Governors at Bradfield Dungworth

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The Role of the Governing Board

Including Mr. Mitchell (the Head teacher) there are nine governors, who come from a variety of walks of life. Photographs of us are displayed in the school entrance.

We meet, as a full group, at least once each term and, more regularly, within specialist groups. Governors are one of the largest volunteer groups in the country and have an important part in raising school standards. The role of the governing board is key to the effectiveness of the school.

We provide strategic leadership and accountability in the school. We are responsible for the appointment of the head teacher and assistant head teacher. We also hold the main responsibility for the finance of the school and, it is governors who make the tough decisions about balancing resources.

Each individual governor is a member of the governing board, which is established in law as a corporate body. Individually, we may not act independently of the rest of the governing board; decisions are the joint responsibility of the governing board.

The role of the governing board is a strategic one and, its six key elements are; -

  • Strategic Leadership
  • Accountability for School and Financial performance
  • People
  • Structures
  • Compliance
  • Evaluation

When you do see us in the school, we may be meeting with Mr Mitchell or carrying out what are known as “learning walks”. Whilst we’re in the school, we do not make judgements on pupil’s work, or members of staff. The purpose of a Governor’s learning walk is to support the Governing board in carrying out its key responsibility for monitoring and evaluating the work of the school.

We also have specialist Governors who are responsible for such areas as; health and safety, safeguarding issues and special educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

 If you do see us in the school and, you have an enquiry or issue you would like to be listened to, please do feel able to talk to us or contact the Chair of Governors via the school office or by email b.foster@bradfielddungworth.sheffield.sch.uk.

                                                                                                    

Name

Term commenced

Term finishes

                Background on being a Governor             

Blake Foster

Chair of Governors

Co-opted Governor

Safeguarding Governor.

 24/4/2023

23/4/2027

In 2023, I was appointed as the Business Manager of a Secondary School in Sheffield, where I am responsible for all aspects of school support services including, Human Resources, Finance and Facilities Management.

Previous to this I had 14 years’ experience in General Practice Management, and a further 6 years in leadership roles within Primary Care Organisations.

In my previous role I was responsible for the overall strategic management and development of the Practice. This included responsibility for Human Resources, Finance, Facilities Management, Safeguarding, Operational Planning, Quality Improvement and Patient/ Public Engagement.

In addition to my substantive role, I also held extended roles working with NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group, South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Workforce and Training Hub. I was also a Quality Improvement Coach, facilitating system development within Sheffield NHS organisations.

I sit on the Standards and Curriculum Committee and the Finance and Personnel Committee, and I’m the appointed Safeguarding Governor.

Melanie Smart

Co-opted Governor

17/10/19

16/10/26

I became a governor in 1978 and in 1981 was part of the Action Group which saved the school from closure, and then saw the amalgamation of Bradfield and Dungworth schools to create Bradfield Dungworth School. Threat of closure loomed again in 1993 and again I took a leading part in the Action Group that won the case to stay open. I was then instrumental in the plans to build an extension to create more capacity (and sustainability) for the school. In 2008 OFSTED criticised the school’s PE provision (PE lessons were held in the Village Hall) and the lack of library space. We were the only school in Sheffield without a school hall (dinners were eaten in the classrooms). I helped to pursue planning permission and grants to build a school hall, which opened in 2011.
I am secretary of Dungworth Village Hall and an active committee member of the volunteer-run Stannington Library. I also puppy walk, fundraise, and speak for Guide Dogs for the Blind.Now retired I have worked as a commercial artist, an estate agent, as non-teaching staff at Loxley School, as a parish clerk and as an IT Help Desk advisor.
My three children attended Bradfield Dungworth School and I have four grandchildren aged from 8 - 18.
I am on the Standards and Curriculum Committee, am part of the team which undertakes the Performance Management of the Head Teacher and the link Governor for the School Council..

Alex Beagle

Staff Governor

 

 01/09/2023

01/09/2026
Having been a teacher at Bradfield Dungworth since 2015, I am taking on the role of staff governor from September 2023. During my time at Bradfield Dungworth, I have predominately taught Years 5 and 6 and have led on the development of maths and PE within our school. I am originally from Wolverhampton and came to Sheffield in 2005 to study Accounting and Finance and Business Studies at Sheffield Unviersity. After graduating in 2008, I spent a year working for the UK Border Agency and another year working for the NHS before returning to the Midlands to complete a PGCE at the University of Worcester. Once my PGCE was completed, I returned to Sheffield in 2011 for my first teaching job at what was then named Firs Hill Primary School (now Abbeyfield Primary Academy) in Burngreave. 
I attend the Standards and Curriculum Committee.

Amy Clarke

Parent Governor

 01/01/2026 01/01/2028
I’m a qualified accountant with over six years of experience at the Department for Education, where I’ve worked across policy, delivery, and finance roles.
As a parent of a child at the school, I appreciate the strong sense of community it creates for both children and families. I’m passionate about using my professional expertise in the education sector to help maximise resources and support the school in providing an outstanding learning environment.
Outside of work, you’ll often find me enjoying a run past the school and into the beautiful Bradfield countryside!

Jamie Ainley

Parent Governor

 01/01/2026 01/01/2028
Professionally I am a HR Manager for a LegalTech IT services company in Sheffield, and I have a strong background in HR and recruitment within the IT sector. 
 
I am a parent governor with one child in year 1 and another due to start in September 2026.
 
I understand how important it is to enable development in a supportive environment and I feel this is transferable to the role of governor.
 
I appreciate the importance of the school's success to the local community, and the opportunity for pupils to thrive whilst also benefiting from the local environment.

Chloe Hindmarsh

Parent Governor

 01/10/2025

 

01/11/2027

I have worked in education for over 20 years, specialising in ESOL, SEND and Teacher Education. I have been associated with Ruskin Mill Trust since 2009 undertaking various roles including Trustee with responsibility for the quality assurance of teaching and learning. I currently teach on post graduate programmes at Sheffield Hallam University as well as being involved in master's level study.  I care deeply about child development and early years provision, with a strong emphasis on outdoor and embodied learning. 

 

You will often find me camping in the holidays or at the beach! I am a parent of three children at the school, my eldest started in 2019. I value and celebrate the unique historical narrative of Bradfield Dungworth serving the local community and the warmth and connection this brings for the children through the curriculum and their connection with the farming community and local traditions. 

 

Jenny Coats

Parent Governor

 

 

 1/5/2025

1/5/2027
I have worked in primary education in Sheffield for over 20 years, including 10 years as a headteacher of a large inner city primary school. I am currently teaching in another local primary school. I’m passionate about the arts and creative subjects and I have a particular interest in developing a broad, balanced and engaging curriculum for all children.
Alongside my teaching, I run my own business delivering creative art workshops and classes for families, children and adults. I also support schools in embedding art and creativity across their curriculum.
As a parent of three children at the school – the eldest of whom started in 2015 – I feel very connected to the life of the school and have valued being part of the community for many years. I live in Dungworth and also serve on the village hall committee, so I’m proud to be able to support the school both as a professional and as a local resident.
I sit on the Standards Committee of the Governing Board.

 

Nigel Pereira

Co-opted Governor

 01/01/2026 01/01/2028 Information Incoming

 

Governor Voting :

All co-opted, parent, and staff governors are eligible to vote in all governor meetings.  Associate governors are not eligible to vote in any governor meeting.  

 

Governor Register of Business Interests

Name

Governor 

 Relevant Business Interests / Personal Interests

Any other Educational Establishments Governed

Relationships with the School Staff inc Spouses, partners or relatives

Date Form Completed

Mr Liam Mitchell

Headteacher

None

None

None

01/09/2024

Mr Alex Beagle

Staff

None

None

None

01/09/2024

Mr Blake Foster

Co-opted

None

None

None

01/09/2024

Mrs Melanie Smart

Co-opted

None

None

None

01/09/2024

Ms Chloe Hindmarsh

Parent

None

None

None

01/10/2025

Mrs Jenny Coats

Parent

None

None

None

30/04/2025

Mrs Amy Clarke

Parent

None

None

None

01/01/2026

Mr Jamie Ainley

Parent

None

None

None

30/04/2026

Nigel Pereira

Co-opted

None

None

None

01/11/2025