Responsibility of a School Governing Board

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;

1. Ensuring clarity of the vision, ethos and strategic direction.

2. Holding the executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the school(s) and its pupils and the effective and efficient performance management of staff.

3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school(s) and making sure that its money is well spent

Fox Hill School has a constitution of 14 governors, of which a minimum of 2 must be represented by the parent body and the term of office for each governor is usually held for 4 years.

Staff Governors and Parent Governors are elected by a ballot of the communities they represent;  LA (Local Authority) and Co-opted Governors are appointed by the Governing Board. Governors and the Clerk to the Governors may be contacted via the school address and phone number.

Miss K. Lane - Headteacher 

I am the proud Headteacher of Fox Hill Primary School. I joined Fox Hill in September 2021. I have worked in education for over 20 years, mainly as part of the Primary and Middle School phase. I work with and alongside our dedicated Governors to ensure the strategic planning of the school is well thought through, reviewed and positively impacts the school’s stakeholders. I sit on every committee panel and invite my senior leaders to support in giving evidence and providing information about their area of expertise. We work collaboratively to make a difference to the children we serve, ensuring that the children receive the very best education and experiences.

Gemma Donnelly – Co-opted Governor (Chair)

Term of office: 6 December 2021 - 5 December 2025

I am the Chair of Governors (elected July 2024). I have worked in primary education for over 20 years, moving from teacher to SENDCO, Senior Leader and have been a Head teacher for over 9 years. I have sat on the governing body of other schools for over 15 years and have been at Fox Hill since 2021. 

I am passionate about ensuring schools offer the best possible provision for the children they serve and value the opportunity to work strategically with schools to improve outcomes for children. I believe I can use my professional knowledge and skills to support school leadership teams in driving improvement through offering both support and challenge. 

At Fox Hill I support particularly with Maths, Pupil Premium and Attendance.

Peter Greenaway - Co-opted Governor (Vice Chair)

Term of office: 10 December 2023 - 9 December 2027

I am the Vice Chair of Governors, sit on the Headteacher's Performance Management Panel and am also a member of the Resources committee. In addition to this my governor role extends to Health & Safety, Sites and Buildings.  

I have worked in the Construction industry for almost 25 years as a Quantity Surveyor and more recently as a business owner/Director and my working life has always had a very strong link to projects within the Education sector. I joined as a Parent Governor at Fox Hill in 2019 to give something back to a sector that had provided so many working opportunities for me over the years. I have lived in and around the local area for my entire life and I’m proud to be a volunteer at this school and the role it plays in supporting the wider community.  

Dr Roy Bailey – Local Authority Governor

Term of office: 12 June 2021 - 11 July 2025

I am a former Thames Valley Police Superintendent, college/university lecturer and business consultant and also a professionally qualified teacher and criminologist. I have published several papers on policing and the wider criminal justice system. I have been a governor for over 30 years in schools across Bracknell Forest. I have served at Fox Hill for over 10 years with three different headteachers. I am also a Councillor and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People. I am passionate about delivering the very best education for all pupils at Fox Hill, to enable them to reach their potential and to give them the confidence they need to succeed. I sit on the Resources Committee.

Bellal Aziz - Parent Governor

Term of office: 18 January 2023 - 17 January 2027

I became a parent governor in January 2023.  As well as being a local resident I have 2 young children, 1 of which is a student at Fox Hill. I am employed in the public sector in London, which has given me a variety of skills which I am keen to share with the school. I have a personal interest in the success of the school and its pupils, which motivates me to add the right value to the established governing board. My heritage is from a British Asian family which has allowed me to experience different cultures and speak a variety of languages. I am a keen Cricketer and enjoy travelling with my family.

Paul Bidwell - Co-opted Governor

Term of office: 6 December 2021 - 5 December 2025

I joined Fox Hill as a Governor at the end of 2021. I have three children, three step-children, twin grandchildren and two more expected this year. There are three dogs in the immediate family including my gorgeous white retriever. I’m a Borough Councillor for Easthampstead & Wildridings, the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration and a Town Councillor for Old Bracknell (Town Ward). I’m also Chair of Age Concern Bracknell. My day job is as a Project Manager for Pinkertons. I have been waiting to be a School Governor for a few years now as I feel I can bring many years of business experience (I have my own consultancy) to the role. However, my recent experience has instilled a real interest in how Fox Hill children develop, having attended reading sessions and more recently the School Council. It never ceases to amaze me the common sense that is spoken by children, even at this age. As I have got to grips with the Education “lingo” I will now sit on the Pay Committee and Governors Disciplinary Committee as well being the Science Governor. I look forward to meeting more children and engaging with the PTA.

Cherise Welch – Co-opted Governor 

Term of office: 6 December 2021 - 5 December 2025

I started as a Governor at Fox Hill in December 2021 and I am  the Chair of the Resources committee and sit on the Pay committee. I moved to Bracknell over 5 years ago with my partner and I wanted to find opportunities to give back to the community I live in which is I volunteered as a Governor.  

I work for a medium sized pharmaceutical company within a business operations role which involves handling a lot of issues and tight budgets which are skills I can offer as a Governor. I care very much about seeing the best in our schools and offering my knowledge and skills to help the staff and children at Fox Hill.  

Sarah Selby - Co-opted Governor 

Term of office: 24 March 2025 - 23 March 2029

I am the Safeguarding Governor and sit on the Resources committee. I volunteer because I want to ensure the wellbeing of the children of Fox Hill Primary School and do my small part to ensure our children achieve to the best of their abilities. I have lived in Bracknell Forest for over 20 years.  I am now retired after 35 years working in factory engineering, logistics, environmental and safety roles.  I believe my strong background in compliance can help the school achieve its strategic plan and ensure a safe environment. My husband and I have one child who has now reached adulthood. I also volunteer with a GirlGuiding Brownie pack and am treasurer of a Stroke and Disabled Club.  I am an advocate of mental health wellbeing programmes.

Lindsay Tomala - Co-opted Governor

Term of office: 8 July 2024 - 7 July 2028

Darren Nicols - Parent Governor

Term of office: 2 December 2024 - 1 December 2028

Sarah Luscombe - Co-opted Governor

Term of office: 3 February 2025 - 2 February 2029

Vacancies

We have a vacancy for a Staff and Co-opted Governor. If you are interested in any vacancies, please contact the Clerk on clerk@foxhillschool.co.uk