Governors
The School Standards Committee (SSC) act as a ‘critical friend’ to the school, asking challenging questions about performance and using their skills and experience to support the school in addressing it's aims. They are involved in creating and developing a strategic plan for the school, setting and agreeing objectives, and monitoring and evaluating success by focusing on progress and outcomes. Each Governor has their own area of responsibility but they work collectively to support the school.
All Parent and Community Governors are unpaid volunteers, with the Headteacher and Staff Governor giving up their time to attend the SSC meetings. We appreciate their contributions and thank them for giving their time and expertise to the improvement of school standards and assisting us to give all the children the best possible primary school experience.
Governors attend regular meetings, make visits and contacts with the school and communicate frequently with us to ensure that successes are celebrated and areas of concern acted upon.
If you wish to contact the Local Governing Body please do so via the school office.
Charlie Bell - Vice Chair of Governors
Type of Governor: Parent Governor
Term of Office: December 2019 to December 2023
I volunteered for this role to allow me to give something back to the local community. I have previously been a governor so have experience to share.
I have lived within the local area for over 17 years now and love it! I have three children, aged 17, 15 and 6. All have attended Birchwood Primary School, so I have been a parent here for quite a few years!
I work close by; within the school grounds, as the office manager at Birchwood Pre-School. Here I have gained extensive safeguarding knowledge, health and safety skills, and an insight into education.
I also manage my own small business, and as a kind of hobby, I enrol myself onto various courses to further my knowledge.
Outside of working hours, my life revolves around my family. I enjoy going on family days out, shopping and socialising with family and friends.
Jonathan Head
Type: Parent Governor
Term of Office: December 2019 to December 2023
I was appointed as a parent governor in December 2019 I have a passion for education and the development of our next generation, I have 2 children currently in Birchwood with a 3rd starting in 2022, I enjoy being active in the community and have lived in the village since 2011.
Given that the school plays such a central role within our community, I applied for a governor position when a vacancy arose, My hope is, that in my own way, I can make a positive contribution to the school so that it can continue to remain highly successful and go from strength to strength.
I work in International Logistics and as part of my role within Transport I support schools and local councils with road safety training involving commercial vehicles.
I enjoy most sports, F1, local community activities and spending time with my children.
I will endeavour to meet the requirements of Governors to work closely with the staff at Birchwood by monitoring, questioning and challenging to collectively ensure the best possible standards of education and support for all children attending the school.
Carol Newman
Type: Community Governor
Term of Office: February 2020 - February 2024
In 2016 I moved to Dordon with my daughter. We quickly found Dordon to be a very warm and welcoming community. I was delighted to be appointed community governor, affording me the opportunity to support Birchwood Primary School, which is such a heart of the community.
My daughter did not go to primary school locally, but now attends The Polesworth School.
I am a primary school teacher with over 20 years experience. I have taught a whole range of ages, from Nursery to Year 4 and am currently Early Years phase leader at a primary school in Birmingham. I worked for 12 years teaching in two international schools in Tanzania, East Africa, where I also had the roles of Head of Early Years and Deputy Head teacher.
Suzanne Hogben
Type: Community Governor
Term of Office: February 2020 - February 2024
'My name is Suzanne Hogben and I have only just begun my life as a governor. I live in Polesworth and have done nearly all of my life, attending Polesworth High School myself many years ago! I am married to David and have two children aged 21 and 19, both of whom were educated in local schools too.
I have spent nearly all of my working life as a Social Worker for a Local Authority , mostly in the area of Child Protection. More recently I have also worked with children who are looked after by the Local Authority. Through this work I have had lots of opportunity to work together with schools trying to ensure all pupils achieve the best that they can.
In January 2020 I retired and although I am still involved with social work on a casual basis I felt I would like to use some of my spare time doing something useful in the community. When I saw the Community Governors post I felt this would be a good way to put some of my experience to good use. Obviously my children are no longer of Primary School age but it is always good to see and be part of a school which provides such a wonderful resource to all our children.
I love hockey and still play a little and have been involved in Junior Cricket for many years. I am also a mad football fan and love watching games . '
I have been teaching at Birchwood for ….. years and am currently teaching in Year 5. I enjoy taking the lead in Science and Wellbeing in school and of course am also a Governor.
Nature watching is one of my biggest passions. I really enjoy going for walks in the countryside and spotting birds, insects and other local wildlife. My favourite spots have included a bee fly in Tatenhill near Burton, a peregrine falcon in the Malvern Hills, a grass snake in the river Severn and a hummingbird hawk moth in our back garden. My husband and I encourage wildlife in our garden by allowing areas to grow wild and putting out bird food daily.
Outside of school, I enjoy taking part in quizzes and attending the Lichfield comedy night. I have been involved in bungee jumps, sky dives and ‘The Three Peaks Challenge’ to raise money for charity.
I have enjoyed working at Birchwood as an Administrative Assistant for two years now, as well being The Clerk to Governors. I have had two children at Birchwood and one has now moved on to high school, so I have been involved with the school for quite a few years.
Having the insight from both a parents’ perspective and as an employee at the school has many advantages. More than anything I now realise how much hard work goes into caring for and teaching all of the amazing children here at Birchwood, and making sure that the school is the best it can be.
At home, having two children means we are kept very busy with activities they enjoy but I also like to squeeze in some of my own pass times when I can. I like to keep fit with various forms of exercise and sometimes enjoy a little horse riding. I love nothing more though, to snuggle up with my family and watch a good movie and relax.
Neil Coleman - Headteacher
Type: Ex-officio
Term of office: Appointed March 2016