Governors

Governors are the strategic leaders of schools and have a vital role to play in ensuring that every child gets the best possible education. Here at Bursledon we have 'flat Governance' and this means we meet once every four weeks as a Full Governing Body (FGB) in order to support and challenge the leadership team within the Federation.  Throughout the year Governors also carry out other duties and responsibilities including in school monitoring, supporting some appointment processes of staff and contribute to other working parties for other areas of the school such as finance. 

Hilary Bax – Foundation Governor and Chair of Governors

Hilary has been closely associated with the schools since she moved to Bursledon in 1982. Her three sons attended the infant and junior schools between 1982 and 1995, where they flourished at the start of their learning journey. She has been a foundation governor for a number of years and is very involved in the life of the church in Bursledon, as well as being involved in many other aspects of village life.

Andy Milchard  - Foundation governor and Vice Chair of Governors

Andy has been a governor since 2002. He is the father of two boys who have now been through both schools and is passionate about all children receiving a high quality education so that they can succeed in life beyond Bursledon. Andy is a member of St Paul's Church and is Head of History at Peter Symonds Sixth Form College.

Rev John Pawson - Foundation Governor

John returned to Bursledon with his wife Helen, in July 2018 to take up the post of Vicar at St Leonards and St Paul’s churches. As a family they spent time in Bursledon between 2002 and early 2006 when John was serving in the parish as a trainee vicar (Curate). During this time their children attended Bursledon Infant and Junior schools, making lots of good friends and laying the foundations for future academic success. During the 12 years they were away from Bursledon John learned a lot as a Governor in a New Forest school and is looking forward to serving with the committed team that leads the Bursledon Federation.

Nikki Sowerby – Co-opted Governor

Nikki joined the governing body in 2015 as a co-opted Governor and her son attended the school.  Currently Nikki leads as training and development governor and has also covered a range of other roles.  Nikki is passionate about lifelong learning and brings experience from over 20 years’ experience within the education sector.

Corrina Bishop – Co-opted Governor

Corrina Bishop lives in the village and has two children in the junior school. She works for Solent NHS as a children’s physiotherapist with babies in Gosport and Portsmouth. She is presently SEND Governor and Safeguarding Governor as she has a lot of background in these areas. She attends St Paul’s Church Bursledon with her family. 

Matt Parker - Parent Governor

Matt became a Parent Governor in November 2018 and has since taken on roles covering finance, fundraising, health and safety and the federation’s website. He has two children in the federation and having lived in Bursledon almost all of his life, he also attended the schools as a child. 

Matt’s wife and children work hard at making sure his spare time is consumed by them, and when he manages to escape to work, he is a long-haul airline pilot. 

Graeme Nolan - Parent Governor          His daughter joined EYFS in 2018 and he was elected in November 2019.  As a former Teacher in a federated primary school, he has a good understanding of the demands of the National Curriculum and the wider world of education.  He is a Commissioned Officer in the Royal Navy where he is currently the Data Manager for the Royal Navy’s Training Transformation Procurement Project.  He is keen to bring these experiences, along with his parental views, to his Governor role to support the federation in providing the best possible education.

Michael White  - Co-opted Governor

Michael is a former pupil of the schools and has lived in Bursledon all his life. He has a daughter who attends the school and enjoys seeing all the wonderful things the school does with her development. He is a keen advocate of our community and feels being a Governor allows him to support it in any way he can.

Martin Stanley – Co-opted Governor

Martin joined the school governing body in March 2020.  He is passionate about helping young people to achieve the best they can, giving them opportunities to discover their full potential through education and extra-curricular activities alike. He has two daughters at the schools. Professionally Martin heads up the Data Analytics function for a global medical devices manufacturer and has a Master's Degree in Engineering.

Vikki Chadwick – Staff Governor

Vikki currently teaches year 3 and has been the Year Leader for a number of years. She has enjoyed working in various school in Hampshire, teaching all of the year groups of KS2 throughout her 25 years!! Although tiring, she loves every moment of it. She particularly enjoys teaching English. She loves reading and believes that it is the foundation of all learning. Outside school she is very into fitness, health and general wellbeing. She can be found swimming, cycling or walking and regularly attends her local gym. She is very keen for children to get the most out of physical exercise and make the most of their energy...while it lasts!!!

Dave Lewis – Co-opted Governor

Dave is a parent of a boy in the infants and has a management background (Bsc Hons Maritime Leisure Management) and over 17 years retail and marine industry experience of people management, leadership, coaching and mentoring. He will use his business skills and knowledge combined with his passion for getting the best out of people, to contribute to the vision of helping the children reach their full potential.

If you would like more information regarding the roles of Governors please click this useful link DfE Governors information. 

If you would like to get in touch with the Chair of Governors Mrs Hilary Bax - please contact either school reception and they will organise this for you.