All schools in England have a Governing Body which is responsible for overseeing many of the strategic decisions of the school. A key role is to act as a ‘critical friend’: to support, to challenge, to ask questions, ultimately to represent the school community.
The Governing Body works in close partnership with the headteacher, staff and the local authority. Whilst the headteacher is, of course, responsible for the day to day running of the school, the governors are involved with such things as staffing, curriculum, school buildings and finance. It ensures the school functions well and maintains the proper range of academic and social objectives.
In July 2015 the governing body elected to reconstitute, in keeping with statutory guidance from the Department for Education. They took this decision as it allowed them to change the numbers and types of governors we have and to appoint people on the basis of the skills they could bring.
Since the start of the academic year 2016/17, instead of having separate committees, we have chosen to have Full Governors meetings every half term. Governor attendance at meetings from the last academic year can be seen in the document at the bottom of this page, as can the Governing Body Constitution document which includes the roles held by current members.
The governing body now comprises:
1 Headteacher governor
1 Staff governor
2 Parent governors
1 Local Authority governor
6 Co-opted governors
Governors approved the constitution as detailed above to come into effect from 16 July 2015 and that the term of office of Staff Governors would be two years, all others would be four years. For details of roles and responsibilities of our current school governors, please see the constitution document at the bottom of this page.
The chair of governors is Mike Ballinger, who can be contacted via the school office.
For details of dates of appointment and attendance at Governors meetings over the last academic year, please see the attached documents at the bottom of this page.
Pauline Parkes
Co-opted governor
Term of office from 16 Jul 2015 to 15 Jul 2023
First appointed on 2 May 1998
Register of interests:
- Director at Finham Park Multi Academy Trust since September 2017 SEND/Inclusion/Safeguarding background
Has voting rights
I was elected as a Parent Governor at Stivichall Primary school in the early 1990s. Since then I have been a Community Governor and I am currently a Co-opted Governor.
I am a retired teacher and have worked in the City of Coventry for over 30 years. I have been involved in all of the committees of the governing body over the years, though my background in Education has meant my particular interest has always been in curriculum issues and the health and welfare of young people. I held the position of SENCO, Inclusion Manager and Safeguarding Lead at a local secondary school and continue to act in a consultancy role for the Multi Academy Trust where I was employed.
I am married with two adult children, both of whom went to Stivichall Primary School, and I continue to live within the school catchment area. I started my career as a teacher of PE and music and moved to Coventry to teach at a local secondary school in 1980. I believe that all young people should have the best possible start in life and that school can play a big part in this. I continue to be a keen advocate for sport and for all of the expressive arts and see them as an extremely valuable and intrinsic part of the school curriculum.
Mike Ballinger - Chair of Governors
Chair of Governors and Co-opted Governor
Term of office from 16 Jul 2015 to 15 Jul 2023
First appointed on 1 Sep 2005
Register of interests:
- Director of Builders Supply Stores (Coventry) Ltd, occasional supplier to the School
Has voting rights
I was originally a parent Governor back in the mid 1990s. Since then I have been a Community Governor and I am now a Co-opted Governor. I was elected Chair of Governors in February 2021.
Over the years I have been involved in both the Performance and Standards and the Resources Committees and their predecessor committees. Using my business background, I have been particularly able to contribute to matters of health and safety, finance, and premises. I am on the Coventry City Council Outdoor Education Steering Group and I am involved with the Coventry Governors Association – experience on both of these has helped me to contribute further to the work of the Governing Body. I am a holder of a certificate in Safer Recruitment. For several years I was a volunteer assistant to a Maths tutor in Adult Education, again helpful experience.
I am married with two adult children who both went to Stivichall, I still live 5 minutes walk from the School. My wife is a former chair of PTA at Stivichall and I was Chair of PTA at Finham Park (many years ago). I am a supporter of Coventry Rugby Club and like to watch Warwickshire and England cricket matches. I am heavily involved in a major political party in Coventry but never bring party politics into Governing Body matters. I have an interest in mental health matters and I am a Samaritan listening volunteer. I am Chair of the Friends of Plas Dol-y-Moch.
Karen Ferguson - Headteacher
A member of the governing body by virtue of position in school
Term of office from 1 Sep 2013 to present
First appointed on 1 Sep 2013
Register of interests:
- Governors have been notified of any commercial or educational interests
Has voting rights
After graduating from The University of Warwick with a BA Honours degree in English with QTS in 2002, I began my teaching career in Coventry. I then moved to Warwickshire before later taking on my first headship in Leamington Spa. Stivichall Primary is my fourth school and second headship. Throughout my time here, as a result of hard work from pupils, staff, parents and governors, the school has gone from strength to strength. I am extremely proud of our school.
Pat Hunt
Co-opted governor
Term of office from 16 Jul 2015 to 15 Jul 2023
First appointed on 1 Apr 2011
Register of interests: None
Has voting rights
I am recently retired having spent my working life in Banking, Financial Management and finally as Director of Corporate Resources at the government funded British Educational Technology Agency (Becta)
I have experience in Finance, Human Resources, Building and Facilities management and organisational Performance Management.
I have lived in the community for the past 30 years and seen the exciting growth and development of Stivichall School, and more recently through the eyes of 2 of my grandchildren who have been part of the school.
When I retired from a very busy job, I was pleased to have some time to use the skills and the experience gained through work and through bringing up a family, in such a positive way.
Initially I came into school to help with reading then was elected to be a Community Governor in 2011, and recently re-elected as a co-opted governor.
I really enjoy my involvement with the children and the staff at Stivichall and am looking forward to supporting them in another busy and successful year.
Chatlotte Watson-Nash
Staff governor
Term of office from November 2021
First appointed on
Register of interests: None
Has voting rights
I was elected to the role of Staff Governor in November 2021 in my second year at Stivichall and I am proud to be part of the school community. Over the last year and a half, I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching in Year 3.
Currently, I am the History subject leader and have led the development of the History curriculum and assessment procedures within school. I have also been involved in supporting PGCE students on placement at Stivichall.
I attended Leeds Metropolitan University where I graduated with a BA (Hons) in Primary Education with a specialism in History. During my teaching career I have worked in schools in Warwickshire, Birmingham, and Coventry. Over the last 12 years I have worked across both Key Stage One and Key Stage Two and have worked as a class teacher and for several years in Senior Leadership roles. I am passionate about providing the best education possible for all children.
Kirstie Wren - Vice Chair of Governors
Vice Chair of Governors and Co-opted governor
Term of office from 6 Feb 2020 to 5 Feb 2024
First appointed on 14 Mar 2016
Register of interests: None
Has voting rights
I am a co-opted governor and joined the board in March 2016. Currently my main responsibility on the governing board is data/outcomes for pupils.
I grew up in Coventry before attending Imperial College London where I obtained a degree in Chemical Engineering (2010-2014). After graduating, I returned to Coventry to take a job as a Paint Manufacturing Engineer in the automotive industry.
I also volunteer as a STEM Ambassador, a role which allows me to volunteer in various schools to promote the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) skills. It is a real privilege to be able to continue my involvement with Stivichall and to help ensure all its pupils have access to the best possible education.
Monika Rozanski
Parent Governor
Term of office from 4 Oct 2019 to3 Oct 2023
First appointed on 4 Oct 2019
Register of interests: none
Has voting rights
I am passionate about children’s education and wellbeing to ensure that they have the best possible start in life and can thrive as they grow and develop. Through various roles within Local Authorities, I have developed a profound knowledge of children’s development and how services for children, young people and families, including early years and primary education, early help, family support and safeguarding, work. I am also a mum of a year 1 pupil at Stivichall.
I am a Public Health specialist currently leading on the work to prevent and tackle health inequalities in Birmingham. Prior to this, I have worked across Coventry and Warwickshire in various managerial roles, delivering complex transformation programmes and integrating services for children and families, working with children’s centres, schools, NHS services and other. I also used to be a teacher and a university lecturer, but over 10 years ago my career journey took me on a path to health and care leadership.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my son who is very active and enjoys sports. I enjoy theatre and film. Having had been a radio broadcaster myself, I occasionally get involved in community media initiatives.
I have lived in Coventry and locally for over 17 years and I am keen to share my experience and expertise to help make Stivichall an outstanding school that leads the way in how it supports its pupils, parents and staff. It is a privilege to get involved in my son’s school’s life.
Gavin Holmes-Wilson
Co-opted governor
Term of office from 6 Feb 2020 to 5 Feb 2024
First appointed on 6 Feb 2020
Register of interests: None
Has voting rights
For 20 years, I worked in retail management, before joining the newly formed Nexus Institute of Creative Arts. From there I became a self-employed sound engineer/musician, with considerable work at Coventry Cathedral, including organising their Sunday evening worship services.
In September 2008, I started teaching for Warwickshire Music Service. I have provided my music and sound services for many different organisations and events, including, in 2018, the most high-profile services at the cathedral and the Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit. At Warwickshire Music I have been working in a mix of around 13 primary and secondary schools, with up to 200 children from years 1 to 13, including pioneering the concept of ‘Well-being’ groups.
The whole health and wellbeing of children is close to my heart. It is marvellous to witness how a child, fragile with low self-esteem, begins to grow stronger and start to smile at their achievements, under gentle and careful guidance and encouragement.
I enjoy making art, time permitting, song writing, recording when time permits, cooking, comfortable camping and family times. But as a Christian, my greatest love and joy is to keep improving what I can do for my family, friends, colleagues and others I meet each day.