Nurseries Road, Wheathampstead, Herts, AL4 8TP
Governance
The governors at Beech Hyde Primary School and Nursery, are focused on providing confident, strategic leadership for the school and creating robust accountability, oversight and assurance of its educational and financial performance.
Bringing diverse business, community and educational experience to the school, they meet at least six times a year as a full governing board.
In addition to regular meetings, governors also take an active interest in the school and its activities, each making at least one visit to the school each term. The visits are focused on a particular theme linked to the School Development Plan or are conducted in their governor capacity, such as safeguarding or health & safety.
Governors are appointed for four year terms of office by the school staff, parents, the Trust or by fellow governors as representatives of the local community.
You can find out more about each of the governors below.
Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the Beech Hyde Primary School and Nursery governing body.
Our current governors
We currently have 2 co-opted governors, 3 Trust appointed, 1 elected staff governor and 1 elected parent governor (new parent governor to be appointed Autumn 2025).
The chair of our local governing board is Sarah Medlock. She can be contacted by email MedlockS@beechhyde.governor.aetrust.sch.uk or post (Beech Hyde Primary School, Nurseries Road, Wheathamsptead, Herts, AL4 8TP).
Beech Hyde is part of Ambition Education Trust. Information about the governance of the Trust, including financial reports, can be found here
MRS SARAH MEDLOCK
Posts held: Chair of Governors, Safeguarding governor
Category: Co-opted governor. Appointed by the governing body. Appointed: 6th November 2020. Term ends: 5th November 2024.
A bit about Sarah
I have 2 children who both attended Beech Hyde and have now moved on to secondary school in Harpenden. I started out as a parent governor at Beech Hyde and at the end of my 4-year term I moved over to become a co-opted governor. I believe passionately in the school's ethos. I want to help drive the school forward and ensure it provides the best all round education for our children, whilst maintaining that wonderful Beech Hyde feeling of inclusion, teamwork and respect.
I graduated with BA Hons in Business Studies and have worked in various marketing and PR roles over the years.
MS KAREN THOMAS
Posts held: Headteacher
A bit about Karen
I began my teaching career in 1998 in north London, first as a History teacher, becoming Head of Year and subject lead in my first few years. I was appointed Assistant Head in 2007 and have been involved in pastoral leadership ever since. I developed whole school strategies to ensure that good pastoral care allowed all students to access a high-quality education. I moved to St Albans in 2009, taking up the post of Assistant Head at St Albans Girls' School in 2014. I became Deputy Head - pastoral and safeguarding lead - in 2017. In September 2022, I was seconded to Beech Hyde as Acting Headteacher, and loved it. I was appointed as permanent Headteacher in December 2022. It is my firm belief that following its 'GOOD' Ofsted judgement in 2022, Beech Hyde has a very strong platform for future growth and success.
MISS HANNAH BOWMAN
Posts held: Trust appointed governor. SEND governor.
Category: Appointed by the Trust Board. Appointed: 7th January 2024. Term ends: 7th January 2028.
A bit about Hannah
I am Head of Art, Design Technology at St Albans Girls' School, where I have taught since 2008. I am passionate about education and about every child's right to be able to access their education. As a teacher at the ATLAS trust lead school, I have watched Beech Hyde's progress over the years and was delighted to see it achieve a GOOD Ofsted. I love being able to give back to the community as governor at Beech Hyde.
I am a considered, reflective person who is willing to listen, question and challenge so the school can progress and reach its full potential.
In my spare time I like to go camping, read and spend time with my dogs.
MRS PAULINE MUNRO
Posts held: Co-opted governor, Health & Safety governor
Category: Co-opted governor. Appointed by the governing body 9th September 2021. Term ends: 8th September 2025.
A bit about Pauline
After University, I spent four years working for the Metropolitan Police in London with victims of serious assaults. I began teaching in 1994 in Hong Kong where I spent three great years. Following my return to the UK, I taught in a number of schools in St Albans, Luton and Dunstable.
Six years ago, I began working part time at Beech Hyde and thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this wonderful school during the time I worked there.
I live in Harpenden with my husband and I have two teenage daughters. I am Secretary of Hatfield Netball Club and I spend a lot of my free time umpiring netball matches and mentoring Junior umpires. I enjoy reading, travelling and am a massive fan of Liverpool FC.
MRS SUSAN MARTINDALE
Posts held: Staff governor
Category: Staff governor. Appointed by the staff body: 6th July 2025. Term ends: 5th July 2029.
A bit about Susan
I am proud to have been a teacher at Beech Hyde since September 2020. During this time I have taught Year 2 and thoroughly enjoy being part of the important journey from Key Stage 1 into 2. I am subject leader for Art and DT as well as taking on a range of other roles within the school. Beech Hyde is a very special place with fantastic children, and I am pleased to be part of the governing body for our school.
DR JOHANNA EASTMOND
Posts held: Trust appointed governor
Category: Appointed by the Trust Board. Appointed: 7th January 2024. Term ends: 7th January 2028
A bit about Johanna
After a brief career in scientific research, I retrained as a teacher in 2006, and I have never looked back! I am currently Head of Science and Biology at St Albans School, where I have worked for the last 7 years. Prior to working at St Albans, I worked as a science teacher at Verulam School and at Henley-in-Arden School in Warwickshire.
I am excited to be part of the governing body at Beech Hyde, and I am looking forward to getting involved as the Science link governor.
I live in Kimpton with my husband, who is a research scientist, and my two daughters, who attend Katherine Warrington School.
MR STUART FARRELL
Posts held: Parent Governor
Category: Parent Governor: Appointed by the parent body 24th March 2022. Term ends 24th March 2026.
A bit about Stuart
I live in Wheathampstead and have 3 children, two boys and a girl, all who attend Beech Hyde.
I have worked in financial services for a variety of insurers and currently work as Head of Pricing in business lending. I have significant experience in data analysis, people management, financial analysis and I enjoy serving others and working as part of a team. I graduated with a BSc in Mathematics and have also qualified as a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
In my spare time I am a member of a local church, lead a local youth group and help coach the village junior football team. I put myself forward as a Governor because I want to support the school in being as effective as possible in educating local children.
MRS RUTH WHEATLEY
Posts held: Trust appointed governor
Category: Appointed by the Trust Board. Appointed: December 2024. Term ends: December 2028.
A bit about Ruth
As a recently retired teacher of almost 30 years, I thought it would be an excellent use of my newly acquired spare time to offer my service as a Governor at Beech Hyde School. My career started in Dundee where I worked with an outreach team from Dundee Rep Theatre. The team worked in the areas of deprivation in the city. I found this work incredibly challenging but rewarding. I saw there the value of arts and cultural education, something I know that Beech Hyde is really keen to develop.
I am at my core a PE teacher and understand how important physical activity and sport is to the development of young people. During my time at STAGS, I was privileged to be involved with a 4 year research project called 'Healthy Minds”. This was in the capacity of being Curriculum Leader PSHCE. I am a recognised 'Healthy Minds' teacher. However, dance is my passion. Dance has been the thread through my life starting to dance myself aged 3 and still dancing now. Dance education is an amazing tool to unlock social, physical and mental connections.
M
Posts held: Co-opted Governor
Category: Co-opted governor. Appointed by the academy members . Term ends:
A bit a
M
Posts held: Co-opted Governor
Category: Co-opted governor. Appointed by the academy members . Term ends:
A bit about
What is a governing body?
The governing body of a school acts collectively. The governors have a number of legal responsibilities in respect of the school, in particular:
- the school is continuously working to improve standards
- children's care and welfare is safeguarded
- curriculum policy is set, monitored and reviewed in line with statutory requirements
- the school meets it obligations under relevant equality legislation
- the school's financial budget is set and monitored
- the fabric of the school is maintained
- staff performance is managed according to Government guidelines
Meetings
Full Local Governing Body meetings are held throughout the year. Meetings are usually held in the evenings. Governors are also welcome into school during the day.
Training
There is a varied training programme available to all governors. Governors aim to attend at least one course per year.
How to contact the governors
The school governors are always open to contact from staff, carers and parents. Your first port of call should always be the headteacher, but if you feel that you need to raise any concerns or give suggestions to the governing body then please use the email below.
MedlockS@beechhyde.governor.aetrust.uk
Are you interested in becoming a governor?
Vacancies: There are currently no governor vacancies at Beech Hyde School
Governors need no previous experience but they do need commitment, enthusiasm and an interest in the School and in the education of children. We particularly welcome applicants from ethnic minorities so we are fully represented on the governing body. This is your chance to set the vision for the school, for both the present and future generations.
If you would like to find out more click on the link below:
http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/edlearn/getinvolved/governors/becschgov/
Or you can contact the Chair of Governors directly via email:
MedlockS@beechhyde.governor.aetrust.uk
You may wish to come along for an informal chat and also observe one of the Governor meetings so you can get a feel for what is involved. Please get in touch if you are interested, you will be most welcome.
Beech Hyde Declarations Of Interest 2023-24BH attendance at FGB summary by year
