Governance

The governing board is the school's legally accountable body and must operate in the best interests of the school. The task of the governing board is to lead the school strategically, focusing on the three core functions set out below. The board is the school's key strategic decision maker:

Ensuring clarity of the vision, ethos and strategic direction
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
Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure that its money is well spent

There are no specific qualifications or requirements for the role - every governing board needs a balance and diversity of knowledge, skill and experiences. The board is made up of members of the local community, school staff, parents and a local authority appointed governor.

In addition to the full governing board, there is a finance committee . The Local Governing Board meets 6 times a year and the Finance Committee meets 3-4 times per year.

If you would be interested in joining the governing board or would like more information about the governing board, please contact the Clerk to the Governors: cwilshire@brookfields.w-berks.sch.uk

The Local Governing Board (LGB) is made up of the following members:

Voting Governors

Christine McLean – Parent Governor

Responsibilities: Chair of Governors / Local Governing Board / Finance Committee
Term of office: October 2024 – October 2027
Pecuniary or Business interests: None
Attendance 2024/25: FGB/LGB: 5 out of 6 Finance Committee: 2 out of 3

Stuart Matthews – Parent Governor

Responsibilities: Local Governing Board / Finance Committee
Term of office: October 2024 - October 2027
Pecuniary or Business interests: None
Attendance 2024/25: FGB/LGB: 3 out of 4 Finance Committee: 2 out of 2

Anne Murdoch – Co-opted Governor

Responsibilities: Local Governing Board
Term of office: October 2017 – October 2026
Pecuniary or Business interests: None
Attendance 2024/25: FGB/LGB: 5 out of 6

Tom Canham – Staff Governor

Responsibilities: Local Governing Board
Term of office: October 2024 – October 2027
Pecuniary or Business interests: None
Attendance 2024/25: FGB/LGB: 5 out of 5

Lesley Reed – Co-opted governor

Responsibilities: Vice Chair of Governors / Local Governing Board / Chair of Finance Standards Committee
Term of office: January 2024 - January 2027
Pecuniary or Business interests: None
Attendance 2024/25: FGB/LGB: 6 out of 6 Finance Committee: 3 out of 3

Alireza Sedaraty – Co-opted governor

Responsibilities: Local Governing Board
Term of office: September 2024 - September 2027
Pecuniary or Business interests: None
Attendance 2024/25: FGB/LGB: 2 out of 6

Vacant – Co-opted governor

Responsibilities:
Term of office:
Pecuniary or Business interests:
Attendance 2024/25: N/A

Maurice George – Co-opted Governor

Responsibilities: Local Governing Board / Safeguarding Governor
Term of office: December 2024 - December 2027
Pecuniary or Business interests: CEO of Ways into Work
Attendance 2024/25: FGB/LGB: 4 out of 4

Catherine Bernie – Headteacher – Ex officio

Responsibilities: Local Governing Board / Finance Committee
Term of office: September 2022 - ongoing
Pecuniary or Business interests: None
Attendance 2024/25: FGB/LGB: 6 out of 6 Finance Committee: 2 out of 3