Cheswick Green Primary School
Governors
Stan Proudfoot
I became a governor at Cheswick Green in 1996 as the governor nominated by Hockley Heath Parish Council. That position has since ceased to exist but I am now a “Community” governor. I have been privileged to be Chair of the Board since 1997.
My working life (before school governance) was spent in the electricity supply industry where I spent thirty years endeavouring to keep the lights on. After the industry was privatised, those of us over a certain (relatively young) age were encouraged to take early retirement. I accepted the inevitable and complied in 1992.
My involvement with the school began almost thirty years ago when my son was enrolled into the then newly opened nursery. Inevitably, I lost touch when he moved on but when my connection was re-established I realised that, although much had changed, the principle remained of working to provide the best rounded education for all of the children.
As Chair of Governors I try to maintain close contact with the Head Teacher so that I am aware of the strengths and areas of development of the school. I believe that effective education is based on mutual support between governors, staff and parents.
I became a governor at Cheswick Green in 1996 as the governor nominated by Hockley Heath Parish Council. That position has since ceased to exist but I am now a “Community” governor. I have been privileged to be Chair of the Board since 1997.
My working life (before school governance) was spent in the electricity supply industry where I spent thirty years endeavouring to keep the lights on. After the industry was privatised, those of us over a certain (relatively young) age were encouraged to take early retirement. I accepted the inevitable and complied in 1992.
My involvement with the school began almost thirty years ago when my son was enrolled into the then newly opened nursery. Inevitably, I lost touch when he moved on but when my connection was re-established I realised that, although much had changed, the principle remained of working to provide the best rounded education for all of the children.
As Chair of Governors I try to maintain close contact with the Head Teacher so that I am aware of the strengths and areas of development of the school. I believe that effective education is based on mutual support between governors, staff and parents.
Who are our Governors?
Debbie Smith
I have been a governor for the last 4 years. I am a part time teacher in a primary school for children with a wide range of special needs and/or autism, and more importantly, I am a mum to three boys in year 2, year 5 and year 8.
Being involved in school life is something I really enjoy, and helping out in class on a weekly basis not only gives me a real insight into how hard the children and staff at Cheswick Green work, but also what the current issues are. As time goes on, I am becoming more immersed into governance and am involved in many of the committees and new developments that go on ‘behind the scene’.
Bringing a parent’s perspective to the governing body is important and I am here to represent you, so please talk to us if you need to!
I have been a governor for the last 4 years. I am a part time teacher in a primary school for children with a wide range of special needs and/or autism, and more importantly, I am a mum to three boys in year 2, year 5 and year 8.
Being involved in school life is something I really enjoy, and helping out in class on a weekly basis not only gives me a real insight into how hard the children and staff at Cheswick Green work, but also what the current issues are. As time goes on, I am becoming more immersed into governance and am involved in many of the committees and new developments that go on ‘behind the scene’.
Bringing a parent’s perspective to the governing body is important and I am here to represent you, so please talk to us if you need to!
Jan Prins
I am married and a dad of four children. The two youngest have just joined the school. I moved to England from Holland in '90, to work in vehicle development at Land Rover. I am still there and have worked my way cup to Technical Specialist in Off-Road. This means I get paid to drive in the mud in other people's cars!
I became a parent Governor in '04 to be actively involved with the school that was educating my children. I soon became member, and later chair, of the Health, Safety and Buildings Committee. I have also been involved in some working groups. I helped with the School Travel Plan which resulted in a Government grant and the building of the Chatterbox parents shelter come outside class room.
I am married and a dad of four children. The two youngest have just joined the school. I moved to England from Holland in '90, to work in vehicle development at Land Rover. I am still there and have worked my way cup to Technical Specialist in Off-Road. This means I get paid to drive in the mud in other people's cars!
I became a parent Governor in '04 to be actively involved with the school that was educating my children. I soon became member, and later chair, of the Health, Safety and Buildings Committee. I have also been involved in some working groups. I helped with the School Travel Plan which resulted in a Government grant and the building of the Chatterbox parents shelter come outside class room.
Terry Gregory
I was born in Castle Bromwich in Birmingham and I am currently 69 yrs old and I am married to Jean.
I worked in Insurance for 31 years taking early retirement in 1996. Most of my career was spent dealing with various kinds of claims including motor claims and employers liability claims. I became a Governor at CheswickGreenPrimary School on 1st May 1996 having considered what to do with all the time I would have in retirement.
I chose to be a school Governor because I had been a Scout Leader since 1974 in Birmingham and enjoyed the work of helping to make good citizens of the children who joined our movement
I am also a committee member of the local RSPB and would welcome any enquiries with regard to our meetings (you don’t have to be members to come to our meetings) which are held at the Oliver Bird Hall in Solihull during the season September to May. My current hobbies include going to our static caravan as often as possible and at the moment I am building a model galleon
I was born in Castle Bromwich in Birmingham and I am currently 69 yrs old and I am married to Jean.
I worked in Insurance for 31 years taking early retirement in 1996. Most of my career was spent dealing with various kinds of claims including motor claims and employers liability claims. I became a Governor at CheswickGreenPrimary School on 1st May 1996 having considered what to do with all the time I would have in retirement.
I chose to be a school Governor because I had been a Scout Leader since 1974 in Birmingham and enjoyed the work of helping to make good citizens of the children who joined our movement
I am also a committee member of the local RSPB and would welcome any enquiries with regard to our meetings (you don’t have to be members to come to our meetings) which are held at the Oliver Bird Hall in Solihull during the season September to May. My current hobbies include going to our static caravan as often as possible and at the moment I am building a model galleon
Gary Baker
A lifelong Silhillian, I have moved recently to Cheswick Green and wish to contribute both to the school and village. I currently have one son in the foundation unit with another couple due to start in the coming years. I have worked for the past decade or so in management information and reporting and have experiences ranging from venture capital, higher education, utilities and my current employer Solihull MBC. I am enthusiastic about sport, though it's fair to say I have hung my boots and pads up now, and am keen to help with any participation. I am equally as enthusiastic about music (both the playing and appreciation of) and chess - anybody up for a game..?!
A lifelong Silhillian, I have moved recently to Cheswick Green and wish to contribute both to the school and village. I currently have one son in the foundation unit with another couple due to start in the coming years. I have worked for the past decade or so in management information and reporting and have experiences ranging from venture capital, higher education, utilities and my current employer Solihull MBC. I am enthusiastic about sport, though it's fair to say I have hung my boots and pads up now, and am keen to help with any participation. I am equally as enthusiastic about music (both the playing and appreciation of) and chess - anybody up for a game..?!
Mary Bateson
I have resided in the West Midlands since 1965. A qualified primary teacher, I served as deputy head in a Shirley school before being appointed in 1972 to a headship in Warwickshire. I continued to serve as a primary Head in two Solihull schools until my retirement in 1995.
I became a governor at CheswickGreenSchool in 1997 and have served on the Personnel and Curriculum committees since that time.
I believe that parents, staff and governors should work together to provide a secure and happy environment in which children can develop and reach their full potential.
I have resided in the West Midlands since 1965. A qualified primary teacher, I served as deputy head in a Shirley school before being appointed in 1972 to a headship in Warwickshire. I continued to serve as a primary Head in two Solihull schools until my retirement in 1995.
I became a governor at CheswickGreenSchool in 1997 and have served on the Personnel and Curriculum committees since that time.
I believe that parents, staff and governors should work together to provide a secure and happy environment in which children can develop and reach their full potential.
Matthew Bevan
I have been a governor for approximately three years. I am employed in the IT industry and live locally to the school. I applied to be a governor because I wanted to try and bring some of the experience gained in my career to the school, particularly in the area of IT, which I believe will continue to play an increasingly large part of the children’s education.
Since becoming a governor, I have come to appreciate more fully the wide and varied complexities of running and managing the school effectively and the challenges that are associated with it. I hope that by being involved in the governance of CheswickGreenSchool, I can contribute to its continuing success and improvement.
I have been a governor for approximately three years. I am employed in the IT industry and live locally to the school. I applied to be a governor because I wanted to try and bring some of the experience gained in my career to the school, particularly in the area of IT, which I believe will continue to play an increasingly large part of the children’s education.
Since becoming a governor, I have come to appreciate more fully the wide and varied complexities of running and managing the school effectively and the challenges that are associated with it. I hope that by being involved in the governance of CheswickGreenSchool, I can contribute to its continuing success and improvement.
Debbie Fuller
I have been a parent governor for just over two years and have two boys at school who are currently in year 4 and Year 6.
I work for the University of Warwick carrying out research in horticulture. Since I can no longer participate in school life by helping out on a voluntary basis during school hours I have become a governor to maintain my links with the school and hopefully provide a positive contribution. If I can help with any queries about the governing body I am in the playground most mornings.
I have been a parent governor for just over two years and have two boys at school who are currently in year 4 and Year 6.
I work for the University of Warwick carrying out research in horticulture. Since I can no longer participate in school life by helping out on a voluntary basis during school hours I have become a governor to maintain my links with the school and hopefully provide a positive contribution. If I can help with any queries about the governing body I am in the playground most mornings.
