Governors
Our Governing Board
Governors are responsible for ensuring the strategic direction of the school, its performance and the use of resources to support learning. They help to ensure that our school provides the best education it can for children, parents and our local community. Full governing board meetings take place regularly and the meeting agendas will be posted below. A summary of meetings can be found on weekly school newsletter. Detailed meeting minutes can be made available on request from clerk@bewickbridge.co.uk.
Anthea Kenna
Co Opted Governor
Chair
Hazel Belchamber
Co-opted Governor
Co Vice-Chair
Edris Tildesley
LA Governor
Tom Sapsford
Headteacher
James Robinson
Parent Governor
Co Vice-Chair
Richard Walmsley
Clerk to Governors
Governor Vacancy
Community Governor
Kerry Millbanks
Staff Governor
Pablo Castillo
Parent Governor
Michael Henley
Co-opted Governor
David Ashby
Parent Governor
Chris Budhi
Co-opted Governor
Pen Portraits of our Governors
Anthea Kenna
I am recently retired, following a career in Primary School Headship spanning 25 years. I worked in Cambridgeshire and Essex as Headteacher, Associate Adviser and School Improvement Partner and am currently working with schools within East Anglia as an adviser, supporting those schools requiring improvement. My expertise covers all aspects of school leadership and management. I am a keen musician and enjoy performing with many amateur musical groups. I am a governor of three other schools within Cambridgeshire.
Edris Tildesley
I worked as a teacher, Headteacher, School Improvement Partner and Adviser in Cambridgeshire for many years. When I retired after 14 years as a Primary School Headteacher I continued to work part time as an Associate Adviser in Cambridgeshire working with schools to improve attainment, the quality of teaching and learning and pupil welfare. I have also worked as a coach/adviser with ‘Achievement for All’ a national organisation which focuses on improving outcomes for disadvantaged children. At present I am serving as a member of an IEB in a large primary school in Cambridgeshire.
James Robinson
I've previously worked as a classroom teacher, head of department and Specialist Leader of Education in computing and now work for the Raspberry Pi Foundation supporting educators to embrace digital making and computing. At present I lead work for the National Centre for Computing Education promoting effective teaching strategies. As a Bewick Bridge parent I volunteer my time to co-lead the schools after school code club.
Kerry Millbanks
I have worked as a teaching assistant at Bewick Bridge for the last 18 years and have been a member of the local community for the last 27 years. It’s a community which is one I cherish being part of. As an employee and member of the community, I have a unique insight into the the school’s values and ethos and those of the community too. I have been elected as the staff governor - I am excited to have a voice on the governing body so that I can contribute (in partnership with other governors) to the strategic development of the school.
Hazel Ann Belchamber
Prior to my retirement at the end of March 2022, I had worked for Cambridgeshire County Council for almost 35 years. My management responsibilities principally focused on education planning including establishing new schools and expanding existing ones. I also gained considerable experience in HR and personnel matters and finance. Since February 2023 I have been volunteering as a School Reader at a small First School in Bedfordshire two afternoons a week. I also enjoy walking, bird and animal watching and swimming.
Pablo Castillo
My name is Pablo Castillo. I am pleased to join the Governing Board of Bewick Bridge in 2023. I am very proud that my children attend this outstanding school and to have seen them flourish. I am passionate about supporting the school to be its best and ensuring all our children get an excellent, well-rounded education. I have over 25 years of experience working as an account director in the IT industry. In my spare time, I help as a youth leader at my local church and am an active parent supporting the Cherry Hinton Lion football club under 11s, which many of our Bewick Bridge children play in. I am looking forward to meeting many of you soon.
David Ashby
After a wide-ranging career in IT, digital design, adult-education, manufacturing, printing, labouring, warehousing and logistics, supporting vulnerable adults and healthcare I am currently self-employed in the field of graphic design and A/V production. I work primarily with biotech and life sciences companies as well as a range of clients in catering, young people’s charities, publishers, museums and Cambridge University Colleges. I also work as a recording artist and live performer and used to run nightclubs in the city.
I’ve been affiliated to Bewick Bridge since 2015 and expect to have a child in school until 2028. I delivered two classes in school during STEM week (one on music and audio technology, another on optical illusions and print technology) and am always impressed with the children; their attitude to learning, their standard of engagement and how friendly they all are. The team here have done a remarkable job in making a fantastic success of the school and it is my hope that as a parent governor I can offer support in return for all their maximum effort. It is my personal philosophy that good education benefits both the learner and the teacher and that every day is a school day.
Michael Henley
I am a solicitor practising in-house, having previously worked in private practice. My role frequently requires me to calmly and objectively assess situations and identify the best route forwards, often in situations where not all of the facts are available. I enjoy working in a team with others from diverse backgrounds to collaboratively reach the right decision. I feel that my experience would allow me to offer a lot to a school in the role of a governor, and also that I would learn and gain great experience from the role. I strongly believe that education is crucial to giving people the best start in life and I would be glad to contribute to that in some way. Having now lived in Cambridge for two years, I am keen to contribute to our local community.
Governor Register of Interestes and Attendance Register 2023-2024
Feedback from the last FGB meeting:
Governors welcomed two new governors David Ashby (Parent Governor) and Michael Henley (Co-opted Governor) to their first meeting.
Governors would like to thank Daniel Hart, who has resigned, for his skills and commitment to the Governing Body over a number of years.
Governors re-elected Anthea Kenna as Chair of the Governing Body and both James Robinson and Hazel Belchamber as Co-Vice Chairs
Governors recognise the challenges to school budgets both locally and nationally and expressed their thanks to Mrs Appleby and Ms Luu in recognition of their hard work in preparing the new budget
Governors were pleased to receive feedback about Talk for Change and the positive impact this has had for the pupils.
Governors praised the school on the wide range of enrichment activities that are on offer and expressed their thanks to all members of staff who give their time to support these
Governors thanked Abigail Fordham, Clerk to the Governing Board, as she leaves the role, for the period she has supported the work of governors.