Meet our Governors
The Board of Governors exercises its powers and functions with a view to fulfilling a largely strategic leadership role in the running of the academy, addressing such matters as:
- policy development and strategic planning, including target-setting to keep up momentum on school improvement;
- ensuring sound management and administration of the academy, and ensuring that the Senior Leadership Team are equipped with relevant skills and guidance;
- ensuring compliance with legal requirements;
- establishing and maintaining a transparent system of prudent and effective internal controls;
- management of the academy’s financial, human and other resources;
- monitoring performance and the achievement of objectives and ensuring that plans for improvement are acted upon;
- helping the academy be responsive to the needs of parents and the community and making it more accountable through consultation and reporting;
- setting the academy’s standards of conduct and values;
- assessing and managing risk (including preparation of a statement on the academy’s risk management for its annual report and accounts).
The Full Board of Governors have established three primary committees to exercise powers and functions on behalf of the Governors and their constitution;
These Committees are;
- Resources, Audit and Risk
- Pastoral
- Teaching Learning and Assessment
Additionally, committees to discuss pupil discipline, staff appeals, pay review, pay appeals, complaints or as required by circumstances will be formed from a pool of governors agreed by the Full Board of Governors, based on their availability.
All Governors are appointed for a 4-year term.
Cams Hill School Governors:
VITTORIO BOCCOLINI
Appointed in November 2022 by the Parents
Vittorio joined the Governing Board in November 2022. He is a Parent Member with his daughter attending Year 9. Vittorio has been working in education for many years and now he is a Senior Lecturer at Solent University.
Vittorio has a genuine passion for students’ education and achievement and wants to support the school in keeping the standards high, improving and developing them, to provide an even better student experience. He is a member of the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee.
JOANNA BOWLES
Re-appointed in November 2015 by the Members, re-appointed in November 2019 by the Governors
JoAnna joined the Cams Hill Governing Body in December 2015 and is a former pupil. She is committed to giving back to the school she once attended. JoAnna Chairs the Pastoral Committee and is the Bridging the Disadvantaged Gap/Pupil Premium Link Governor. JoAnna is also a member of the Pay Committee and the Headteacher Performance Review Committee.
CRAIG BOYCE
Appointed in May 2021 by the Members
Craig became a Governor at Cams Hill School in May 2021. Craig is a member of the senior leadership team at a local prep school and as Director of Studies has extensive experience of teaching and learning. Craig believes that the impact on children should be at the centre of any decision-making process within a school and hopes the role of Governor will allow him to learn from others and gain a deeper understanding of the education sector. Craig sits on the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee and is a member of the Headteacher’s Performance Review Committee.
SARA BROOKER
Appointed by the Members, Re-elected by School Staff in September 2019 (first elected by School Staff in October 2015)
Sara is a staff Governor and sits on the Pastoral Committee. She works closely with both the Senior Leadership Team and Safeguarding Link Governor in her role as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, to ensure children are safe within Cams Hill School.
NICHOLA BRYCE
Appointed in November 2020 by the Members
Nichola joined the board of Governors in November 2020. She is an experienced Governor having spent 8 years on Redlands Primary School’s governing board and has over 20 years’ experience in accounting and is a Chartered Accountant. Nichola is passionate about education and understands the importance of great teachers providing caring and thriving environments for young people. Nichola loves Maths and Science and successfully tutors pupils studying GCSE Maths. Nichola is Vice Chair of the Full Governing Board, Chair of the Resources Committee, Co-Chair of the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee and Parent Communications Link Governor.
MATTHEW FARMER
Appointed in November 2022 by the Parents
Matthew joined the Full Governing Board in January 2023. He is a former Cams pupil, with children who have also attended Cams Hill. Matthew currently works as Director of Product for a leading UK technology start-up, after previously spending 15 years with Microsoft in both the UK and USA. A local resident in Fareham, Matt is passionate about the school and local community. Matthew is a member of the Resources, Audit and Risk Committee.
IAIN HARE
Appointed in July 2022 by the Members
Iain joined the Full Governing Board in September 2022. Iain is a retired History teacher and educational professional. His broad experience in the education sector includes working as; an advisor for statutory assessment in West Sussex, an advisory teacher in Northamptonshire responsible for developing Records of Achievement in secondary schools; and as a Lead Ofsted Inspector. He also worked within the National College for School Leadership, training on and creating programmes for school leaders. In terms of prior Governor experience, he volunteered for two years as Governor at a secondary school in Surrey. Iain is Chair of the Full Governing Board and a member of the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee and the Resources, Audit and Risk Committee. He is also the Curriculum and Assessment Link Governor.
TIM HEARN
Appointed in October 2022 by the Members
Tim joined Cams Hill Governing Body in October 2022. Tim brings many years of senior management experience from the technology sector having worked at some of the largest global tech firms and is a local resident of the school. Tim is passionate about helping young people prepare for and flourish in the world of modern business and is a coach/mentor in his spare time. Tim is a Vice Chair of the Resources, Audit and Risk Committee and also the Careers Link Governor.
STEVE HIGGINS
Appointed in June 2023 by the Members
Steve joined the Governing Board in June 2023. He presently works full-time in the field of Critical Systems Safety but has been involved in the Education sector for many years, teaching Engineering and life skills and undertaking an Enterprise Partnership Group. Of particular value to Cams Hill School, Steve has prior experience as a Governor at Redlands Primary School where he assumed the role of Vice Chair. He looks forward to supporting the school, it’s staff and pupils. He is a member of the Resources, Audit and Risk Committee and also the Health & Safety and Risk Register Link Governor.
IAN HUDSON
Ex Officio Governor, appointed by Governors in September 2023
Ian became Interim Headteacher of Cams Hill School in September 2023 and is a Governor by right of his job role, with additional Chief Financial Officer responsibilities for the Trust. He is committed to working collaboratively with the Governing Body at Cams Hill School and the Senior Leadership Team to ensure all pupils have an excellent and holistic education. He has worked at the school on the Senior Leadership Team since September 2016 and is committed to the continued improvement of provision for young people.
BOBBY MEHTA
Appointed in October 2021 by the Members
Bobby joined the Governing Body in November 2021. He is an experienced Governor at two previous primary schools and works in the education sector at the University of Portsmouth. Bobby is passionate about the success of Cam Hill School and enthusiastic about supporting the school in getting the best education for the pupils at Cams Hill School. Bobby is a member of Pastoral Committee and is also the Safeguarding Link Governor.
DAN REEVES
Appointed in November 2023 by the Members
Dan has over a decade of experience in the world of recruitment, talent acquisition and executive search in the sports and venue sectors, having started his career in research and business development. He now runs his own recruitment company and is a Dad to a 4 and 5 year old who both go to school in the local area. He has always had an interest in the education sector and has a particular passion for ensuring that children are as prepared as they can be for life outside of school and academia. Dan is a member of the Pastoral Committee.
CHRIS REILLY
Appointed in July 2018 by the Members, re-appointed in July 2022 by the Governors
Chris joined Cams Hill as an appointed Governor in July 2018. He is a Head of Year and science teacher at a local secondary school and he brings his knowledge and experience to the Governing Body. Chris sits on the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee, Pay Committee and Headteacher Review Committee.
LAUREN ROBINSON
Appointed by the Members, elected by School Staff in May 2021
Lauren was elected by the staff body to become a Governor in May 2021. She is currently a Head of Year and Teacher of History and Psychology at Cams Hill School. Lauren has strong pastoral experience and passionately believes that ‘every child deserves a champion’. Lauren sits on the Pastoral Committee and is the Admissions Link Governor.
LYNDA SMURTHWAITE
Appointed in March 2021 by the Members
Lynda joined the Governing body in March 2021. Lynda is a HR Manager at IBM and has over 20 years’ experience in this field. Lynda is also skilled in project management and is an English Literature graduate. Lynda is passionate about supporting good mental health and is a trained mental health mentor and coach in her workplace. Lynda is a member of of the Pastoral Committee and the Pay Committee, and is also the SEND Link Governor.
Governance Professional:
HELEN HILL
Helen is the Governance Professional for Cams Hill Governing Body and is responsible for ensuring all members have the information they need to make informed strategic decisions about the school moving forward. Helen also ensures the smooth running of both Committee and Full Governing Body meetings by working with the Chair to manage agendas, policies, documents and minutes.
Governors that stepped down from the Cams Hill School Board of Governors during the last 12 months:
CLAIRE ANAM
First appointed in July 2022 by Members, resigned and stepped down from the Board of Governors in February 2023.
CHRIS KEEP
First appointed in February 2019 by Members, resigned and stepped down from the Board of Governors in October 2023.
RACHAEL RUSSELL
First appointed in November 2022 by Members, resigned and stepped down from the Board of Governors in October 2023.
Cams Hill Academy Trust Members:
SIMON BARRABLE
Appointed in March 2022 by Members
SIMON FREEMAN
Appointed in July 2022 by Members
CHRIS KEEP
Appointed in October 2023 by Members
IAIN HARE
Appointed in October 2023 by Members
Members that stepped down from the Cams Hill Academy Trust during the last 12 months:
JOHN URE
Appointed in July 2022 by Members, resigned and stepped down from the Members in June 2023.
Terms of Reference – Full Board of Governors
Terms of Reference – Resources Committee
Terms of Reference – Pastoral Committee
Terms of Reference – Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee
Governors Declaration of Interest 2023 – 2024