Governance
The Governing Body at Birchwood Community High School plays a key role in setting the strategic direction of the school and ensuring high standards for all students.
Working closely with the Headteacher and senior leadership team, Governors provide both support and challenge to ensure the school continues to improve and deliver the best possible outcomes.
Meet our Governors
Colin Burrows
Chair
Community Governor Member
Term: 1 Sept 2023 – 31 August 2026
Alison Fisher
Vice Chair
Link: Safeguarding
Term: 15 May 2024 – 12 May 2028
Gabriel Caldwell
Co-opted Governor
Link: Pupil Premium
Term: 1Sept 2023 – 31 August 2026
Stuart Nixon
Community Governor
Link: SEND
Term: 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2028
Andrew Cameron
Governor
Term: 30 Sept 2024 – 29 September 2028
Anna Parker
Governor
Term: 30 Sept 2024 – 29 September 2028
Cartson Kressel
Clerk to Governors
Emma Mills
Ex-Officio Governor
Headteacher
Governors who have left in the last 12 months
Nicola Winstanley | Co-opted Governor | Term: 1 Sept 2023 – 31 August 2026
Role of the Governing Body
The Governing Body is responsible for:
- Setting the school’s vision, ethos, and strategic priorities
- Monitoring and evaluating the quality of education and student outcomes
- Ensuring effective use of financial resources
- Holding school leaders to account for performance, safeguarding, and overall effectiveness
Governors are committed to the life of the school and demonstrate this through regular attendance at meetings, school visits, and events.
Key Responsibilities
The Governing Body ensures:
- Statutory compliance, including safeguarding, SEND provision, health and safety, and policy oversight
- Strategic monitoring of pupil progress, behaviour, attendance, staffing, and finance
- Accountability and transparency, including oversight of complaints and use of school performance data
- Ongoing support and challenge to drive continuous improvement
Birchwood Community High School is proud to be part of The One Community Trust.
The Trust is led by the Chief Executive Officer, Gary Cunningham, and governed by a Board of Trustees who are responsible for the overall strategic direction, performance, and accountability of all schools within the Trust.
The Trust works in partnership with each school’s Local Governing Body, including Birchwood Community High School, to ensure strong leadership, shared values, and high-quality education across all settings.
For further information about The One Community Trust governance structure, please visit their website.
Transparency & Meetings
Governors meetings, conflict declarations and policy documents are published here to ensure openness. For details of The One Community Trust Governance click here.
