is currently working on Social Worker career development and support in Children’s Social Care. She brings experience of teaching and governance in other schools, as well as teacher training and school improvement, working alongside schools on policy, data and school leadership.

One thing I enjoy most about being a governor at Bremer:

“Being able to bring my ‘big picture’ national lens into focus by looking at how a well-led community school is making an incredible difference to the pupils who are lucky enough to attend.”

 

Mel Sevinic

Mel Sevinic (parent Governor/SIP)

Coming soon

Jenny Smith

Jenny Smith – Headteacher

Jenny is the Headteacher at Frederick Bremer, and a member of the Governing Body. She has been Headteacher of Frederick Bremer for 12 years, and prior to this was Deputy Headteacher in two different London community schools.

As Headteacher, I bring to the Governing Body an understanding of the systems, structures and people which make Frederick Bremer so successful. Understanding school leadership from a Governor’s perspective is a different and enjoyable role, and our Governors bring a wealth of experience and expertise which benefits the school.

 

Jonathan Jeffries

Jonathan Jeffries – LA Governor (SIP)

Jonathan is the local authority appointed governor, the vice-chair of the School Improvement Committee, and is the link governor for Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) and English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Jonathan is curriculum manager in Trade Union Education, managing a team and organising courses around England. He brings experience in managing in education and curriculum development, and is also an MFL speaker.

One thing I enjoy most about being a governor at Bremer:

“helping and supporting the school meet its aims and objectives.”

 

Mark Curtis

Mark Curtis – Co-opted Governor (Finance)

Mark is a co-opted Governor and a member of the Finance Committee. He has particular responsibility for Careers and Progression. Mark is partner in an international law firm based in London advising on business law and corporate finance transaction.

One thing I enjoy most about being a governor at Bremer:

“My law firm partners with the school in its Young Talent Programme which looks to provide an insight into the world of work in a professional services firm for Bremer students. Becoming a governor gives me the opportunity to support the school and this programme in a wider sense.”

 

Melonie Crosdale

Melonie Crosdale – Co-opted Governor (SIP Committee)

Melonie is a co-opted Governor, a member of the School Improvement Committee, and is the link governor for Attendance and Behaviour and the Creative Arts.

Melonie is a professional singer, working in a variety of different bands and performing all over the world. She is the parent of a child at Bremer, and brings 10 years of governance experience in 3 different settings.

One thing I enjoy most about being a governor at Bremer:

“Being a part of a team of like-minded individuals who seek to help make school enjoyable, effective and accessible to all.”

 

Michelle Hegarty

Michelle Hegarty – Co-opted Governor (Finance)/Safeguarding Governor

Michelle is a co-opted Governor, the Vice Chair of Governors and a member of the Finance Committee. She is the lead Governor for Safeguarding.

Michelle works for a charity which deliver creative psychotherapy to children and young people in schools, and has experience of working with schools on promoting positive mental health and delivering one to one mental health support for staff and children and young people. She has a background in developing public policy in local, regional and national government, and has experience and skills in managing people and teams.

One thing I enjoy most about being a governor at Bremer:

“I love being part of the Bremer community. I feel closely aligned with the values and ethos of the school and in particular its focus on the whole child as well as good academic outcomes.”

 

Stephen Armstrong

Stephen Armstrong – Co-opted Governor (Chair of Finance Committee)

Stephen is a co-opted Governor and chair of the Finance Committee. He has a particular responsibility on the governing body for Maths, PE, Design & Technology.

Stephen is a consultant in the infrastructure & construction sectors, and brings expertise in organisational, financial and commercial governance, procurement & supplier management, and health & safety management. He is also a trustee of an educational charity that works in Burundi, east Africa.

One thing I enjoy most about being a governor at Bremer:

“Spending time in the school, and being inspired by the energy, creativity and potential of all of the students and the staff.”

 

Rebecca Marchant-Daisley

Rebecca Marchant-Daisley – Staff Governor (SIP)

Becca is our staff governor and a member of the School Improvement Committee.

Becca is a Humanities teacher with 7 years’ experience of teaching. She has been a Head of Year for 5 years, and is currently Head of Year 9. Prior to teaching, Becca was a Teaching Assistant, then an Assistant SENCo, and therefore has lots of experience and expertise across a variety of roles within the school. Becca grew up in the area and has an understanding of what it’s like to be educated and to educate in a community school.

One thing I enjoy most about being a governor at Bremer:

“This school celebrates diversity and inclusivity, and pupils are encouraged to be their authentic selves.”

 

Baptise Bourgougnon

Baptise Bourgougnon

Baptiste is a new Parent Governor who brings knowledge as a Director of Undergraduate Courses and International Development with firsthand experience as a parent of children with special educational needs.

Being part of the LGBTQ+ community, Baptiste is keenly aware of the importance of inclusive practices and representation.

“I am eager to use my skills and experiences to ensure the governing board addresses the diverse needs of our school community, fostering an environment where every child can thrive.”

 

Bhakti Mesuria

Bhakti Mesuria

Bhakti is a new Parent Governor who has worked within the education sector for over 20 years.

She is currently the Head of HR in a secondary school, and brings a great understanding of working with SLT and decisions that are made at a strategic level.

She brings expertise in data analysis, submitting and presenting reports, and providing strategic solutions – having developed and strengthened these skills across four different schools.

“I have the experience of working in schools with a variety of backgrounds including faiths, disadvantaged areas and those with children with impaired learning abilities.”

 

Please click on the link to view the documents.

 

Functions of the Governing Body

The three core functions of the Governing Body are to:

1. Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
2. Hold the Head to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the performance management of staff
3. Oversee the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

These functions are mainly delegated to committees of which there are two as follows:

1. Finance (including Safety and Human Resources) Committee
2. School Improvement Committee

Meetings of the Governing Body and the Committees take place at least once per term.

Do you want to be a school governor?

In Waltham Forest there are 1150 jobs for governors in 82 schools.

No formal qualifications are required but you must be at least 18 years old and there is no upper age limit. The time commitment works out to an average of 6 hours a month.

For further information on becoming a school governor please visit School Governors section of the Waltham Forest Council’s website.

How do I contact the governing body?

Please write to the Chair of Governors at cog@bremer.waltham.sch.uk.

Minutes of the Governing Body meeting can be made available on request by emailing the Chair of Governors at cog@bremer.waltham.sch.uk.