Governors

Our Governors

Bringhurst Primary School is governed by an Academy Scrutiny Committee.

Our governors are:

• Radha Badhan
  Principal
  Radha Badhan

• James Dunseath
  DRET Appointed Governor (Chair)
  James Dunseath

  James was appointed a DRET Appointed Governor on 3 February 2015 and is currently serving his third term of office as Chair after being re-elected by his fellow governors. He also has the assigned link role for Safeguarding. James is passionate about helping provide the best experience and outcomes for all the children at Bringhurst and supporting the school in achieving that goal. James originally comes from a communication and marketing background in international Capital Markets and is currently working in the Tech industry. He lives in Rutland with is partner and Cockapoo.

• Rev Stephen Bishop
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Rev Stephen Bishop

• Katie Smith
  DRET Appointed Governor (Vice Chair)
  Katie Smith

  Katie was appointed an DRET Appointed Governor on 30 November 2017 after being encouraged by an initiative run by her employer to use workplace skills within the community. She has over 20 years' experience in risk consulting and governance and is currently a Global Employee Benefits Consultant at Fidelity. Katie offers the ASC a number of relevant 'day job' skills, including risk assessment, programme governance and compliance and can provide an objective viewpoint from outside of the education sector. In return she has broadened her own skill base and knowledge of the importance of effective school governance. She has a long personal connection with Bringhurst as both of her sons attended the school. When time allows, she enjoys walking and reading and is an avid theatregoer. She spends time pitch side most weekends supporting one or both boys in their footballing endeavours.

• Clare Haywood
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Clare Haywood

  Clare was elected on to the ASC as a Parent Governor on 24 April 2018. She became a parent governor after having an interest in education - particularly Literacy, SEND and Assessment. Clare is passionate about ensuring children at the academy have access to the best educational experience. She is a trained teacher and currently works for a local authority as a Senior School Improvement Partner. Clare enjoys spending time with her family, walking their two dogs, reading and gardening.

• Susan Dyson
  DRET Appointed Governor
  Susan Dyson

  Susan became a governor to contribute to the overall quality of the school experience for children and to work in a voluntary capacity post retirement to share expertise in education. She is a qualified nurse and midwife and a retired professor of nursing. She has a doctorate in education. Susan has extensive experience of education settings and has worked with learners from 18 years to older age including PhD students. She is passionate about music, particularly classical. Susan plays the clarinet and is teaching herself to play piano.

• Andy Usher
  Staff Governor
  Andy Usher

  Andy Usher was appointed a Staff Governor on 18 September 2019. He decided to become a governor to further his profession and gain an insight and experience of other issues present in schools, other than teaching and learning. Andy is a class teacher and also subject leads for PE and Computing. He has 9 years teaching experience, within the state and private sectors, spanning from KS1 to KS4. He enjoys playing, coaching and watching sport particularly cricket, football and volleyball.

• Philippa Sturgess
  Staff Governor
  Philippa Sturgess

• Sayle Donativo
  Parent Governor
  Sayle Donativo

  Sayle was appointed a Parent Governor on 29 September 2022. She has two daughters and the eldest is currently attending the school. Sayle is an active member of Bringhurst PTA and is enjoying getting to know the school's community post COVID. Sayle has worked in the education industry for over 20 years; across commercial, independent and international education, Software as a Service organisations and most recently a newly designated DfE centre of excellence for Teacher Development, the Northamptonshire Teaching School Hub. Her current role is pivotal in the DfE's recent white paper and vision for schools in England to provide 'strong schools with great teachers'. She supports the partnership work across 325 schools in Northamptonshire with the DfE's golden thread of teacher development, from Initial Teacher Training, to the new Early Career Framework and National Professional Qualifications alongside partnerships with national providers Teach First and Ambition Institute.

• Emma Stephens-Dunn
  Clerk
  Emma Stephens-Dunn

  Emma Stephens-Dunn has been clerking academies for DRET since 2013. Emma is Clerk to ASCs for all but one of the academies in the DRET Greater Corby Region, as well as an  independent Clerk for several other schools in Northamptonshire, and Company Secretary for a Peterborough based Multi-Academy Trust. Emma has also served as a governor for fifteen years, in three different schools. Emma is Chair of Governors at one of the schools. She has a broad insight into school governance across all sizes, types and phases of school. She has an excellent understanding of current issues in education as well as best practice in governance. Emma has four children aged between eight and twenty and is therefore keenly aware of the crucial role played by education in shaping young lives. Emma enjoys supporting governors to fulfil their role within this through providing governance advice and guidance and an efficient governance administration service. Emma's interests and hobbies include gardening, singing, fitness, running and walking with her two dogs.

Governor Assigned Responsibilities

Safeguarding - James Dunseath

SEND - Katie Smith 

Attendance - Katie Smith 

Pupil Premium - Katie Smith 

Improvement Priority 1 (reducing implementation variability) - Sayle Donativo 

Improvement Priority 2 (becoming experts in SEND provision) - Katie Smith

Improvement Priority 3 (securing core ethical values – to engage well with wider society) - Clare Haywood

Contacting a Governor

To contact a governor, please contact the Trust Governance Team by emailing governance@dret.co.uk.

If you are looking to contact a Governor to make a complaint or share a concern, please note that as per our Complaints Policy, governors do not investigate complaints at Stage 1 or Stage 2.  This enables them to be impartial should a complaint be escalated to a Stage 3 governor panel. If you wish to make a complaint, please complete this form and your complaint will be investigated accordingly.

Scheme of Delegation

Information about the David Ross Education Trust’s scheme of delegation is available here.

Minutes of the Academy Scrutiny Committee

Should you wish to view a copy of the minutes of the ASC at this academy, please contact the Trust Governance Team, who will be able to provide you with an electronic or paper copy of the minutes.

Are you interested in becoming an academy governor?

We are looking for new governors to support our academies. Our governors work closely with their academies to support the Trust’s goal of broadening the horizons of young people through a world-class education, equipping our students with the skills and experiences to become their confident, academic best, no matter what.

If you have an interest in, and commitment to, improving education and would like to make a difference within your community, please register your interest in becoming a governor by completing our governor application form. If you have any questions about a governor’s role or responsibilities please contact us at governance@dret.co.uk or review our information pack below. 

governor recruitment booklet summer 2023.pdf

What is like being a Governor with DRET?

To understand what it is like to be a governor with us, take a look at our testimonial booklet and videos which contain insights from serving governors.

governor testimonial booklet.pdf

 Emma Bennett 

Angela Watts 

Stephen Platten

Garry Allen 

What training do Governors receive? 

We offer an extensive range of training opportunities. Take a look at what is on offer for the current academic year. 

governor and trustee training programme 2023 24.pdf

Governor Documents

• Current Governors Bringhurst Primary School
• Declarations of Interest Bringhurst Primary
• Former Governors Bringhurst Primary
• Governor and Trustee Training Programme 2023 24
• Governor Recruitment Booklet Summer 2023
• Governor Testimonial Booklet
• Meetings Bringhurst Primary School 2022 23
• Meetings Bringhurst Primary School 2023 2024