Governing Body

The governing body is comprised of up to:-

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.

Jo Maitland, Foundation Governor, Chair

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

Fiona Hegarty, Co-opted Governor, Vice Chair

I joined the Governing Body in July 2022 and am the link governor for safeguarding. I am retired, but spent almost 40 years working in the NHS initially as a community nurse, but finally as the Director of Clinical Services for a social enterprise providing a range of Community Health Services. Although new to Wiltshire and Brinkworth Earl Danby’s I have several years experience as a school governor in Surrey. I am kept busy by five young grandchildren and love walking, reading and singing in a choir.

Sally Cross, Co-Opted Governor

I am the Deputy Head teacher, SENCO and currently the Year 2 teacher. I have taught all my working life in schools in Nottinghamshire, London, Gloucestershire and Singapore. I have also taught all 7 primary school year groups during this time.

I have two teenage boys who are both now taller than me. I love reading, listening to music and yoga.

Robert Jackson, Co-Opted Governor

Member of Health, Safety and Welfare Committee and member of Education Development and Safeguarding Committee.

Robert Jackson has served as a Parent Governor for 4 years and he now serves as a Co-Opted Governor.  He is married with 2 children, both of which have attended our School since Foundation Stage, one currently at Upper school, the other at Lower school.  With an extensive background in Aviation and Information Technology, he is shortly to become a STEM Ambassador, which will assist him in his role as Science Link Governor.  He also fulfils the schools SEN and EYFS Link Governor roles.

Chris Foster, Staff Governor

In a previous life, I worked as a manager in the IT sector for 10 years before retraining to become a teacher. I have now been teaching at Brinkworth Earl Danby’s for 10 years. As well as sitting on the Health, Safety and Welfare Committee, I am the subject lead for Maths and PE.

Outside of school, I have 2 young boys who keep me busy and I enjoy playing football for a local team.

Anne-Marie Tuck, Foundation Governor

Anne-Marie Tuck, Foundation Governor, first became a governor in 2019. Anne-Marie has spent much of her career as a civil engineer working on large infrastructure projects. She currently works for a small diversity & inclusion consultancy. She is a Christian and attends Brinkworth church.

Matthew McGrady, Parent Governor

Matt joined the governing body in 2021 as a parent governor. He has one daughter in lower school 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.

Nandi Mellor, Parent Governor

Nandi Mellor, Local Authority Governor.  Joined the Governing Body in 2021.  Has 2 children, with the youngest in Year 5.  My background is in nursing, however, over the last 15 years I have specialised in Occupational Health.

Konstantinos Beis, Parent Governor

Kostas joined the governing body in 2021. He has a daughter in year 1 and a son in year 3. Kostas has over 15 years experience in the higher education sector, including teaching biochemistry, and he is also running a research lab. In his spare time, he is an amateur astronomer and enjoying hiking and travelling.

 

Jack Watkins, Parent Governor

I’m the proud parent of a new starter in Beech class and I have recently been elected as a Parent Governor. I really value the role that Brinkworth Earl Danby’s plays in our children’s lives and our neighbourhood, the engaging ways the children learn, and the varied activities in and around the school. I hope to make a useful contribution bringing experience gained over a 25-year career in energy and financial services in a range of roles. I love spending time away from my desk perhaps walking or cycling locally, travelling abroad or keeping fit and healthy (mentally and physically). You might see me at the Upper Site bus stop on some mornings or occasionally at Lower Site picking up so please say hello.

Trish Blacker

I am a mum of three children. My two girls are currently in Oak and Elm classes and my son starts school in 2025.

My background is in the care sector, supporting people with dementia and their families, to live well both within care settings and their own homes. In more recent years I've been working with children with complex special needs.

I have a few hobbies, but the one I'm known most for is my cakes. You may have seen some at class parties and BEDSA fundraising days. I'm also currently learning British Sign Language. I love being in the sun, seeing the world and making special memories with my family in our caravan. 

I am at Lower Site every day and you can usually find me chatting to anybody and everybody so please do come and say hi as I'd love to meet you all.

Ella Morgan, Associate Governor

I became a governor in 2015 to support the school my three sons attend utilising my professional experience. My background is in buying management roles for high street retailers. More lately I have a property investment business and work as support for design and construction businesses. Family life for myself and my husband is very busy and we are generally found out and about in the fresh air with the boys or spending time with family and friends. In my spare time my nose is usually in a book or buying things I don’t need from antiques auctions.

Charlotte Sjoberg, Associate Governor 

I joined the governing body in 2021 whilst my eldest son enjoys reception class.  My second son joins Brinkworth Earl Danby’s in 2022.  I wanted to join the governing body to help support the school, to see it flourish and ensure all pupils thrive. With nearly 20 years’ experience in communications, working as a Communications Director for a global brand in sectors from lifestyle to space, I hope to bring my sound counsel, advice and creativity to the table.  When I'm not working, you’ll find me indulging in my love of musical theatre as well as pounding the local lanes as a recent graduate of #couchto5k.

Committees:

  Governor Attendance - Updated annually