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John Gulson Primary School

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Governing Body

Jane Friswell - Interim Chair of Governors

I have enjoyed the challenge of being a governor and former Chair of Governors at John  Gulson for nearly 11 years prior to leaving in 2025. I have returned to provide support to the Governing Board as an interim Chair of Governors as we focus on growing our Board, focusing on the challenge of our school improvement priorities, whilst recognising just how far we have progressed in the last 6 years.

I am a parent of three grown up children, two of which are neurodivergent and I am a sibling carer of my sister who has severe learning disabilities and lives in supported living in Oxfordshire.

I am a Special Educational Needs & Disability Consultant who works largely with Local Areas with a focus on improvement. I am an independent Chair of Local Area SEND Partnership Improvement Boards.

I am formerly the Chief Executive of nasen ( National Association of SEN), a headteacher and specialist teacher.

My ambition in both my work and my life is to contribute to and shape a world where everyone matters, where all people, regardless of age or disability are valued and included. I am proud of John Gulson’s ambitions to provide inclusive educational opportunities for everyone, supported by dedicated and talented staff, strong partnership with families and high expectations of everyone achieving. Our pupils at John Gulson continue to impress me with their appetite for learning, staying curious about life and the universe and for the unwavering regard for one another. Just brilliant!

I look forward to meeting as many children and families as I can as I return to my Governor role at JGP.

Vicki Watson   |   Headteacher

I have worked in education since 2001 and have been a Headteacher since 2014. Having spent much of my career working in Birmingham (and now Coventry), I have extensive experience of leading schools across a wide range of contexts and communities. My leadership journey has included leading an Outstanding school and successfully driving school improvement in schools previously judged as Requires Improvement. I have been the Headteacher at John Gulson since 2020.

I hold a Master’s Degree in Education and am currently working towards my Doctor of Education (EdD). My doctoral research explores the experiences of school leaders in contemporary education, examining how the changing educational landscape, policy reforms and the demands of headship shape the experiences of those leading our schools. My commitment to research and professional learning reflects my belief that effective leadership requires continuous reflection, curiosity and a determination to keep improving.

At the heart of my leadership is an unwavering belief that every child deserves access to a high-quality education, rich experiences and opportunities that enable them to recognise their potential. I am passionate about ensuring that every child, regardless of their background or starting point, feels valued, develops confidence and knows that the world is their oyster. This belief drives my commitment to school improvement, inclusion and creating a school community in which everyone can achieve, belong and thrive.

Outside of school, I love spending time with my family. I am a proud mum to two wonderful daughters, a wife and a step-mum, and I enjoy adventures with my dog, Henry. I love walking, but my greatest passion is reading – although finding enough time to get through my ever-growing collection of books remains a challenge!

Azhar Minhas   |   Vice Chair of Governors (Parent Governor)

I am a former pupil of John Gulson Primary School and attended from Nursery through to Year 6. After leaving John Gulson, I went on to study at an independent boarding school, completing my GCSEs and A Levels before pursuing higher education in Healthcare.

I now work as an Operations Manager for a UK-registered charity and bring valuable experience in leadership, organisational management, governance, and community development.

Having benefited from my own years at John Gulson, I am passionate about giving back to the school community. My child has attended the school since 2020, and I value the nurturing environment and opportunities JG provides for its pupils.

Having served on the Governing Board for over four years, I am committed to supporting the school in delivering the highest standards of education and helping every child develop the confidence, skills, and ambition to succeed. I am particularly passionate about strengthening links between the school and its community and ensuring all pupils have the opportunity to thrive.opted Gov

Rebecca Ibrahimi - Co-opted Governor

I have been a primary school teacher since 2020, teaching in a variety of school contexts in Coventry during that time. I am currently a SENCO and SEN teacher at a school close to John Gulson Primary School, thoroughly enjoying the challenge of supporting the children and families of those with special educational needs and disabilities to thrive and achieve their best. I am also passionate about supporting people with English as an additional language to succeed, as my husband originally came to the UK as an asylum seeker from Afghanistan. In my spare time, I love being outdoors. I enjoy gardening, walking, baking and most of all, being with family.

Wynter Proud - Staff Governor

I am a Year 4 teacher and the school’s Coaching and Mentoring Lead, and I have been part of the John Gulson School community for the past four years. During this time, I have loved getting to know our children and families and being part of a school that means so much to me.

I am hardworking, friendly and dedicated, and I always aim to make a positive difference. For me, the children are at the heart of everything we do. I want every child to feel happy, valued and confident in school, and to know that they are capable of achieving great things.
One of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing children grow in confidence, believe in themselves and recognise just how much they are capable of achieving. I also have a real passion for reading and love helping children discover new books, enjoy different stories and develop a love of reading for themselves.
Alongside teaching Year 4, I am proud to be the school’s Coaching and Mentoring Lead. I enjoy supporting colleagues, helping them to build confidence, reflect on their practice and continue to develop professionally.
I feel incredibly proud to be part of John Gulson School and to work alongside such a committed team. I am passionate about our school community and look forward to continuing to support our children, families and staff and making a positive difference wherever I can.

Khadija Chbihi - Parent Governor

I have been connected to John Gulson school since my son started nursery some 8 years ago. Since then two of my other children have joined the school. I have seen the progress made by the school in the past 6 years. I like to see children receive the best from their primary school; it is during these primary years that moulds them for the future.  
I am humbled to be part of this unique team , taking on board the feedback from all that are involved with the school so that we can support the school community.
I enjoy travelling and spending time with my family.

Shoyab Khalifa - Co-opted Governor

Hi, I'm Shoayb. I attended John Gulson Primary School myself, so it's a privilege to have the opportunity to give something back as a governor.
Professionally, I have spent much of my career working in and around children's social care, with a particular focus on finance and commissioning. I currently work in consultancy, supporting local authorities and other public sector organisations to improve outcomes for children, young people and families.
Outside of work, I enjoy keeping active through cycling, tennis and hiking. Most recently, I completed the Everest Base Camp trek, which was a fantastic challenge. I'm passionate about helping young people to succeed and i'm delighted to support the school community in this role.

Committees

Resource Management Committee

  •  Shoayb Khalifa
  • Vicki Watson
  • Rebecca Ibrahimi
  • Jane Friswell

Curriculum and Standards

  •  Jane Friswell
  • Azhar Minhas
  • Vicki Watson
  • Wynter Proud
  • Khadija Chibihi

HT Performance Management 

  •  Jane Friswell
  • Azhar Minhas
  • Rebecca Ibrahimi

Pay Committee

  •  Jane Friswell
  • Azhar Minhas
  • Shoayb Khalifa

Our Inclusion and SEND Governor: Jane Friswell

Our Safeguarding Governor: Rebecca Ibrahimi

Our Pupil Premium Governor: Shoayb Khalifa

 

Meeting Schedule 2026-2027

Date: Meeting:
Monday 28th September 2026 Full Governing Board (Housekeeping)
Monday 9th November 2026 Resource Management Committee
Monday 7th December 2026 Quality and Standards Committee
Tuesday 15th December 2026 Full Governing Board
Monday 1st March 2027 Resource Management Committee
Monday 15th March 2027 Quality and Standards Committee
Monday 22nd March 2027 Full Governing Board
Monday 14th June 2027 Resource Management Committee
Monday 21st June 2027 Quality and Standards Committee
Monday 12th July 2027 Full Governing Board

Governor Code of Conduct 2026-2027

 

 Governing Body Constitution / Instrument of Governance:

 

Name: Date of Appointment: Term of Office: Appointing Body: Any material interests?
Victoria Watson 01.09.2020 Ongoing for term of Headship Ex-officio (Headteacher) NO
Jane Friswell (Interim Chair) 4 years GB / Board NO
Azhar Minhas (Vice-Chair) 21.04.2025 4 years Parents NO
Rebecca Ibrahimi 01.09.2024 4 years GB / Board NO
Khadija Chbihi 4 years Parents NO
Wynter Proud 01.09.2024 4 years Staff NO
Shoyab Khalifa 4 years GB / Board NO

 

Attendance Registers 2026-2027

Full Governing Board

Names: 28.09.26 15.12.26 22.03.27 12.07.27
Vicki Watson  YES
Jane Friswell YES
Azhar Minhas YES
Khadija Chbihi YES
Shoyab Khalifa YES
Rebecca Ibrahimi YES
Wynter Proud YES

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