School Governors 

Although headteachers are responsible for running schools on a day-to-day basis, all schools are ultimately run by a board of governors. A range of different people are included on the Governing Body, including staff, parents, business people, community leaders and local councillors – you can find out more about our Governors below.

Our Governing Body has five main roles: 

  • To work with the school community to provide a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction for the school 
  • To monitor the School’s progress towards key development priorities, as set-out in the School Development Plan 
  • To promote the welfare of children, ensuring that the school has effective Child Protection policies in place and that all Safeguarding procedures are being adhered to. Governors regularly review the School’s policies on Behaviour, e-safety, Prevent, Anti-Bullying, Recruitment, Health and Safety and Whistleblowing. 
  • To hold the Headteacher and other School leaders to account for the performance of the School in a supportive but challenging way, and ensure the best possible education is provided for every pupil 
  • To set and monitor school budgets, ensuring that school finances are managed in a way that achieves best value for money with maximum benefit for our children. 

If you would like to contact the Chair of Governors, Victoria de Naeyer, you can write to her at the school and mark your envelope confidential, or email her at chair@bedwell.herts.sch.uk.

"Governors have an astute understanding of the schools context and are committed to doing the very best for the pupils… They hold leaders to account and carefully check the quality of education in the school for themselves."

Ofsted report, 2022
Our governors

Who are our governors? A full break-down of our governors, their roles, relevant financial interests and committee membership can be found here, in our Governor Information report. 

Our Governing Body currently comprises: 

  • Victoria de Naeyer – co-opted member and Chair of Governors 
  • Emma Shaw – Headteacher 
  • Siobhan Bradley - parent governor 
  • Peter Browning - Local Authority representative
  • Kenzie Gorton - co-opted member 
  • Vicky Hickford - co-opted governor  
  • Annette Keech - co-opted governor 
  • Rena Niles – co-opted governor 
  • Lisa Percival - parent governor
  • Adam Scoot - co-opted governor
  • Maxine Woods – staff governor 
  • Steve Hall – associate member

If you are intersted in joining the Governing Body, please contact us at admin@bedwell.herts.sch.uk.

How it works 

As well as the five key roles listed above, Governors also carry out a number of other important duties, which include: 

  • Hearing appeals and complaints 
  • Forming policy on the school’s curriculum 
  • Setting standards for pupils’ attendance, behaviour and discipline 
  • Making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe 
  • Taking part in recruitment processes, particularly those involving leadership positions

The full governing body meets every half-term. In addition to their main meetings there are two committees, which meet at least once a term: 

  • Finance, Premises & Personnel – this committee plans and monitors spending, checking that the school provides value for money. It also monitors and advises on staff recruitment, appraisals and pay. 
  • Learning & Achievement - this committee oversees standards of attainment and the academic, social and emotional progress of all pupils.
Early Years Admissions  

If you're looking for a place in Nursery or Reception, you can find out lots more about our school in our Early Years Prospectus.

We're always keen to show potential new applicants around - just get in touch with the school office to arrange a tour. 

Once you're ready to apply, head to the admissions page to find out more about the process - we run Nursery admissions ourselves, but from Reception upwards, these need to be made via Herts County Council.