Governing Body

The Governing Body's ethos statement is:

Recognising its historic foundation, the school will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England and in partnership with the Church at parish and diocesan level.

The school aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers to all its pupils.

Please contact the school offices if you would like copies of non-confidential governing body minutes.

The governing body is comprised of up to 16 people:-

The Governing Body structure

As set out in our Terms of Reference, we are structured with a Full Governing Board (FGB) supported by two committees and one steering Group.  The Strategic Steering Group consists of Headteacher, Chair of Governors and Vice Chair of Governors. The committees are Education, Development and Safeguarding (EDS) and Finance, People and Premises (FPP). 

In September 2022, we merged the meetings of our committees into the Full Governing Board, which we find provides us with improved oversight and a much better understanding of all of the relevant factors in decision-making. We find it is also a more efficient use of our Governance time and reduces duplication.  Every meeting starts with a focus on Safeguarding, and through the year we have an alternating focus in our meetings, between EDS and FPP agendas.  Our Scheme of Delegation framework on the Governance Page sets out in detail which responsibilities are allocated to FGB, EDS, FPP or to individual governor roles.

We maintain an allocation of Governors to the committee structure (see below) which allows us to delegate certain matters and decisions to each committee, outwith FGB, should that be required.

We also have specific Governor roles for key statutory areas such as Safeguarding, Data, Attendance, SEND, Disadvantaged Learners etc.

Neil Baker, LA Appointed Governor, Chair

Following his retirement as a Headteacher for nearly 25 years Neil is now working for Wiltshire Council’s School Effectiveness Team as a School Improvement Advisor. His main areas of expertise lie in school leadership, governance, strategy and school finance.

Email: governors@brinkworthearldanbys.wilts.sch.uk. 

Jo Maitland, Foundation Governor

Jo Maitland, Foundation Governor, joined the Governing Body in 2021.  An engineer by background, Jo has nearly 20 years’ experience in British Army leadership roles, and has worked in engineering, training, safeguarding and consulting in Defence. She now divides her time between consulting, life coaching and parenting. She is a Christian and attends Brinkworth church. She is a school parent, with a child at each of Lower and Upper Site

Leo Lester, Foundation Governor

Leo Lester joined the Governing Body in 2024. He is an international Programme Director with a career of successfully building institutional capabilities. His experience spans multiple sectors, including energy, finance, consulting, education and government. Leo holds a PhD in evolutionary biology from the University of Reading and a Ba(Hons) from the University of Oxford, and is both a Chartered Financial Analyst and a certified Financial Risk Manager.

Matthew McGrady, Parent Governor

Matt joined the governing body in 2021 as a parent governor. He has one daughter in lower site and a second who will join reception in 2023. He has spent his career as a mechanical engineer in the electricity industry. Outside of work and family life he enjoys running, cycling and tinkering in the garage.

Theresa Chapman, Co-opted Governor

Theresa joined the Governing Body in 2025 and spent most of her career in education.  After graduating she spent 10 years as a teacher of modern languages before requalifying as a Chartered Certified Accountant. A few years in the small business sector was followed by roles in education finance ending with 14 years as Director of Finance & Administration and Company Secretary at the Royal Agricultural University. She retired in 2017 and then spent 5 years as a Parish Clerk. She volunteers locally and is a Trustee and Treasurer of the Wiltshire Federation of WIs, Publicity Officer for the Dauntsey Vale Link Scheme and the N Wilts Regional Co-ordinator and Assessor for Pets As Therapy.

Ben Spode, Parent Governor

Ben Spode became a parent governor in October 2024 and is a proud parent of a daughter currently in Year 5. He holds a BSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, along with a Master’s degree in Biotechnological Law and Ethics from the University of Sheffield. With over 20 years of experience in IT consulting, Ben collaborates with both UK-based and international companies to help guide them in making smart, strategic technology decisions. He has a strong interest in online safety and is passionate about supporting the school’s ongoing growth. Outside work - Ben is normally found noisily practising guitar to the "delight" of his family- and he needs a LOT of practice.

Individual Governor Roles 2024/25

 

Governor Details:

  Governor Attendance - 2024-2025

Voting rights are not held by any Associate Governor.