Governors

updated 20th September 2022

Structure

We have a Chair of Governors, a Vice Chair of Governors and separate chairs for the curriculum/resources focused meetings.
We have full Governing Body meetings 4 times per year with a strategic focus.
We have 3 meetings per year which have a Curriculum focus; all governors attend these.
We have 3 meetings per year which have a Resources focus; all governors attend these.
We have other committees which sit as required e.g. Complaints, Performance Management, Pay.
All governors visit the school outside of scheduled meetings. Governor monitoring will be done via Teams/Zoom or in person.
We are constituted as 12 members.
We can be contacted via the school either on 01234 781328 or via admin@sharnbrookprimary.beds.sch.uk

Membership

Name	Responsibility	Position
David Messenger Term ends 17/01/2026	Chair of Governors Committee Member	Finance Checklist Governance Curriculum and Resources Committees
Suzy Oakley Term ends 24/11/2023	Vice Chair of Governors Committee Member	Finance Checklist Governance Curriculum and Resources Committees
Jon Bleeze Terms ends 03/06/2023	Committee Member	Finance Checklist Governance Curriculum and Resources Committees
Paolo Di Leo Term ends 28/08/2024	Committee Member	Finance Checklist Governance Curriculum and Resources Committees
Rebecca Corbett Term ends 06/05/2025	Committee Member	Governance Curriculum and Resources Committees SEND
Michelle Raza  Term ends 04/07/2026	Committee Member	Governance Curriculum and Resources Committees
Hayley Pryde Term ends 30/01/2026	Committee Member	Governance Curriculum and Resources Committees
Felicity Leinster Term ends 06/03/2026	Committee Member	Governance Curriculum and Resources Committees Safeguarding
Judith Herbert Term ends 25/04/2026	Committee Member	Governance Curriculum and Resources Committees
James Stonebridge Term ends 04/07/2026	Committee Member	Governance Curriculum and Resources Committees
Michelle Bye-Gannon	Clerk to Governors
Miss Bennett and Mrs Headley are Head Teacher and Teacher members of the Governing Body respectively.

 

Name	Position	Pecuniary/Business or Conflict of Interest	Date
David Messenger	Governor Member	No business or pecuniary interest and no conflict of interest	06/06/2019
Jon Bleeze	Governor Member	No business or pecuniary interest and no conflict of interest	06/06/2019
Michelle Bye-Gannon	Clerk	Mark Rutherford School employee	06/06/2019
Suzy Oakley	Governor Parent	No business or pecuniary interest and no conflict of interest	25/11/2019
Paolo Di Leo	Governor Co-Opted	Rector of the Benefice of Sharnbrook, Felmersham and Knotting with Souldrop	19/10/2020
Rebecca Corbett	Governor Parent	No business or pecuniary interest and no conflict of interest	24/05/2021
Hayley Pryde	Governor Parent	No business or pecuniary interest and no conflict of interest	26/04/2022
Felicity Leinster	Governor Co-Opted	No business or pecuniary interest and no conflict of interest	26/04/2022
Judith Herbert	Governor Member	No business or pecuniary interest and no conflict of interest	26/04/2022
Michelle Raza	Governor Co-Opted	No business or pecuniary interest and no conflict of interest	20/09/2022
James Stonebridge	Governor Parent	No business or pecuniary interest and no conflict of interest	20/09/2022

 

	David Messenger Living and working in Sharnbrook, I was keen to get involved with my local community. I have been a governor at Sharnbrook Primary for over 8 years during which I have sat at various times on the Curriculum committee, Resources committee and been responsible for Safeguarding. I am currently Chair and find the role very rewarding. Being a governor is a great way of supporting the school and I would encourage anybody who thinks they might be able to help to approach one of us for more information.
	Meshelle Headley I have been a staff governor for over 6 years but my involvement with the school has been far longer. I first came to the school as a student teacher and shortly after graduation got a job here in 1994. For the majority of my time at the school I have taught in Y2. During my time at Sharnbrook Primary have been subject leader for a variety of subjects including science, computing, history and PSHE. This has helped me in my role on the curriculum committee.
	Jon Bleeze I moved to Sharnbrook 3 years ago, returning to Bedfordshire to be nearer to family, having spent my school days in the area. Whilst my background isn’t in education, I have been working in senior leadership and board positions in retail for 20+ years. What I’ve really developed during my career is a real passion for people, and one of my strengths has been in leading, coaching and developing effective teams.My aim as a Governor is to be able to make a positive contribution to the school and the community. I’m passionate about children having the best start in life and am keen to play my part in supporting their development.I am part of the resources committee and as I settle in to the role, I’m keen to expand my responsibilities. Feel free to ask me any questions when you see me around the school, I love to chat!
	Suzy Oakley I loved my school experience so much that after university I trained as a secondary school teacher and taught Psychology and Sociology A level at schools in Bedford, Milton Keynes and London. I loved teaching, especially seeing the development of the students, but after having my second child I decided not to return to education but instead pursued my other passion - mental health and wellbeing. When the role of parent governor came up I jumped at the chance - an opportunity to return to education and also to give back to the school - I will have 4 children go through Sharnbrook Primary so it’s the least I can do!
	Paolo di Leo I came to Sharnbrook to take up the post of parish priest for the parishes and churches of St Peter Sharnbrook, St Mary Felmersham and Radwell and All Saints Souldrop. Prior to my calling to become a priest I worked as a senior executive and CEO of a number of internet hardware and software companies. As part of my charitable work, I have advised a number charitable organisations and in particular youth charities. I have lived in Bedfordshire for most of my life and enjoy reading, music and tennis. It’s a privilege and honour to be a governor at Sharnbrook Primary, guiding and overseeing the fantastic work being done by a staff and leadership that is exemplary.
	Rebecca Corbett I am new to the Governing Board; having grown up in Sharnbrook I moved back to the village three years ago to raise my family in this community and my son now attends the school. I am keen to get stuck in and hope to bring some of my experience spent working in policy and government engagement roles over the past ten years to my role. I hope to gain a better understanding of the school’s strategic direction and contribute to its future success ~ and it would also be great to get to know some of the parents better and hear any ideas you may have.
	Felicity Leinster Following my training as a nurse and midwife I then trained to be a Health Visitor. I have practiced as a Health Visitor in Twickenham, Cambridge and for the last 30 years in Bedford. I have recently been vaccinating as part of the Covid response. In addition, for many years I was on the Board of Management of the Goldington Family Centre. I also led a project establishing and funding a school in rural India via my involvement in Bromham Baptist Church. I am currently the safeguarding lead there and am a trustee of a local adult and children counselling service. I have lived in Oakley for over 30 years and for many years was a member of the PTA of Oakley Lower and a governor of Fawcett Primary School in Cambridge. I have grandchildren who attend Sharnbrook Primary School. I consider it to be an excellent school both in the learning opportunities it provides and the standard of the care and wellbeing provided for the children who attend. I would like to continue to use my knowledge, experience and skills in this important role and to learn from others. Through my work I have been involved in health related activities in schools and early learning facilities and have worked closely with social services, public health and teachers.
	Hayley Pryde I moved to Sharnbrook in 2020, with fantastic schools and the family friendly local community being the main reasons for that move. Prior to recently joining the governing board, my only experience in education was my own schooling. I've spent over 15 years working in Digital Marketing for the corporate world. Currently sitting on the Senior Leadership Team for a FTSE 250 company, strong leadership skills and setting clear strategic direction are key to my role. Skills I hope to be able to use to add value to the school. I became a parent governor in order to make a positive contribution to the local community. With one daughter about to progress from Pre-school to Reception and a new baby, the importance of education for the children in our community has never felt more important to me.
	Judith Herbert Following in my parents footsteps, I trained to teach after graduating from Durham University. For much of my career I taught in the Modern Languages Department of Sharnbrook Upper School. I have always been very interested in how children learn to speak, read and write, both from birth in their mother tongue and later in a foreign language. I have followed closely the changing teaching methods of Literacy, first with my own children and then with grandchildren. For much of my career I was responsible for organising the French Exchange, taking about 40 teenagers to France for two weeks each year and organising the return visit of their French counterparts. We moved to Sharnbrook four years ago and it has been a pleasure to become involved in this delightful community. I hope my long experience in education will enable me to make a useful contribution to the work of the Governors of this lovely school.
	Michelle Raza I moved to Sharnbrook with my family in 2021. My two children attend Sharnbrook Primary and I now teach at Sharnbrook Academy. I qualified as a teacher in 2013 and have been privileged to work in a world class school for the past 8 years. I am passionate about education, particularly literacy. I believe that schools lie at the heart of communities, nurturing the great minds of tomorrow. As a mother, I am grateful for the opportunity to help shape our local schools and to give back to a community that has so warmly welcomed us.
	James Stonebridge Sharnbrook Primary is one of the main reasons why we moved to the village in 2017. I have three children who will attend the school, so being a governor is a great opportunity to support the school and help it continue to thrive for the benefit of the community. In a professional capacity, I currently work in communications in the rail industry. Prior to this, I held a policy and communications role in local government. A key part of this position was ensuring councillors were supported in scrutinising council policies in an array of areas, including children's services. This covered school performance, support for pupils with special educational need and disabilities, and reviewing safeguarding processes. I hope to bring this experience to the role of governor. I would very much like to hear the views of other parents and guardians so please do come and have a chat if you see me on the school run!