Merrow Schools Federation - Governing Body (GB)
Please click on the names below for information about our Governing Body for Academic Year 2024-25
I joined the governing board in 2023 as a partnership governor. My now adult daughters all attended both Merrow infants and Junior Schools. All three daughters now work in primary education, so clearly their early education made a big impact.
I was a parent governor whilst my youngest girls attended the schools, and after a gap of 14 years it felt like it was the right time to give something back to the schools that have meant so much to my family.
Over my career as an occupational therapist I have worked in many settings, including schools for children with specific learning disabilities, and more recently I managed clinical community service teams.
I look forward to being a part of the school team again and contributing to the development of the federation.
I joined the Governing Body in 2022 as Parent Governor. I love being involved with the schools and have previously served as Chair of both PTAs. I have two daughters; both having had a brilliant time at Merrow Infants & Juniors.
Professionally, I worked in financial services as a management consultant for about 12 years, before deciding that this was not particularly fulfilling! I retrained as a personal trainer and now run a fitness business specialising in women’s health. I look forward to contributing to the ongoing success of the schools.
I joined the Governing Body in February 2021 and am currently the SEN Governor. I have 3 children who have/are currently attending both schools.
I have worked within the Sport and Leisure Industry for the last 20 years within Woking and occasionally Guildford Boroughs. I have led on various Community Projects which enable the local community to access Leisure Facilities and Park Spaces. I have also spent a large part of the last 20 years working within Schools, delivering PE Lessons, attending school residentials and supporting schools with classroom cover.
I am a career civil servant, with significant experience of working on school improvement, school data and organisational structures, as well as on technical education and other policy areas. I have lived in Bushy Hill since 2008 and my daughter attended both Merrow Infants & Juniors.
I joined the Merrow Junior (then Bushy Hill) School Governing Body as a Parent Governor in 2018. I then became Chair of the new Governing Body following the federation of the two schools in 2022.
I have been teaching at Merrow Junior School for the past 8 years, prior to that I taught in a primary school in Surrey, and a large Junior school in West Sussex. I thoroughly enjoy teaching - the challenges and the rewards - and have taught across the entire primary age range.
Both my children went to Merrow Infants & Juniors, so I am an advocate for the excellence of both schools, from both sides. I have a special interest in Modern Foreign Languages and English, alongside the transition into Key Stage 3. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, experiencing new places and reading - lots!
I have worked at Merrow Junior (previously known as Bushy Hill Junior) School since September 2004, became substantive Head in 2012 and am now Executive Head across our two schools following Federation in 2022.
It remains a privilege to lead such amazing schools, their dedicated staff and a brilliant community of children who never cease to inspire with their attitude and appetite for learning. The schools are very special places to work and I am passionate about, and fully committed to providing the best possible care and education for all within our community.
I have 2 boys who keep me busy outside of school (mainly transporting to sports events!) and I enjoy walking, reading, cricket and spending time with extended family.
Biography to follow...
Phil was elected as a Parent Governor in December 2022. His family moved to the area earlier that year, and his children joined both Merrow Infant & Junior schools.
Phil runs a consultancy which focuses on the strategic use of data within the public and charity sectors - especially education and training providers.
I’ve been Rector of Merrow since October 2023.
Part of my role involves caring for everyone in Merrow, however old they are, including the pupils at the Merrow Schools Federation. I regularly visit both Infant and Junior schools and enjoy helping the pupils learn more about the Christian faith.
If you spot me out on the streets of Merrow in my clerical collar, often accompanied by my cockerpoo called Mary, do say hello!
Our Clerk is Maria Gould and she can be contacted by email on clerk@merrowfederation.school
(or via the Chair of Governors at chair@merrowfederation.school)
Meetings of the Governing Body
The GB meets formally three times per term. Once per term is a Full Governing Body (FGB) meeting at which the GB focuses on strategic matters and those matters requiring the formal consideration / approval of the FGB. Once per half term there is a committee meeting to which all governors are invited. Committee meetings are where the GB discharges its duties to hold the Head Teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and to oversee the financial performance of the school. The committee meeting in the first half of a term is chaired by the Resources Lead Governor, and the committee meeting in the second half of a term is chaired by the Education Lead Governor, but each committee meeting considers all aspects, allowing issues to be dealt with holistically.
In addition, the GB holds Educational Data Meetings, chaired by the Education Lead Governor, to conduct a detailed review of the data, and Pay Committee meetings, chaired by the Resources Lead Governor, to consider changes to pay policy and to conduct the annual pay review.
Key Documents
Governor Terms of Office (for Academic Year 2024-25)
Governor Register of Business Interests (for Academic Year 2024-25)
Governor Newsletter (Summer 2024) - to follow...
Governor Meeting Attendance Record for last Academic Year (AY 2023-24) - to follow...