Welcome from the Chair of Governors
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to New Bradwell School on behalf of all the school Governors. As a Governing Body we are very proud of our children and the school community and we would like to thank all parents and staff for the support and encouragement they give. The links to the documents included on this page provide you with further information about who the school's governors are and what we do.
Since we are a part of The Grand Union Partnership trust, Governors at New Bradwell have a delegated responsibility for the performance of the school and are ultimately accountable to the Trust Board.
We meet as a body twice a term, as well as carrying out individual roles to support and challenge the school in achieving its ultimate aims. In conjunction with the Trustees, we determine the values and development of the school. Setting standards and policies, to support your child’s achievements. We provide strategic leadership along with robust accountability, oversight and assurance for educational and financial performance of the school. We are passionate about ensuring our children receive the best possible education available.
It is a privilege to be the Chair of Governors at New Bradwell School and to lead an experienced team who work hard to share their expertise to guide the school forward. Governors are in attendance at most school events, so look out for us and please come and have a chat. Otherwise, do not hesitate to contact me through the school office or by email (admin@newbradwellschool.org.uk).
We are very proud of what the school achieves. Together with Mr Gray and all the staff, we are committed to ensuring that New Bradwell remains a very special place to learn, which is full of creative, innovative and engaging learning opportunities that encourage pupils to become inquisitive, confident, life-long learners.
Carl Swart
Chair of Governors
Overview of Governance
New Bradwell Primary School is part of the Grand Union Partnership Multi Academy Trust. Each school within the Trust has its own Local Academy Committee with a constitution of 10 Governors which includes two parent governors, one staff governor and the Headteacher.
Effective Governance at any level in a Multi Academy Trust has a focus on:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
- Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff.
- Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.
The Local Academy Committee has a strategic role to provide support and challenge to the operational management of the school by the Headteacher and represents the interests of the local community.
Governors at New Bradwell meet twice a term and use these meetings to oversee and monitor school improvement and financial health and providing constructive challenge to school leaders. Governors visit the school regularly to monitor school improvement and the progress that the school is making and to gain assurance that the school is fulfilling its key statutory duties.
Since the school is part of the Grand Union Partnership Multi Academy Trust, governor responsibilities are delegated to them by the Trust Board. Please use the link below to see the Scheme of Delegation the trust adopts:
Grand Union Partnership Multi Academy Trust Governance
All Trustee and Governor roles are voluntary, and we are very grateful for the significant commitment that all of the people involved make at every level of governance across the trust.
If you would like to find out more about any of these roles, we would be delighted to talk with you, please contact Phil Webster in the first instance.
Statutory information
- New Bradwell Primary School constitution
- New Bradwell School Register of Interests 2022-2023
- New Bradwell School Register of Interests 2023-2024
- New Bradwell School Register of Interests 2024-2025
Local Academy Committee meeting attendance registers:
New Bradwell governors, their roles and terms of office are shown below:
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Carl Swart |
Chair |
01/09/2019 – 31/08/2027 |
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Carl has been a governor at New Bradwell School since September 2019 and both of his children attend the school. Carl has been running his own companies for more than 22 years and is actively involved in their daily running. He hopes that his private sector business experience will add to the New Bradwell School governing board. As governor Carl wants to do as much as he can to help children achieve the best they can be and hopes that in some way he will be able to positively contribute to their futures. |
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Felicity Robertson |
Trust Governor |
20/09/2017 – 19/09/2025 |
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James Foulger |
Parent Governor |
01/01/2023 – 31/12/2026 |
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James has a son in Year 2 and his daughter graduated from the school in 2017, this gives him a close understanding of the local community and how the school has developed in the last nine years. For over 10 years James has worked as a senior fraud investigator for a major retail bank and within that role he is responsible for balancing the needs of individuals against the needs of the organisation; whilst also ensuring that legislation is complied with at all times. The role comes with an expected level of professional impartiality to speak freely and drive for the best and fairest judgements. James is skilled in people management and performance monitoring and his role has given him valuable experience of both interviewing and then training new employees to the highest possible level. James has worked with several professional bodies, including the police and ombudsman service and he brings all of these skills to support the school as a governor. |
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Rebecca Beevor |
Trust Governor |
01/09/2017 – 31/08/2025 |
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Rebecca has been a governor for nearly five years and has worked in education for nearly 20 years, including teacher education, researcher and practitioner. She brings a variety of different skills and experiences to the school to help ensure it keeps moving forward. Rebecca enjoys being involved in curriculum developments and implementing how they work in practice. |
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Sebastian Gray |
Headteacher |
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Shalain Sames |
Trust Governor |
01/01/2023 – 31/12/2026 |
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Shalain was born in South Africa and moved to England shortly after her 18th Birthday. She has had a variety of roles during her career with her last two positions being in labour management and payroll for Amazon. Within these roles Shalain managed the employment and contracting of 2500 people over the peak period and worked with operations staff to fulfil demand. She has worked extensively in operational roles including payroll, corporate accounts and ensuring product delivery. She has also project managed the renovation and resale of a number of houses. Shalain and her family relocated to Germany during COVID where she learned to speak German and which she continues to improve now she’s back in the UK. She decided not to return to the corporate world and has recently adopted a rescue puppy, has a small flock of chickens and two allotments. Shalain offers her support and skills to the school in whatever capacity they are needed. |
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Steven Jackman |
Trust Governor |
01/09/2021 – 31/08/2025 |
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Part of the local Governing body since September 2021, Steven is passionate about child development at all ages and levels. He is a qualified Secondary PE Teacher and qualified football coach (UEFA B) but had to give up all sport due to a brain disease MS. However, still keen on child development he now oversees the strategic management of mental health and wellbeing and the Foundation stage within New Bradwell Primary School, and is the welfare Officer at AFC Dunstable. |
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Syed Qaiser Ahmed |
Parent Governor | 22/10/2021 – 31/10/2025 |
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Syed has more than 25 years of finance and strategy experience in diverse sectors in multinational organisations, including Big Four accounting, hospitality and telecommunications. He has worked extensively with senior executives and boards in reviewing, developing and implementing financial and business strategies from start-up, growth and maturity. He has worked in the UK, the UAE and in emerging markets in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Syed enjoys running in his spare time and his two sons currently attend New Bradwell. |
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Tony Wong |
Staff Governor | 19/12/2023 - 18/12/2027 |
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Tony has been teaching at New Bradwell School since the Autumn term of 2014. He started out as a long term supply teacher in Year 3, before officially being on the New Bradwell School team in the Spring of 2015. During his time in New Bradwell, he has worked in all year groups in Key Stage 2 and is currently teaching in Year 6 at the school. As staff governor, Tony hopes his experience can help further facilitate the excellent care and learning that is already provided in the school. |
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