Our School's Governing Body
The Governors are proud to welcome you to Alpington & Bergh Apton Primary School, a setting where we strive to provide an inspiring education which every child enjoys and every parent values.
Graded as an ‘Outstanding’ school by Ofsted, we feel that this recognises the care, commitment and skills of the school staff and the Christian values which are at the heart of the school. The primary school years can be the most magical time for children, where they discover skills and talents to stay with them for life; at Alpington & Bergh Apton Primary School we aim to create a happy learning environment with a broad, stimulating and exciting curriculum which gives each pupil confidence in their individual abilities and helps them to achieve to their full potential.
The Governing Body has overall responsibility for giving the school vision, ethos and strategic direction, it also ensures that our pupils are taught to high standards and kept healthy and happy. Governors oversee the financial performance of the school and ensure that money is spent effectively. Our website is intended to give details of the school, its operation and organisation but, alongside Staff members, Governors are available for contact and conversation, if you have any questions, concerns or worries while your child is at the school, please do not hesitate to come in and discuss these with us in person.
The purpose of maintained school governing bodies is to ‘conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement at the school’. (Section 21 (2) of the Education Act 2002).
The Governors of our school meet as a Full Governing Body six times a year. A lot of the detailed work takes place in Committees.
Members
Matthew Hyde
(Chair)
I joined the school governing body in July 2020 and am a member of the Effectiveness committee. I currently work at Aviva as a lead programmer and prior to that I worked as a lecturer and researcher in computer science at the University of Nottingham and then at UEA. My eldest 3 children attend the school, and when I have time to get out and about I am interested in wildlife, birdwatching and walking in the local area. I’m pretty quick at solving a Rubik’s cube, I have one on my desk most of the time. I am also learning the piano, I’m not that good, but I can see how important and enjoyable it is to have the opportunity to learn an instrument, and I’m proud that the school is recognised for its range of music education threaded through the whole school experience.
Term of Office: 1 Jul 2020 to 30 Jun 2024
Amy Beardmore
(Vice Chair)
I joined the school governing body as foundation governor in September 2022. I qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and have always worked in Family Law. I am a partner of a law firm and head of the private family and childcare teams. I have previously chaired Cottontails Pre School and I am an active member of the Friends of Alpington. My 2 children attend Alpington school and enjoy being part of the community. I love travelling, running and yoga, and enjoy contributing to the school and local community.
Term of Office: 9 Sep 2022 to 8 Sep 2026
John Habershon
(Chair of Effectiveness Committee)
I joined the school governing body in 2022. I have been the Chair of the Effectiveness committee since September 2023. I’ve lived in the local area for a number of years and my daughter attends the school. I work as a Deputy Head Teacher in a Complex Needs School in Norwich and have worked in Education for 14 years. I love sport and am keen to support the school and the community however I can.
Term of Office: 21 Feb 2022 to 20 Feb 2026
Patrick Phillips
(Chair of Resources Committee)
My passion is renewable energy and the environment. As a former trustee of a national medical charity and with nearly twenty years’ experience in the civil engineering consulting profession, I have a broad range of technical and project management skills and am currently training to become a maths and physics teacher. Married and the father of two young children, I want to make a valuable contribution to the school, the local community and to society.
Term of Office: 27 Jan 2021 to 26 Jan 2025 (First appointed on 27 Jan 2017)
Monika Firago
Doro Barnes
I joined the school’s governing body in February 2023, I am on the School Effectiveness Committee. I am an Assistant Practitioner within Adult Social services, Norfolk County Council, working in older persons/physical disability team, covering part of Southern locality. I have previously been a member of Cottontails Preschool committee. My two children attend the school and love being part of the community. In my spare time I enjoy gardening and walking.
Term of Office: 6 Mar 2023 to 5 Mar 2027
Caroline Warminger
I joined the governor’s team in February 2023 and I am on the School Effectiveness Committee. I qualified as a dentist in 2009 and currently work as a Specialty Doctor in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at the James Paget University Hospital. I also work in a local dental practice providing Oral Surgery services. My husband and I have lived in Alpington for 10 years and we have two young boys. We enjoy getting away in our caravan and spending time with friends and family.
Term of Office: Feb 2023 to Feb 2027
Helen Radlett
Term of Office: 13 Mar 2023 to 12 Mar 2027
Katie Smith
Katie’s profile is coming soon.
Term of Office: 7 Mar 2022 to 6 Mar 2026
Emily Northcut
Emily’s profile is coming soon.
Term of Office: 20 May 2022 to 19 May 2026
Lucie Nash
Lucie’s profile is coming soon.
Term of Office: Feb 2023 to Feb 2027
Committees
We have two committees at our school:
School Effectiveness
This committee advises the Governing Body in relation to the curriculum, in particular the setting of targets, the provision of the statutory curriculum and the performance of staff and students. It also deals with the communication with parents/carers of pupils as well as the wider community.
Current Membership:
- John Habershon (Chair)
- Caroline Warminger
- Doro Barnes
- Michael Stowers
- Matthew Hyde
- Emily Northcut
Resources
This committee advises the Governing Body in relation to the school’s finances. It sets budgets and monitors that money is spent effectively. It is also deals with staff appointments, the development and maintenance of our premises and health and safety matters.
Current membership:
- Patrick Philips (Chair)
- Amy Beardmore
- Helen Radlett
- Lucie Nash
- Katie Smith
Class Governors And Other Roles
Governors are allocated to each class as follows;
Robins – Emily Northcut, Katie Smith
Kingfishers – Patrick Philips, Helen Radlett
Swallows – Doro Barnes, Amy Beardmore
Owls – John Habershon and Lizzie Willmot
Eagles – Caroline Warminger, Lucie Nash
Governors also have other specific roles and responsibilities within the governing body:
| Responsibilities and Allocated Governor | |
|---|---|
| Chair | Matt Hyde |
| Vice Chair | Amy Beardmore |
| Attendance | Emily Northcut |
| Cyber Security | Matt Hyde |
| GDPR | Patrick Phillips |
| Safeguarding | Katie Smith |
| SEND | John Habershon |
| Pupil Premium / LAC | Katie Smith |
| PE Premium | Patrick Philips |
| Performance Management | Matt Hyde / Lizzie Willmot |
| Wellbeing and Mental Health | Emily Northcut |
| Relationship and Sex Education | Lizzie Willmot |
| Safer Recruitment | Matt Hyde |
Contact
If you would like to speak to or find out more about who the Governors are and how we work, please either visit the school’s website or contact us directly. We will be very happy to talk to you. You can contact:
Matt Hyde (Chair), Email: mhyde@alpington.norfolk.sch.uk
Minutes of Governors’ meetings are available, on request, from the school office.
