Governors
Highwood is part of the Orchard Learning Alliance (OLA). The OLA Board – made up of Members and Trustees – is an integral part of the Trust. It holds the Executive Team to account and ensures strong governance, compliance and best practice across all OLA schools.
At Highwood, the Local Governing Body (LGB) works with the Head of School and staff to make sure every child receives a safe, high-quality education. The Head of School leads the day-to-day running of the school, while governors are responsible for its strategic direction and long-term development. No governor has authority as an individual; decisions are made collectively.
The LGB provides support and challenge, monitors school performance, oversees safeguarding, and ensures that resources are used effectively. Governors focus on pupils’ wellbeing, progress, the curriculum, and the overall experience of school life. As a “critical friend”, the LGB celebrates strengths and helps drive continuous improvement for the whole school community.
Our Governing Body is made up of volunteers drawn from the school’s stakeholders – parents, staff and members of the local community – each with an equal voice in decision-making. The Board meets half-termly (six times per year) and operates a flat structure in which all governors attend every meeting.
We are always keen to welcome new members, so if you would like to get involved or ask a question, please use the form https://forms.office.com/r/n3L972NxxV.
The Governing Body meeting minutes can be found below. If you require minutes from earlier meetings, please request this using the form above.
Highwood Primary School Governing Body
Highwood Full Governing Body from 1st September 2025 (updated 11th December 2025)
| Name | Appointing Body | Term of Office | Attendance at FGB Meeting 2024-2025 | Register of Interest | Roles | Voting Rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Matt Hickey | OLA | 01.09.2014-ongoing | 100% (6) | Bulmershe Gymnastics & KJM Childcare | Interim Executive Head | YES |
| Mrs Roxanna Welsh | OLA | 01.01.2026-ongoing | n/a | n/a | Head of School | YES |
| Mrs Wendy Sabaroche | Co-opted | 20.03.2023-19.03.2027 | 100% (6) | CGI IT UK Ltd & Parent | Chair; Development & IT | YES |
| Mrs Kay Bridges | Co-opted | 30.10.2023-29.10.2027 | 100% (6) | None | Vice Chair | Yes |
| Dr Lois Beaver | Co-opted | 16.07.2022-15.07.2026 | 83% (5) | SECAT Trustee | Safeguarding & SEND | YES |
| Mr Mike Dangerfield | Parents | 22.11.2024-21.11.2028 | 83% (5) | Parent & Personal relationship with a member of school staff (managed according to conflict-of-interest policy) | Standards Link Governor | YES |
| Mrs Alison Penny | Co-opted | 25.02.2025-24.02.2029 | 67% (4) | Safeguarding & SEND | YES | |
| Mr Danny Hind | Parents | 17.10.2025-16.10.2029 | n/a | Parent & Personal relationship with a member of school staff (managed according to conflict-of-interest policy) | Governor | YES |
| Mrs Anita Downes | Staff | n/a | Year 4 Teacher | YES | ||
| Mrs Lucy Morris | Staff | n/a | Family Support Worker | YES | ||
| Members who have served in the past 12 months: | ||||||
| Mrs Jen Ravindran | ||||||
| Mr Rehan Kamal | ||||||