Our Governing Body
What does the Federated Governing Body do?
The governing body is made up from parents, the community, staff and the local authority (LA). Some governors are elected and other governors are appointed. However, all governors are responsible as a corporate body to all stakeholders: parents, the pupils, the staff, the community and the LA. Governors are all volunteers and are not paid for their work.
The governing body is responsible, together with Miss Busby, for the strategic management and leadership of the school. Governors also carry out particular responsibilities whilst attending three governor monitoring days in school. During these days they carry out their monitoring roles linked to their assigned class and a priority focus from the school development plan. They also attend a committee meeting: School Development or Resources.
Full governing body meetings are held three times throughout the year across the federation. Copies of the agenda and minutes (of the non confidential part A of the meeting) are available at the school office.
The main roles of a Governor are:
- To provide a strategic view – To help with federation improvement so that pupils learn effectively
- To act as a ‘critical friend’ – To provide the executive headteacher and staff with support. ‘Critical’ means asking questions to monitor the school’s effectiveness. ‘Friend’ means that governors support the staff and the school.
- To ensure accountability – The governing body is responsible for ensuring high quality education for all pupils. Governors are accountable for the federations performance.
Some of the roles expected of a governor include:
- Promoting high standards of achievement
- Planning the federations long-term future
- Setting the federations aims, values and ethos
- Budgetary allocation and control
- Appointing staff
Parents wishing to become Governors are encouraged to apply when vacancies arise
If parents want to contact a member of the Governing Body, a letter can be left at the infant or junior school office.
As a federation governing body, it has been agreed not to publish diversity information of the members of the Governing Body.
As a school governing body, it has been agreed not to publish diversity information of the members of the Governing Body
Meet the Governors:
Elaine Butterfield has been a member of the Junior School governing body for more than 20 years. Firstly as the staff governor and then as a co-opted governor. She was a teacher at the school until her retirement in 2019. She was also a Forest School practitioner and continues to take part in Forest Schools days after she retired.
Nowadays she can be found either in her garden, running (slowly) along the Beck, attempting tricky moves at her dancing class and looking after her amazing grandson.
Gill Carpenter has been a Governor, initially as a parent and now Staff Governor, for nearly 17 years and brings a background in finance to the Governing Body, supporting strong financial oversight and strategic decision-making within the school.
She has worked her way through the school in a variety of roles, beginning as a lunchtime supervisor, then working as a Teaching Assistant, and now serving as the Pastoral Manager. These experiences have given her a broad understanding of the school community and the needs of pupils and staff.
Gill holds a degree in Children’s Learning and Development and a Master’s degree in Psychology, which support her strong interest in child development, learning, and wellbeing.
She has three grown-up children, all of whom attended the Infant and Junior School, which has given her a strong personal connection to the school community. Outside of her role in school, she enjoys reading and cross stitch, which she finds both relaxing and rewarding.
David Colecchia retired from the local Steel Works ten years ago. He is married with two sons who attended the infants and junior schools and has been a Bottesford resident for over a quarter of a century. He is keen to see children have an enjoyable, rounded learning experience in a safe environment, in order to become caring, useful members of society.
You may cross his path at the Pods where he goes circuit training twice a week.
Karen Fallen has worked within the education sector for 22 years in the UK and is currently enjoying her 3rd year of retirement from the profession. Her experience spans from early years to specialist SEND education. Prior to this Karen had spent multiple years working in a creche in Germany whilst her husband was in the Royal Air Force. She is currently a resident of Goxhill and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and delving into various crafts!
Tracey Hawkins has been a governor at Bottesford Junior School for more than 10 years. For a number of years, she previously worked in the junior school, a role she enjoyed alongside being the staff governor. Tracey is passionate about being part of the wider Bottesford community and giving something back to families in her role. She has two young adults who were educated through both the infant and junior school.
She finds it a pleasure to help out across the federation when she can. In her spare time Tracey enjoys being around family and friends. She also enjoys relaxing with yoga, getting lost in a good book, and long walks with her Labrador, Reggie.
Sarah Hilton worked in education for 15 years before taking the decision to step away from her professional role to become a full-time mum. Although she no longer works in the sector, education remains a passion of hers. Becoming a governor has allowed her to stay connected to the world of education and continue contributing to an area she cares strongly about.
Outside of her governor role, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, baking and reading—both for herself and sharing children’s books with her daughter at story time.
Claire Holmes works as a Teaching Assistant in Upper Key Stage 2 at a local primary school. Before moving into education, she worked in accounts, bringing useful organisational and financial experience to her role as a governor.
Claire has a strong connection to the schools, as her two adult children both attended Bottesford Infants and Juniors. She first became a governor 13 years ago and is passionate about supporting the federation and helping ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
In her spare time, Claire enjoys travelling, walking, reading and spending time with family and friends.
Ashleigh Jenkins is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner, nurse by background, with experience working across the NHS. Holding both BSc and MSc qualifications, her role within advanced practice incorporates clinical expertise, leadership, education, and research. She is passionate about supporting children’s wellbeing and helping to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all pupils.
A Bottesford resident, Ashleigh has three children, two of whom currently attend Bottesford Infants, with her youngest due to join in the future. Outside of work, she enjoys keeping active through Hyrox training, walking with their husky, and spending time with her family supporting her children’s activities.
Zoe Labourne has worked in the education sector for 17 years and has been Deputy Head Teacher for 9 years. Zoe has been a SENDCo for over 15 years and strongly believes in an inclusive education where every child deserves to achieve their true potential.
Zoe has two young children and loves spending her time with them going on many adventures together.
Michaela Paxton is the manager of a local nursery and brings over 15 years of experience within the education sector. She gained Qualified Teacher Status from the University of Nottingham and began her career in secondary education before moving into Early Years education, where she has developed a strong passion for supporting young children’s learning and development.
Michaela is a dedicated advocate for providing children with rich and varied learning experiences, particularly opportunities that can often be overlooked in today’s modern world. She strongly believes in the value of outdoor learning, creativity, exploration and play in helping children to thrive.
In her leadership role, Michaela has developed extensive experience in preparing for and supporting successful Ofsted inspections, undertaking continuous professional development, coaching and mentoring staff, fostering positive relationships with parents and carers, and promoting staff wellbeing within the workplace.
Michaela has two very active children who enjoy being outdoors and, in her spare time, she enjoys visiting the theatre, walking and practising Pilates.
Catherine Norfolk has three children who have all enjoyed (and still enjoying ) going through our now joint school system . She is passionate about children’s education, wellbeing and individuality. Catherine was in the optical business for 20 years, but is currently retraining in the education sector. On evenings and weekends, Catherine can either be found at a swimming pool cheering on her daughter and Team Anchor , or supporting her boys with their football teams at Crosby United FC.
Peter Raspin has been a governor at Bottesford Juniors for many years. He is also the chair of governors at Melior Secondary Academy. Peter also has many other roles with the local authority, including a member of the NLAGB, GAG and Schools Forum. Peter has a particular interest and expertise in health and safety and finance. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren.
Natalie Urry is a Solicitor specialising in family law and child protection. Natalie has extensive experience working with parents, representing children, and acting on behalf of a local authority within her legal practice. In 2022, Natalie joined The University of Law as a Senior Lecturer, where she trains future solicitors. She also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Authority.
Natalie is a Bottesford resident, and two of her children attend Bottesford Schools Federation. In her (very limited) spare time, she enjoys trips to the Lake District with her family and Dalmatian dog, Denzel.
Sarah Wheeler is an experienced SEN teacher within the local authority, specialising in supporting and teaching Deaf children from birth through to 18 years. She has a wide range of experience in education and is dedicated to her role, underpinned by a genuine passion for helping children thrive, especially those with SEN. Beyond work, she leads a very busy and rewarding life as a foster carer and gymnastics coach, showing her commitment to supporting children beyond the classroom.
As a Bottesford resident with three children, two of whom attend the school, Sarah really values being part of the local community. In her spare time, she enjoys baking and spending quality time with her family.