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Governors

 Meet the Governors

The Governors of Maidenbower Junior School are responsible for the strategic long-term development and improvement of the School by establishing suitable policies, monitoring standards and ensuring a happy learning environment where every child can succeed according to their ability.

The Governing Body consists of 17 Governors; The Headteacher, 1 Staff Governor, 1 Local Authority Governor, 6 Parent Governors and 8 Co-opted Governors who attend six Full Governing Body meetings each academic year; one per half term.

 

Future Aim – To be a beacon of excellence in which everyone within our school community achieves.

All governors serve for four years on the Governing body and this consists of:

  Name Term start / end date & source of appointment
Simon Pike  Headteacher
I am very proud to be Headteacher at Maidenbower Junior School. Our governing body is fantastic and I enjoy working with them to ensure our pupils have the best chance to succeed in their time at the school.

N/A

Appointed by Ex Officio

Patricia Wright - Chair and Co-opted Governor 
With an extensive background operating at senior level in Human Resources and Legal, and over 10 years’ experience as a school Governor gained within 2 different settings, I bring a wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise to the Governing Board.  As Chair of Governors, I have a profound commitment to enhancing education standards and fostering a supportive environment for all our students and staff.  With a collaborative spirit, continuous improvement mindset and strategic vision, I work closely with the headteacher, staff and Governors to ensure MJS continues to thrive and evolve, and that it is meeting the needs of pupils and helping them to achieve their full potential.  I am proud to be part of a team of Governors who are dedicated to making our school the best it can be.

27/06/2019
to 
05/07/2027

Appointed by GB

Hayley Mathews  
Vice Chair and LA Governor
I am a School Business Manager at a secondary school, with a background in school operations, finance, and human resources. Both of my children have attended Maidenbower Junior School. I became a governor because I am passionate about supporting and helping other school communities, and I enjoy sharing the knowledge and experience I’ve gained over the years. Being a governor allows me to contribute to strategic decision-making, helping to ensure that schools are well-run and that students and staff have the resources they need to succeed. I find it incredibly rewarding to play a part in creating positive, effective learning environments.

21/11/2019
to 
22/11/2027

Appointed by GB

James Beer 
Co-opted Governor
 

01/07/2021
to
30/06/2025

Appointed by GB

Marcus Poppitt 
 
Co-opted Governor 
I am a Maidenbower resident and first became a parent governor in 2019 when my daughter attended the school. I am now a co-opted governor. With a background in audit and risk management I bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Board. I am keen to give back to the local community and firmly believe in education as a key building block for helping children to grow and reach their full potential.

18/05/2023
to
17/05/2027

Appointed by GB

Sarah Henden-Woodward 
Co-opted Governor
 

23/11/2023
to
22/11/2027

Appointed by GB

Stephanie Linnell
 
Parent Governor

No photo provided

I am a Legal Executive with a background in Civil Litigation. I have been a Parent Governor at Maidenbower Junior School for 8 years and all three of my children have attended the school. I became a governor because I wanted to make a positive difference, helping to provide a safe, supportive and enjoyable learning environment for all children.

12/12/2022 
to 
11/12/2026

Appointed by Parents

Georgina Child 
 
Staff Governor 

I have been a member of the MJS team for 9 years and have served on the governing body for the past 6 years as the Staff Governor. My passion for education and commitment to the school drives me to be a strong voice for staff, ensuring their perspectives are heard and valued. I am dedicated to helping the school work effectively and collaboratively, always with the best interests of the children at heart. My goal is to support decisions that foster a positive learning environment for everyone at MJS.

22/03/2018
to
28/02/2026

Appointed by Staff

Faisal Javed 
 
Parent Governor

No photo provided
 

16/12/2021
to
15/12/2025

Appointed by Parents

Nick Harnett
 
Parent Governor 
I live in Maidenbower with my wife and two daughters, one is at MJS and one has now moved on from MJS to Oriel. I am a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years experience originally in accounting practice and more recently working in the electricity industry. I am also the Treasurer of our PTA.

27/01/2023
to
26/01/2027

Appointed by Parents

Oscar Carballo Balboa 
Parent Governor
I am a seasoned business leader with expertise in management consulting, strategic partnerships, and digital transformation. With a successful track record in senior roles at top-tier firms, I have a passion for driving innovation and fostering team growth. My strategic mindset and ability to navigate complex challenges have enabled me to make a significant impact across various industries.

Motivated by a desire to give back to the community, I am committed to becoming a school governor. My aim is to leverage my leadership experience to support MJS in shaping the next generation of learners. I am particularly driven by the opportunity to contribute to improving educational standards. I believe in the transformative power of education, and I'm eager to use my skills to help students and teachers thrive.

19/01/2024
to
18/01/2028

Appointed by Parents

Sarah Garland
 
Parent Governor 
I am a registered Dietitian with experience of both clinical and quality improvement work in the NHS and an interest in the prevention of ill health through a healthy diet. I have lived in Maidenbower for many years and saw the role of school governor as an opportunity to give back to the local community. 

02/11/2023
to
01/11/2027

Appointed by Parents

Alison Cresswell 
 
Parent Governor

I chose to join the Governing Body after seeing the positive impact the school has had on my son and his friends and wanted to offer my support. With an extensive background in market research & insight I enjoy working with others to find solutions and want to be involved with helping to foster a strong educational foundation and a love of learning for all our children.

11/10/2024
to
10/10/2028

Appointed by Parents

Elliot McGuffie
Co-opted
Joining MJS as School Business Manager in January 2022, I oversee financial management, resource allocation and operational planning to ensure an optimal learning environment for our pupils. Being a part of MJS and its community has been incredibly enjoyable; I'm fortunate to work with such talented professionals.

As a member of the Governing Body, I collaborate on governance topics to support our leadership in achieving its goals.

01/01/2022
to
21/09/2026

Appointed by GB

Kerry Negus 
Co-opted
 

13/09/2018
to
21/09/2026

Appointed by GB

David Footman Williams 
Co-opted 
I started teaching at Maidenbower Junior School in 2012, and I have been a deputy headteacher since 2023. I love supporting our brilliant pupils, who are enthusiastic, respectful and love learning. It is a privilege to work with our highly-committed team of staff and governors, to make pupils’ experiences and outcomes the best they can be.

02/02/2023
to
01/02/2027 

Appointed by GB

Julia Szczotok 
 
Clerk to Governors 

I have worked in Maidenbower Junior School office for the past 4 years and started my role as clerk at the same time. I enjoy learning about the background of how schools operate as well as supporting the governing body.

 

STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITES

The following Governors hold these positions for the academic year 2024-25

  • Chair – Patricia Wright
  • Vice-Chair – Hayley Mathews
  • Child Protection and Safeguarding – Hayley Matthews supported by Sarah Henden-Woodward
  • Governor responsible for liaising with the Local Authority in the event of an allegation (Child Protection) issued against the Headteacher – Hayley Matthews
  • Pupil Premium – James Beer
  • Pay Working Party – Pat Wright, Stephanie Linnell and Hayley Mathews
  • GDPR/Policies – Marcus Poppitt
  • Attendance – Oscar Caballo Balboa
  • SEND – Steph Linnell, Sarah Garland.
  • Finance Working Party – Hayley Mathews, Marcus Poppitt, James Beer, Nick Harnett.
  • Health & Safety Working Party – Faisal Javed.
  • Curriculum Monitoring Party – Patricia Wright, Sarah Henden-Woodward, Sarah Garland, and assisted by all governors.

The Clerk to the Governors is Miss J Szczotok and she can be contacted via the school office.


Register of Governor Business Interests

Name Relevant Business Interests

Governance in other
Educational Establishments

Relationships with other
Governors or School Staff
Georgina Child None None None
Nick Harnett None None None
Stephanie Linnell None None None
Patricia Wright None None None
Marcus Poppitt None None None
Hayley Mathews School Business Manager at Oakwood School, Horley None None
Kerry Negus None None None
James Beer None None None
David Footman Williams None None None
Sarah Garland None None None
Sarah Henden-Woodward Works at Oakwood School, Horley None None
Oscar Carballo Balboa None None None
Faisal Javed None None None
Elliot McGuffie None None None
Simon Pike None None Married to Mrs Pike - TA in Year 4
Julia Szczotok -  Clerk None None None

Governors Attendance Records

 

Name

FGB
21/11/24

FGB
23/09/24

FGB
02/07/24

FGB
16/05/24

FGB
14/03/24
FGB
01/02/24
FGB
23/11/23
FGB
28/09/23
Alison Cresswell Y Not yet appointed Not yet appointed Not yet appointed Not yet appointed Not yet appointed Not yet appointed Not yet appointed
David Footman Williams A Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Elliot McGuffie Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Faisal M Javed x Y Y Y A A Y A
Georgina Child Y Y Y A Y Y Y Y
Hayley Matthews Y Y A Y A A A Y
James Beer Y Y A Y Y Y Y Y
Julia Szczotok - Clerk Y Y Y Y A Y Y Y
Kerry Negus A A A A A A A A
Lynne Oakes Resigned Resigned Resigned Resigned Resigned Resigned A Y
Marcus Poppitt A Y Y Y Y A Y Y
Neil Scutt Resigned Resigned A Y Y Y Y Y
Nick Harnett Y Y A Y A Y Y A
Patricia Wright Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Sarah Garland Y A Y Y Y Y Y Not yet appointed
Sarah Henden-Woodward Y Y Y Y Y A Appointed Not yet appointed
Simon Pike Y Y Y Y A Y Y Y
Stephanie Linnell Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Oscar Caballo Balboa Y Y Y Y A Y Not yet appointed Not yet appointed

 

Y = Attended;  A = Apologies received;  N = Not required to attend meeting (Associate Members only);
X = Apologies not received.