Governors

The Governing body for the school consists of a number of local people with differing experience but with the single aim of ensuring the school continues to prosper and improve.

Mr P Woodward 

Chair of the Governing Body

I was a member of the Police Service for some 46 years retiring as a Chief Inspector in 2002; this was followed by a period as a member of Police Staff before fully retiring in 2015.

I am actively involved in local football and have been a qualified Football Referee for over 25 years. In addition, I am a Vice President and the Secretary of the Rotherham Referees’ Association (RA), the Secretary of the County RA and its delegate to the National RA, a Referee Assessor and Mentor and a Council Member of the County Football Association.

I have previously lived in Bramley and my son, daughter in law and their family live in the area with their children attending the school.

I have been a member of the Governing Body since January 2016 and look to bring the skills and abilities I have to support the school, its staff and Governing Body as the school continues its ongoing improvement as we seek to take the school to an even higher level.

In my spare time, I enjoy travelling and cycling.

Key Responsibilities:

• Safeguarding
• Sports Funding

Mrs P Fraser

Vice Chair of the Governing Body

Both my children have attended BSJS in the last few years. I became involved in the school when we first moved here. I was lucky to be able to be a parent governor of the school, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

My term has come to an end and I have been given the responsibility of the LA Governor for the foreseeable future and I am currently the vice chair of the school’s governing board. I am a qualified counsellor coming to the end of my degree. My passion lies with mental health, well-being and inclusion. I feel proud to be a part of BSJS‘s future as the school progresses.

Key Responsibilities:

• Well-being
• Governor Training and Development

Mr L Gibson

Co-opted Governor

I have two children whom both attended Bramley Sunnyside Junior School.

During the day I work for Alexander Dennis as a Purchase and Technical Advisor.

My main hobbies are Karate, Taekwondo and general fitness.

I joined the governing body in 2010 as a parent governor when my youngest daughter was in year 4.

In late 2013 I took on the role of health and safety governor, and became a co-opted governor in 2015.

The SLT and Governors at BSJS have worked so hard to change the ethos and aspirations of the school; BSJS is a school where every child matters and all staff and governors are dedicated to make and continue to make this a ‘go to’ school.

Key Responsibilities:

• Health and Safety

Mr J Mirfield

Co-opted Governor

 Professionally, I have occupied a variety of financial roles, all within the Food Manufacturing industry and currently operate as Commercial Management Accountant at a large corporate FTSE 250 company.

 I am a recent member of the Governing Body, joining at the beginning of 2022 and hope to support the SLT & Governing Body with my financial skillset and knowledge.

Key Responsibilities

• Finance

 Mr J Moore

Co-opted Governor

I attended Bramley Sunnyside Junior School and Infant School as a pupil.  The school became two separate schools as they are today.  I came back to teach at the Junior School and was in charge of sport.  I helped organise the Rother Valley Junior Schools football team.  After almost 6 years, I left to become deputy head of Monkwood Junior School in Rawmarsh and later became head.  I am married with three children, all who attended here too.  We now have 5 grandchildren.  As a pro-active member of the local community of Bramley and St Francis’ Church, I put the community at the heart of everything.

I first began coming into the school to take assembly after I retired and continue to do so now, leading on aspects of the school’s Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural curriculum.  I have been a co-opted member of the governing body for more than 10 years.  During this period of time, there have been many challenges and many rewards and successes.  As a governor I see the school now has a firm foundation to build on and I will continue to support and challenge the school as we move forward.

Key Responsibilities:

• British Values
• Collective Worship

Mrs L Robson

Headteacher

Co-opted Governor

I am extremely passionate to continue the outstanding journey of Bramley Sunnyside, extending our strengths further, as well as continuing to develop our next exciting phase.

The Headteacher, by nature of the job, is always a member of the school’s Governing Body.  We are lucky to have such a range of interests and expertise amongst our governors who, as a result, are able to bring different dimensions and viewpoints to our work to help and move us towards the next level.

Key Responsibilities:

• Whole School Improvement
• Safeguarding and Welfare

Mrs Sarah McVeigh

Associate Governor

My role as a governor is primarily as part of the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee. I am also the Deputy Head Teacher and reading lead.

I have been part of Bramley Sunnyside's Junior School and I am exceptionally proud to work at this school.  I look forward to many more successes and achievements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Standards in Teaching and Learning

 Mrs G Ashton

Learning and Pastoral Support (Staff Governor)

I started volunteering at Bramley Sunnyside over 20 years ago when my own children were here as pupils. I was lucky enough to become a TA for several years then progressed to HLTA, learning mentor and now work as an Inclusion and Pastoral Mentor as well as being part of the safeguarding team.

My role in school helps to maintain an open door policy for parents and children who may have any questions or concerns.

I have been privileged to take the journey with this school as it has made huge leaps to ensure the children’s education is paramount. I believe very passionately that the school will continue to grow and maintain an excellent level of teaching and nurturing of the students and staff alike.

Key Responsibilities:

• Pastoral Support
• Inclusion

Mr M Brown

Co-opted Governor

I worked for over 40 years in the steel industry. Since retiring I have become involved in the local community in Bramley Currently I work as a part time teaching assistant and mentor in a school in Rotherham.

I have been a parish councillor for a number of years, and Chairman of the parish council for five years. In addition, I am chairman of Bramley Village Trust.

It is important that the school is part of the community and I feel as a governor I can ensure the link between the school and the community can be strengthened.

Key Responsibilities:

• SEND
• Pupil Premium

Mrs F Ross

Co-opted Governor

My name is Francesca Ross and I live with my husband and three children; two of whom will attend Bramley Sunnyside Juniors come September 2022 and our youngest shall begin her school Journey in September 2023. Between the years 2006-2016 I worked as a teacher at Blackburn Primary School, teaching in all year groups but Primarily Juniors and became Literacy lead from 2009 till I left in 2016. I also headed the enterprise and many sporting events throughout school to coincide with my passion for a creative and engaging curriculum. During my maternity leaves I also developed many educational resources and Apps, many of which are still sold through the TTS-Group. This led me to my next venture in 2016 where I was recruited at the education show in Birmingham by  Pobble Education. I joined as a Free Lance teacher delivering training and educational guidance in Schools all over the UK. Despite thoroughly enjoying this line of work the increased travel and essentially having two small children at the time led me reconsider my career. I have now joined forces with my husband who I run a construction company with. Together we have grown this and now employ 14 staff and are proud of the local reputation with our differing personalities and backgrounds complementing our business model. 

 

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and their many sporting interests, keeping fit myself (you may often see me running!) and traveling to new and foreign places. I feel I would  be a strong addition to the Governors due to both my educational and business background along with my passion to give all children opportunity within a diverse and changing world and look forward to being able to share in supporting Bramley Sunnyside and the Governing body. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Curriculum
• Attendance

Miss D Green

Associate Governor

Key Responsibilities:

• PSHE
• Mental Health and Well-being

Mr L Polkey

Parent Governor

Mr M Johnson

Parent Governor

My name is Matthew and I am 33 years old. I have grown up in the local area and I am proud call Rotherham my home for my own family. We enjoy the outdoors and try to get out as much as possible to have amazing adventures.

I work in the facility management sector keeping commercial buildings and schools operating and compliant.

I will bring a variety of skills and experience along with me. Notably, my analytical thinking and problem solving ability coupled with my conscientiousness which allows me to thrive in all situations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Buildings

Mr P Whittaker

Parent Governor

My name is Philip Whittaker. I have worked in the Ministry of Justice for the past 19 years. During this time I had the opportunity to progress through the ranks from Prison Officer to Governor and worked in all areas across multiple prisons. Here I saw the impact of both poor and good leadership and management and have had the opportunity to develop many formal and informal skills in both areas, managing large groups of staff, significant budget responsibilities alongside performing assurance and governance in a fast past and challenging operational role.

I now have the opportunity in a senior head quarters position to oversee significant spend in prison security, infrastructure and procedural delivery across the prison estate. I see the importance of effective assurance, leadership and governance in providing a good service for our staff and prisoners as our customers and this is no different across the education setting for our children. The opportunity to support such a committed group of teachers, parents and governors at Bramley Sunnyside Junior School is one I very much welcome after seeing the enthusiasm, passion and determination in providing the best opportunities to our young people and helping them to go on and achieve whatever they may want from life.

In my personal life I am married with 2 young children and love being a dad and all that comes with it. I enjoy running and going to watch live music, and as a family going to visit as many places, especially beaches, as possible.

I intend to bring my experience as a leader, with financial and budget oversight and responsibility, leadership and procurement skills alongside my knowledge as a parent to support the head and wider governor team to achieve the best outcomes for the school and children.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Management

Mrs E Brown

Clerk to the Governing Body

Born and educated in Wickersley, I have lived in Bramley for over thirty years.

I am very interested in our local area, particularly local history and family research.

I was office manager in a primary school in Rotherham for 18 years until August 2019, having taken early retirement.

I was appointed as Clerk to the Governing Body in September 2012.  My role is to provide administration support, record the minutes of the meetings and to guide the Governors on procedural matters.

Over the years I have seen a number of positive changes within the school and I am proud to be associated with Bramley Sunnyside Junior School.