Governors

The role of the Governing Body

All schools in England have a Governing Body. School governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools. Governors appoint the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher. It is governors who hold the main responsibility for finance in schools, and it is governors who work with the Headteacher to make the tough decisions about balancing resources. A key role is to act as a 'critical friend': to support, to challenge, to ask questions, ultimately to represent the school community.

The role of the governing body is a strategic one, its key functions are to:

Set the aims and objectives for the school
Set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
Set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
Monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
Be a source of challenge and support to the Headteacher (a critical friend)
Supporting the school in its attendance targets
Supporting the school in its exclusion and behaviour policies
Monitoring the expenditure of the Pupil Premium and Sports Funding received to ensure it has the most effective impact
Reviewing and agreeing to the new staffing structure

To view what Bean's Governing Body have been involved in over the last year and the impact they have had please click on the link below:

2022-2023

2021-2022

2020-2021

2019-2020

2018-2019

2017-2018

2016-2017

2015-2016

2014-2015

Our Governing Body

Bean Primary School operates a 'Circle Model' of governance which involves meeting at least six times a year and uses governor monitoring to evaluate and challenge the work of the school. The Finance Committee meets four times per year to ensure pecuniary efficiency. No governor receives any form of payment for undertaking their duties.

Finance Committee: This committee's main purpose is to ensure that the school sets a budget and monitors its spending to ensure that all spending remains within budget and that all funds are spent wisely with the best value to best meet the needs of the pupils.

Individual and Monitoring Pairs: monitor an identified area on the School Development Plan or a statutory function of the Governing Board and report back to the Governing Board, ensuring all the challenge and support which would have taken place in a committee is captured and evidenced within the written report. It is expected that at least 3 monitoring visits will be made to the school during the year.

Pay Panel: all decisions relating to the pay of staff and the leadership team would be reviewed and approved by a panel of governors.

Curriculum and Standards governors: review and approve school policies, discuss and monitor all aspects of the school's work around pupil attainment and progress. They also ensure that the school's curriculum is broad and balanced and meets the statutory requirements.

Personnel governors: oversee the appointment of all staff in the school, their professional development and their well-being.

Following statutory guidance, the Governing Body successfully reconstituted in May 2015.

The Governing Body now consists of:

The Headteacher
One elected staff governor
One appointed local authority governor
Four elected parent governors
Three co-opted governors

The standard term of office for a governor is four years. The chair and vice-chair are elected annually at the first meeting of the academic year.

The Chair of Governors is Mr Simon Ryan, who can be contacted via the Clerk to the Governors at clerk@bean.kent.sch.uk

All Governors complete an annual skills audit to ensure our Governing Body have the necessary skills to be effective. This also enables the Governing Body to be prepared for succession planning. All Governors are encouraged to attend regular training courses to keep up to date with current legislation. Please click on the link below to view what courses our Governors have attended:

2021-2022

2020-2021

2019-2020

2018-2019

2017-2018

2016-2017

2015-2016

2014-2015

Monitoring Visits

Our Governing Body believe that monitoring visits are crucial. They enable Governors to have a presence within the school and facilitate the Governors in questioning and challenging the Headteacher effectively at Full Governing Body meetings and Committee meetings. Please see below the the visits that have taken place:

2022-2023

Mr S Ryan – Chair of Governors

Mrs Turner - Vice Chair of Governors

Mrs Walker – SEND / Vulnerable / Safeguarding

Mr Ryan – Chair of Finance

2019-2020

Mrs Waugh – Health and Safety

Mrs Munday – SEND / Vulnerable / Safeguarding

Mrs Munday – Curriculum

Mrs Munday - Safeguarding

Mr Prescot – Leadership and Management

Mrs Turner and Mrs Waugh – Curriculum

Mr Ryan – Covid-19 Risk Assessment review

2018-2019

Governor monitoring of the curriculum and standards 2018-2019

2017-2018

Tracking and Data Analysis Systems Visit: 13th November 2017
Curriculum and Standards Monitoring Visit: 23rd April 2018

2016-2017

Read Write Inc & Data 10th October 2016
Raise Online and Rights Respecting Ambassadors: 16th January 2017
SPAG Visit: 24th April 2017

2015-2016

Raise Online and Data: 9th November 2015
Maths visit: 20th January 2016
SPAG - book scrutiny: 7th March 2016

Our Members

The Governing Body of Bean currently consists of the following members:

Mr Keith Prescott
Associate Member
I joined the governing body of Bean Primary School some 20 years ago as a parent governor when my two daughters (now in their 20's) both attended the school. I am now retained as a Local Education Authority governor. I am married to a Primary School Teacher that previously taught at Bean Primary School. Professionally, for the last 30+ years I have been the Chief Buyer of Britain's Oldest Construction Company overseeing the procurement process necessary to carry out the construction of its multi million pound contracts, many of which are in education. This role involves a wide range of financial skills, statistical analysis and contract negotiation and agreements with various suppliers and subcontractors and the ability to interact with people. My professional experience has enabled me to assist the school in many aspects of its decision making. I am proud to be part of the governing body at Bean Primary School and look forward to further contribute to the school's already outstanding leadership and pupil performance.

Mr Graham Reilly - Headteacher

Since September 2014, a member of the governing body by virtue of position in the schooll

Having worked in the private sector for over a decade, I decided to turn my attention to education. In terms of seeking a challenging and worthwhile profession, both as a Headteacher and previously as a classroom teacher, I haven't been disappointed. My interest has always been not only to start initiatives that raise standards, but also ensure these initiatives are sustainable and meaningful to the school community.

In September 2014 I was appointed as Headteacher of Bean Primary School. There have been many changes since my arrival and as a school we are very fortunate to have such a professional and committed staff and governing body; they really do make a huge difference. We also benefit from a supportive and engaged parent community.

Mrs Marion Boston
Co opted Governor
I am new to the Board, however I have had contact with the school for seven years via two grandchildren, who moved seamlessly from Jumping Beans pre-school. I spend one day a week support reading and joining in activities with Reception Class. Early years is my passion, it is the foundation of children’s education. I have a background in advertising, press, project management, brief period of medical work and 26 years within a public sector trade Union in negotiation, mediation and conference/workshop organisation. I want to be part of Bean children acquiring confidence and self worth and reaching their own potential. I am interested in their mental well being and that of the staff.

Mr Simon Ryan - Chair of Governors

Chair of Governors

Simon is a parent and a foster carer. He chairs our finance committee to help us look after the pennies.

He is the head coach for girls’ football at Swanscombe Tigers and a Trustee of a charity in East Dartford called Mary’s Child. He goes to church at St Mary’s in Greenhithe.

Simon supports businesses to invest in our region for a living. He works for an organisation called Locate in Kent. He likes running, reading and wine.


Mrs Victoria Turner - Vice Chair
Vice Chair of Governors
I am Victoria Turner, a private client Lawyer, and I have lived in Bean since 2006. I am a Parent Governor and recently elected Vice Chair. I have a daughter at the School, which prompted me to become a Governor. I am passionate about Bean Primary and want to assist it in continuing to succeed and improve.

Mrs Gayna Cherry

Staff Governor

My name is Gayna Cherry. I am a Teaching Assistant and support the teaching and learning here amongst the children. I have worked at Bean Primary School since 2016 but I’ve been connected with the school for much longer. I have lived in the village since childhood. My own children came to this school. Myself and my husband both came here. My mother-in-law even came here as well! I feel extremely protective of this school and the children who attend it.

I started my career in the travel industry and then moved into retail when my eldest child was born. In 2009 I moved into childcare starting at our local nursery, the amazing Jumping Beans. Between here and Jumping Beans I have had the pleasure of watching many of our current children grow into the amazing young people they are today.

Mrs Charlie Nevell
Co-opted Governor
My name is Charlie Nevell, I am married to Reverend Simeon, and we have two boys. I was a teacher of history for ten years in secondary schools. I really enjoyed my teaching role. For me it was about the report built in the classroom between myself and the students, understanding their individuality and seeing them grow in their passion for learning, becoming confident people who could direct their own learning and growing into their potential. I would like to apply the knowledge and skills I have learnt in my ten-year carer to help schools in any way that is useful for achieving their improvement vision, by becoming a part of and working within a team of governors. Bean primary school has a wonderful ethos and vision for its students and falls within my husband’s parishes which is why I would particularly like to work within your governing body as I feel that I can contribute my own knowledge and skills as well as church resources in whatever way is useful to the school.

Mrs Claire Goodwin-Fee
Parent Governor
I am Claire Goodwin-Fee, Psychotherapist, and Counsellor. I also run a charity supporting NHS and frontline workers. Most importantly, I am a mum to two boys at Bean Primary School and a Parent Governor. I am passionate about supporting Children, Adults and Staff to have the best experience at school. A solid educational foundation can really help to create humans that are energetic, critical thinkers and who can ultimately change the world.

Mrs Liz Houlding
Parent Governor
My name is Liz Houlding and I have lived in Bean since 2013. I work locally as a Parish Administrator. I have 2 children, my daughter is currently in year 1 at the school and my son will be starting in a couple of years.It has been so rewarding seeing how my daughter developed within just a few months, helped by the ethos and the teaching at the school. This is one of many reasons that helped me decide to join the school Governors.

Retired Governors

Mrs E Waugh (Parent governor) ended May 2023

Mrs K Walker (Parent governor) ended August 2023

Miss V Shrosbree (Parent governor) ended January 2023

Mrs A Munday (Co-opted Governor) ended September 2022

Miss A White (Parent Governor) ended 15 October 2019

Mrs K Marino (Parent Governor), Term of Office 1 September 2019 - 1 September 2023

Mrs C Atkins (Co-opted Governor), Term of Office

Mrs S. Jones (Staff Governor) Term of Office 1st September 2018 - 28 October 2019

Mr K Golding-Williams (Co-opted Governor), Term of Office September 2014 - July 2019

Mr S Bonner (Co-opted Governor), Term of Office 18 May 2015 - 14 March 2019

Mrs N Wiltshire (Parent Governor), Term of Office 17 July 2015 - 5 March 2019

Mrs F Carney (Staff Governor), Term of Office 3 November 2014 - 2 November 2018

Mrs E Ashley (Parent Governor), Term of Office 3 November 2014 - 1 June 2016

Mr A Edwards (Parent Governor), Term of Office 16 June 2011 - 15 June 2015

Register of Interests

Statutory legislation requires every Governing Body to have a register of interests. The register documents interests which may potentially unethically or unlawfully influence members' official duties. It is signed annually at the first Full Governing Body meeting of the academic year. Governors are also required to declare any interests at every Full Governing Body meeting and committee meetings.

Name	Business and Pecuniary Interests	Governance Roles in Other Educational Institutes	Material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff
Mrs G Cherry	None	None	None
Mr K Prescott	None	None	None
Mr G Reilly	None	None	None
Mr S Ryan	None	None	None
Mrs V Turner	None	None	None
Mrs M Boston	None	None	None
Mrs C Nevell	None	None	None
Mrs C Goodwin-Fee	None	None	None
Mrs L Holding	None	None	None