Catherine Griffiths - Chair of Governors
My involvement with The Oaks started 8 years ago when I finished working in the National Health Service. I began as a volunteer with Beanstalk, a charity which promotes literacy in primary schools. I work with children to give them more confidence in reading. I was delighted to become a Governor 6 years ago so that I can now make a wider contribution to the excellent work of the staff.
I value the Oaks’ approach to inclusiveness and supporting all children to make progress and feel a sense of achievement. The Governors are able to ensure funding is targeted to areas of most need and that it has good impact.
I enjoy helping out at a local Beavers Group which works with 6-8 year olds providing lots of outdoor experiences.
My interests include travelling, learning French, swimming and walking. I have nearly completed a B.A in Arts and Humanities with the Open University
Mark Newton - Vice-Chair of Governors
I am a retired property professional with expertise in all aspects of general property management. I have a background of legal training and management expertise in different commercial environments. As a property manager I was responsible for managing the property portfolios of Dollond & Aitchison Opticians, Boots Opticians and Barclays Bank and led small and dedicated teams of Estate Managers and Administrators.
In retirement, I’m a Pension Trustee of the Dollond & Aitchison Pension Scheme and I also volunteer as a guide for the blind and partially sighted with the Guide Dogs for the Blind. My interest in education stems from my family background, with both parents and two brothers either teaching or in an education authority and I am pleased to have this opportunity to make a contribution towards the development of The Oaks and its children.
Adam Hickman - Co-opted Governor
I joined the Governing Body at The Oaks Primary School in September 2018 and I am currently Chair of the Learning and Achievement Committee. I really enjoy the variety of the role and supporting the school to ensure all pupils access a high-quality education full of opportunity.
I have been working in education since 2008 and I am currently Deputy Head of the Music Service at Services For Education. I am also a qualified primary school teacher and I conduct several local and regional music groups.
Rosalind Venables - Co-opted Governor
I have been working voluntarily at The Oaks since September 2020 with individual pupils in Year 1 and 2 to support their reading development. Pupils are keen to learn and the staff I have met are caring, dedicated and ambitious for ALL pupils so I am very happy to become a governor.
I have always worked in education, as a Head of Modern Languages, school senior leader, then as a Schools Consultant supporting the improvement of teaching and learning in middle and high schools in Worcestershire. I also led the introduction of foreign languages to primary schools in Herefordshire. I have taught English as a second language both abroad and to mothers at a primary school in the inner city. I train prisoners who can read to teach prisoners who can’t.
I hope my experience will enable me to offer support to the school, the parents and pupils.
Angela King – LEA Governor
I have worked for Birmingham City Council for over 25 years in Children's services .I am now a Registered Manager for a Children's Home working with children with Disabilities. I sit on the resource committee and take an active role in setting and monitoring the schools budgets. I am also link governor for special Educational Needs.
I believe we owe it to our children to try to provide them with the very best chance to lead a happy, healthy, fulfilled life.
A good Primary school has an essential part to play in developing firm foundations which what attracts me to a school like The Oaks.
Julie Secker - Staff Governor
I am an Early Years Lead Teacher with a passion for early years education and early reading. I have enjoyed working at The Oaks Primary School since 2013.
I have been working in the education sector since 2000 and teaching since 2006. This is my third governor role as I have previously been a parent governor as well as a staff governor at a previous school.
Andi Arsenie - Parent Governor
I have been living in Birmingham since 2016 when me and my wife decided to swap the busy and stressful London for a better and quieter place. In 2017 we moved to Druids Heath and started looking for a nursery/school for our boys, and that was when we decided to choose The Oaks Primary School and Nursery.
We've been so pleased and impressed with staff members at the nursery, and later on by those in the school, that when I had the opportunity to join the governing body last year, I did it, hoping that in this way I would have the chance to give back to the school at least a little of what they are trying to do for my children and yours.
To be a parent governor is a privilege and I will give 100% in the role to assist the school with its progression and to assist all the teachers and children at The Oaks so that they have the best time spent in primary school.
Sophie Symington - Co-opted (Staff) Governor
Mary Cummins - Clerk to Governors
I have been part of The Oaks staff team since 1997. I'm currently the School Business Manager and have been clerk to governors for 12 years.
I have seen huge change here over the last 25 years, however the special ethos and caring community has remained consistent and that is why I love this school. The skills and experience I have developed as SBM transfer to my position as clerk, and I really value being able to support the governors in their role.
Outside school I enjoy playing badminton, pub quizzes and travel. As a product of 2 teachers, I have always had great interest in education and giving the best opportunities possible to young people.
Constitution:
The Oaks Governing Body has a constitution made up of 11 governors:
6 x co-opted governors
2 x parent governors
1 x staff governor
1 x LEA (Birmingham) governor
1 x Headteacher
All governors serve a 4-year term of office with the exception of the HT who remains on the GB as long as he/she is in post
The GB is able to appoint additional Associate Members to improve its skills and expertise in specific areas. Associate Members do not serve a set term of office and are not able to vote in full GB meetings; in all other respects however they contribute in the same way to the GB. The Oaks currently has 1 Associate Member. The GB appoints a clerk to take responsibility for administration and taking the minutes for all meetings.
Governors serve the school on a voluntary basis with the exception of the clerk who is paid a termly fee.
The Full Governing Body meets 4 times per year
The GB has sub-committees to take responsibility for specific areas:
Our Governing Body details - please see document below:
THE OAKS PRIMARY SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY ARRANGEMENTS
Governor Name | Date of appointment | Term of Office | End date (where applicable) | Governor Type | Responsibilities | Committee Membership | Attendance record 2021/22 |
Rosalind Venables | 13/07/2021 | 4 yrs | Co-opted |
|
| 100% | |
Sophie Symington | 14/12/2021 | 4 yrs | Co-opted (staff) |
|
| 100% | |
Catherine Griffiths | 22/03/2016 reappointed 22/03/2020 | 4 yrs |
|
Co-opted |
|
| 92% |
Angela King | 14/07/2015 reappointed 14/07/2019 | 4 yrs |
| Co-opted |
|
| 88% |
Mark Newton | 09/01/2018 reappointed 09/01/2022 | 4 yrs |
| Co-opted |
|
| 100% |
Adam Hickman | 18/09/2018 | 4 yrs |
| Co-opted |
|
| 88% |
Vacancy | Parent |
|
| n/a | |||
Julie Secker | 16/01/2019 | 4 yrs + 4 yrs |
| Staff |
|
| 75% |
Andi Arsenie | 03/05/2022 | 4 yrs |
| Parent |
|
| 100% |
Vacancy |
| 4 yrs |
| Co-opted |
|
|
|
Janine Dodds | 20/04/2020 | N/A |
| Headteacher |
|
| 50% |
Mary Cummins | 23/01/2009 | N/A |
| Clerk |
|
| 100% |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Ended | End date | ||||||
Adele Kershaw | 24/03/2020 | 4 yrs | 15.04.2023 | Co-opted |
|
| 43% |
Gemma O'Neill | 16/10/2018 | 4 yrs | 21/07/2022 | Parent |
|
| 71% |
Michelle Calloway | 14/10/2013 reappointed 14/10/2017 | 4 yrs | 13/10/2021 | Co-opted (staff) |
|
| n/a |
Summary of Business / Pecuniary Interests Register
For The Oaks Primary School Governing Board 2022-23
Name | Category of membership | Positions of responsibility | Term of office (start/end dates) | Date stepped down | Committees appointed to | Business Interests
| Attendance at GB meetings 2021/22 % |
Andi ARSENIE | PAR |
| 03/05/2022 02/05/2026 |
| Resources | None | 100 |
Mary CUMMINS | Clerk |
| 23/01/2009 n/a |
|
| Employed at The Oaks Primary as School Business Manager. GB clerking fees invoiced to school
| 100 |
Janine DODDS
| Headteacher |
| 20/04/2020 n/a |
| Resources L&A | None | 50 |
Catherine GRIFFITHS
| CG | CoG Chair Pay ctee | 22/03/2016 21/03/2024 |
| Resources Pay HT Perf Management | None | 92 |
Adam HICKMAN | CG | Chair L&A committee | 18/09/2018 17/09/2026 |
| L&A Pay | Deputy Head of Birmingham Music Service (supplying services to the school) Member NASUWT | 88 |
Adele KERSHAW
| CG | SEND | 24/03/2020 23/03/2024 |
| L&A | Teacher at COBS (supplying services to the school) | 43 |
Angela KING
| LA | Safeguarding | 14/07/2015 13/07/2023 |
| Resources HT Perf Management | Vice Chair of 2nd Generation of Barbadians & Friends | 88 |
Zoe MITCHINSON
| AS | Deputy Headteacher | 15/09/2020 n/a |
| Resources L&A | None | n/a |
Mark NEWTON
| CG | Chair Resources cttee Vice-CoG | 09/01/2018 08/01/2026 |
| Resources Pay | Director / Trustee of Dolland & Aitchison Pension Trustees Ltd
| 100 |
Sophie SYMINGTON
|
CG (staff) |
| 14/12/2021 13/12/2025 |
| L&A | None | 100 |
Julie SECKER
|
STF |
| 16/01/2019 15/01/2023 |
| Resources | None | 75 |
Rosalind VENABLES |
CG |
| 13/07/2021 12/07/2025 |
|
L&A | Voluntary team leader of Read Easy South West Volunteer for Shannon Trust @ HMP Birmingham Teach 1 day pw at Stoke Prior First School |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abbreviation | Governor category | Appointed by |
AS | Associate Member | Governing board |
CG | Co-opted | Governing board |
LA | Local authority | Governing board |
PAR | Parent | Elected or appointed by governing board |
STF | Staff | Elected |