Who are the Governors?

The Governing Body is made up of 10 people, drawn from different parts of the school community, to ensure that a sufficient diversity of views and experience is represented:

• Parent governors are selected by election and are drawn from parents and carers of pupils at the school.
• Staff governors are selected by election from teaching and support staff paid to work at the school.
• Local Authority governors are appointed by the governing body, following an application to become a school governor to the LA.
• Co-opted governors are appointed by the governing body because they have particular skills or experience.

Apart from the Head Teacher who will be a governor for as long as they are at the school, all other governors serve for a term of four years. A governor may serve for more than one term.

All of our volunteer governors are listed below. 

• Kate Watkins
  Chair of Governors & Safeguarding Governor
  Kate Watkins

  I joined the Governing Body in October 2018. I used to be a teacher and SENDCo in a large Secondary School, and currently work part-time as an Operations Manager for Churchcentral. I have two young children; my daughter is currently in Key Stage 2 at the Meadows, and my son started reception in September 2021. I became a governor to support the Meadows in ensuring all pupils enjoy school and reach their full potential.

  As Chair of Governors I am responsible for ensuring the Governing Body functions well as a team, and that we challenge, support and contribute to the strategic leadership of the school.

• Claire Craddock
  Sports Premium Link Governor
  Claire Craddock

  I have been on the Governing Body since 2014, initially as a parent governor, and then as a community governor. I am a Senior Leader in another primary school in the city, and have 2 children; one at Secondary school and one in Year 6 at the Meadows. I love being a governor because it gives me an opportunity to help shape the strategic direction of the Meadows and work to enable all children to achieve and succeed.

  As Vice Chair I work closely with the Chair to ensure we are as effective as possible.

• Matt Kirk
  Health and Safety Link Governor
  Matt Kirk

  I am a local business owner and have been a member of the Governing Body since early 2020. I have governor experience from another primary school where I chairs the resources committee and have been a member for two years. I have seven children and two grandchildren and have worked in primary schools and nurseries for the past 15 years so hold an extensive knowledge of schools.

• David Naughton
  Headteacher
  David Naughton

• Emily Farrell
  SEND, LAC and Resource Base Link Governor
  Emily Farrell

  I joined the Governing Body in autumn 2021, as parent governor. am a mom to two boys, one of which is currently at The Meadows and live in the outskirts of Northfield. I work as a primary school teacher at an inner-city school having experience teaching in EYFS and Key Stage 1. I trained to become a teacher specialising in Special Educational Needs. I am passionate about being a governor because I believe that every child deserves to be believed in and want to be a part of their journey to success. Â

• Chris Smith
  Training and Skills Governor
  Chris Smith

  I joined The Meadows in September 2021 as Year 4 Learning Lead & 4S Class Teacher. I am an enthusiastic, dedicated and passionate teacher and since beginning my teaching career in 2011, I have taught in 3 schools in Birmingham across Key Stage 1 & 2. I was elected onto the Governing as Staff Governor in February 2022. Being a Governor allows me to have a strategic insight into the running of our school and means that I can be involved in decisions that will help our children to develop, grow and succeed at The Meadows. I have a daughter, Isla, and enjoy playing & watching a range of sports including football, golf and darts.

• Anna Bateman
  Pupil Premium Governor and Wellbeing Link Governor
  Anna Bateman

  I joined the governing board in 2022. I am the founder of Halcyon Education, an organisation which puts mental health and well-being at the heart of school improvement. I have 27 years' education experience, as a governor, a Young Minds Academic Resilience Facilitator and have been on the advisory group for the Department for Education's Mental Health Green Paper. Most of my working week is spent actively advising primary and secondary school senior leads on improving mental health outcomes. I am motivated by the opportunity to create a resilient environment in which children and young people are empowered to grow both academically and personally, leaving a legacy for the next generation.

• Andy O'Connor
  Stakeholder Engagement Link Governor
  Andy O'Connor

  I joined the Governing Body in October 2022 after my daughter started at the school in the September.

  I became a governor to support with sharing the school's vision and ensuring that pupils, teachers, parents, and the local public can all thrive with Meadows at the centre of the community.

  Outside of being a Governor I have over a decade of experience in Internal Communications working with large organisations such as Barclays, Severn Trent and now Coventry Building to Society to help build, articulate, and refine their vision and strategy.

• James Muscat-Sharp
  James Muscat-Sharp

  I joined the Board as a co-opted governor in early 2023 and am excited to share my passion for education. I believe that every child deserves access to high-quality education. I have over a decade of experience in strategy and innovation roles at the University of Birmingham, which has helped me to develop skills and knowledge in areas such as finance, risk management, and data analysis. I am committed to using this experience to support the school to achieve its vision.

  I love to spend my free time cooking, watching films and visiting new places.

Previous Governors:

Rebecca Martin - Staff Governor  Term Ended: 02/11/2021

Cheryl Goode - Cheryl served the Governing Body as clerk for a number of years, until she sadly passed away in October 2021. She was incredibly hardworking and supportive and her work enabled the Governing Body to fulfil its role.