Our Governing Body

David Marsh

Chair of Governors

Co-opted Governor appointed by the Governing Board

Term of Office: 

Register of Interests:

Meeting attendance:

Experience:

National newspaper journalist for 30 years, most recently 20 years as a senior editor with The Guardian

Author of several language books, including For Who the Bell Tolls: the Essential and Entertaining Guide to Grammar (2013)

Former elected parent governor and vice-chair of governors at a primary school in Kent

Former external examiner, Department of Journalism Studies, University of Sheffield

Parent of one child currently at JRI

Responsibilities:

Member of Teaching and Learning Committee

Member of Resources and Premises Committee

Link governor for English

Sarah Whatmore

Vice Chair

Local Authority Governor appointed by the Governing Board

Qualified teacher; over 20 years experience with children from 0 - 7 years old

Current employment for West Berkshire Early Years Team and Looked After Children’s Education Services

Two grown up sons

Vice Chair of Governors

Member of Teaching and Learning Committee

Flora Cooper

Executive Headteacher

Ex-officio Governor

I have been in education for 20 years, starting out as a teaching assistant in an EBD school near Birmingham

Before joining John Rankin Schools, I was headteacher at Crowmarsh Gifford in Oxfordshire for 9 years

I am also an Executive of the Talk Teachers Radio Station and also host their Saturday show twice a month

Graham Steere-Smith

Parent Governor elected by Parents

Over 18 years' experience working in Financial Services as a qualified Chartered Accountant and Internal Auditor.

My eldest daughter has just 'graduated' year 6 at John Rankin, and my youngest daughter is in the Junior school.

Andrew Bradshaw

Co-opted Governor appointed by the Governing Board

Sarah Ruddock

Parent Governor elected by Parents

Over 15 years' experience of working in marketing teams in educational publishing

Now a freelance marketing consultant working with many of the big educational publishers

I have 2 children, 1 currently at JRI and the other (hopefully) due to start soon

Andrew Green

Staff Governor elected by staff

N/A

In a previous life, I was a DJ, an executive consultant of LLoyds TSB Insurance and a Stockman for Sir Richard Sutton who, at the time, was the (ninth) Baronet of Berkshire. Fate then bought me to JRS and in three short years, it has become as much a part of me as I have of it.

JRS Admin officer, Jo and I have four children between us with one of those currently in Yr5.

I have a keen interest in outdoor sports and conservation.

Member of Teaching and Learning Committee

Gerry McAnally

Co-opted Governor appointed by the Governing Board

A Chartered and European Patent Attorney, Head of IP for an international healthcare company.

20 years’ experience advising on Intellectual Property in both private and public sectors.

Worked for several years as a research chemist before retraining as a Patent Attorney.

Undergraduate degree in Forensic Chemistry and a PhD in Chemistry.

Three high school-age children, all who came through John Rankin Schools.

Emma Percy

Co-opted Governor appointed by the Governing Board

Qualified Solicitor since 2006 - A variety of roles working in-house for Local Authorities, Legal Services Board, and in the commercial sector in telecoms and tech. 

Experience in advising on education law including safeguarding matters and SEND. Experience in advising on commercial matters. 

Two daughters who attended John Rankin and are now at a local secondary school. 

Member of Resources and Premises

Safeguarding Governor

Heather McNab

Co-opted Governor appointed by the Governing Board

Christina Pummell

Clerk to the Governors

Worked as an administrator and legal secretary in a local law firm for eight years

Has two children and spent five years being a full-time parent

Advise the governing body on constitutional and procedural matters, duties and powers, ensuring compliance with the relevant governance legislation

Provide high quality, confidential administrative support

Ensure the continuity of governing body business and recommend good practice

Group

Functions

Membership

Full Governing Body

Summary: 

Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.

Hold the Executive Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff.

Oversee the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

Overview of key activities:

Understand our school:

• Pupil attainment and progress.
• Pupil behaviour, attendance and safety.
• Teaching quality and staff development.

Set our school’s strategic direction:

• Champion our vision, values and ethos.
• Set priorities for school improvement.
• Consider governance structure and academy status.

Commission action:

• Agree improvement targets and strategies.
• Agree allocation of resources.
• Agree how to monitor and review progress.

Performance manage our school leaders:

• Appoint Headteacher and support their leadership.
• Hold school leaders to account for progress.
• Ensure financial probity and efficiency.

Check we are fit for purpose:

• Clarify our roles and purpose.
• Review constitution and ways of working.
• Make sure members have necessary skills

All Governors.

Also in attendance:   Clerk.

Resources & Premises Committee

Strategically manage and overview: all aspects of budget, financial control, staff, pay and all other resources, the schools' site and building facilities, including internal and external teaching space.

Ensure compliance with all current mandatory H&S regulations.

Minimum of three governors. 

Also in attendance: Clerk, Finance Manager, Operations Manager and Executive Headteacher.

Teaching & Learning Committee

Minimum of three governors. 

Also in attendance: Clerk and Heads of School.

Pay Committee

Minimum of three governors. 

Also in attendance: Clerk.

Executive Headteacher’s Performance Review Panel

Three governors.

School Improvement Advisor.