Governance
Trustees
The Role of Trustees
Trustees are strategic leaders of the school. Their purpose is to conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational acheivement at the school for all pupils.
Strong focus on 3 core strategic functions:
a) Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
b) Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils; and the performance management of staff.
c) Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Mr Chris Smith, Headteacher 01/09/2017 - Current Ex Officio
I was appointed to the role of Headteacher in September 2017, having previously been the Head of School. I joined the school in 1998 as a Newly Qualified Teacher and I have been promoted internally over the years. My previous roles have included Key Stage 4 Coordinator in Science, Head of Biology, Assistant Timetabler, Assistant Head of Science, Director of Learning, Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher. As a senior leader I have been responsible for Teaching & Learning, Assessment, Curriculum and Raising Standards at Key Stage 4. I am extremely proud to be the Headteacher of South Bromsgrove High and I am fully committed to getting the best possible outcomes for all of our students. Email: Head@southbromsgrove.worcs.sch.uk
Mrs Alyson Jewson, Chair of Trustees & Members 13/09/06 - 13/09/22
Anyone who hears my voice will know I am not from “round ere”. I moved to Bromsgrove from Yorkshire in 1986 and have kept my accent! I have 2 children and both had an excellent education at South Bromsgrove High School. I was Chair of the PTA when Mr Baker was Head Teacher and became a Parent Trustee when Mr McTague was Head. After 4 years I was co-opted onto the Trustees Body and nearly 15 years later I am still here… Last year it was a privilege to be appointed the Chair of a group of very hardworking and dedicated people. It is a daunting task to have so much responsibility but I am very fortunate to have an excellent Vice Chair to help and support me. I have had several jobs over the years but the first 26 years were in banking. I wish I could now say I am a “lady of leisure” or a “lady that lunches” but most of my lunches are in school when interviewing! We have a wonderful and very successful school and I will do everything in my power to ensure we remain so. Email: Companysecretary@southbromsgrove.worcs.sch.uk
Mr Rob Steenton, Trustee & Member 05/10/08 - 04/10/24
I have been a resident of Bromsgrove since 1985, my daughter started her higher education at South in 2003 and I immediately joined the PTA and shortly afterwards the governing body. I have been a governor at South since 2004, in 2006 I became Chair of resources and in 2016 became Vice Chair of the governing body. I was previously from South Birmingham: I started work at ‘the Austin’ in Longbridge as an apprentice, so my roots are firmly planted in the local area. I’m a trained mechanical engineer, the latter parts of my career being in programme management leading multi-million pound programmes within the automotive industry. My skills and experience such as leading teams, project planning, budgeting, resource planning, establishing policies and procedures are put to good use within the trustees body. They allow me influence and challenge some of the academy’s key performance measures enabling us to retain our outstanding performance.
Mrs Davinder Matharu, Member 11/10/08 - 21/09/24
I have lived in Bromsgrove for 29 years having moved from London - a complete contrast in environment (all for the best!). I have been a governor in all the phases of school in Bromsgrove- First, Middle and High for 17 years, having put my 3 children through all those schools. I have been at SBHS for 16 of those 17 and followed it through different heads and new buildings! I have always been on panels connected with curriculum and performance and it is what I know most about. These panels allow me to contribute to matters unconnected with my day to day life. I am a Chartered accountant by profession and have my own practice in the rural surroundings of Stockwood complete with our own sheep! Indeed – a work experience young person from SBHS commented on the school forum that her best moment of the week she spent with us was feeding the sheep digestives each day (pampered sheep!) SBHS is a great school to be a governor of, it is ever evolving and being a trustee allows me to give something back to the community in which I live.
Mr Tony Watson, Member 11/10/08 - 21/09/24
I’ve been living in Bromsgrove for the last 16 years and have been a Trustee at South for 13 of them, starting as a Parent Trustee and transferring over to a Community Trustee after my second child completed her time at the school. I had the privilege to be involved in the transfer over into the new school building in 2008 and the conversion into an Academy in 2013 during my time as Vice Chairman. My professional managerial experience in the energy sector has been useful in my role as governor and has enabled me to contribute fully to various staff recruitment activities undertaken by the Academy.
Mr Stephen Ellis, Trustee 14/11/12 - 21/11/24
I have been a Trustee at South since 2012 and Chair of the Resources Committee since 2016. I am married with 3 sons and whilst one of them has now left, two of them still attend South. I am a career banker with over 25 years experience in the sector. My knowledge enables me to contribute to the trustees body with regards to areas such as financial oversight, risk analysis, property issues, recruitment and HR. Previous experience as Chair of Trustees at a local First School has been useful in respect of my role at South too.
Mrs Pam Taylor, Trustee 01/09/18 - 31/08/22
Recently retired, South has played a hugely enjoyable part in most of my adult life. I arrived in September 1990 as Deputy Head with responsibility for curriculum and timetabling, and never left! My role has evolved over 28 years, more recently encompassing teaching and learning, together with heading up the Teaching School. I have loved coming to school every single day and only agreed to retire on condition that I could retain my link with South as trustee with links to Teaching School, teaching and learning, and Careers. This is a unique school. Its USP is that it places equal importance on investing in every student with regard to extra-curricular activities as well as academic achievement. Consequently, South is a very happy school where students and staff respect each other, go the extra mile and have lots of fun along the way.
Mr Chris Bovey, Member 20/06/18 - 19/06/22
I have been a resident of Bromsgrove since 1982. I am married with 2 grown up children, both of whom attended South Bromsgrove. In the past I have been a governor at St Johns Middle School and also at South as a parent trustee. I am a retired solicitor, being a former partner based in the Bromsgrove office of mfg where for some time I was a member of the Education Law Association. Being retired I am involved in various community matters including Artrix and Citizens Advice.
Mr Darren Hill, Trustee 23/09/19 - 22/09/23
I have been a member of teaching staff at South now for nearly twenty years and have returned as staff trustee having served for two terms previously. My subject specialism is mathematics and I teach across all levels and age ranges. I hold additional extra-curricular responsibilities within the House system and Duke of Edinburgh Award. I have held the position of Head of Vernon House for twelve years and have more recently taken on the additional role of Senior House Leader which means I look after the day to day running of the House Championship and the final day “winner takes all” assembly. I am also the overall expedition leader for the Gold section of the DofE Award which means that typically I have responsibility of around 160-180 sixth form students across our practice and assessed cohorts. I am an active member of our Staff Association where I have held the role of treasurer for over fifteen years. Outside of South I’m kept busy by my two brilliant children, Austin and Molly and have a passion for the outdoors, whether it be hiking in Wales or snowboarding on our school tours.
Mrs Kerry Jones, Trustee 20/01/21 - 20/01/25
I am delighted to be a Parent Trustee at South Bromsgrove High. My daughter attends SBHS and my son is a future pupil, this is a huge motivator for me. I am a qualified Mental Health Nurse working in the NHS and am committed to using my skills and knowledge to enhance the emotional health and wellbeing of the whole school community. I am passionate about enabling young people to reach their full potential and successfully grow into responsible and caring individuals. I am really looking forward to working within the school community.
Mr Phil Beaumont, Trustee 31/03/21 - 31/03/25
I have been involved with the school for many years – our daughter studied at South before going on to University, and our son is currently in year11. I was previously a parent governor at Charford First School so I fully understand the complexities of the role. In terms of other attributes, I am a qualified accountant and have worked in both the public and private sectors, including as Finance Director of an NHS Trust.
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