Ravensdale Junior School

Ravensdale School Community - Meet the Governors!

There are many teams of people who work at Ravensdale carrying out a range of roles. Here you can find out about our Governors.

Contact our Chair of Governors (Mr M Jackson) - E-Mail: governors@ravensdalej.derby.sch.uk
The next FGB meetings are planned for: 14/07/20.

Welcome to the Governors section of the Ravensdale Junior School Website! We hope that you this section provides you with the information you are seeking.

Governance is the process by which any organisation or group organises itself in order to be able to make decisions and examine its efficiency. In schools, it is the governing body who are responsible for scrutinising decisions made in school and for driving improvement, along with the processes and policies which allows the school to work effectively and appropriately.

The Governing Board is a team of volunteers, supporting the school. We hope that we are able to:
* bring to the school different perspectives and experience, support and advice. We are not specifically qualified to be a governor but we do bring with us a wealth of experiences and do complete courses which keep us abreast of developments in education such as safeguarding
* provide a strategic view - questioning targets and priorities for the school, agreeing policies.
* act as support to the Head and Teachers and help focus on the children and help to raise the standards of achievement.
* try to ensure the happiness of the children within the school learning environment.
* act as a link between the local community, parents and the school.
* monitor policies, budgets, development plans to ensure they are on target and in place for the school to act efficiently.

As governors we meet regularly (every half term in the evening) to make decisions about school matters and to support the staff of the school in their work.

Our aim is to ensure that the School has the right school priorities. We want our school community to share our ambition and have a say in the development of these priorities. As a Governing Board, we do monitor regularly the progress of the school on its performance and we hold the leadership team to account for this performance. We try to ensure that school resources are allocated appropriately that support the school priorities.

Since the school joined Transform Trust in September 2019, we have gone through a change in terms of how we govern at Ravensdale We have restructured our meetings allowing us to focus on continuous school improvement so that we can move towards the best possible outcomes for our children in terms of their achievements and attainment. We want our children to have the best time and to have fun so that learning becomes a natural part of their lives and, by working together with you the parents, we hope that you will share in our ambition for the school to ensure that our children and staff are given the best possible support in order to achieve their potential.

The Governing Board for Ravensdale Junior School consists of the following:
· The Headteacher
· The school business manager
· 4 Parent Governors - A person with a child attending the school, who is not employed by the School or Local Authority
· 1 Transform Governor - A member of the Trust who is not employed directly by the school.
· 2 Staff Governors - Head teacher/Staff and non-teaching staff are included in this category.
· 3 Co-opted Governors - Co-opted governors are selected by the Governing Board and will be selected on their skills and experience pertinent to the needs of the school.
· 1 associate governor member- a member of the SLT for the school.

Our Governors:

Mike Jackson –
Chair
Co-opted Governor
(Safeguarding)

I have three children all of whom went to Ravensdale. They keep me in touch with reality and out of touch with the bank. I have been a governor for about 13 years now I think! I taught languages for 20 years in local Secondary schools and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am now at Derby University where I lecture in the Education department and in Primary Teacher Training. My interests are DIY when I get time, cycling when the weather is ok and seeing the family when they are about. I have enjoyed being a governor at the school- education is always a challenge no matter where I have found but the pupils are always the bottom line.

Abigail Howells

Parent Governor

joined the Ravensdale Junior School Governing body in the autumn term that my son started at the school. As a stay at home mum, I wanted to become more involved in the life of the school, as a place for education, but also a pivotal nurturing hub where children can grow as individuals and within the society.

I have a background in Environmental Policy and have worked at both Local and Central government, as well as a two-year stint for the European Commission. I am currently an independent Thermomix Advisor for business. I also have a daughter who is currently in the Infants school. My husband is currently chair of the Ravensdale Infants Governing Body.

In my spare time, and when I am not busy walking the dog, I am a keen baker and have recently taken up running.

Margaret Lord –
Staff Governor

I am a non-teaching member of staff and work in the school office. I have also worked as a Teaching Assistant and prior to that as a Buyer for various large companies. I have been a primary school Governor for 15 years, having started as a parent Governor at the infant school. My main areas of interest include finance and SEN. My daughter currently works as a peripatetic music teacher in school.

Zoe Cannon –
Headteacher

I became Head Teacher at Ravensdale Juniors in April 2016, having previously been a Deputy Head at another local school for several years. In my previous role I was SENCo (special educational needs co-ordinator) and my curriculum specialisms were music and maths.

Ravensdale is a very special place to work and I feel extremely fortunate to be supported by such a dedicated, professional and friendly staff and governing body.

Claire Kinder – Parent Governor

I joined the governing body in September 2018 as I wanted to become more actively involved in school life at Ravensdale and give something back to a school that has already given so much to my eldest daughter, who is currently in Year 6; providing her with a wealth of wonderful opportunities both in and out of the classroom. My youngest daughter has just started in Year 3.
I have been teaching in Derby City since 2002 and I am a member of the Senior Leadership Team (currently Acting Assistant Headteacher) at my current school where I am the Phase Leader for Years 5 and 6 and English Lead and I have recently worked as a Derby City Champion for pupils with English as an Additional Language. I am passionate about all children achieving to their potential and about providing them with the skills they need for the future. My younger daughter attends the neighbouring infant school and we enjoy a very active – and chaotic – family life.

Shamim Akhtar – Parent Governor

I have worked with Derbyshire County Council & Derby City Council for People Services (Education) for over 26 years. Children’s Education has always been an interest to me and being a parent emphasises it even more. I like to be involved in helping to improve the education of pupils. With good number of years working for the education sector, I have a good background with knowledge of other schools. I have always been passionate regarding the importance of Education as I know that it can transform the lives of children. As a mother myself, I recognise how vital it is for parents to share the responsibility of educating children with school and for parents to understand the difference they can make by being involved in their child’s education. I have 2 boys, one at Ravensdale Infant and one at the Junior School. I enjoy socialising with family and friends and enjoy long walks with my family.

Sue Morrison – Community Governor

I joined the Board in 2018 shortly after I moved to Mickleover with my family. I have worked in education for over 20 years and am the Head of the Centre for Student Life at the University of Derby. The Centre includes the University library and careers service and works with people thinking about going to university and with students throughout their studies and beyond. I am passionate about the positive impact of education; whether it is to gain knowledge, skills and confidence, to make a difference to our communities or to develop in a career. I would like to share my expertise with the school to ensure that all children have the opportunity to enjoy learning.

Helen Fordham –
Trust Governor

Tracy Morris –
Staff Governor

Rachael Taylor –
Parent Governor

I have lived in Mickleover most of my life and attended Ravensdale myself. I now have two children currently at the school and greatly enjoy the opportunity to be actively involved in the life of the school. I am passionate about excellent quality teaching and learning opportunities, and believe that all children should have access to a broad range of enrichment experiences. I have spent over 20 years in Marketing Communications roles for global companies, charities and local government. I am also a Child Sleep Consultant working with young families.

Gemma Roe –
Deputy Head (Associate Member)