Governance

Governors

Ian Watson (Chair of Governors)

Margaret McShane (Vice Chair of Governors)

Julie Hodgson (Headteacher)

Gill Rogers (Staff Governor)

Miranda Darbyshire (Parent Governor)

Michelle Johnson (Trust Governor)

Sonia Phillips (Trust Governor)

Carly Woodall (Staff Governor)

Shelley O'Connell (Parent Governor)

Ricky Tarbuck (Co-opted Governor)

Victoria Baker (Trust Governor)

If you wish to contact the School Governors please email office@brooklands.school and we will forward this to the Chair of Governors.

Governance Documents

Register of Interests Documents

Whole School Equality Principles

Governor Profiles

Ian Watson – Chair
I became Chair of Brooklands Governing Board in November 2022. I have been a governor at Brooklands for the past five years, first as a parent governor and then as a community governor. Previously I have been a parent governor and Chair of Governors at a local lower school. I strongly believe in the importance of our school being a safe, welcoming environment that enables every student to learn.

My work background has encompassed both the public and private business sectors, as well as a wealth of experience in the voluntary sector. In my spare time, I very much enjoy stand up paddleboarding and researching naval history.

Margaret McShane – Vice Chair
I have been a governor at Brooklands for 14 Years. Initially as a parent governor now as a community governor. My Daughter attended Brooklands and this year graduated from University and is working as a Family support worker in a prison.

My Daughter loved her time at Brooklands, and being a part of the governing body is my way of giving back. I believe the governing body supports Brooklands to ensure that every child, regardless of ability or needs, has an equal chance to progress and find their strengths and that they feel safe and happy in school. I also believe that the governing body supports the well-being of teachers and school staff too. I come into school once a week to read with the children. This I enjoy very much.

I have spent most of my working life with the Ministry of Defence in uniform and as a civilian and now work for a family support charity. I also volunteered with Beaver Scouts for many years.

In my spare time I enjoy walking my Golden Retriever. I also belong to a local canoe camp; kayak club.

Miranda Darbyshire
I am Miranda, and I have been a parent governor at Brooklands Middle School since autumn 2021. I have two daughters at the school, in year 6, and in year 8. My background is in education.

Over my career I have had strategic oversight of early years, school admissions, school place planning, and home to school transport. More recently I have been involved in a range of transformation projects, including the roll out of a holiday activity programme, to provide children and young people access to engaging and enriching activities, during the school holidays.

I wanted to become a governor to make the most of my skills and knowledge, and to ensure that our children get the opportunity to be the best they can be.

Sonia Phillips
I became a Parent Governor in 2018. I have worked in education in for many years, including the role of LSA, TA, Art Teacher and Head of Year. In 2015, I became an Independent Support Worker to help parents and carers who have a child with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) through the 20-week process of an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP), also supporting families who access SEN Support in schools.

Within a year, I had joined SNAP Parent Carer Forum, who work alongside Central Bedfordshire, Clinical Commissioning Group and Social Care to improve the services for families who have a child/children with SEND. The strategic role encompassed; engagement with families to understand their experience and then to feed this information to the service providers; helping to shape the delivery, effectiveness and most importantly, improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND in Central Bedfordshire.

Through this role, I learned the true importance of coproduction (everyone around the table as equals, working together for a shared improved outcome).

Michelle Johnson
I have been a governor at Brooklands since 2018 starting as a parent governor, moving to a trust governor and thoroughly enjoy my role. I have experience of working as part of committees as a chair or designated officer, predominantly in the early years sector.

I have followed Brooklands progress since moving to the area some 22 years ago and am proud to be part of the governing board. Brooklands school statement High Achievement, High expectation; can be seen in how the staff work with students to help them to achieve their best.

My day to day role supports the early years and childcare sector that focuses on supporting children to be school ready by reception. It is good for me to see the impact of early years support at middle school level in my governing role here and how the governing board can support Brooklands help prepare students for their future learning.

I am a governor for another local school and in my free time very much enjoy spending time with my children and their partners. I am a very proud Nan to two wonderful granddaughters who keep me on my toes.

Shelley O'Connell

I am Shelley. I have been an Ofsted Childminder for 7 years and have worked with children in all different settings for 20 years. I have a passion for Safeguarding and emotional wellbeing and I'm often studying short courses to extend my knowledge in this sector. I am a mum of 4 children ages ranging from 4 years old to 16 years old and I have lived in Leighton Buzzard for 17 years.

I became appointed as a Parent Governor in October 2023 and I look forward to supporting Brooklands to ensure it is a safe, welcoming environment for the students and staff to thrive in.

Carly Woodall

I'm Carly. Firstly, I'm a mum to three children; Milly, 18, Sonny, 16 (Brooklands alumni) and Bowie who's 5.

I came late to teaching in 2012 after some important time at home as a stay-at-home-mum, and a successful career in retail management for The Body Shop, skin and hair care products.

I've worked at Brooklands School since September 2021 as the Director of Language and Communication with teaching responsibility for Oxbridge students in our brilliant Intervention classroom, now I am Assistant headteacher for Quality of Education.

I'm passionate about supporting struggling and vulnerable learners and have specific expertise in delivering phonics to older students.

I'm also an RE specialist teacher as my previous school was VA church school. Currently, I'm an NPQSL candidate and my specific focus is School Culture.

In my spare time I love to read and often have 20 or so books on the go at once. I also love holidays, coffee, coffee on holiday, dungarees and Converse - in that order.

Gill Rogers

I currently teach mathematics and computing at Brooklands and am a staff governor, having joined the board in October 2023. I previously served as a staff governor at Tring School and have a keen interest in increasing the representation of women and girls in STEM subjects and increasing passion for mathematics.

Prior to joining teaching in 2014 I was a police officer for eleven years and owned my own sports retail and manufacturing business. I enjoy reading, netball and travel when I am not in the classroom.

Ricky Tarbuck

I became a co-opted governor in 2024 after looking for another voluntary role which would get me more involved with the local community. Brooklands school was an ideal opportunity as I know children that have attended the school and I’m very local.

I have vast experience working as a senior manager within airline operations, commercial and people management. I have gained many skills over the years, which will stand me in good stead to assist the governing board with strategic oversight of the school.

I have also served in the Royal Air Force, which gave me many life skills. As well as volunteering at Brooklands, I am also a volunteer at Whipsnade zoo where I’m helping to restore the white lion monument and a visitor guide. In my spare time, I love the outdoor life and you’ll find me away in my campervan enjoying nature as often as I can.

Vicky Baker

I became a co-opted Governor in May 2024. I have both a passion and a career in education having studied English and Education at university before becoming a primary teacher and English leader.

Since 2018, I have worked for the National Literacy Trust, championing best practice for Literacy teaching in schools across the UK. I now lead the charity's writing programmes in schools, which sees me working with a whole range of authors, poets and storytellers to bring the excitement and joy of writing to children and young people.

But, my other passion is also reading. I completed an MA in Children’s Literature in 2017, where my claim to fame is being tutored by Michael Rosen. And now, I'm often found in Leighton Buzzard library sharing stories with my 4-year-old!

Governance

Governors

Governance Documents

Register of Interests Documents

Governing Body Committee

Governing Body Accounts

Governing Body Attendance Registers

Funding and Legal Requirements

Whole School Equality Principles

Governor Profiles