Governors
Contact Ridgeway Governors
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Ridgeway School Governing Body 2023-2024
The Governing Body at Ridgeway School has always played a supportive and committed role, ensuring that the school meets all of its responsibilities. These include:
- A strategic role setting the general direction of the school, looking at how it should develop and grow
- A critical friend, working with the Headteacher and other senior staff to provide support and challenge.
- Accountability- monitoring the financial progress of the school and approving annual budgets.
There are 9 members of the governing body (plus the Headteacher) who attend 6 meetings throughout the year. Meetings are focused on both business and strategy and allow members to work together on current issues as well as developing new policies for the future. There is a wide variety of skills amongst the governors who include parents, staff, community and co-opted members.
One of the most rewarding aspects of a governor’s role is to visit the school during the day to monitor the work of the school and observe the children and work alongside the staff.
The Governing Body welcomes people from all backgrounds. At Ridgeway the Governing Body is always seeking ways to increase its membership from people of a more diverse background in order to bring greater depth and challenge to governing body debates.
Bernard Crease Co-Opted Chair of Governors
After graduating from Durham University and Imperial College, London, I worked in the Meteorological Office for about 8 years before embarking on a career in education. I taught Physics and Electronics and held various management and administrative roles at schools within Bedfordshire.
In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit at a local gym and by playing squash. I have been a member of Bedford Film Society for a number of years.
Having retired in August 2013, I joined Ridgeway School as a Community Governor, hoping to bring my educational experience into a different setting and to help take the school forward.
Term of Office: September 2021-September 2025
Responsibility:Premises, Finance, Health & Safety and Training
Pecuniary Interests: None
Derek Archer Co-Opted Vice Chair of Governors
I have lived in Bedfordshire since 1999. Initially trained at the Royal College of Music, I have taught in a range of schools both locally and further afield and was Head Teacher of a school in Central Bedfordshire until 2016.
I have worked with a number of Governors and Trustees to improve both provision and standards in schools.
Term Of Office: January 2022- January 2026
Responsibility: Pay Review, Safeguarding, Pupil Premium, Personnel and Headteacher Appraisal
Pecuniary Interests: None
Handre Schmidt Co-Opted Governor
Having started my professional career in Education, teaching Science and Maths in both Cape Town and Hertfordshire. I subsequently move into more business focused roles in the pharmaceutical industry and am currently a consultant within a global consulting firm; supporting management teams to defined and deliver their business strategies.
I have lived in Bedfordshire since 2012 and have been fortunate to be involved with the Bedford Blues and complete a master’s in business administration at Cranfield university.
As a governor, I look forward to supporting Ridgeway schools’ leadership team to continue delivering and growing the value the school delivers to the pupils, parents, and the community.
On a personal front, you may find me out and about walking our Great Dane, Odin with my partner Genna or cycling in the Bedfordshire countryside.
Term of Office: July 2022 - July 2026
Responsibility: Curriculum
Pecuniary Interests: None
Brad Wootton Co-Opted Governor
I've lived in Bedford from a very early age and having been educated in schools local to Putnoe Ward I know from personal experience how important it is to have a strong and supportive School Governing Body for a School Senior Leadership Team for our local communities.
I completed my BSc in Business Management at the University of East Anglia where I found my passion for Human Resource Management. Since then I have also completed postgraduate studies in Human Resource Management, studying part-time at evening classes at the University of Bedfordshire.
I am now a HR professional with experience across commercial environments including retail, accountancy, independent education and food manufacturing. Prior to becoming a Governor at Ridgeway I was a HR Business Partner at a large international independent school group, at which I had responsibility to act as the HR Business Partner and member of a leadership team 'POD' (which also consisted of a Director of Education, Marketing Manager and Finance Manager) for over a dozen independent schools across London, the South East and East of England. In my current role I am a HR Business Partner as a multinational food manufacturing business which is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland.
I enjoy playing squash, relaxing with a good film and spending time with friends and family.
Term of Service: July 2022 - July 2026
Responsbility: Pay Review, Personnel and Headteacher Appraisal
Pecuniary Interests: None
Nicki Smith Parent Governor
Having been a teacher and part of the Senior Leadership team in my most recent roles, I have experienced first-hand the difference an interested and supportive Governing Body can make.
I have a teaching degree in PE & Business from Brighton University. I taught in Secondary schools for 20 years, was involved in the School Sports Coordinator Programme for Primary schools and I am currently running our family business. We have been part of the Ridgeway family for 5 years and it is now time to offer my support more formally.
I believe in the schools aims and ethos, and wish to be part of the group of likeminded people who will be supportive, critical and challenging in order to ensure they School Leadership Team achieve all they set out to do.
I love being out and about. I was a lacrosse player, I still coach the juniors weekly, but can most often be found walking our dog in my spare time!
Term of Service: November 2020 - July 2024
Responsibility: Pay Review, Safeguarding, Curriculum and Headteacher Appraisal
Pecuniary Interests: None
Caroline Watson Co-Opted Governor
After living in Sweden for a few years, my family moved to Bedfordshire, and we have been here ever since. I studied Law and Criminology and currently studying for AAT. I work for the Government in International Human Resources supporting COVID-19 vaccination deliveries and analysis but have previously worked in Government Finance. I am a Mental Health First Aider and training in Trauma Risk Management.
I have many members of my family who are teachers, headteachers or work in schools around the country. They would share their experience of School Governors and the importance of them. I wanted to bring my knowledge and skills to help the school, teachers and students achieve their goals.
In my spare time, I am either swimming, at the cinema or walking our Puggle Bruno with my Fiancé Jack.
Term of Service: September 2022 - August 2026
Responsibility: Premises, Finance, Health & Safety and Well Being
Pecuniary Interests - None
Taha Asfahani Co-Opted Governor
Hey, I'm Taha Asfahani, a dedicated professional with a passion for leadership, strategy, and making a positive impact. With a background in Politics and History, along with a postgraduate degree in International Business and Development.
Currently, I work in Learning and Development within Local Government, helping individuals unleash their full potential. Outside of work, you'll often find me in the gym or on the football field, coaching and playing sports.
I'm thrilled to be part of the Ridgeway School community, where I hope to utilise my experiences and enthusiasm for learning and development to contribute to the school's continued progress and success.
Term of Service: September 2022 - September 2026
Responsibility: Premises, Finance, Health & Safety and Personnel
Pecuniary Interests: None
Babita Khetriwal Parent Governor
Term of Service: September 2023 - September 2027
Pecuniary Interests: None
Amy Bowie Staff Governor
Term of Service: November 2023 - November 2027
Pecuniary Interests: None