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John Gulson

Governing Body

 Jane Friswell  |  Chair of Governors 

I am delighted to be the current Chair of the Governing Board at our school. The Board and I are immensely proud of our whole school community and we work hard to represent our community, which our school serves. 
Our role as governors is to know our school well and support and challenge the school in its efforts to continually improve and deliver the best outcomes for our children and their families. 
I have 36 years of experience working in education ranging from a teacher, headteacher to Chief Executive. I bring my passion for equality in education to the Board and my uncompromising belief that every child is entitled to receive a high-quality education that meets their needs, nurtures their talents, and prepares them for the next stage in their lives. If we all believe that education is a force for positive change, then we have to regularly and frequently challenge ourselves in recognising the things that we do, say, and think that exclude, marginalise or devalue others. Our school vision and values enable us to support all of our pupils to do their very best in their learning and in life. 
I can often be found in school, talking with pupils, parents and staff and I encourage all of us to support our school and our children to provide the best education we can - do get in touch to share your views and express an interest in the work of our governing board.

Kerry Webb   |   Vice-Chair of Governors

Kerry joined the Governing body in January 2020 and is the current Vice-Chair of Governors with responsibility for Safeguarding. Kerry is also the Chair of the Quality and Standards Committee. Kerry has worked in education for 20 years and has a continued desire to ensure all children feel safe, valued and receive high quality teaching to enable them to reach their full potential. Kerry is passionate about her role and fully committed to working alongside all stakeholders to continue to strive for outstanding outcomes , helping to develop articulate, creative individuals who are secondary ready and ultimately model citizens out in their own community.
In her spare time, Kerry is a busy Mum to two teenage boys and enjoys spending time with them, being active and watching a range of sports (especially her beloved West Bromwich Albion).

Vicki Watson   |   Headteacher

Vicki has been working in education since 2001 and has her Masters Degree in Education. She has spent most of her career working within Birmingham, having been a senior leader in schools since 2002 and a Headteacher since 2013. Vicki has worked in a variety of school contexts and demographics, leading an outstanding school as well as leading the transformation of schools identified as Requires Improvement. Vicki is unwavering in her determination that every child has access to a high quality education, experiences and knowledge that the world is their oyster! This is what drives her passion for school improvement. She is currently studying for her Doctorate in Education (EdD). Her thesis is a post-human exploration of ethical and moral school leadership in the current sociological climate. 
In her 'spare' time, Vicki loves being Mum to her two amazing girls and her dog, Henry! She loves walking but above all else, her favourite hobby is reading. 

Tuhin Ahmed   |   Parent Governor

Tuhin is a former pupil of John Gulson who attended the school from nursery right through to year 6. After achieving highest marks in majority of GCSE’s, he studied A-level in Maths, Physics and Chemistry. After completion of A-levels he studied BEng at the University of Warwick and received a scholarship to undertake a Masters in Engineering at the same university. Since graduation, Tuhin has worked in various roles within Aeronautical/Automotive Engineering including technical, management, consultancy with organisations such as Jaguar Land Rover, Tata, Warwick Manufacturing Group, IBM.  He has also supervised and assessed Masters students at the University of Warwick.

Tuhin's desire for Governorship is driven by ongoing passion for education and giving back. Tuhin currently has two sons enjoying their time at the school and both boys, along with their friends, agree that “John Gulson is ACE!”

Azhar Minhas   |   Parent Governor

Azhar is a former pupil of John Gulson Primary who attended the school from 1993, when he was in nursery right through to 2001 where he completed year 6 achieving Level 5 in his SATS for English, Maths and Science. He then moved onto an Independent Boarding School where he completed his GCSEs and A Levels. At University Azhar undertook studies in Healthcare and is now working as an Operations Manager at a UK registered charity based in Leicester. 
Azhar is always looking for ways to serve the community and undertook role as Parent Governor with this same focus. His child started at the school (from Nursery) in 2020 and is very enthusiastic to learn new things every day.

Shaun Evans Bent

My name is Shaun Evans Bent. I am originally from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire. Having been brought up and raised there, I moved south to Bedford to complete my Batchelor of Education degree in PE and Games. For over twenty years, I used this training in a variety of secondary schools in Coventry. Working with young people is something which I thoroughly enjoy.

Having stepped away from classroom teaching, I was appointed a school governor at John Gulson in 2022, which I am embracing wholeheartedly. 
I currently work for Amazon as an associate, here in Coventry. Part of my role involves being a member of the Community Committee Group which oversees donating grants to support charities in the local area.
My interests and pastimes include watching sport, gardening, making tasty meals for my family and finding new activities to pursue, having recently taken up ballroom dancing.
I look forward to taking an active role in my appointment.

Dani Sheldon

My name is Dani Sheldon and I am a co-opted governor. 

When I left high school, I loved science so I studied Chemistry, Biology and Physics at college, along with Law (because we had to study four subjects). I then discovered that I really enjoyed Law and decided to complete a Law degree at University.

After I graduated, I started to volunteer in a school in my free time. I enjoyed this so much that I decided to train as a teacher and completed my PGCE.

Val Baker

 

 

Richard Law

 

 

Committees

Resource Management Committee

  • Richard Law (Chair)
  • Fiona Atherton
  • Jane Friswell 
  • Shaun Bent
  • Victoria Sumner
  • Tuhin Ahmed
  • Kerry Webb (Vice-Chair)

 

Curriculum and Standards

  • Jane Friswell (Vice-Chair)
  • Kerry Webb (Chair)
  • Dani Sheldon
  • Fiona Atherton
  • Val Baker
  • Shaun Evans-Bent

 

HT Performance Management 

  • Jane Friswell (Chair)
  • Kerry Webb (Vice-Chair)

 

Pay Committee

  • Jane Friswell (Chair)
  • Kerry Webb (Vice-Chair)
  • Fiona Atherton

 

Development Plan 2023-2024

Our Governing Body members are directly linked to aspects of school that are on our Development Plan. For 2023-2024, these are:

Quality of Education:

Jane Friswell, Tuhin Ahmed and Fiona Atherton

 

Leadership and Management:

Jane Friswell and Shaun Bent 

 

Behaviour and Attitudes: 

Kerry Webb and Azhar Minhas

 

Personal Development:

Fiona Atherton, Val Baker and Dani Sheldon

 

EYFS:

Dani Sheldon and Kerry Webb

 

 

Our pupil premium Governor: Richard Law and Jane Friswell

Our SEND Governor: Jane Friswell

Our Safeguarding Governor: Kerry Webb

Our staff wellbeing Governor: Jane Friswell and Val Baker

Our pupil wellbeing Governor: Val Baker

 

Meeting Schedule 2023-2024

Date: Meeting:
Monday 25th September 2023 Full Governing Board (Housekeeping)
Monday 6th November 2023 Quality and Standards Committee
Monday 27th November 2023 Resource Management Committee
Monday 4th December 2023 Full Governing Board
Monday 26th February 2024 Quality and Standards Committee
Monday 4th March 2024 Resource Management Committee
Monday 18th March 2024 Full Governing Board
Monday 17th June 2024 Resource Management Committee
Monday 24th June 2024 Quality and Standards Committee
Monday 8th July 2024 Full Governing Board

Governor Code of Conduct 2023-2024

code of conduct governors 2023 2024.pdf

 

 Governing Body Constitution / Instrument of Governance:

 

Name: Date of Appointment: Term of Office: Appointing Body: Any material interests?
Jane Friswell  24.11.2016 8 years (X2) Local Authority NO
Kerry Webb 23.01.2020 4 years GB / Board NO
Victoria Watson 01.09.2020 Ongoing for term of Headship Ex-officio (Headteacher) NO
Shaun Bent 28.03.2021 4 years  GB / Board NO
Fiona Atherton 28.03.2021 4 years GB / Board YES - cousin of the Head of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
Dani Sheldon 06.06.2022 4 years Staff NO
Azhar Minhas 21.04.2021 4 years Parents/Carers NO
Tuhin Ahmmed 26.09.2023 4 years Parents/Carers NO
Richard Law 27.03.2023 4 years NO
Val Baker 27.03.2023 4 years NO

 **NO GOVERNORS HAVE GOVERNANCE ROLES IN OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS**

Attendance Registers 2023-2024

Full Governing Board

Names: 25.09.23 04.12.2023 18.03.2024 08.07.2024
Jane Friswell Yes Yes Yes
Kerry Webb Yes Yes No
Vicki Watson  Yes Yes Yes
Tuhin Ahmed Yes Yes Yes
Azhar Minhas Yes Yes Yes
Fiona Atherton No Yes Yes
Shaun Bent Yes Yes Yes
Val Baker Yes Yes Yes
Richard Law Yes Yes Yes
Dani Sheldon Maternity Leave Maternity Leave Yes

Quality and Standards Committee 

Name: 06.11.23 26.02.24 26.06.24
Kerry Webb Yes Yes
Jane Friswell Yes Yes
Vicki Watson Yes Yes
Fiona Atherton Yes Yes
Shaun Evans-Bent Yes Yes
Val Baker No Yes
Observers?

Mrs Paula Nash (DH of SEND and Behaviour)

Mrs Webberley-Holmes (Head of SSB&PC)

Ms Johnson (Head of TL&C)

Mrs Webberley-Holmes (Head of SSB&PC)

Ms Johnson (Head of TL&C)

Miss Cartwright (DH of Curriculum)

Mrs Green (DH of Teaching and Learning)

 Resource Management Committee

Name: 27.11.23 04.03.24 17.06.24
Richard Law

 Yes

 Yes
Jane Friswell Yes No
Vicki Watson Yes Yes
Shaun Evans-Bent Yes Yes
Kerry Webb Yes No
Fiona Atherton Yes Yes
Val Baker Yes Yes
Tuhin Ahmed Yes Yes
Observers?

Mrs Davis (SBM)

Mrs Webberley-Holmes (Head of SSB&PC

 Mrs Davis (SBM)