Meet the Governors

The Governing Body is proud of the achievements of the school over recent years but at the same time there is no room for complacency in an eductional world that is ever evolving.  As parents or prospective parents you can be reassured that the governors strive to give the school maximum support in its drive for excellence.

Mr Tony Coppin - Chair of Governors

As a Church of England Voluntary Aided School, Birch comes under the control of the Diocese of Chelmsford, and as such the majority of the Governing Body are appointed by either the Diocesan Education Committee or Parochial Church Councils representing the school's catchment villages.

      Meet the Governors - A few words written by each of the team

       Mr.Tony Coppin - Chair of the governors.

       I have been a governor for two years, having moved to the village on retirement in 2015. I have

       worked as a teacher and head-teacher in Essex for 30 years. My last school was Mayflower Primary

       school in Harwich - an outstanding school.

       Lynn Hamber

       I have been a governor for two years. I have a degree in Humanities/Literature and have found my

       role as governor interesting and challenging.

       Gill Brown

       I live locally in Layer Marney.This is my second term of being a school governor. I am retired after

       having worked 30 years in children's services.

       Paul Sturgeon

       I have been a governor at Birch school for 9 years and am chair of the Finance & premises

       committee. I live locally (with our 4 dogs!) and all four of my children attended the school.

       Sue Gee

       I live in the village and my involvement with the school goes back many years. Both of my children

       attended Birch school and I was Deputy head teacher here prior to my retirement. I have been

       a staff governor and more recently held the position of Chair of Governors before Tony Coppin.

       Nicholas Bagley

       I have been PCC Governor for 2 years and sat on the Finance & premises committee. I am local

       to the village having grown up in Layer Breton. I moved back to the village with my family 3 years

       ago. My oldest child attends the school and my youngest attends the attached pre-school on site.

     Andi Clark    

     Hello!!  I am a local Lad having lived in Tiptree, Stanway  (Briefly) and currently in Birch where I have       been for the last 12 Years. Running  our Family Haulage Company is my day Job and keeps me on my           toes along with my 2 Boys who attend Birch and Love it. My Hobbies are socialising with friends and         Playing or Watching most sports, Football is also a big part of my life and am Lucky to be Club                   Secretary for Colchester Villa YFC while also supporting the Mighty Chelsea FC.

BUSINESS/PRECUNIARY INTERESTS/ATTENDANCE/END DATE

MR T COPPIN (CHAIR) - Term ends 25.10.2020

BUSINESS/PRECUNIARY INTEREST - NONE RECORDED

2017-18 ATTENDED COMMITTEE MEETINGS - 6 X FGB, 4 X SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

END DATE/CATEGORY - LOCAL AUTHORITY TO 25.10.20

MRS S GEE - Foundation P.C.C Term ends 19.11.2021

BUSINESS/PRECUNIARY INTEREST - NONE RECORDED. 

2017-18 ATTENDED COMMITTEE MEETINGS - 6 X FGB, 1 X PAY AND PERSONNEL, 4 X FINANCE & PREMISES, 2 X SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

END DATE/CATEGORY - LOCAL AUTHORITY TO 31.08.18

MRS I BENTLEY Foundation D.B.E Term ends 30.04.2022

BUSINESS/PRECUNIARY INTEREST - RELATIVE OF ATTENDING STUDENT.

2017-18 ATTENDED COMMITTEE MEETINGS - 5 X FGB, 1 X PAY & PERSONNEL, 3 X SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT.

END DATE/CATEGORY - DIOCESAN BOARD OF EDUCATION FOUNDATION GOVERNOR TO 30.04.18

MR P STURGEON (VICE CHAIR) Foundation D.B.E Term ends 31.10.2020

BUSINESS/PRECUNIARY INTEREST - DIRECTOR OF GARLANDS CONSULTING LTD, MEMBER OF INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

2017-18 ATTENDED COMMITTEE MEETINGS - 6X FGB, 5 X FINANCE & PREMISES

END DATE/CATEGORY - DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE FOUNDATION GOVERNOR TO 31.10.16

MRS G BROWN Foundation P.C.C Term ends 27.10.2019

BUSINESS/PRECUNIARY INTEREST - RETIRED, SECRETARY FOR LAYER MARNEY PCC

2017-18 ATTENDED COMMITTEE MEETINGS - 5 X FGB, 1 X PAY & PERSONNEL, 5 X FINANCE & PREMISES, 3 X SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

END DATE/CATEGORY - FOUNDATION PARISH COUNCIL COMMITTEE TO 20.11.15

MR R SCOTT Foundation D.B.E Term ends 12.03.2023

BUSINESS/PRECUNIARY INTEREST - PARENT OF ATTENDING STUDENT/DIRECTOR OF SKN-RG LTD/BUSINESES - MARSHLANDS PHOTOGRAPHIC.

2017-18 ATTENDED COMMITTEE MEETINGS - 6X FGB, 4 X FINANCE & PREMISES

END DATE/CATEGORY - PARENT TO 26.01.19

MR N BAGLEY Foundation P.C.C Term ends 30.03.2019

BUSINESS/PRECUNIARY INTEREST - PARENT OF ATTENDING STUDENT

2015-16 ATTENDED COMMITTEE MEETINGS - 4 X FGB, 3 X FINANCE & PREMISES

END DATE/CATEGORY - PARENT TO FOUNDATION PARISH COUNCIL COMMITTEE

MRS L HAMBER Foundation P.C.C Term ends 08.03.2019

BUSINESS/PRECUNIARY INTEREST - Previous owner of Hamber Safes, business now sold.

2015-16 ATTENDED COMMITTEE MEETINGS - 6X FGB, 3 X SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

END DATE/CATEGORY - FOUNDATION PARISH COUNCIL COMMITTEE TO 08.03.19

MRS S Lewis-Driver Parent Governor Term ends 31.12.2022

BUSINESS/PRECUNIARY INTEREST - NONE RECORDED

MR A Clark Parent Governor Term ends 31.12.2022

BUSINESS/PRECUNIARY INTEREST - Owner of DWClark-Sons