Mark Rutherford School

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Governors Pecuniary Interests 2020 21

Governors Pecuniary Interests 2019 20

School Governors

Listed below are the school governors along with a short introduction. If there is any further information you require, please contact us at the school using the school e-mail address, or postal address. Our preferred method is via e-mail. Please indicate the business you wish to take up with the Governors and mark your e-mail or letter with “FAO The Governors of Mark Rutherford School”. It is important that you also leave us a point of contact so that we can respond to your enquiry. The Governing Body will respond within 48 hours of receipt of your enquiry.

Joseph Campbell - Chair of Governors, Co-opted Governor

I have been a governor at Mark Rutherford since October 2015. I am a fully qualified accountant and have worked within the public sector for over 11 years. I have a wide range of experience across the key areas of public finance including management & financial accounting and auditing.

I previously attended Mark Rutherford as a student where I completed my GCSEs and A-levels. Subsequent to this I went to university where I obtained a degree in finance and accounting.
I currently live within the catchment area for Mark Rutherford.

Sub committees: Discipline, Personnel
Link Governor

John Marsh - Academy Trust Appointed Member, Finance

I have wide experience of education and business holding Masters degrees in Industrial Metallurgy & Management Techniques and Information Systems Engineering. I am a retired Business Analyst, formerly specialising in Engineering & Manufacturing Systems, and have worked for CSC Computer Sciences Ltd, BAE Systems, Davy-Loewy & the Ford Motor Company. I also have experience of local government having been a member of Bedford Borough Council for 18 years.

I joined the Governing body about 30 year's ago when my daughter was at the School. I have been a governor at local Lower, Middle and Upper Schools.

Sub committees: Finance (Chair), Discipline
Link Governor

Warwick Browning - Community Governor, Responsible Officer

Whilst now semi-retired, I spent 40+ years working for a large High Street Bank, in Personal. Business and Commercial senior management roles. I bring this experience in running businesses within the bank to my role as responsible officer for the Board of Governors. I have worked part time for a Community Foundation since finishing work and also bring learning's from that role in to this position. I have worked in and around Bedford for a substantial amount of my working life so am well versed in business connections in the area as well as the school itself. I am a keen runner ( member of Ampthill and Flitwick Flyers), as well as scuba diving, cycling and other sports. I am a keen follower of Luton Town FC and a member of Bunyan Meeting Free church.

Having been initially involved with the school through the mentoring scheme, I feel privileged to be part of the progressive and caring school.

Sub committees: Finance

Daniel Koch - Community Governor

Education & Professional Background

I am currently the Senior Deputy Head (Vice Master) at Bedford School. I grew up in New York in the United States and studied History and French as an undergraduate at the State University of New York on a Presidential Scholarship. I moved to the UK permanently in 2003 and studied for a Master’s degree at the University of Oxford, and then completed a Ph.D. (D.Phil.) in History in 2008. At Oxford I rowed for my college (Christ Church) and also began teaching at Rye St Antony School while completing my degree. After Oxford, I moved to Worth School in West Sussex, where I served as Head of History and Deputy Head of Sixth Form, and as a Resident Tutor in a boarding house. I then worked as Head of Sixth Form at South Hampstead High School in London. At Bedford School, I lead the school’s pastoral and extra-curricular programme. In my spare time, I enjoy running, cycling and studying languages. I continue to keep up with academic work in my spare time. I published a book, Ralph Waldo Emerson in Europe: Race, Class and Revolution in the Making of an American Thinker, in 2012 and contributed to Cambridge University Press’s Emerson in Context. I live with my wife, Laura, and son, Samuel.

Reason for wanting to become a governor
Since moving to Bedford in 2016, we have very quickly come to love the town and I am keen to give something back to the wider community. I am particularly keen to work with Mark Rutherford School due to the partnership that exists between our schools, which I would like very much to continue strengthening. I work very closely with governors in my role, and admire their dedication and willingness to give up their time for the good of the school. I understand the role of the governor as a ‘critical friend’ to the school who can help the school to develop its strategy and fulfil its vision. With my experience in education – including positions of significant academic and pastoral responsibility – I feel that I could contribute well to the governance of the school.

Sub committees: Finance
Link Governor

Paula Page - Community Governor

I have two children who attend Mark Rutherford - my daughter is in Year 11 and my son is in Year 7. I also attended Mark Rutherford Sixth Form and then went on to study HND Computer Studies in West London and completed my BA (Hons) Business Economics degree at the University of East London.

After working in the private sector for over sixteen years, I moved into Higher Education and have worked at the University of Bedfordshire since 2011. I work within the Access and Outreach Team who engage with schools and colleges across Bedfordshire and neighbouring counties. I additional manage externally funded projects where local schools are the primary beneficiary.

I have a strong interest in the development of all young people, regardless of their backgrounds and abilities. I hope that being a parent of children at the school combined with my profession insight, I will be able to support the positive work that the school is already doing with its students, staff and within the local community.

Sub committees: Curriculum

Katrina Grant - Community Governor

I joined Mark Rutherford school as a governor in the Autumn of 2018, where my daughter is currently in year 7. We are not originally from the Bedford area but have happily made it our home.

I have worked for many years in the hospitality industry and also have a degree in midwifery and qualifications in illustration. I currently work with my partner across our 5 restaurants in Hertfordshire. Sustainability is a strong interest of ours and was applied in my job with the NHS and now in our business.

This is my first time as a governor and I wish to use this opportunity to support the school and educate myself further.

Sub committees: Finance

Andy Hare - Community Governor

I am an Incorporated Member of the Chartered Institute of Building. I work for a construction company in Stevenage as Commercial Director. I currently manage Riverfield Reds Saturday Football Youth Team. I am a Bible believing Christian and Active member of Providence Baptist Chapel teaching in the Sunday School and am the deputy child welfare officer. I am Married with five children and two grandchildren. Four have been through the school achieving good A level grades at this school and gone onto study their chosen subjects at university. My Youngest son in year 9. I became a governor in December 2019 with the hope to contribute towards school life.

Sub committee: Finance

Stephanie Field - Parent Governor

I am a mum of two children at Mark Rutherford, one in year 9 and one in year 11.

I have over 8 years’ experience as a Governor at Goldington Green Academy and Goldington Academy, holding various roles including:

Class link Governor
Vice Chair of staffing
Vice Chair of Academic Standards
Special Educational and English as an Additional Language Governor.

I have attended over 20 Governor training events and feel that I have a wide level of experience and knowledge that I could bring to the role.

It is always a privilege to contribute to the successful and happy life of any child.

Arlene Rust - Parent Governor

As a mother of two children attending Mark Rutherford School I want to make a positive contribution to the school.

Having completed a PhD in mathematics at Imperial College, I have continued an active interest and maths and science and want to instil the joy and benefit of these subjects in children.

Professionally I have over 20 years of experience within Financial Services and have held senior management positions in a range of companies in this sector.

I believe that my academic and professional background provide the skills required to ensure that effective aims and objectives are set, measured and exceeded.

Sub committees: Personnel, Curriculum
Link Governor

Nicole Stout - Parent Governor

I joined as a school governor in autumn 2018, shortly after my son started at the school in year 7. We moved to Bedford in 2009 specifically for the schooling available, and have been very pleased with our decision.

I am a civil servant with over twenty years experience in tax- specialising in VAT and International Trade. I have been a Chartered Tax Advisor, and am currently undertaking an apprenticeship in Leadership and Management, having moved to this side of the business in the last few years. My particular interests in education are financial education (everyone should be able to know if they are paying the right amount of tax!) and expressive arts. I believe all children should have ready access to drama and music if they wish to participate.

Sub committees: Personnel (Chair)

John Warehand - Parent Governor

I am a 'new parent' at Mark Rutherford School, with a son who started Year 7 in September 2019. My background is in communications: I have 25 years' experience of leading PR & communications programmes, mostly for technology companies and currently including a STEM focus in the aerospace sector. I also regularly attend and chair joint government-industry committees to review communications policies and coordinate activity. Outside of work, I am a Level 1 coach and team manager for Bedford Junior Blues U12s; I am now into my seventh year of rugby coaching. And I have previously been a Foundation Governor at a Bedford primary school, so have experience of contributing to a Governing Body. I'm looking forward to working with the rest of the governors and the senior leadership team to ensure that students at Mark Rutherford School have a rewarding academic and pastoral experience throughout their school life.

Sub committees: Personnel

Ian Simpson - Co-opted Governor

I joined the Governing Body in December 2016 as I was keen to make a contribution to the local education service which has served my own children so well. I have one child currently attending Mark Rutherford and one who has just left the school's sixth form for University and both my wife and I have seen first hand the excellent learning experience that the school provides. I am a Chartered Accountant who has worked in Higher Education since 2005 having previously spent 13 years in Local Government at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes with half of that time being spent working in the Education Department. As well as being on the Governing Body I am also on the Finance, Property, Health and Safety and Audit Committee of the school.

Sub committees: Finance

Alasdair Maclennan – Staff Governor

I joined Mark Rutherford School in January 2008 as a newly qualified teacher and have thus far enjoyed seeing the school going from strength to strength.
My responsibility for teaching lies within the Travel & Tourism/Business areas which are two subjects that have grown to be very successful in my time.
I came into teaching at the age of 28 having spent my previous career as an outdoor pursuits instructor, a job which meant that I had a very nomadic existence having lived in places such as the Lake District, Northumberland, Shropshire, Somerset and parts of France before settling in Bedford. I am still an active climber and keen walker but enjoy many forms of different activities.
I have always been keen to get involved within the nuts and bolts of the running the school having previously been in charge of finances, Chair for the schools staff association, and a staff rep for the Health & Safety team. It is refreshing that as the staff governor I now get to be part of Curriculum committee decision making process.

Sub committees: Curriculum

Bob Barker – Staff Governor

I joined Mark Rutherford School in 2016, to motivate and inspire disadvantaged students to do their best and succeed, a role which I passionately enjoy.

Prior to Mark Rutherford school I have worked in schools as both teaching and support staff and I’ve also worked in business for a multi-national educational software company.

Having recently completed a Masters in leadership and management, I’m keen to bring my knowledge, skills and experience to the governing body to support their decision making.

Sub committees: Finance

Michelle Bye-Gannon - Clerk to Governors

I joined Mark Rutherford as an English teacher in September 2017 having previously taught in a local disadvantaged secondary school; my previous career was based in PR and Marketing, which enabled me to secure a Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) award. I am a fully qualified Clerk that has worked within this sector since 2010. Currently, I am an Examiner for AQA English Literature and enjoy transferring these core skills to the classroom in order to empower my students within their examinations. I completed a Masters in English, focusing my dissertation on the representations of disability within children's literature over time, and have commenced my PhD research degree on male gender identity and autonomy. In my own time I am a keen horse rider, avid motorsport follower and travel enthusiast.

Mark Rutherford School
Wentworth Drive, Bedford, Bedfordshire Mk41 8PX
Telephone 01234 290200 : Fax 01234 290236 : Email: mark.rutherford@mrus.co.uk