Our Governing Board

Introduction

Governors are responsible for overseeing the management side of a school: strategy, policy, budgeting and staffing. They enable their school to run as effectively as possible, working alongside senior leaders and supporting teachers to provide excellent education to children. Governors should be:

  • prepared and equipped to take their responsibilities seriously
  • acknowledged as the accountable body
  • supported by the appropriate authority (Reading Borough Council) in their task.

 

Governing bodies have considerable freedom regarding the delegation of work to committees or individuals and at Norcot we have three committees:

 

  • Full Governing Board
  • Finance & Premises
  • Curriculum and Personnel

 

We carefully consider the tasks to be undertaken before making decisions on the delegation of responsibilities and we keep their working practices under review. The various committees meet at least once a term.

 

Governors are not asked to be, nor should they be, involved in day to day management, although they are able to and do monitor the work of the school. The Governing Body concentrates on matters relating to strategy and school effectiveness by:

 

  • setting suitable aims and objectives
  • agreeing policies, targets and priorities
  • monitoring and renewing the above, ensuring that the policies, targets and priorities are being achieved.

 

OFSTED, during their inspections, expect to see evidence that the role of the Governing Body is being fulfilled.



Meet our Governors

Jo Hilbourne 

Co-chair of Governors  

Local Authority 

Governor  

Safeguarding Governor                                                                                        


I feel I can make a positive, committed contribution to the continuing success of Norcot Early Years Centre. I am a parent of a child who requires some additional support and I feel I could advocate for parents of neurodiverse children. Prior to becoming a parent, I worked many years in Healthcare governance roles, so I have knowledge and experience as well as ensuring compliance with Heathcare regulators regulations (similar to Ofsted). I live locally and my youngest child attends Waterside day care.

Daniel Hilbourne 

Co-chair of Governors

Health & Safety Governor


Both of my children have attended Norcot, I have seen how the environment and support from the Centre has helped them grow. I have worked in health & safety for many years, working in regulation, energy, facilities, education and pharmaceuticals. The skills that I have developed in my professional life and my practical experience of raising children give me good insight into the challenges in early years.

I believe it is very important that we all learn about risks and effective tools to manage them. As a parent governor, I will support Norcot in providing a safe and healthly environment throught the Centre, and help to create a culture where risks are indentified, discussed and managed effectively.

Karen Lane-Standley 

Parent Governor 


I am mum to Noah in Waterside. Like all parents I want to ensure that we do the very best for our children and I consider it a privilege to be accepted as a parent governor. I want to give something back and help to build on the Norcot values where each child is given the opportunity to shine regardless of their ability and status. I will continue to be involved in making decisions based on every child's environment and to strengthen the ethos where not only the child but the whole family is at the core of everything that Norcot stands for.

                                                                                                                                                                




 

Claire Brecke-Bryce 

Co-opted Governor  

SENDCo and Inclusion Governor                                                                                                                                                                     


My name is Claire, my eldest son attended Meadowside and has started school. My younger son has started nursery school September 2022. Prior to having my children, I worked as an early years teacher and I have worked in education, in various roles, for the past 15 years.  I am passionate about children's early education, well-being and outside learning. I believe my background in education and my experiences as a parent will enable me to support the great work already done by staff and governors and to act as a critical friend to challenge when necessary.


 

Ian Amos 

Parent Governor                                                                                            


I am keen to give back to the community by offering my time as a parent governor. My daughter greatly enjoys her time at the Centre, and I would like to support the Nursery and its staff. I hope my background across different professional settings will prove useful to the ongoing governing of the Centre.

Bethan Beazley 

Co-opted from staff Governor                                                                              


In my role as admin assistant, I can see that Norcot excels in providing an important role in the social, communication and academic development of children.            


As a parent of a disabled SEN child (who attended Waterside Day Care), I feel passionately about making sure the needs of SEN children are met, of inclusivity to all and of the support network needed for SEN parents. Norcot is excellent at treating every child as an individual, allowing SEN children access to the curriculum in a safe and interesting way in line with their needs and giving them access to activities that may be denied to them elsewhere.


My previous work experience includes Health & Safety, Purchasing, Facilities, ISO auditing and project management.